40 Acres & A Fool

This week, Cam takes a look a new poll purporting to show a huge divide between rural America and the rest of the country, as well as sharing in the growing bounty from the garden. A trip to the bookstore yields new treasures from history, and a new listener checks in from Vermont with a special story of love, sacrifice… and goat's milk?

After a few weeks away, Cam returns with a celebration of independence, hard work, and the amazing and talented "Miss E". While he's been finishing up his book project, she's been busy helping out at a butchering workshop, making gyro meat for the first time, and attempting to produce her first aged cheese. It's a beautiful summer evening on the farm, so grab a spot at the picnic table and spend some time with Cam and his family!

Summer break is almost here for Cam's kids, and Miss E could use a break from milking goats as well. Cam also has a slight break to talk about, but it's all for a good cause. We could all use a break from the Precious Snowflakes but we seem to be inundated with them these days, like Professional Writer Lee Seigel who wrote proudly about defaulting on his student loans and going back on his word, all because he might have had to take a blue collar job otherwise. Not far from the 40 Acres lives an author who's written a book far better than anything that's come from Lee Seigel (at least in Cam's opinion), and he did it all while working those blue collar jobs Seigel disdained. Learn more about Christopher Fisher and "A History of Stone & Steel" on this week's 40 Acres & A Fool.

It's a brand new edition of 40 Acres & A Fool… just delayed a few days. Cam's back with all new tales of birds attacking his blueberries, foxes attacking his chickens, and his attempts to fight back. Plus, a new look at bee colony collapse and its effects on our economy, and a celebration of minor league baseball in America (haven't you ever wondered why Cam wears all those minor league hats?), all on this edition of 40 Acres & A Fool.

The evening is warm, the humidity is low, and the mosquitos aren't too bad, so Cam's out in the garden for this week's 40 Acres and a Fool. Updates on all the critters, plus a closer look at who's living in our nation's small towns. We've got some of your stories and experiences to share, and news on the recently announced book project with Jim Geraghty.

The first tomatoes have appeared in the garden, the fireflies have returned in the evenings, and the farm life is good, but Cam spies trouble on the horizon for a lot of small towns around the country. Plus, a visit to Monticello and much more! Twitter: @CamEdwards & @CamAndCompany

Cam visits the first Farmer's Market of the year in the small town of Scottsville, Virginia. Also, he discusses dealing with pests of the furry and insect kind, and reveals the details of a new project with his friend Jim Geraghty.

The beets planted weeks ago are now growing strong, but not everything is growing so great on the 40 acres. While Cam's having better luck raising his kids than his San Marzano tomatoes, according to some social scientists the bedtime stories he reads to his kids are disadvantaging others. Cam has a stirring defense of trying to raise your kids right, (along with an admission of a literary guilty pleasure), as well as your invite to an incredible evening honoring fallen heroes at the Duskin & Stephens Beef & Beer Benefit.

Yet another study's come out showing US students are failing to learn their history and civics lessons. On this week's 40 Acres & A Fool, Cam explores ways to make history fun, starting with scrapping the textbook. And if geography's more your thing, there are plenty of small town festivals to explore this time of year, including Farmville's "Heart of Virginia Festival". Plus, the latest from the 40 Acrers and your own garden plots and farmland!

Why is it that some people want the chickens they eat to be free-range, but raise their own kids to be cooped up? Cam talks about the "Free Range Kids" movement and the culture of fear so many Americans are passing down to their children. Plus, tips for keeping your tomato plants in check, affordable ways to keep your garden paths free of weeds, and the latest news from the 40 acres!

After an incredible weekend at the NRA Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN Cam's back on the farm and raring to go. Spring is in full force, and it's a race against the clock to get ground cleared for planting, so Cam has plans to enlist some helping hands. Plus, a look back at the 2nd biggest NRA meeting ever, and the story of how a pioneer woman helped change the course of human history.

The first sprouts are springing up (beets, garlic, and tomatoes at the moment), and with the spring holidays and birthdays in the rear view mirror, it's time to get back to work clearing ground for more planting. And speaking of work, Cam's headed to the NRA Annual Meetings in Nashville, but before he goes, he's connecting with more "Fools" from around the country who are growing their own gardens, raising their own goats and chickens, and reconnecting with life and the land. Twitter- @CamEdwardsfacebook.com/camedwards2awww.theblaze.com/radio

This week, Cam discusses the case of NY farmer Joshua Rockwood, who's charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty for things that some farmers say are just a part of farm life in winter (unheated shelters for animals, frozen water pipes and the like). Plus, Cam takes a look at retribution and reconciliation in the closing days of the Civil War (and how it compares to our own uncivil war of words today). Plus, we hear from a listener who's getting the most from their 3/4 of an acre!

Jim Geraghty of National Review joins Cam this week for a rollicking round table discussion of rural vs. suburbs, goats vs. deer (and deer vs. cars), Charles C.W. Cooke's "The Conservatarian Manifesto", and the upcoming NRA Annual Meetings in Nashville, TN.

The warm weather has returned, and the frantic rush to get the garden going has begun. Plus, Cam reviews Thomas Fleming's new book "The Great Divide: The Conflict Between Washington and Jefferson That Defined a Nation" and takes a deeper look at the personalities and politics that came between the two men. Plus, lessons learned from an attempted smear, introducing new chickens to your flock, and more!Twitter- @CamEdwardswww.theblaze.com/radio

Cam's joined by his friend Tommy to talk about turning the Appomattox River green for St. Patrick's Day, trouble with greenhouses, the new Flow Hive that could revolutionize (or jeopardize) beekeeping, as well as learning some lessons from Navy SEAL Eric Greiten's new book Resilience.Twitter- @CamEdwardswww.theblaze.com/radio

It's a late night conversation around the kitchen table with Cam and Miss E. Among the many topics; a Chicken Rescue Mission, trying out a new recipe for venison ravioli, picking out dozens of kinds of tomatoes they'll be growing on the farm, sharing a listener's story of his "California ranch" and dreams of 40 acres, and some sobering news on the shrinking number of farms across America. Twitter- @CamEdwardswww.theblaze.com/radio

This week, Miss E sits down at the table with Cam to talk about a challenging week, including saying goodbye to a beloved mascot of the farm. Plus, Cam explores more of the forgotten book, "The American Citizen's Handbook", and answers a question from a would-be urban farmer in a very unlikely location.www.theblaze.com/radio

Cam's trading the 40 acres for Harrisburg, PA and the Great American Outdoor Show, which is the perfect springboard to talk about off-farm income and how likely (or not) it is to make a living purely from farming. Plus, a visit from the vet, hidden treasures from estate sales, and an email or two from listeners like you!www.theblaze.com/radio

It's not exactly the growing season, but that doesn't mean there aren't big changes on the 40 acres. This week, Cam talks about a child leaving home, planning the "perfect" garden, reveals some timeless wisdom from a forgotten classic of conservative thought, and shares some listener stories of moves to a farm of their own.