From the Author
Writing Critter Tales was a way to answer the many questions I receive concerning homesteading with animals. Rather than present dry material, I wanted share the story of our own questions, expectations, and experiences as we have learned to partner with our livestock. I wanted to weave in real life learning with the many puzzles, problems, and hard choices we have faced. We have had many successes, but sometimes the tales do not end happily ever after, in spite of trying to do our best. I carefully indexed all of the material so that it will serve as a reference book as well. The entertainment value comes from the critters themselves. The joy and laughter they bring are the highlights of our days. If you are interested in a realistic look at learning to homestead with animals, then I invite you to read Critter Tales.
From the Back Cover
When Leigh and Daniel Tate moved to the five acres that was to become their homestead, they had no experience with livestock. Critter Tales is a collection of stories about the chickens, goats, llama, puppies, guinea fowl, cats, pigs, and honeybees that became a part of their homestead world. From amusing to heartbreaking, Leigh shares her research, experiences, and the lessons learned from sharing their lives with their critters.
"Critter Tales is a must-read for every would-be homesteader. Tate is realistic but sympathetic about the trials that face folks new to animal husbandry in a farm setting. Readers follow along as she and her husband jump through the emotional hurdle of killing beloved chickens, figure out how to use water guns to train goats, and build innovative straw-bale shelters for pigs. Learning from Tate's mistakes means you won't be fated to repeat them, but at the same time the author's engaging photos and stories will make you yearn to create critter tales too. Before you know it, you may be juggling livestock guardian dogs, chemical-free honeybees, and guineas of your very own."
--Anna Hess, author of The Weekend Homesteader
"With witty tone and honest words, Leigh shares tales that will excite and educate any future homesteader. It's like sitting across the table from a friend as you catch up on the latest news in her life. For anyone who's dreamed of transforming a small plot of land into a thriving homestead full of life and possibility, this is a must-read book."
--Angela England, author of Backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less) and Founder of Homestead Bloggers Network
"Leigh Tate does it again! In the tradition of her earlier book, 5 Acres and a Dream, Critter Tales is a wonderful collection of lessons learned, this time in the realm of homestead livestock. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is thinking about adding animals to their homestead as well as those who just love to read the stories of an authentic fellow traveler. Some people are natural born story tellers and Leigh Tate is one those people. "
--Scott M Terry, Farmer, Homesteader, and Host of Christian Farm and Homestead Radio
About the Author
Leigh Tate is a long-time homesteader and passionate advocate for sustainable, simpler, self-reliant living. Through her books and blog, she shares what she and her husband Dan are learning about homesteading, permaculture gardening, off-grid food preservation, regenerative soil management, holistic livestock keeping, plus energy, water, and resource stewardship. She enjoys encouraging others to make their own homestead dreams come true.
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