A pile of tomatoes sitting next to each other.

Article Submissions

Write about the real farm life of today. We want to hear about interesting and innovative ways farmers operate to make a profit. Fill out the form below to submit your story. Read the Writer's Guidelines below, or download here:

Writer's Guidelines

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    Writer’s Guidelines

    Our Mission 

    Farming Magazine celebrates the joys of farming well and living well on a small ecologically conscious scale. It explores the intricate bonds connecting people, land, and community and it offers a hopeful vision for the future of farming in America. The magazine is created in the spirit of stewardship for the earth and regard for its inhabitants.

    A close up of some yellow apples on a tree
    A close up of red berries on a tree

    Background 

    Farming Magazine is published seasonally (quarterly) in Holmes County, Ohio, U.S.A., by Friends of the Agrarians, Box 85, Mt. Hope, Ohio 44660. We emphasize practical articles that aim to educate farmers about ways to increase profitability while using ecologically sound farming practices, and how farmers think creatively about farming in the 21st century. We strive to offer attractive alternatives to low-profit, high-tech farming. The best Farming Magazine articles will combine experience, wisdom, and science. Our focus is on the full-time farmer, however, we also have many readers who are serious part-time farmers and others who have an interest in preserving the small family farm as a viable way of life and as a supplier of local, nutritious, and safe food. We like to hear about ways the entire family, or even members of a community, get involved in the farm operation.

    Types of Articles

    Write about the real farm life of today. We want to hear about interesting and innovative ways farmers operate to make a profit. How do today’s small-scale farmers manage crops and livestock? We like to hear about farmers who process and market their own products including interesting, or unusual commodities, but no articles about exotic animals, please. (A story on using llamas as guard animals for sheep would be the exception).

    Farm home articles emphasize the farm kitchen including gardening, cooking with, and preserving homegrown foods. New ideas for flower and herb gardens and recipes featuring seasonal produce are welcome, as are human interest articles featuring cooks, gardeners, and hobbyists. Submit these with color photos. We believe entertainment, humor, philosophy, and poetry are important to today’s farm families and welcome submissions in these categories, but avoid sentimental and nostalgic writing. Rather, we emphasize the real world of farm life today. Poetry should reflect elements of nature and human nature. We are looking for poetry with strong images and a confident voice. Poetry does not have to rhyme.

    A sheep and chickens grazing in the grass.
    A butterfly is sitting on the leaves of a tree.

    How to Submit

    Writers may wish to query first to be sure the idea is of interest to Farming Magazine. Articles should be typed and double-spaced with one-inch margins all around. Type the name, address, and phone number of the writer on the first page in the top left-hand corner. If possible, submit your article on a computer diskette using Microsoft Word or text format. (Or email it to: [email protected]). Always send a printed copy. Include a self-addressed envelope for a reply.

    Hints and Tips

    Pieces in Farming Magazine range in length from 300 words to approximately 3500 words. We welcome black and white and/or color illustrations. Attach a notepaper to the photo using removable tape or use a sticky notepad to describe the photo. Do not write on the back of the photos. Include a one or two-sentence biographical statement about yourself, the writer. This will be used at the end of the article. We do not use professional titles of writers, such as Ph. D. but like to know how you are connected to farm life.

    Study Farming Magazine articles and submit articles that are written in a style similar to those you have read. Use natural, but interesting language. Write using concrete nouns and active verbs. Emphasize short sentences, but vary the length to create and hold interest. Avoid writing in the passive voice. Simple words are often better. Pay attention to transitions between paragraphs. These keep the reader moving through the material and help them absorb the ideas of your article. Some Farming Magazine articles may use scientific terms, but they should not sound academic.

    To learn more about how to write in the style we prefer, read classic books on writing such as The Elements of Style by Strunk and White or On Writing Well by William Zinsser.

    A close up of two apples on a tree

    Payment & Policy

    Farming Magazine strives to pay fairly for larger articles and photos. Payment is upon publication. We provide complimentary copies for our writers. Farming Magazine accepts no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts that are not accompanied by an S.A.S.E.

    Contact Information

    Send material for publication, or queries to:
    Farming Magazine
    P.O. Box 85
    Mt. Hope, OH 44660