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Outdoor Christmas Tree

How Do Christmas Trees Grow?

While most of us think about Christmas trees only in December, for farmers who grow cut-your-own...
Eagle Pumpkin

How to Carve a Pumpkin

When it comes to pumpkin carving, “Farmer Mike” Valladao is an expert. He shares his tips, tricks, ...
care-for-christmas-poinsettia

History of the Poinsettia

Where does the poinsettia come from? Where was this traditional Christmas plant discovered? Are...
Easter Bunny & Flowers - OFA Message

When Is Easter 2020? | How the Easter Date is Determined

Easter 2020 will be observed on Sunday, April 12! Find out how the date of Easter is determined,...
Arbor Day

Earth Day 2020

Earth Day 2020 will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 22! This year, we celebrate the 50th...
Easter Bunny with Eggs

The Surprising Origins of Easter Symbols: From Lambs to Lilies

From lilies to lambs, there are many beautiful Easter symbols that have significance to us. But do...
Bunny Rabbit at Easter

Why Baby Animals are Born in Spring

Why are baby farm animals typically born in the spring? And why do we have an “Easter Bunny”? Enjoy...
Lilac

The Month of April 2020: Holidays, Fun Facts, Folklore

By April, spring has finally sprung, and if we’re lucky, the weather will reflect that! We hope...
Friday the 13th Cat

Why Is Friday the 13th Unlucky? | Origin of Friday the 13th

The next Friday the 13th is March 13, 2020. Why is this day often associated with bad luck? What is...
Shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day 2020

Saint Patrick’s Day is on Tuesday, March 17, this year! Who was Saint Patrick? Why are shamrocks a...
Spring Moon

Easter and the Paschal Full Moon

Did you know that the date of Easter—April 12 this year—is tied to the full Moon and the March...
daylight-saving-time-clock

Daylight Saving Time 2020: When Does the Time Change?

Daylight Saving Time starts on the 2nd Sunday in March—that’s Sunday, March 8, 2020! See details...
Irish Stew

Best St. Patrick's Day Recipes

A selection of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes—including soda bread, corned beef and cabbage...
When is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras 2020 (Fat Tuesday)

Mardi Gras 2020 is Tuesday, February 25! Why do we celebrate Mardi Gras? Also called Shrove Tuesday...
Valentine Cupids

Valentine's Day 2020: What Is the Real Meaning of Valentine's Day?

What is the real story of Valentine’s Day? This ancient marking of agricultural and human fertility...
29 Leap Year Fence

Why Is 2020 a Leap Year?

2020 is a leap year! Find out why and what this means, and see when the next leap year will be....
Groundhog Day Celebration (Resize)

Groundhog Day 2020

Groundhog Day comes from our agricultural past and marks the halfway point to the spring equinox....
Mount Rushmore

Presidents' Day 2020

Presidents’ Day is Monday, February 17, 2020! Which presidents do we celebrate on Presidents’ Day?...
MLK Jr. with JFK in 1963

9 Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on Monday, January 20, 2020. Celebrate this revolutionary...
independence-day-usa

Fourth of July 2020: Celebrate with History, Traditions, and Recipes

What is Independence Day (U.S.)? Why do we celebrate this all-important American holiday? Learn the...
when-is-ramadan

Ramadan 2020: When is Ramadan?

When does Ramadan 2020 begin and end? See Ramadan dates—and learn more about how Ramadan is ...
New Year's Day Clock

New Year's Day 2020

Happy New Year!! Ever wondered why the new year starts on January 1? Is 2020 the start of a new...
Recipe for Good Luck Hoppin' John

Hoppin’ John: A Traditional Southern Dish for New Year's Day

Welcome in the New Year with Hoppin’ John, a traditional New Year’s Day dish, and luck will follow...
Christmas Tree

How to Care for a Christmas Tree

Here’s how to keep your Christmas tree fresh plus 10 ideas on how to recycle that tree after the...
Ethnic Breads for Christmas, New Years, Easter, and More

Ethnic Bread Recipes for the Holidays

Certain holidays are accompanied by traditional ethnic recipes, many of which are for baking bread...
Janus

Keeping New Year's Resolutions

New Year’s resolution traditions actually go back to ancient times. So, before you pooh-pooh the...
Santa Claus Elf

Christmas Facts and Trivia

Where did the phrase “Jiminy Christmas” come from? What about “Godspeed”? Why do some people write...
Reindeer Antlers

Is Rudolph a Girl?

Christmas falls in late December and—as we all know—everyone’s favorite red-nosed reindeer leads...
Chanukah

Hanukkah 2019

Hanukkah begins on Sunday, December 22, at sundown. Learn about Hanukkah history, customs, and a...
Christmas Ornament

Christmas Day 2019

Christmas occurs on a Wednesday this year. Discover why we celebrate Christmas Day on December 25,...
Classic Deviled Eggs

Christmas Appetizer Recipes

Ho, ho, ho! Here are 12 of our favorite Christmas appetizer recipes. Whether it’s classic deviled...
Fireworks

New Year's Traditions From Around the World

Many New Year’s traditions that we take for granted today actually have a long, long history. This...
Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2020

The third Monday in January is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States. Here is why we...
Full Homemade Thanksgiving Dinner

Best Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

Few feasts are so steeped in tradition as Thanksgiving! We’ve updated our Thanksgiving Dinner...
Mistletoe Meaning and Lore | Why We Kiss Beneath It

Why Do We Kiss Under the Mistletoe?

Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? Of all the plants used as Christmas decorations, none has as...
Poinsettia is an unlikely Christmas flower.

Poinsettias: Unlikely Christmas Plants

Ruby-red Poinsettias signal Christmastime. But how did this tropical plant become the traditional...
Boxing Day Gift

Boxing Day 2019: What is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26! Why is it called Boxing Day? And what, if anything, does...
Christmas Firsts

Christmas Firsts: The Origins of Christmas Traditions in America

When did the first Christmas card, Christmas tree, and department store Santa Claus appear in...
Christmas Wreath

The Story Behind Your Christmas Wreath

This time of year, there are Christmas wreaths everywhere from doors and fences to lampposts and...
Saint Nicholas

St. Nicholas Day 2019

Was Saint Nicholas a real person? Is he the true Santa Claus and Father Christmas? Find out about...
Snowball Cookies

Christmas Cookie Recipes for Kids

Want to get the kids involved this holiday season? Try making these easy Christmas cookie recipes ...
Squash Autumn Foods

The Thanksgiving Meal Is Packed With Vitamins

When you think of Thanksgiving, what foods come to mind? Turkey? Sweet potatoes? Cranberries?...

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