In recent years, the discourse surrounding sustainable food sources has prominently featured insect protein as a viable alternative, sparking curiosity and skepticism alike. However, a pioneering startup in the UK, Entocycle, has risen to the challenge by ingeniously integrating insects into the food supply chain. Their innovative approach not only mitigates emissions but also addresses concerns regarding digestibility. Entocycle, now in its ninth year of operation, leverages the nutritive potential of black soldier fly larvae to substitute traditional animal feeds like corn, soy, and fishmeal for poultry and swine.

The decision to focus on poultry and swine, both monogastric animals, aligns with Entocycle’s vision to emulate natural dietary patterns. While these animals have historically been fed agricultural products, the startup acknowledges the evolutionary significance of insects in their diets. At its development facility in London, Entocycle meticulously cultivates black soldier fly larvae, utilizing their voracious appetite for organic waste to convert it into high-quality protein feed. Beyond environmental benefits, this approach holds promise for waste management, offering a sustainable solution to food scraps destined for landfills. Entocycle’s founder, Keiran Whitaker, champions the versatility and ubiquity of black soldier flies, highlighting their capacity to revolutionize animal agriculture while addressing pressing environmental concerns. Moreover, scientific research underscores the manifold advantages of incorporating insect protein into animal diets, from enhancing growth performance to improving meat quality, thus reinforcing the viability of this innovative solution in the quest for sustainable food production.

In the UK, farmers are taking innovative steps to combat flooding by returning sections of their farms to a more natural state. James Robinson, a farmer from Cumbria, has collaborated with the Ullswater Catchment Management CIC to transform parts of his farm into wetland habitats. This initiative has not only led to the return of wildlife, with birds and invertebrates making a remarkable comeback, but has also proven effective in flood mitigation. The historical transformation of waterways into deep, straight canals has contributed to the severity of flooding in the UK. Farmers like James Robinson are working to reverse this trend by restoring streams to their natural, meandering state. The Ullswater CIC has witnessed the success of their stream restoration model, which has spread across the region, including areas such as Glenridding, Windermere, West and South Cumbria, and Ullswater.

Danny Teasdale, the CEO of Ullswater Catchment Management, notes the growing interest in their approach, emphasizing the positive impact on local communities. The restoration efforts involve re-meandering streams, creating ponds, and planting trees to prevent soil erosion. Robinson, having experienced first-hand the benefits of this approach on his farm, highlights the significant increase in biodiversity, including the return of birdlife and the sighting of a barn owl after a 40-year absence.
Beyond flood mitigation, restoring natural watercourses also offers additional environmental benefits, such as carbon sequestration. Wetlands and grasslands store more carbon underground than forests, contributing to climate change mitigation. Scientific studies have shown that partially-rewilded farms can support increased biodiversity without compromising agricultural yields, pointing to the potential for a harmonious coexistence between farming and conservation efforts.

In a remarkable tale of resilience and instinct, a Border Collie named Tilly defied the odds and found her true calling after a devastating car crash near Rathdrum, Idaho.
Linda Oswald, Tilly’s owner, experienced a heart-wrenching moment when her beloved companion was ejected from the rear window during the accident and vanished into the wilderness. Despite tireless efforts to locate Tilly, Linda was left with a heavy heart and a sense of loss. Little did she know that Tilly’s remarkable journey was just beginning. Two days later, news reached Linda that Tilly had been found on a nearby farm, where she had seamlessly slipped into the role she was born to play: herding sheep. It seemed that Tilly’s innate instincts had guided her to the very purpose she was bred for.

The farm owners were astounded by her natural talent and the ease with which she connected with the flock. Tilly’s incredible story serves as a testament to the unwavering spirit of border collies and their deep-rooted desire to fulfill their innate herding instincts.
In the face of adversity, Tilly not only found her way back to safety but also discovered her true calling, reminding all of the resilience and untapped potential that lies within us.

Chicken Egg Rubber Stamps are a great solution for branding the eggs from your backyard chicken coop, farm or homestead.

Not a chicken lover but know one? A custom stamper makes a fun gift, perfect for hostess gifts, housewarmings, birthdays, holidays or just because.

Your choice of the number of egg stamps and a choice of the sayings seen in the above photos. These are available HERE…

Unfortunately, more and more breeding facilities around the country have been accused of mistreatment of animals, and this Virginia-based one is no different. The breeding facility from Cumberland, VA was home to more than 4,000 beagles and they have all been rescued after Envigo breeding was accused of neglecting them.

