| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kestrel |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 11:14:06 PM
Hello from the eastern foothills of the Coast Range in Oregon!
My husband and I bought a 75 acre fixer-upper farm last spring. It needs lots of work, but at least we're not renting anymore.  We have about 40 acres of hay ground and the rest is in scotch broom/blackberries/thistles (at least 3 kinds) and various trees and bushes (really, some lovely old oaks on the other side of the creek, though). Oh yeah, and a creek runs through it. We don't have any livestock yet, as there are no secure fences, but we plan to have some cows and maybe some goats once we get some fences up, along with my horse that is living at my parents' place. We will, however, need a guard donkey, as we have a large coyote population that is quite brave.
Even though it's taking a ton of work, I love this farm. We have so many different birds that live around here. There's a black shouldered kite that hunts in the lower fields most mornings and evenings, along with a pair of great blue herons that walk around the fields in the mornings looking for voles. We also have several kinds of hawks and innumerable tweety birds ranging from goldfinches to tanagers to juncos. We also have 3 pairs of ravens that cavort around, laugh at each other and spar with the young red tails (our own air show). There's also a large herd of elk that comes down to feed. They're wonderful to watch, even though they ruined the oats in the field closest to the creek.
This is our first farm of our own, but I grew up on a small hobby farm with horses and dairy goats and my husband's family dairies in Tillamook County as part of the cooperative there. I spent most of the last decade finishing my education, so it's refreshing, but a huge change, to be out in the dirt and weather again. Even though I used to help my grandmothers, this is the first year that I've ever canned for and by myself. I used to think I wanted a professional semi-urban life, but now that we're here and I'm splitting wood instead of trying to convince myself to go to a gym, everything seems right. |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Julia |
Posted - Oct 08 2005 : 10:08:40 PM
Hey Girls! Anne of Portland is joining up ,that makes 7 so far! Details are getting closer to be final. We are trying to locate a meeting place in Eugene, so hang on, it's coming! Looking forward to getting together! Julia of Reedsport
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
| Julia |
Posted - Oct 08 2005 : 10:54:28 AM
Hey Bev! Welcome! We are starting a Oregon Farmgirl chapter and would live to have you join in. Wanna?
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
| Kestrel |
Posted - Oct 08 2005 : 12:45:39 AM
Thanks, Bev! I will look for the book at the Borders in Corvallis next time I'm there. That's where I picked up the current issue of the mag/catalog, which pointed me here. :-)
I do love rural living. My urban/suburban stint was necessary but short-lived. At least now I'll never wonder if it might be a good fit! lol. This farm is like coming home. Something quite interesting is that after we bought it we found out that my Grandpa, who passed away the previous summer, was born somewhere on the same road we live on now. It's his old John Deere 3010 that we have borrowed from Grandma and I swear I can feel him around here sometimes. It's good to feel like you're in the right place. |
| McKenzie Mist |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 10:09:29 PM
Welcome Karen from the Cascade foothills of Lane County, Oregon. Congratulations on finding a farm on which to make your home. I'm sure you will love rural living. I haven't been able to browse around this website as much as I would like, but I've sure enjoyed what I've read periodically since discovering it last winter. There is much to be learned here, in MJ's magazine, and in her wonderful new book.
If you haven't seen her book yet, you must! The Borders store in Eugene carries it. I gave a copy to a friend for a wedding shower gift this summer, and she was telling me the other day that four ladies that had attended the shower and saw the book have gone out and bought copies, they enjoyed it so much.
It's fun to see yet another Oregonian here on the FG Connection. Welcome and enjoy!
Bev in the McKenzie Valley |
| Kestrel |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 09:59:06 AM
Thanks, everyone, for the warm welcome!
BlueApple Julia-- I actually grew up in Yamhill County west of Carlton and lived in Newberg for a year during school, so I'm pretty familiar with Dundee-- and its traffic bottleneck. :-) Pretty area, though.
Jenny-- I'm glad I found this place, too. So much knowledge and common sense around here. That's a rare find, these days. :-)
Kristi-- I, too, did a lot of container gardening while we were renting. Let me warn you-- it's not exactly sufficient preparation for massive beds/gardens in the ground, especially if you have beds that have been neglected long-term and soil that needs amending. I was pretty proficient at my containers, but, whew, so much to learn now! However, double digging a bed is pretty good exercise. :-)
Toni-- I absolutely relate to the limited money concept. We had some set aside after closing to work on the house, but when it's gone, it's gone, and it went quick with all the help that the house needed. Luckily, we're able to borrow most of our equipment from family members-- one of the advantages of having multiple family farms on both sides of the family. The way I figure it, if we would have kept renting we could have afforded a really nice place in about 10 years. Well, in about 10 years we ought to have this one looking pretty good, too.
Reedsport Julia-- please do keep me updated on the Oregon FG chapter. It sounds like fun! |
| Julia |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 09:45:56 AM
Welcome Karen! Glad to have you on board. We are working on an Oregon farmgirl chapter, and would love to have you join us. We hope to have our first meeting soon. Want to join us? Simply, JUlia
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
| Lacyacres |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 07:38:23 AM
Welcome, Karen!!!! Your farm sounds great!!!! We are in Newberg, which is fairly close to you. We bought a fixer upper many years ago and we are still in the process of *fixin'er up*!!! PIMP! When money is limited, you do what you can!!!! LOL! I kow you will enjoy this forum. I look forward to hearing more about you and your farm!
~~~Toni~~~
Happiness must be grown in one's own garden. |
| lonestargal |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 06:49:48 AM
Hi Karen and welcome to MJF!!! Sounds like you have a wonderful place. We are getting ready to move to a ranch in spring and I'm really excited. I will finally get my 'full' garden (right now I do container planting for lack of room here) and I would love to have a cow of my own. My parents own the land and they have 8 head of cattle and an old horse but I really want one that I can call 'mine'. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 06:42:52 AM
Welcome Karen!! I am looking forward to you joining in on our conversations! I am glad you found us!!
Jenny in Utah
Put all your eggs in one basket..and then watch that basket!! Mark Twain |
| BlueApple |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 05:02:22 AM
Welcome! I'm your neighbor Julia from Dundee. I'm so glad you are here and I look forward to getting to know you better!
Julia
BlueApple Farm |
|
|
