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.
No-Till Vegetable Farming: Permanent Beds and Mulch Guide
No-till vegetable farming is less about never disturbing soil and more about building a steady system of permanent beds, mulch, roots, and biology. This guide walks through bed layout, compost safety, irrigation, weed control, and a practical three-season transition plan.
Small-Scale Mushroom Farming for Oysters and Shiitakes
Small-scale mushroom farming can fit into a shed, barn corner, shady woodland, or spare room, making it a flexible specialty crop for homesteads and small farms. This guide walks through species choice, beginner setups, fruiting care, contamination troubleshooting, harvest, storage, and local sales.
Farm Fuel Storage: Safer Tanks and Better Diesel Planning
Good farm fuel storage keeps machines running, protects water, and makes diesel costs easier to track. A practical plan starts with real farm records, safe tank placement, and a simple system for checking fuel quality and use.
Farm Traceability for Small Farms: Lot Codes and Recall Readiness
Farm traceability does not have to mean barcodes, clipboards in every pocket, or a full-time office manager. With simple lot codes, harvest sheets, and buyer records, a small farm can track what was produced, where it went, and what to do if something needs to be pulled back.
Seed Saving for Beginners: A Practical Farm Guide
Seed saving is one of the most practical skills a grower can learn, especially when you start with forgiving crops and a simple plan. This guide walks through choosing parent plants, preventing crosses, harvesting mature seed, drying it well, and storing it so next season starts strong.
Beekeeping for Pollination: Hive Placement, Crop Timing, and Basic Care
Managed honey bees can improve pollination for many fruit, nut, berry, vegetable, and seed crops, but they are not the answer for every farm. This practical guide explains when hives are worth it, where to place them, how to time them with bloom, and how to protect both honey bees and wild pollinators.
Small Farm Feed Planning for Hay and Pasture
Good feed planning keeps livestock healthy, protects your pasture, and helps you avoid panic hay buying when weather turns against you. Here is a practical way to estimate dry matter needs, winter hay, pasture contribution, feed waste, reserves, and runout dates for a small farm.
Farm Equipment Maintenance Schedule Checklist
A practical farm equipment maintenance schedule helps prevent breakdowns, reduce repair bills, and keep field work moving when the weather window is tight. Use this daily, seasonal, and annual checklist for tractors, implements, and hardworking farm machines.
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.
Frost Protection for Crops: Covers, Tunnels, and Sprinklers
Frost protection for crops starts with knowing what kind of cold you are facing, then matching the method to the crop, field, and forecast. This guide walks through row covers, tunnels, sprinklers, and smarter site design so you can protect plants with a calmer plan.
Weed Management in Vegetable Farming: Practical Guide
Good weed control starts before the first pigweed shows its face. This guide covers stale seedbeds, mulch, cultivation tools, crop spacing, and a weekly routine for cleaner vegetable fields.
Farm Labor Planning: Calendar, Jobs, and Budget
Good farm labor planning helps you see the busy seasons before they run you over. Build a seasonal work calendar, estimate crew hours, spot bottlenecks, and budget for the real cost of getting the work done.