Clean Power Plan’s legal future ‘a mess’

The future of the President Obama’s Clean Power Plan hangs in the balance with the Supreme Court vote to freeze the plan in place, halting implementation while legal issues are decided by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and, likely, by the Supreme Court itself.

How to Raise Chickens – The Basics

If you’re anything like me, you’ve dreamed about having fresh eggs from your backyard every morning, but have also had concerns about tending to a whole lot of chickens. Yes, raising chickens takes time and effort, but it is indeed an undeniably satisfying hobby.

Here are some of the basics about raising chickens, so that you know a little about what to expect…

The Noise and Smell

The familiar chicken call is something we’ve all heard and know well. Raising chickens means getting used this sound, as you will probably hear your chickens chirp and squawk more often than not. Often, this happens right after they lay eggs, and their “egg-song” can be very noisy depending on their breed and personality.

While chickens are noisy birds, they don’t necessarily smell a lot, unless you are keeping them in a tiny, stuffy coop. Even though they poop often, their excrement can be put into your compost pile, and once fully composted, will really benefit your garden soil.

You’ll want to make sure you have an adequate coop and proper roaming space for your chickens, as well as neighbors who either can’t hear or don’t mind a little squawking.

Continue reading How to Raise Chickens – The Basics at Small Footprint Family.

Today’s farming practices can cool temps

In a surprising finding that runs counter to most climate change research, Harvard scientists examining temperature records have shown that, in regions with the most intense farming, peak summer temperatures have declined over the decades.

Altered oceans

Proper management can bring species back from the brink and create healthier ocean ecosystems, experts said during a Center for the Environment panel.