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I really appreciate everyone who is trying to help me, both on list and
off. It really means a lot to me.
First of all, I thought I'd share a little more about why we are doing
this. I know I probably come across as a little too idealistic, but I'm really
not. I KNOW that we have a hard road ahead of us, but it's the road we
want.
I don't share this with too many people, because most already think I'm
crazy enough as it is, but most here seem to be just as crazy as myself ;-), so
what's the harm, eh?
I had run across the Sally Fallon info, and we were getting frustrated
about not being able to find or afford a lot of the foods we needed, but we
still had never considered having a farm of our own. Then one night I had a
dream, only it felt like so much more than a dream. It was about farming and all
we are to do with this venture in the future. I didn't tell my husband about it,
because I had already drug him through so many changes (we homebirth unassisted,
unschool the kids, the last doctor visit was the one that caused the autism in
my daughter - the youngest two have never been to a doctor EVER, etc, etc, etc).
Luckily, Michael is a pretty cool guy, and he has jumped right in on all of
these changes, but for the first time, he seemed really happy with his job and
where we were living, so I didn't want to spoil that for him. Anyway, abut 2
weeks later, HE brought the subject up. Turns out he had the same exact dream
the same exact night. Ever since then, everything has just been falling into
place. We KNOW this is exactly where we need to be, and this is what we need to
be doing. Interestingly enough, there are even roadsigns here that we had both
never seen before, yet we both saw them in the dream. So to us, it doesn't
matter what it takes, we are ready and willing, and we have never been happier!
My children are all thriving here, and just are absolutely in love with life. My
7 yr old has become so responsible since moving here. Half of the time she is up
at the buttcrack of dawn and has already gathered eggs and let the goats and
chickens out. She spends a LOT of time with the goats, she just can't get enough
of them. This move has been incredibly good for all of us.
I was going to answer everyone individually, but the task just gets bigger
and bigger as more people respond :-), so I thought I'd try and answer most
here.
I don't know exactly, but I am guessing that the dimensions of the manure
in the barn are somewhere around 25'x15', and about 2 1/2-3 ft deep. It's pretty
compact. On the first layer is a lot of fresh straw, but underneath, the rest
all looks like really black dirt. Basically, the previous owner just kept adding
more straw to the top to keep it from smelling (you can't smell goat poo in
there at all, unless you start digging around with the pitchfork a bit), and all
of the previous straw seems to be broken down. The barn floor is definately
dirt.
About worms, do you see them much in the winter? I haven't really seen any
critters around here other than wooly worms and lady bugs (by the TON! - which
is another question I have. Would this many lady bugs be an indication of
anything? I know they are good bugs, but it doesn't seem right to have so many
so out of balance with everything else), but we have only been here since Jan
1st, and have not seen the critter activity outside of winter.
The barn has a big access door for big equipment, just last week the
previous owner (who still stops by to help us when needed - they just live 20
minutes away in town) drove the tractor into the barn with a fork to put in one
of those huge round hay bales.
We do have access to a bobcat, but were told that it had been cleaned
out this way last time, and was not really much easier than doing it by hand (of
course, it was the wife saying this, while the husband was the one driving the
machine, so their views may vary!)
I guess the most confusing thing to me is exactly what we should do with
all of this manure. The previous owners have offered access to her fathers
manure spreader, but I honestly don't know if that is the best way. If we went
with that option, how would we get the preps (or remedies, if it makes someone
happier) into it? Do we do that while it is still in the barn - or build compost
piles outside and put it in there - or spread it with the manure spreader and
put them on after it is spread in the garden before working it in - or
50 other options we haven't even thought of?
I am curious about the pros and cons of raised beds. It seems a lot of
people do them, but I guess I don't really understand the full benefits. It
seems like a lot of work and money to me, which if they are that much better
would be well worth it, but I really don't understand the benefits of them over
just using the ground. I will definately keep an open mind about using them if
they are indeed better though.
