FARM & FLOCK

Although chickens do not necessarily need an entirely new winter menu, seasonal changes can affect how much they eat and how their bodies use that nutrition.

Proper shelter, nutrition, water, and speciesspecific care help sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens stay healthy and protected through unpredictable winter weather.

FEATURE

FFA members are building practical skills, exploring careers, and strengthening their communities in classrooms, greenhouses, school gardens, and more.

HORSE SENSE

Stockpiling your horses’ hay, feed, and bedding prior to winter can give you peace of mind and ease up your winter workload.

SEASONAL ACRES

Before defaulting to the bucket this season, consider a few purpose-built options that can help take some of the sweat out of fall property maintenance.

GROW & GARDEN

Community gardens are a practical, powerful way to bring healthier food back into neighborhoods that need it most.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Yard vacuums and leaf blowers offer different ways to collect, move, and manage seasonal debris.

Dear AcreageLife readers,

Leaves are changing, days are growing shorter, and there’ s a shift in the air as winter steps a little closer. October is one of those months when the work outside seems to come with a little more urgency. The garden is winding down, the leaves keep falling, and animals begin to rely on us a little more as the weather turns.

There is something satisfying about this time of year. The work is tangible: clearing a yard, filling a feeder, moving a pile of bedding, or finding the right tool for a job. These everyday tasks may not always be glamorous, but they are what make acreage life rewarding. They also have a way of reminding us how much there is to know, from caring for different species to understanding the land and making the most of the equipment at hand.

That hands-on knowledge is also what keeps agriculture moving forward. Young people gaining practical experience through FFA and other agricultural programs are learning skills that reach far beyond the classroom, while developing an appreciation for the work, responsibility, and community that come with agriculture.

This October, we’ re embracing the work, the changing landscape, and all the small moments that make this time of year special. Here’ s to crisp mornings, busy days, and enjoying the season while it lasts.

— The AcreageLife Editorial Team

Vol. 25 No. 10 October 2026

Publisher Catalyst Communications Network

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4 AcreageLife October 2026 AcreageLife. com