Ocean State Libraries

Overview: Starting a small scale farm is the dream of Americans young and old, from those who watched the majesty of the great western farm in films during their youth to those who spent their childhood actually working on a farm. However, for many of these individuals it is a matter of logistics and cost that keeps them from realizing their dreams. Raising beef cattle, ducks, rabbits, and any other small animals such as sheeps, goats, or chickens...

Heritage breeds matter, and they are often a better choice than conventional breeds for small farms and backyards. This eloquent, inviting, visual guide explains why conserving heritage breeds is important and shows you how you can raise these breeds yourself, helping to preserve them and benefiting from them at the same time. Written by three experts from the Livestock Conservancy, this book includes chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits, pigs,...

Have you ever celebrated Thanksgiving with a turkey from a local farm, instead of a packaged, frozen supermarket bird? Ever cracked a farm-fresh egg into the skillet next to a store-bought one? The difference in quality can't be overstated. Small-scale livestock farming not only brings better, safer, and more delicious food to your table, but it can do so economically.Long the primary reference for anyone who keeps animals as a sustainable food source,...

"Moving from home to the backyard to a farm sanctuary, the author offers this guide to improving animals' lives and deepening our love for our four-legged--and sometimes feathery, slithery, or buzzy--friends"--adapted from page 4 of cover.