BetterArts Welcomes Dance Troupe From NYC for Micro Residency

BetterArts Welcomes Dance Troupe From NYC for Micro Residency

BetterArts is pleased as punch to welcome Mark Bankin and fellow dancers to Better Farm for a micro residency this week as they work on their latest project, supported by a New York State Choreographers Initiative designed to help choreographers develop their skills by providing them with resources to advance their creative practice. The 10 dancers will be practicing on the Better Farm campus through Friday, and will offer a free “live rehearsal” this Thursday at 6 p.m.

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Smart Farming: Driving Sustainable Agriculture in Modern Communities

Smart Farming: Driving Sustainable Agriculture in Modern Communities

Agriculture has always evolved alongside human ingenuity, but today’s pace of change is unlike anything previous generations experienced. Farmers who once relied solely on rainfall patterns and generational knowledge now manage operations through dashboards, satellites, and sensor networks that span thousands of acres.

The pressure to feed a growing global population while managing shrinking resources and unpredictable climate conditions has made innovation necessary. Understanding how digital tools are reshaping food production gives you a clearer picture of where the industry is heading and why it affects everyone, not just those working the land.

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Horse Pasture Management Tips for Healthier Grazing

Horse Pasture Management Tips for Healthier Grazing

Good pasture management is one of the most impactful things you can do for your horses' long-term health, your land's productivity, and your overall workload. A well-managed pasture feeds your horses better, reduces your feed bill, and keeps the land in good shape year after year.  

The tips below break down what actually works, so you can stop guessing and start seeing results. 

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'Knowing Trees' Workshop June 24-26 With Levi O'Brien

'Knowing Trees' Workshop June 24-26 With Levi O'Brien

In this first-of-its-kind program by Levi O'Brien, you’ll join a small group to thoroughly develop your observational skills and understanding of local trees. The weekend-long, immersive workshop will be taught with the rigor of a college-level intensive, with an approach that makes it accessible for people of all skill levels. Hone your knowledge through a combination of hands-on, field- and lab-based learning and discussion-based classes. Dress for hiking and bring a notebook. This workshop includes lodging and meals; Saturday day passes are also available.

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Here’s Why Horses Need a Different Approach to Safety

Here’s Why Horses Need a Different Approach to Safety

If you’ve ever spent time around horses, you know they’re pretty different. No, not just in size, of course, and no, not just in personality, but in how they react to the world around them. For example, chickens scatter, cows plod along, and goats climb everything they can reach. But when it comes to horses? Well, you can basically expect that they get spooked at a plastic bag drifting across the pasture. If they’re unfamiliar with something, it spooks them too. For anyone who wants to have a horse and keep it living long and healthy, well, you’re going to need to understand that they’re not the fighting type.

That’s exactly why they’re not like other livestock when it comes to safety. Horses are wired in a way that makes them both majestic and a little unpredictable at the same time, and if you’re responsible for them, you’ve absolutely got to understand what makes their needs so unique.

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Microclimates on One Farm Block: Plant for the Hill, the Hollow, and the Headridge

Microclimates on One Farm Block: Plant for the Hill, the Hollow, and the Headridge

You don’t farm one field, you farm a dozen tiny climates hiding inside a single block. The wind-scoured hill. The frost-catching hollow. The headridge your planter lifts across at every turn. Treat them the same and you’ll get average everywhere. Treat them differently and you’ll get better, more predictable yield where it counts.

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Mindfulness Techniques for Stress Relief and Mental Clarity

Mindfulness Techniques for Stress Relief and Mental Clarity

There’s nothing worse than feeling stressed, and dealing with intense stress levels can be hard to do. That’s why it’s important to manage those feelings of stress so that they’re not overruling your life or stopping you from doing the things you love.

At the same time, you don’t want to find yourself struggling with your mental health or allowing that to impact your general health either. Here are some helpful mindfulness techniques for stress relief and mental clarity.

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How Homesteaders Engaged in Organic Farming Can Manage Their Busy Lifestyles

How Homesteaders Engaged in Organic Farming Can Manage Their Busy Lifestyles

A life of sustainable homesteading that focuses on organic farming carries a unique allure. It emphasizes self-sufficiency with minimal environmental impact and maximum health benefits.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that nearly 188 countries worldwide practice organic farming. The US is also witnessing a growth rate of 10.53% in organic agriculture between 2024 and 2032.

While there are different types of homesteading, most suburban and large-scale homesteaders use organic farming methods. If you're among them, your daily life is far from easy. The manual labor, crop rotational needs, soil building practices, etc., are laborious and lengthy processes.

If it feels too overwhelming, pause and rethink your time management strategies. This article shares four tips to manage your busy lifestyle so that there will be no idle hours or unproductive days.

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6 Signs Your Homestead Needs Septic System Pumping

6 Signs Your Homestead Needs Septic System Pumping

A properly working septic system keeps a homestead safe, clean, and healthy. It handles waste from bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry. When the system fills up, it must be pumped to prevent issues. Ignoring the signs of a full tank can lead to serious problems, both inside and outside the home. That's why knowing when to schedule septic pumping matters.

Many homeowners aren't sure how to tell when the system needs attention. Some signs are easy to miss, while others point to more urgent trouble. Here are seven signs that your homestead may need septic system pumping soon.

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