Terms of Service

The ground rules for using RaisedBale.com. We keep it straightforward — just like our gardening advice.

Last Updated: June 5, 2025

Agreement to Terms

By using RaisedBale.com, you agree to these terms. If you don't agree, please don't use our site. It's that simple.

We may update these terms as our site grows or laws change. When we do, we'll update the date above and notify you of any significant changes.

In Plain English: These are the basic rules for using our website. By browsing, reading, or subscribing, you're agreeing to follow them.

What We Provide

RaisedBale.com is an educational website focused on straw bale gardening techniques, tutorials, and product recommendations.

Our Content Includes:

  • Gardening tutorials and how-to guides
  • Product reviews and recommendations
  • Seasonal growing tips and advice
  • Email newsletters and guides
  • Affiliate links to recommended products
What We Don't Provide: Professional agricultural advice, guarantees of specific results, or liability for your gardening outcomes. We share what works for us — your results may vary.

Your Responsibilities

When Using Our Site, You Agree To:

  • Use the information for personal, non-commercial purposes
  • Not copy or republish our content without permission
  • Provide accurate information when contacting us or subscribing
  • Not attempt to hack, spam, or damage our website
  • Respect other users in any comments or interactions

Content Use Guidelines:

  • Personal Use: Feel free to use our methods in your own garden
  • Sharing: Link to our articles rather than copying them
  • Teaching: Reference our techniques with proper credit
  • Commercial Use: Contact us first for permission

Intellectual Property

All content on RaisedBale.com — including text, images, logos, and tutorials — is owned by us or used with permission.

What You Can Do:

  • Read and learn from our content
  • Print articles for personal reference
  • Share links to our content on social media
  • Reference our methods with proper attribution

What You Can't Do:

  • Copy entire articles to your own website
  • Use our images without permission
  • Republish our content as your own
  • Create competing websites using our content
Fair Use Principle: We believe in sharing knowledge freely. If you want to reference our techniques or quote small portions for educational purposes, just give us credit and link back to the original article.

Important Disclaimers

Gardening Results

Gardening success depends on many factors including climate, soil conditions, weather, and technique. We share what works for us, but we can't guarantee your results will be identical.

Product Recommendations

We recommend products we believe in, but we're not responsible for:

  • Product defects or quality issues
  • Shipping problems or delays
  • Pricing changes or availability
  • Your satisfaction with purchased items

Affiliate Relationships

We earn commissions when you purchase recommended products through our links. This doesn't cost you extra, and we only recommend things we actually use or believe in.

Safety First: Always follow safety guidelines when using tools or chemicals. We provide general advice, but you're responsible for your own safety and following local regulations.

Limitation of Liability

We strive to provide helpful, accurate information, but we can't be held responsible for:

  • Poor growing results or failed crops
  • Damage to your property or garden
  • Issues with recommended products or suppliers
  • Technical problems with our website
  • Any indirect or consequential damages
Bottom Line: We're here to help and share what we've learned, but gardening (like life) comes with no guarantees. Use our advice as a starting point, but trust your own judgment and local conditions.

Privacy & Your Information

How we handle your personal information is covered in detail in our Privacy Policy.

Quick Summary:

  • We collect minimal information (mainly email addresses)
  • We use it to send you gardening content and tips
  • We don't sell your information to third parties
  • You can unsubscribe anytime

Account Termination

While we don't have traditional "accounts," we may stop providing services to users who:

  • Violate these terms repeatedly
  • Attempt to harm our website or other users
  • Use our content inappropriately
  • Engage in spam or harassment

You can also "terminate" your relationship with us anytime by simply stopping use of the website and unsubscribing from our emails.

Legal Stuff

Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the United States and the state where RaisedBale.com is operated, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Dispute Resolution

If we have a disagreement, let's try to work it out directly first. Contact us at raisedbale@gmail.com and we'll do our best to resolve any issues.

Severability

If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the rest will still apply.

Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms as our business evolves or laws change. When we do:

  • We'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top
  • We'll email subscribers about significant changes
  • The current version will always be available on this page
  • Your continued use means you accept the updated terms
Our Promise: We won't make dramatic changes that fundamentally alter your experience without clear notice and explanation.

Questions About These Terms?

We believe in transparency and clear communication. If anything in these terms is confusing or you have questions, just ask.

Email: raisedbale@gmail.com

Subject Line: "Terms of Service Question"

We'll respond within 24-48 hours with a straight answer.