From the Field
The Fincabout Blog
Stories from the soil, science behind the seeds, and hard-won wisdom from farmers who've been there. Grab your coffee and dig in.
Raising Goats for Beginners: Shelter, Feed & Fencing
Goats can be a fine fit for a small farm or homestead, but they need more planning than many beginners expect. This guide walks through the first setup: choosing goats, shelter, fencing, feeding, quarantine, health care, and what to have ready before bringing goats home.
Pasture Renovation Guide: Reseeding, Weeds, and Fertility
Good pasture renovation starts with diagnosis, not a seed bag. Learn how to assess soil, choose the right reseeding method, control weeds, protect new seedlings, and keep your grazing ground productive year after year.
Livestock Water Systems: Practical Planning Guide
A good livestock water system is more than a trough in the corner of a field. This guide walks through water needs, source selection, trough placement, pumps, pipes, mud control, and backup planning so your animals have clean water where they need it.
Chicken Coop Design: Space, Ventilation, and Predator Protection
Good chicken coop design starts with the flock you actually plan to manage, not a pretty picture from the internet. This guide walks through space, airflow, roosts, nest boxes, cleaning, and predator protection so you can build a coop that works in real farm life.
Small Farm Biosecurity Plan: Quarantine Basics
A practical biosecurity plan does not have to be fancy or expensive. With a few clear rules for quarantine, visitors, chores, wildlife, and cleaning, small farms can help reduce the chance of disease reaching their animals.
Farm Fencing Guide: Materials, Layouts, and Livestock Tips
A practical farm fencing guide for matching fence materials and layouts to cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, poultry, alpacas, and guardian animals. Plan perimeter fences, cross-fencing, gates, water access, predator protection, and a realistic budget before animals arrive.
Silvopasture: Combining Trees, Pasture, and Livestock
A complete guide to silvopasture design, tree-pasture integration, livestock management among trees, and the economics of this triple-output system.
The Real Cost of Raising Your Own Meat vs Buying It
A detailed cost breakdown comparing raising your own chickens, pigs, and cattle versus buying meat at retail -- with real numbers and hidden costs.
Rotational Grazing: Why Moving Your Animals Makes Everything Better
A comprehensive guide to rotational grazing that covers paddock design, timing, stocking rates, and the measurable benefits for soil, animals, and profit.
Dual-Purpose Breeds: Getting Eggs AND Meat from the Same Flock
A practical comparison of dual-purpose chicken breeds covering egg production, meat quality, temperament, and economics for small to mid-scale farms.
Small-Scale Aquaponics: Combining Fish and Vegetables
A complete guide to designing and operating a small-scale aquaponics system that produces both fish protein and fresh vegetables year-round.
Managing Livestock Health Without a Vet Next Door
Practical guidance for remote farmers on building a livestock first-aid kit, recognizing symptoms early, and implementing preventive care programs.