Welcome to Tyrant Farms!

We’re a modern human family trying to chart a better path in a world that feels increasingly artificial, disconnected, and ecologically homicidal. We love to raise ducks, grow food, forage, cook, read (and write) books, and build community from the soil up. This website (named in honor of Susan “The Tyrant”) is our way of sharing what we’ve learned since starting our journey over 15 years ago. Nothing on this website is AI-generated; all the photos and words are our own—borne from experience, sweat, and soil-covered hands.

Come Learn With Us

Dive into the topic categories you’re curious about. Each article and resource was created by actual humans with experience and expertise. We never use AI or contract writers.

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Raising Ducks

Find out everything you’ll ever need (or want) to know about raising pet and backyard ducks.

raised bed garden

Gardening

Want to learn no-till (aka no-dig) organic gardening and permaculture? Discover rare edibles? You’re in the right place!

Lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are gourmet mushrooms that taste like crab meat & can be easily grown or foraged. Here's how to make our favorite lion’s mane recipe: lion’s mane crab cakes!

Recipes

Use our recipes to turn your home-grown and foraged goodies into unique home-cooked meals that would make a gourmet chef drool!

A proud Buff female goose says hello

Raising Geese

Find out how to raise geese at home or on a small farm, courtesy of our friend and expert goose keeper, MJ Smith!

Basket of morel mushrooms - photo by Tyrant Farms

Foraging

Wild landscapes are full of amazing food once you know how to safely ID and utilize it. Come on a journey of culinary discovery with us!

child holding duck

Parenting

With the help of our “village,” we’re aiming to raise a strong, kind, curious, capable, brainiac who has the capacity to discern fact from fiction. Tune into the journey!

Our Flock (& supporting characters)…

Our journey would not be nearly as much fun without our hilarious flock of ducks, two cats (Bob & Moo), and Ian our Ball Python. We’d love to introduce you to everyone and spotlight their quirky personalities.

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pippa
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piper
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marty
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Izzy
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Primrose
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olive
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poppy
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thelma
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louise

Vodcast: The Duck Keeper’s Corner

duck my life merch

Merchandise: Duck My Life & Duck It

Books: Impractical Guide Series

Most Recent Posts

food philosophy - child foraging mushrooms

Our food philosophy

Our 14-point food philosophy may help you live a better, healthier life filled with delicious foods and people you love.
does mulch cause nitrogen deficiency?

Will mulching reduce soil nitrogen?

Will mulching reduce soil nitrogen? Our 15 years of mulching experience and review of the research literature gives a clear answer: NO. In fact, mulching INCREASES soil nitrogen.
goose-economics

Economics of keeping geese

How much does it cost to keep geese? Can they pay for themselves? Take a deep dive into goose-enomics, the financial side of raising geese!
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