MOTHER EARTH NEWS

MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine is the Original Guide to Living Wisely. Launched in 1970, each bimonthly issue features practical and money-saving information on cutting energy costs; using renewable energy; organic gardening; green home building and remodeling; fun do-it-yourself projects; and conscientious, self-sufficient lifestyles

Lambing Season

MOTHER EARTH NEWS • THE ORIGINAL GUIDE TO LIVING WISELY

Dear MOTHER

EDITORS’ PICK

Alarm and Appreciation • Readers, we received a number of responses to Jonathan Lundgren’s “The State of Bees in the United States” (December 2019/January 2020). Here are our favorite letters from you.— MOTHER

Public Transportation Innovations • The transportation sector — made up of the fossil-fueled planes, trains, and automobiles that transfer us to and fro — is the biggest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. So, in some cities, businesses and local officials are attempting to lower those emissions as well as ease traffic by implementing various public transportation programs — many of which rely on existing infrastructure, rather than the brand-new frameworks required for high-speed rails.

Certify Your Butterfly Garden

Ogallala Aquifer Conservation

Beneficial Birds

Start a Homesteading Club • By seeking out a community of like-minded types, this couple was able to form a club where homesteaders can develop and share their skills.

Them That’s Doin’ • Welcome to Them That’s Doin’, a department featuring homesteaders discussing what they’ve been up to. We want to know what’s caught your eye, and how you’ve been spending your time. Have you tried any new-to-you seeds, or tested a fresh recipe? Upcycled scrap items into something cool, or started a club? Tell us at Letters@MotherEarthNews.com. In the meantime, here’s what we’ve been doin’.

Compact Plants for Patio Gardeners • Short on gardening space? Consider these pint-sized hybrids bred for edible success.

Build a Hiking Trail • Laying out a footpath through your property can offer easy access to its highlights, while providing a peaceful respite in nature.

Where the Wild Things Should Be • A California nonprofit seeks to turn urban public school grounds into a network of parks that benefit children’s health and education.

Outdoor Learning

Make Your Mark • Learn how to create personalized, natural inks from foraged ingredients.

Practical Poetry An Interview with Wendell Berry • The wisdom of this great thinker resonates as much today as it did almost 50 years ago.

Scottish Thistle Fire Brazier • Fire up the forge and light up the night with your handiwork by creating this Scotti-shinspired masterpiece.

55 Simple Projects for Everyday Use

Tool Tips

The Garden of Rebirth • You can regrow store-bought produce and vegetable waste to create recurring harvests.

Make Your Garden Grow Up with a DIY Obelisk • Growing plants vertically is the ideal way to make the most of small spaces.

Storing and Processing Wool • Make the most of your fleece by caring for and storing it properly.

Build a Simple Skirting Table

Learn How to Produce Quality Fleece from Your Fiber Animals

How to Frame a Rob Roy Kayak • This skin-on-frame design is a great project for home woodworkers and paddle enthusiasts.

Terms and Parts Glossary

A Little Hops How-To • Get firsthand advice on starting and maintaining a small-scale hops farm.

Uses Beyond Brewing

Fox in the Henhouse? • Learn how to identify what’s preying on your poultry so you can form an effective plan of defense.

Protect Your Chicks From Predators

Poultry Feathers as Clues • Poultry feathers left by a predator can provide important...