Hung in doorways to spread holiday cheer, mistletoe is rich in mythology and tradition. Mistletoe comes from the Old English word “mistiltan,” in which “mistil” means “dung” and “tan” means “twig.” This reference to bird droppings is certainly counter-intuitive to mistletoe’s romantic symbolism. Ame...

November is National Pepper Month, which is great, but it seems a little … late in the year to be celebrating it, right? It’s not, because they can grow over a vast amount of time each growing season, as long as they have the proper conditions. These fruits – yes, they’re fruits, just like tomatoes ...

From pumpkin spice lattes to harvest-themed front porches, pumpkins are an iconic staple for autumn. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Serviceexperts have some tips on how to use these popular gourds in and around your home. Odessa Keenan, AgriLife Extension program coordinator for the agency’s Dinner To...

Today is National Hug A Sheep Day. Why would you want to hug a sheep, you might ask? For starters, they are adorable, soft, warm and fuzzy. If you have dry skin, the lanolin in their fleece will be helpful. More than that, they provide wool and meat for us – so they really do deserve some hugs. In t...

Pumpkin nuts (not to be confused with the “pumpkin nut” latte from Starbucks) need somewhere to enjoy the Great Pumpkin this autumn, but where? LawnStarter ranked 2021’s Best Cities for Pumpkin Lovers ahead of Halloween and National Pumpkin Day on Oct. 26. We compared nearly 200 of the biggest U.S. ...

I wrote this last year for our sister publication, Country Folks Grower , but since Oct. 22 is National Nut Day , it seemed like a good time to share it again. Hazelnuts are on the rise. Over the last decade, growing food industry demand for hazelnuts has not been satisfied with a corresponding expa...

While a lot of people only really think about cranberries once a year – Thanksgiving, we see you, and we’re excited – October is actually National Cranberry Month. From fresh to frozen to dried (and even that weirdly gelatinous stuff that you find in the can), cranberries are a fruit you can (and sh...

Every year on Oct. 12, the U.S. celebrates those who keep this country fed and running: its farmers. Formerly known as Old Farmers Day, the day is now National Farmers Day. Editor Courtney’s great-grandfather Irving Pett Farmers set an example with their endless hard work. They provide the food we e...

World Egg Day was established in Vienna, Austria, in 1996, when it was decided we’d celebrate the power of the egg on the second Friday in October every year. What’s super exciting is 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of this eggs-citing celebration! (Get ready for a lot of puns.) According to the Int...

National Kale Day, which is celebrated the on the first Wednesday of October, takes place to highlight kale’s health benefits and its culinary versatility, and it promotes eating,growing and sharing kale throughout the United States. Kale is one of those lauded “superfoods” as it is among the most n...

Spinach is often listed as one of the world’s top 10 “superfoods.” It’s packed with vitamin C and beta-carotene. One cup of fresh spinach gives you nearly double the daily requirement for vitamin K, which plays an important role in cardiovascular and bone health. You can add it to your eggs in the m...

Weirdly specific holidays can make for some great memories and some fun annual traditions, and a great example of this is Goose Day. September 29 is Goose Day in Mifflin and Juniata counties in Pennsylvania. Not all of the Keystone State, mind you – just those two counties. But where did it come fro...

The importance of farm chore traditions and food preparation for kids Including your kids in the process of homesteading, farming and growing food for your family leaves an indelible mark on them. If you had asked me at age of 7 or 8 my thoughts on the matter, I probably couldn’t be bothered. They w...

This is a wide-open topic, since so many vegetables and fruits require so many different things to be harvested efficiently and safely. It could be as simple as your hands and a basket or box; it could require specialized tools; it might even be useful to have a tractor. It really depends on your cr...

Mushrooms can be a great source of vitamins . It’s not just fruits (apples) and vegetables (potatoes) receiving some love this month. September is also National Mushroom Month! And I want to start this article with a glowing review of a must-watch movie on Netflix. “Fantastic Fungi,” released in 201...