Canning tomatoes is one of the most satisfying parts of summer. They’re versatile, they preserve beautifully, and they become the backbone of so many family favorites: chili, pasta sauce, soups, casseroles, and quick weeknight meals. But tomatoes also sit in a tricky middle ground when it comes to acidity, which means safe canning procedures matter.

Last fall, we tucked hundreds of little garlic cloves into the soil, now it's finally time to harvest!

We’ve learned that many of these so‑called “weeds” are actually deeply medicinal natives — we’re highlighting a handful of the wild healers you can find right here in our region, how to harvest them responsibly, and the traditional benefits they’ve offered for generations. Here at Rock Pillar Grounds, we use fresh herbs for medicinal tinctures. You can also dry herbs for teas, oils or make salves.

Kikos are one of the most versatile breeds you can raise here in Southwest Missouri. They’re known for their resilience, their easygoing nature, and their ability to thrive on our rocky, brushy hillsides with minimal fuss. And let's be honest, baby goats are easy to fall in love with.

The CMDR was intentionally developed for modern homesteads and family farms, where guardian dogs must be trustworthy around children, visitors, and diverse livestock setups. The breed’s foundation dogs were selected for temperament first, then guardian ability, then structure. This makes CMDRs uniquely suited for farms like yours — where livestock protection and family friendliness must coexist.

The first few days of bringing your Colorado Mountain Dog puppy home are crucial. It is important to create a calm, structured start that supports long‑term bonding and guardian development. Some first steps are discussed like how to set up the bonding pen, establish predictable routines, and introduce the puppy to their new environment in a way that builds confidence rather than overwhelm.

At our farm, we believe in nourishing both body and land with clean, natural choices. You can take practical steps to lower exposure, starting right in your kitchen and home. Reducing contact with plastics supports your family’s wellness and protects the soil, water, and animals that sustain our farm.

You don’t have to rely on harsh chemicals or endocrine‑disrupting sprays to keep your animals safe. There are gentle, effective, farm‑tested natural options that work beautifully when used correctly.

We all know that ticks & mosquitos can be more than just a nuisance- they can carry diseases. So before you reach for store‑bought bug sprays, let's talk about what’s actually inside them.

Livestock bonding is the core of guardian dog development. Without proper bonding, even the best‑bred Colorado Mountain Dog can struggle to become a reliable working partner. This section expands on the research from Texas A&M AgriLife’s LGD Program and Colorado Mountain Dogs Registry, adapted specifically for CMDR temperament and modern farm environments.

Colorado Mountain Dogs are guardian‑driven, not obedience‑driven. This means they think independently, prioritize livestock safety, and make decisions without waiting for human commands. However, they still need a foundation of basic training so you can handle them safely, move them when needed, and intervene during emergencies. This section outlines the essential skills every CMDR should learn — taught in a way that supports their guardian instincts rather than suppressing

Most families don’t realize how deeply light shapes our biology. The bulbs we choose influence our sleep, hormones, mood, and even how our children regulate their nervous systems. As modern lighting has shifted toward “efficient” bulbs, many households are beginning to ask an important question:

Which herbs are naturally hormone‑neutral and which ones have endocrine‑active properties?

Colorado Mountain Dogs are naturally gentle and thoughtful, but they still require consistent guidance to develop excellent livestock manners. This section provides detailed troubleshooting for the most common issues CMDR puppies experience, along with appropriate corrections and management tools. The goal is not to eliminate all undesirable behaviors instantly — the goal is to shape the puppy’s instincts so they mature into a trustworthy guardian.

It’s elderberry haircut season, and we’re not shy about it. Snip, snip — off go the tired old canes, making room for the fresh, berry‑loaded growth that’s coming. Elderberries have been treasured for generations — not just for their deep, earthy flavor, but for their long history of supporting wellness through the colder months. They’re one of those plants that feel like a bridge between the garden and the apothecary.

Colorado Mountain Dogs are unique among livestock guardian breeds because they are intentionally bred to be more human‑social, more intuitive, and more family‑friendly than many traditional LGDs. However, this does not mean they should be raised like pets. Socialization must be done correctly, with a clear goal: A dog that is calm and trustworthy around people, but bonded primarily to livestock. This section teaches owners how to strike that balance.

This year, we’re focusing on herbs that pull double duty: big flavor for the kitchen and gentle support for everyday wellness. These are the quiet powerhouses of the garden — the ones you reach for when you’re cooking dinner, soothing a scratchy throat, or brightening a winter tea.

Companion planting is a great way to use nature's resources to get the most out of your garden experience by attracting beneficial bugs while deterring harmful ones, using shade plants to aid others on those hot summer days and providing a healthy garden by planting produce together that nutritionally balance one another.

Let’s grow something beautiful this year. Below is a simple, confidence‑building guide to help you design a garden that truly serves you—your space, your climate, and your table. Gardening season comes up faster than you realize. Winter is the perfect time to map out your garden. Whether you’re stocking your pantry or simply craving the joy of fresh tomatoes warm from the vine, a little planning now makes all the difference later.

On our farm, we believe your skin deserves the same care and integrity as your food. That’s why we craft our skincare with natural ingredients— they're gentler, more nourishing, customizable, and cheaper than their commercial counterpart!