Juan D. Rivera started learning everything he could about plants, farming, livestock, and ecosystems at a young age. Since then, he’s earned a Master’s degree in wildlife biology (Universidad Iberoamericana, Ciudad de México) and a PhD in forestry (North Carolina State University), both with an emphasis on conservation farming and renewable technology. He has worked in planning crops for companies and workshops, as an educational consultant and writer.
When I first thought about starting a duck egg CSA, it felt like diving headfirst into a sea of questions and “what-ifs.” Could I really create a community-supported agriculture program around something as niche as…
I remember the first time I considered raising ducks in my backyard. Ducks are charming creatures, and the idea of having a small flock waddling around seemed like the perfect addition to my little farm….
When I First Heard Ducks Could Live in Cities… I blinked. Then I laughed. Raising ducks in a tiny urban backyard? It sounded like trying to keep a dolphin in a bathtub. I thought ducks…
When I first dipped my toes into backyard poultry keeping, I thought chickens were quirky enough on their own. Then I saw a group of waddling ducks flapping around a pond and thought, “Why not…
When I first dipped my boots into backyard farming, I assumed ducks were just messier chickens with webbed feet. Boy, was I in for a surprise. Sure, both birds wear feathers and squawk for treats,…
I remember the first time my ducks stopped laying eggs. One day I was out in the yard, gathering yolky treasures like it was a backyard Easter hunt—those rich, golden duck eggs tucked in straw…
I remember the first time I saw a domestic duck waddling near a pond at the edge of town. It looked out of place—like someone dressed it up for a fancy dinner and forgot to…
I’ll admit it—my first attempt at starting seeds indoors was a disaster. I thought any old lamp would do. Spoiler: It did not. My seedlings stretched like overcaffeinated yoga instructors, flopped over, and called it…
The first time I cracked open a duck egg, I knew I was dealing with something different. The shell felt like ceramic—sturdy, thick, a little beast compared to a chicken egg. After my breakfast, I…