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Rye from thousands of miles away is used in many KY bourbons. (Graphic by Adam Dixon, Ambrook Research)
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Bourbon's ingredients are relatively simple and most can be locally grown. But as history tells it, grain farmers in Kentucky, where 95% of the world's bourbon is produced, quit growing rye,
reports Daniel Walton of
Ambrook Research. "While its water is drawn from limestone-filtered springs, and its corn from nearby farms, the ingredient that gives good bourbon its distinctive pepper and herbal notes is shipped in from thousands of miles away. . . . In the interests of sustainability, supply chain resilience, and good old-fashioned local pride, the bourbon industry now wants to bring rye back to Kentucky."
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Squirrels can provide winter entertainment. (Unsplash photo)
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Is it too soon to start planning springtime projects? For people who
would like to build a chicken coop, heading into winter is a great time
to learn what's required and start gathering supplies. If you're lucky
enough to have any indoor building space, getting started now is ideal.
Lisa Foust Prater of
Successful Farming provides a step-by-step primer on building an idyllic home for your spring chicken flock.
The days of winter darkness are coming. Some call it dreary, others get ready to hibernate, and still, others continue to wear shorts in what appears to be a total denial of summer's end. "It’s not all dark mornings and bulky coats,"
writes Jancee Dunn of
The New York Times. From making lists of books you want to read to exploring "slow hobbies" experts shared with Dunn how to "open yourself up to the delights of the season. . . .Take note of the birds and squirrels as you take a walk, or look at the moon or the changing sky outside your window."
Farmers love to "tune in from their tractors" to their ever-reliable and ever-useful farm radio station,
reports Sarah Murphy of
Ambrook Research. In fact, "
83% of farmers with at least $100,000 of gross farm income listened to farm radio five days per week or more in 2023, according to a National Association of Farm Broadcasters survey. But even as the medium faces changes from podcasts to streaming services, farm radio's "staying power is impressive."
Journalism comes in many forms, but reporting on music may be one of the most challenging. Enter in NPR's "From the Top," which lets music do the reporting and highlights young musical talent from around the country, including students from rural America. In this episode, a 15-year-old violinist from the small coastal community of Damariscotta, Maine, and a talented young banjo player from the foothills of Leicester, North Carolina, are
shared.
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Photo by Max Kabat via The Daily Yonder
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To help sustain local journalism, the small town of Marfa, Texas,
created a place for community residents, tourists and local news to come
together in a shared space, which they named "The Sentinel." The
Sentinel's renovated, adobe-style building houses
The Big Bend Sentinel
and the
Presidio International, which provide independent news to area
counties,
reports
Kim Kobersmith of
The Daily Yonder. The Sentinel's kitchen serves local
food favorites, specialty coffee drinks and regional cocktails. All in
all, the space supports independent journalism, while providing a
friendly, reliable and delicious restaurant for the community to share.