Field Notes
Practical guides on homesteading, farm stays, small-farm business, and modern rural life. Written by The Farm.House Editors with help from AI for first drafts and human editors for everything that matters. Read our editorial standards.
Homesteading Basics · 9 min read
Canning 101: What to Preserve Now, What to Skip
Pressure canners, water baths, and acid levels — the real beginner guide to home preservation, with the safety basics nobody explains clearly.
The Farm.House Editors · May 5, 2026
Farm Stays & Agritourism · 7 min read
How to Find a Real Working Farm Near You (Not a Tourist Trap)
USDA-registered farms beat trendy listings every time. Here's how to identify authentic farm experiences and visit them respectfully.
The Farm.House Editors · May 5, 2026
Homesteading Basics · 9 min read
The Honest Cost of Raising Backyard Chickens
Beyond the cute starter coops on Pinterest, here are the real numbers on chickens — startup, ongoing costs, and when (or if) you break even on eggs.
The Farm.House Editors · May 4, 2026
Farm Stays & Agritourism · 8 min read
What's Actually Worth It at a Farm Stay (And What's Tourist Theater)
After visits to dozens of agritourism operations, here's our honest take on which farm stay experiences deliver — and which ones are overpriced photoshoots.
The Farm.House Editors · May 3, 2026
Small Farm Business · 8 min read
How to Start a Small Backyard CSA in 2026
Starting a community supported agriculture share doesn't require 50 acres or a tractor. Here's the realistic path from zero to your first 10 paying members — with the honest numbers most guides skip.
The Farm.House Editors · May 2, 2026