Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds’ Spring Planting Festival showcases Ozark Mountain hospitality, crafts, old-world germplasm and one of the country’s youngest, and most successful, seedsmen.

With a nod to Rodale’s New Farm magazine, John Ikerd, deep thinker and professor emeritus in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri, explains what it really means to be a “new farmer” in today’s uncertain times.

They look different than the ubiquitous big-boned black-and-whites, and produce less milk per animal, but dairy breeds cherished for centuries have survived because they do a number of things well. As feed grains become more expensive and less available, depending more on grass makes more sense. Maine dairyman John O’Meara is trying his hand, and reports on the strategic considerations to see if alternate breeds could help you.

The Rodale Institute's no-till roller-crimper helps keep organic farmers covered.