The decision of intervention was approved by a federal judge and originally requested by The Department of Justice and the Humane Society of the United States. What follows is a quest of finding forever homes for 4,000 dogs, not an easy task when there are already many abandoned animals in shelters across the country. The poor beagles were bred by Envigo to be sold for companies in the pharmaceutical industry and for research purposes.

The investigators have found mistreated, sick, and malnourished dogs at the facility, even though Envigo denies any such action.
The dogs were kept in small cages, many even stacked in the same cage and more than 300 puppies died last year between January and July. This is such a cruel case of animal mistreatment and one that should raise awareness about breeding facilities and their true intentions.

Cassie Staubus signed up with the Beagle Freedom Project, a non-profit animal rescue, to foster some of these dogs once they’re released. She is willing to drive from Minnesota to Virginia to pick them up and help in the process of re-homing them. Ms. Staubus is already the owner of Stinky, a 6-year-old beagle, and two other dogs, so fostering is the best way for her to help since she already has a house full of pets, she said.

“They’re friendly, they’re happy, they enjoy life,” she said. “They love to cuddle, but then they say, ‘OK, I’m done,’ and they’ll go play around in the backyard out on the farm.”

Traditional large chainsaws are bulky and difficult for the elderly and women to use.This mini chainsaw fits comfortably in the hand and is also light due to its small size. This makes it possible to cut for longer without wrist fatigue. Whether on the farm, in the garden, in the orchard or in the forest, it will be a portable and powerful helper. This is available in the link below…

Find it HERE...

Deserts offer a lot of free space, but it is hard to build something on their premises as they are not very welcoming climate-wise. But what about building a solar power farm in a deserted area? Sounds like a pretty clever idea.
The U.S. Department of the Interior recently announced a new project by the Bureau of Land Management which consists of a large solar energy power project named Crimson Solar Project.
The project will be set up in the California desert and will be 2,000 acres, 350-megawatt solar farm, built out of solar panels. The total cost of the project is $550 million and will have a capacity of powering 87,500 homes.

The owner of the project is Sonoran West Solar Holdings LLC, which is owned by Recurrent Energy. As the focus shifts more and more towards clean energy solutions, the necessity of solar farms becomes an increasing one. Seizing this opportunity, major players in the energy sector can be at the forefront of sustainable changes and pave the way to smaller companies and investors.
The building of this farm will require 650 people for the construction and it can establish America as the next leader in the renewable energy sector.

“The time for a clean energy future is now. We must make bold investments that will tackle climate change and create good-paying American jobs,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Projects like this can help to make America a global leader in the clean energy economy through the acceleration of responsible renewable energy development on public lands.”

“America’s public lands provide a tremendous opportunity to realize the potential of renewable energy. BLM is committed to engaging in an inclusive and equitable process in pursuit of a clean energy economy,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Laura Daniel-Davis.

This story is here to inspire everyone who wants to get better at doing something they love. Kendall Ray Johnson is one very special 6-year-old, from Georgia, as he has a true passion for farming and started showing interest in this craft at an early age.

She has recently become the youngest certified farmer in Georgia, and she couldn’t be happier. Kendall’s interest in farming can be traced back to her grandmother, Laura “Kate” Williams who also loves spending time in the garden and showering it with care and attention. Kendall’s mother said her daughter’s hobby started at the age of 4 when she grew a small patio garden which turned into a full garden in time.
After the family moved to another home, Kendall started planting so many species that now she owns a farm. As she is looking to take her passion to the next level, Kendall started a fundraising campaign to gather $10,000 and build an outdoor agricultural science lab that will be used for composting.
Besides wanting to take care of her farm, she wants to meet new people and make new friends through her project, but also inspire other children to follow their dreams.

“She started to see it go from a seed, to a plant, and then die and come back. She saw the plant life cycle of that and was like, wow,” Kendall Rae’s mom, Ursula Johnson, told 11 Alive.

Two weeks ago, the city of South Fulton, where she lives, declared Sept. 28 “Kendall Rae Appreciation Day” for her work in her garden.

Keep your staying farm fresh on your counter or tabletop with this chicken and egg storage basket. The lid features an adorable white ceramic hen, perched atop a round metal chicken wire basket with a black powder-coat finish. Two handles have been adorned on the basket to allow you to carry this egg holder with ease. Find this Egg Storage Basket in the link below…

Find it HERE…