Rural Life

Ice safety is about more than just your own recreation—it’s about the safety of those who are called to help when things go wrong, according to outdoors columnist Jim Abrams. As the tragic events at Rocky Fork State Park in 2021 reminded us, poor judgment on frozen water can have fatal consequences for both victims and rescuers. Learn the technical standards for ice thickness and the essential gear that can mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy in Jim's latest column:

Ohio is expanding its box tree moth quarantine to seven new counties. Learn how to identify this invasive pest, check the new boundaries, and report sightings.

How did pioneers bake bread for large families? Columnist Paul Locher explores the history of the dough box—a distinctive piece of early American furniture used by settlers to knead and rise dough.

Discover why early American coffee roasters and wrought-iron toasters are rare finds today. Columnist and early American artifacts collector Paul Locher takes a deep dive into the decorative motifs and functions of pioneer tools.

Discover the art of making lefse in this "Accidental Rancher" excerpt. Explore the history, technique, and heartwarming tradition of this Dakota holiday staple.

Find out how to make smart swaps, mindful eating, safer food prep and simple planning while keeping festive flavors you love with tips from Ohio State University's family and consumer sciences educators.

Explore early Ohio frontier kitchens, where nonstop fires, ash piles and iron “spiders” and “salamanders” shaped daily cooking and pioneer life.

A humorous look at Midwest “salad” culture, where holiday salads mean Jell-O, cool whip and canned fruit, not greens. Know the assignment this Thanksgiving.

Penn State Beaver researchers uncover genetic proof of a second ramp species, a finding that could guide better conservation and sustainable harvesting.

Early Ohio cooks relied on iron trivets to control heat over open fires. These tools evolved from simple cookware to ornate cast-iron household staples.