Thursday, December 18, 2025
Farming 101

Farming 101

Farm and Dairy is featuring a series of “101” columns throughout the year to help young and beginning farmers master farm living. From finances to management to machinery repair and animal care, farmers do it all.

spinach

Plant root depth, canopy development, growth habits, and nutrient requirements in a given climate largely determine the irrigation schedule.

Liability coverage has two purposes: to make payments on your behalf to an injured party, and to defend you against lawsuits brought by a third party.
cows

Check out these five tips from the Penn State Extension Dairy Team on managing and preventing dairy cow foot problems.
farmland

Learn more about the voluntary programs NRCS offers to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance.

Discover how record keeping can improve overall efficiency on your farm and make tax season a breeze.
piglets

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency offers protection to livestock producers in two main policy types: Livestock Gross Margin and Livestock Risk Protection.
money

Farmers may not have the same financial options to save for retirement as large companies, but they still have options. Learn more about those options.
orchard

Fall is a busy time of year for agritourism. Whether you’re planning a corn maze, a farm festival or a tour of the farm, here are some things to consider.

Farm accidents and emergencies can happen anytime. Preplanning is an important step in farm safety.
chickens

Think you might be interested in raising a small flock of chickens? Here are some basic considerations for backyard and small-scale producers.