Rayonier Stories • 16th June 2023

Rayonier Pays Tribute to Generations of Loggers

At Rayonier, we have the honor and privilege of working alongside small, local logging businesses. Many of these companies have been passed down for generations, and are considered an integral part of the Rayonier family. We take great pride in these partnerships and appreciate their shared commitment to the sustainability and preservation of the land we work together.

Here we share seven of these generational businesses’ inspiring stories, showcasing their deep-rooted values and passion for th

rethinkrural.raydientplaces.com • 11th May 2023

Introduction to Seed Saving

Seed saving is a fun, easy, and valuable skill for homesteaders and gardeners alike. We talk with the founder of a seed company to learn more about how to get started with seed saving.

For hundreds of generations, humankind has practiced seed saving as a means of preserving the integrity of the food grown on their land.

Modern-day gardeners and farmers are turning back to this ancestral practice of saving heirloom seeds.

Astrid Hoffman, co-founder of The Living Seed Company, a family-owned he

rethinkrural.raydientplaces.com • 13th March 2023

Hobby Farm Insurance Options

Just like homeowner’s insurance, farm insurance is critical to protecting what you have invested your time and money in. We speak with a farm insurance agent to learn more about what hobby farm insurance is and who needs it.

Hobby farms come in all shapes and sizes. Protecting the hard work put into growing crops, raising livestock and maintaining farmland is critical to the success of the farm.

But is hobby farm insurance a requirement? And what does a policy typically to cover?

Micky Freema

rethinkrural.raydientplaces.com • 25th February 2023

5 Practical Tips on Prepping for Beginners

Have you ever wondered what you would need to have on hand in the event of an emergency or disaster? A preparedness expert weighs in on how you, too, can begin your own prepping journey.

Emergencies and disasters are unavoidable. From natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding to everyday emergencies like power cuts and job loss, preparing for the worst can help reduce fear while growing a sense of ease.

Morgan Rogue, a seasoned prepper of over 15 years and blogger at Rogue P

rethinkrural.raydientplaces.com • 25th January 2023

Digging Into Community Gardens: How they Work and How to Start One

Are you interested in starting a community garden in your neighborhood this year? With a few tips and action items, you can do just that. Bringing your community together through food is doable and rewarding. In this article, experts share their advice and insight on what community gardens are, how they function and how you can start one where you live.

Community gardens have been around for decades.

Families and neighbors come together to grow food with the intention of sharing and eating nut

Rayonier Stories • 14th December 2022

Rayonier Forester Completes Intensive and Prestigious AgForestry Program

Rayonier Forest Engineer III, Colton Cooley, shares his personal experience as an AgForestry Leadership Program participant. The program is designed to cultivate leaders within Washington State who work in the agriculture, forestry, and natural resource industries.

Colton Cooley grew up in a small forestry town in Oregon. With generations of family-owned logging and tree farming businesses, a career in forestry was a natural choice. His love for the industry led him to Rayonier as a Forest Engi

rethinkrural.raydientplaces.com • 8th December 2022

Winter Sowing in Milk Jugs: A Step-By-Step Guide

Winter sowing seeds is a fun and simple way to jumpstart your garden months ahead. Here we share the ins and outs of getting started and how to be successful with milk jug winter sowing.

Winter sowing is a no-fuss, low-cost method of seed starting. You can begin right now for incredible results come Spring.

Winter sowing is a method of starting seeds in milk jugs, or similar plastic containers, outdoors during the winter. This simple yet effective gardening technique utilizes protected and ven

rethinkrural.raydientplaces.com • 26th October 2022

8 Tips on Winterizing Your Southern Hobby Farm

If you live on a farm, it’s time to start thinking about preparing for winter. Homesteader Mara Watts shares her top tips on how to winterize your southern hobby farm for the coming winter season.

As winter is quickly approaching, it’s time to prepare and winterize your southern hobby farm. By completing a few tasks, you’ll have everything organized, safe, and secure.

This type of preparation work does take some time, so it is advised that you start as early as possible. Getting ahead of blust

rethinkrural.raydientplaces.com • 19th August 2022

Tips For Implementing Nature Journaling With Children Of All Ages

We talked to a veteran homeschooling mom in Western North Carolina, for details on what a nature journal is, and how to get started with one.

Charlotte Mason, a British educator from the 1800s, once said, “Let them once get in touch with nature and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight through life.” But how do you instill such habits in your child? And, why is studying nature a key piece of the puzzle?

According to Charlotte Mason, nature studies are a way of achieving many habi

Rayonier Stories • 18th August 2022

A Day in the Life of a Forester, Spotlight: Wes Yeomans (Georgia, USA)

What do foresters do on a daily basis? Spend a day with Rayonier Resource Land Manager Wes Yeomans!

Forestry is often compared to farming, just on a longer rotation. And for Forester and Resource Land Manager Wes Yeomans, working as a “tree farmer” is the ultimate dream job.

“I started with Rayonier in March of 2016 when a former employee called me up. He said that the company was bringing back their technical forester program, and asked if I would be interested. The job consisted of timber sa

rethinkrural.raydientplaces.com • 9th August 2022

Fall Garden Prep: What We’re Growing On Our Mini Farm + Tips For Fall & Winter Planting

It’s still hot, but the days are shortening as summer begins to slip into fall. Farm chores are adding up, especially as they pertain to the family garden. Here, homesteader Mara Watts shares her cool-season garden strategies from her 2.5-acre mini-farm in Western North Carolina.

In late summer, high temperatures begin to cool offering a break from the muggy, and quite buggy, weather conditions. Mother Nature is hinting at the coming fall season as a cool breeze blows through. With this time of

rethinkrural.raydientplaces.com • 19th July 2022

Bringing the Homestead into Your Homeschool

Homeschooling your children can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever embark on. But how do you fit it in when you are busy on the homestead? You might find it is easier than you think.

As a homeschooling, homesteading mother of 3, I understand the struggle when it comes to balancing the two.

On our 2.5 acre mini-farm, the goats, pigs, rabbits and chickens all require a bit of attention throughout the day. Not to mention the garden, house chores and (oh yeah!) the kids. Over t

Rayonier Stories • 21st June 2022

Why Pollinators Thrive in Working Forests

Pollinators like bees and butterflies are attracted to working forests, where cleared or newly-planted areas have plenty of pollen to browse. Our beekeeper video and all images in this story were captured in Rayonier forests.

Did you know pollinators like bees and butterflies thrive in industrial working forests? In fact, beekeepers utilize Rayonier lands to nourish and grow their hives in this excellent habitat for pollinators.

How do we protect the native plants and pollinators that call our