Author

Julia Bayly

Julia Bayly, staff writer for Hello Homestead, has worked in print journalism for more than three decades covering the unique characters and life of northern Maine. When not wrangling critters on her Rusty Metal Farm, Julia travels the world seeking adventure and great food wherever she can find it. She loves dogs and chickens, tolerates cats, is unsure of ducks and does not trust goats.

Your home

What should you think about before moving into a tiny house?

Julia Bayly Dec 12, 2018 0

Considering going tiny with your living space? The simpler life is alluring. Here's what you should consider before moving into a tiny house. Gabor Degre The decision to go tiny is all about setting priorities, according to tiny…
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Garden & farm

What to look for in a farm tractor

Julia Bayly Dec 6, 2018 0

Next to the land itself, the most expensive thing a homesteader or small farm operator can purchase is a farm tractor. It can also be one of the most necessary purchases for a modern grower. Troy R. Bennett “Tractors do a lot of…
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News

International trade show to feature natural and organic food products

Julia Bayly Dec 5, 2018 0

Natural and organic products have gone global, and for even the smallest producers there is an opportunity. The international market will be the focus of the 2019 Natural & Organic Products Europe trade show, which will be held in the…
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Animals & livestock

USDA launches program to help backyard poultry keepers with biosecurity

Julia Bayly Nov 28, 2018 0

Gabor Degre Backyard poultry keepers must keep their flock safe from infectious diseases. This is a top priority for a homesteader or anyone involved in raising chickens, turkeys, ducks or any of the fowl used for their eggs or meat. …
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Garden & farm

What happens to bees in winter?

Julia Bayly Nov 21, 2018 0

Ever wonder about bees in winter? One of the biggest challenges facing beekeepers in northern climates is keeping their bees alive during the cold months of winter — a process known as “overwintering.” Hives covered in snow at the Maine…
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Animals & livestock

Guard dogs, herding dogs, security dogs: These are the best farm dogs

Julia Bayly Nov 19, 2018 0

Whether you are looking for guard dogs, herding dogs, security dogs or some other farm dog, these breeds are your best bets. Ashley Conti Farm dogs are often essential members of livestock operations, providing much-needed services…
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Pests

Bugs in firewood? Here’s what you need to know

Julia Bayly Nov 13, 2018 0

It's not uncommon to find bugs in firewood — a number of wood-boring insects, arthropods and even fungus can be found in wood. How can you avoid them? Piles of sawdust beneath firewood is indication that insects are active in the wood.…
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Pests

How to get flying squirrels out of your house

Julia Bayly Nov 5, 2018 0

The last thing a homeowner needs is a colony of flying squirrels living in their walls or attics, but should that happen, there are ways to get flying squirrels out of your house. How do you know if you have flying squirrels in the…
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DIY

How to make DIY root cellar storage

Julia Bayly Oct 30, 2018 3

Root cellars among the oldest, most reliable ways to store produce. Here's how to make DIY root cellar storage. John Belding at Little Falls Farm in Harrison checks out vegetables stored in his farm's below-ground root cellar with his…
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Animals & livestock

Getting chickens ready for winter

Julia Bayly Oct 29, 2018 0

Nothing, and I mean nothing, goads a homesteader or backyard poultry farmer into action faster than the season’s first forecast of snow. Here's your checklist for getting chickens ready for winter. One minute you’re going along enjoying…
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Animals & livestock

No, your chickens are not dying. It’s molting season.

Julia Bayly Oct 24, 2018 0

A molting chicken is not exactly a thing of beauty, but it is a natural process in the bird's life that comes with the shortening of daylight hours. | Julia Bayly Anyone who has owned chickens knows there is a time of year when there…
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Garden & farm

How to attract birds in the winter

Julia Bayly Oct 23, 2018 0

Some songbirds stick around for the cold months. Here's how to attract birds in the winter. Bluejays are common visitors to winter feeders as they are among the birds who do not migrate south in colder months. | Julia Bayly Not…
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