We are not adamant about using the whole 2 acre garden space this year, by
any means. Basically, we are in the process of deciding what all we want to
plant, and will just use as much of it as we need to get it all planted. My
husband is a professional chef, so we will probably have a few things others
wouldn't, but I really don't see us needing the whole 2 acres this year. We will
however be planting more than others might for individual family use, as we are
trying to build up our food storage. In our church, it is common to have a
year's supply in constant rotation, which is definately a goal of ours (with
canning, the root cellar, drying etc). We would also, if possible, like to set
aside an area to plant some of the grains for the chickens (we do not use
comercial soy food for them at all, and would be much more comfortable providing
food from our own garden for them). The goats eat pasture (shrubs, etc) and
hay.
***Key question, you don't mention a greenhouse. Do you
have any possibility for one, or extensive, sunny space in the house where
you can raise plants from seed?***
We do have a greenhouse. It's not huge by any means, but I believe it will
be plenty big enough for our needs right now. Again, I don't know the exact
dimensions, but I am guessing maybe 12'x8'? with wide shelves a little over
waist height along both long ends inside.
***Consider getting a cow***
This is one of our biggest reasons for being
here! We will be getting Jersey's, hopefully the first will be here sometime in
March (due to finances - Bill Gates we are not!) We have a lot of pasture, but
we definately hope to improve it over time as well.
***Oh...and start with good seed!***
Absolutely! We will be choosing only nonhybrid
seed, and will definately be learning to save our own. Any reccomendations
of where to order from?
***Understanding Jennifer's intention to do a CSA, it still
wouldnt be too much to cultivate that extra at the same time... planting the
first veggies in a half acre.... but prepping the rest of the designated 2 for
the next seasons with sown cover-crop (unless there is already something
suitable in place).***
I need to find out what is there now. I will
write the previous owner today and find out.
***Especially if there are any
variations in drainage characteristics, it would prudently give more ready
choice for alternate rotations... as the ensuing seasons bring their
moisture-level clues, and you have to act quickly especially if you have
obligations to a csa.***
I will also talk to Teresa about moisture levels
and see if she can help here at all as well. We have become quite good friends,
which is proving to be very helpful. She never wanted to leave here, but
unfortuntely, the dream was not one her husband shared, and she decided to give
up the fight. She is very excited to see us living her dream, and is very much
hoping for our success so that she will have access to good food.
As far as CSA obligations, I guess a different name would be in order, but
I don't know what exactly. I know it sounds awfully ambitious but here is
what we were shown in the dream. Basically, for those who want fresh produce, we
will charge a 'membership fee' every year, something not very big (one
of our biggest goals is good food that is affordable to families like ours
- I know many others disagree and will charge all that they possibly can, but
this is exactly why our family could never get good food. It is not because we
are spending money unwisely that we couldn't afford good food - it was because
we had decided for me to stay home and to raise our own children rather than
putting them into the hands of the 'experts' - daycare and school - it is a
shame that the people who care so much about their children are also generally
the ones who can least afford to feed them well). This membership fee will give
them a discount on our produce (which will be available for non-members also).
There will be a sliding scale, one price for people who come and pick their own,
another for people who have us pick but come to pick it up, another for those
who have us pick it and take it to a drop location, etc. This will always be a
part of what we do, but there is another side also. I know this will take awhile
due to having to go through a lot of government red tape first, and getting all
of the necessary equipment (a big walk-in freezer, seperate kitchen, etc) but
this was a big part of what we were both shown in the dream. We will be
providing ready made food (like you would find in the freezer section in a
grocery store), only made with food grown and prepared properly (frozen foods,
lacto-fermented veggies, all kinds of sourdough goodies, etc). My husband is a
graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and is so happy that he will be
able to use his skills on something he really believes in and is passionate
about.
So anyway, I know it will take years to get to where we need to be, but we
are sure having a lot of fun in the process :-)
***To quote John Phibrick about 30 yrs
ago, when i was just starting:
Never plant a larger garden than your spouse can
handle!!***
LOL!!! I will be sure to share that one when Michael gets
home.
Again, thank you all for your help. I am sure I have a million
and one more questions, but my mind is blank at the moment, and I am needed by a
child, so I will end for now.
Jennifer [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Click here for the best diet and nutrition information you will ever find! www.westonaprice.org ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the air - however slight - lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness." -- William O. Douglas ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* |
