| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Runbikegrrl |
Posted - Jun 18 2007 : 07:14:28 AM
looks like my low ball offer on 17 acres worked! Just signed the contract this morning ...what this means is if I sell my present house I will be moving to a little cabin up a dirt road and then a long dirt drive. The place is sweet...I hate the house but feel like I could modify it to make it "home"...the big plus is a fantastic brook running through near the property line. It is 17 acres but most of it is thickly wooded mountainside. There is about 1 1/2 acres of semi cleared, about 3/4 of that sunny and grassy as opposed to mossy.......so now my question...
Everything I read says not to graze animals in woodlands....we're talking one cow, one or two pigs and some chickens not a whole herd.....do you think I can do it? Do any of you? I realize I will have to check for poisonous plants etc. I know all the one arce per cow stuff and I would eventually clear more of the land. Anyone been through this...should I just bail out of the deal and buy established pasture. The place is so sweet it's way up in the woods...so private
"So many interests so little time!"
http://lovelifelivegrrl.blogspot.com/ |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Love-in-a-Mist |
Posted - Jun 19 2007 : 08:39:18 AM
MaryAnn how exciting!! What an adventure! Stock is just fine in wooded areas, they will help you clean out the under brush to make it easier to clear. Just make sure you have plenty of extra hay and grain put up, to compensate for no pasture.
When you are building your barn buildings, plan them so you can bring in all your stock at night and lock them up tight, to keep predators at bay. Also get a few dogs to discourage wild animals.
When you build your fences make many small "pastures" so you will be able to move animals around, so they won't be too hard on the land.
Good Luck and post lots of pictures!
http://love-in-a-mist-shannon.blogspot.com/ |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jun 18 2007 : 2:14:51 PM
It looks like a great place, MaryAnn! In the photos,it looks to be in great shape as it is. And a tin roof? How cool! Keep us posted.
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jun 18 2007 : 12:15:02 PM
Wow..congrats MaryAnn..how exciting!!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 18 2007 : 09:11:57 AM
It sounds fabulous! I would go for it! You could always do some selective logging to clear a little more land. I am sure your animals will love the forest for the shade. I know that pigs seem to like forest areas, and as long as you have enough open pasturage for a cow, the woods should be fine for them as well. As for chickens- they hardly take up any space at all and if you let them free range, they will find what they need.
Please let us know what you decide! I am so excited for you!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for tying, one hand to hold Nora! |
| junkjunkie |
Posted - Jun 18 2007 : 08:50:33 AM
P.S. MaryAnn, if you can, every now and then post some pictures of your progress. It would be interesting to see! |
| junkjunkie |
Posted - Jun 18 2007 : 08:42:15 AM
Wow!! You really have your work cut out for you. Thanks for posting the link to your home...even though it's 15 years old, it has potential and can be made very charming! It's very nice! I have to say that I really admire you for taking this on. You are very brave, but I'm sure it will be a very satisfying experience with every project done, however long it takes you or the difficulty. It really will be your own place. Good luck! |
| Runbikegrrl |
Posted - Jun 18 2007 : 08:05:53 AM
Thanks Judy! I am really nervous though...not just about how the animals will do on this terrain.....but dealing with the wild ones...lots of bears and dealing with getting in and out in the Winter....I will have to hike in about 1/2 mile much of the winter as I will never get a plow over the bridge without wrecking it AND I could never afford to have the whole thing plowed ...will probably just contract to dig out a spot at the bottom for parking. Putting up the fencing ...building a barn (there is none now) and starting gardens completely from scratch will be fun. I mean completely ...not only is there no vegetable patch there is not a single bush or flower on the property...clean slate! The people who lived there used this as a seasonal vacation property. The other thing is I love old house and have always lived in an old one ...this is only 15 years old...it might be kinda nice to know i have a good roof over my head.....I am going to make some changes to give it an old fashion look ...HERE'S THE LINK (THINK YOU HAVE TO CUT AND PASTE
http://www.heneyrealtors.com/content/listdetail.html/44855358?proppos=5&proptype=*&minprice=&maxprice=&bed=&full=&city=ROXBURY&state=VT&radius=0&search_by=citystate&startpos=1&endpos=10&ids=41819892,47889240,50775580,53450903,44855358,47459829,51304930,47459827,47459828,51974290&propertyCount=15
"So many interests so little time!"
http://lovelifelivegrrl.blogspot.com/ |
| junkjunkie |
Posted - Jun 18 2007 : 07:25:18 AM
Maryann, Congratulations! It sounds like a beautiful property and many wonderful years of living and setting it up. How exciting for you! I can't answer your other questions, though, but I know you'll get a lot of advice from experienced farmgirls out there. |
