Author: Elle Meager

Elle, the founder and visionary behind Outdoor Happens, is a seasoned horticulturist with over 25 years of hands-on experience. She's not just any gardener; she's a plant whisperer who ran her own nursery specializing in edible plants and fruit trees. With 15 years in permaculture design, she's transformed spaces from local schools to restaurants, promoting sustainable living and healthy eating.

Her work has caught the eye of major media outlets like Bob Vila, NBC News, The Washington Post, and more. She's a proud member of PINA, the Organic Farmer's Association, and the American Horticultural Society. But she doesn't just keep her wisdom stateside; she's a global green thumb, having worked on organic farms from Spain to Australia, revitalizing lands and designing self-sustaining ecosystems.

Whether it's turning a depleted Spanish farm into a permaculture paradise or setting up a biodynamic farm in Holland, Elle's mission is to make the world a greener, more sustainable place. She's a qualified permaculture teacher with diplomas in horticulture and naturopathy, and her passions range from herbalism and fermentation to animal husbandry and beyond. Elle lives the life she preaches, residing on a farm teeming with vegetable gardens, food forests, cows, sheep, horses, and chickens.

  • Can Any Cow Be A Dairy Cow? What About Beef Cattle Breeds?

    Yes! You can milk any dairy cow breed. That’s the short answer. The long answer delves into why certain dairy cow breeds like Holsteins and Jerseys are preferred for dairy production over others like Angus or Herefords. While it’s technically possible…

  • Raising A2 Cattle for Healthier Milk on Your Homestead

    A2 cows are perfect for homesteaders, farmers, or ranchers who want easily digestible, nutritious, and delicious milk. Raising A2 cows is just like raising regular A1 cows. But, there are a few A1 vs. A2 cow nuances dairy producers should know. Let’s explore the…

  • All About Nigerian Dwarf Goats And 7 Reasons To Raise Them

    Welcome to my complete homesteader’s guide on Nigerian Dwarf Goats. If you’re looking for information on Nigerian Dwarf Goats, their care, and interesting facts, you’ve come to the right place. These amazingly adorable farmyard creatures pack a ton of hidden benefits in a…

  • How To Grow Basil In Pots For Indoor Or Outdoor Harvests

    I love growing my basil in pots. I love growing basil everywhere! I have a bunch of plants growing in my raised garden beds and around my homestead. Their flowers are excellent for attracting native bees. Once they produce seeds, I broadcast…

  • How to Grow Watermelon From Seed to Juicy Fruit

    Watermelons are one of the most delicious warm-weather crops for your food forest garden. Watermelons produce mouth-watering fruit, are tremendously sweet, and almost everyone loves eating them. We can show you how to grow watermelons from seed to harvest – and…

  • How To Grow Cherries From Seed: Propagation And Care Guide

    Cherry trees are one of the most delicious food forest fruits homesteaders can grow in North America. Cherry trees have other benefits, too. They deliver beautiful, fragrant flowers pollinators adore. Growing cherry trees from the seed is also surprisingly easy. We can…

  • 451 Funny horse names: A Haylarious List

    From punny and playful to elegant and classic, our list of funny horse names is tailored for the horse lover who loves a touch of creativity and a good dose of down-to-earth humor. So, grab a cup of your favorite…

  • How to Grow Strawberries From Seeds Or Runners

    Strawberries are one of our favorite annual food forest crops! They’re delicious, fragrant, easy-to-grow plants that produce some of the yummiest harvests. Growing strawberries from seed is also surprisingly easy – whether you live in the Southern USA, California, or even…