| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - May 08 2006 : 12:30:27 PM
I am so glad to be here! I've been a fan of MaryJane since a friend told me about her magalog last summer and have enjoyed learning from all of you so much!  Lately, you have been a big source of information about chickens for me. My husband, Phil, is planning to build me a coop and yard alongside the garden, and I'm studying hard! Right now our "farm animal" is an inherited Toy Fox Terrier who is smart and comical but not too useful.  Our previous pets were lots of big dogs and cats, all drop offs.
We live about 45 minutes from the ocean, and the soil is nearly pure sand. A dairy farmer rents 25 acres of sand in return for a manure spreader load of cow manure for the garden, and we dream of how to improve that land and use it ourselves! I've been studying...
Thanks for "being there"!
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - May 18 2006 : 06:33:26 AM
Wendy, those developers break my heart! My FIL bought our farm because the owner died as he was in the process of developing; the entry was next to our yard. So, after buying land (2 acres) from Daddy when we married, we bought out my BIL after the death of their parents... and HE had wanted to develop it. We learned what Daddy could teach us; he grew up a farmboy, but definitely non-organic. I hope one day to have those chickens, and a smallish cow , and to gently lead the renting farmer to lay off the 10-10-10 and spread chicken or cow manure (he has way too much of both, he told me) until Phil can retire and have time to take it over. In perspective... years ago another farmer plowed it up in the fall, didn't get a crop, and the winds blew the topsoil down the slope and across the road all winter. And, didn't pay his rent. I am so thankful the ground is growing rye and being mowed... and my garden does get the cow manure. I hope Ringo becomes a good citizen and grows up into a champion farm dog! Being a 14 year old and a terrier (notoriously stubbern), our Jazzy will doubtlessly be a chasser...not a fast one, anymore, however!
Fun "talking" with you, too.
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - May 18 2006 : 05:43:48 AM
Annquote:
Originally posted by CabinCreek-Kentucky
hi ann .. welcome to the farm! i was born and raised in washington, d.c. lived in annapolis for years .. visited delaware often .. and have fond teenage memories of ocean city .. tooooo busy for me now though. but oh so beautiful! xo, frannie
True Friends, Frannie
Hello Frannie! Thanks for the welcome. Yes, O.C. has gotten so busy we don't go either. In fact, the last time we tried to go, it was for meeting folks at dinner, and traffic was stuck this side of the bridge because the traffic in O.C. was at a standstill and no one could get in! I searched in the "sewing" topic for "primitive" yesterday and saw your postings! That's my style, too. Love Jan Patek's quilts and fabrics. Quilting is my main thing, but I do some wool work, penny mats and so forth. I have the Mulberry Folk Art tombstone book--unfortunately unused. Didn't know why they quit sending catalogs and was interested to learn they're out of business.
I'll bet Cabin Creek KY is a beautiful place to live! The only folks I've known from KY have gorgeous accents and are lovely people
Nice to meet you!
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - May 18 2006 : 04:34:39 AM
Hi Ann- Sorry to be so long in answering! My brother lives outside of Dover in Camden. He was stationed at Dover AFB when he came out of basic training in 1979 and never left!!
Karin |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - May 17 2006 : 07:46:42 AM
hi ann .. welcome to the farm! i was born and raised in washington, d.c. lived in annapolis for years .. visited delaware often .. and have fond teenage memories of ocean city .. tooooo busy for me now though. but oh so beautiful! xo, frannie
True Friends, Frannie |
| Sunshine Farmgirl |
Posted - May 17 2006 : 07:38:30 AM
Hello again Ann!
So nice to hear from you. I have never been a computer chatter but this could be fun!The growth in our area is staggering. Huge million dollar houses on postage stamp lots squeezed in tighter that chickens in a Perdue chicken house!Go figure. Our area is somewhat protected by a neighboring naval landing field, for now anyway. The land was part of my husbands grandfathers farm that was left to his mother. His brother bought it from her about 10 years ago after she sold the timber off of it. It sat idle going to scrub until last year when he approached me with ideas of what to do with this 20 acres. As you can imagine my ideas began flooding and he hasn't been able to dam them up since. Fortunately we agree on most ideas because he longs to see part of his grandfathers farm thriving again. The fact that it hadn't been tended forever makes it easy for us to start organic. Actually we prefer "certified naturally grown".
It is a feeling beyond words to see this dream unfold before us.
My Saint Bernard, Ringo (9 mos), still just wants to chase the chickens. I hope to be able to train him to pull a cart.
Even though you're in Perdue chicken country, do consider having your own flock. They are so much fun. I have recently started an egg route and already need to have more layers! I have no trouble getting 2.50 a doz.
I really look forward to talking to you again. I too could go on and on!
Take Care,
Wendy
"they say I've lost my mind....I think I've finally found it" |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - May 16 2006 : 2:19:56 PM
Hi Wendy! It is a small world. How's the growth in your area, population-wise? I never got off the main highways near you, but I'm guessing the sprawl is hitting you. Was your farm organic before you moved there? I checked out your own "welcome wagon" introduction. How neat for you to have grown up as a farmgirl! I can only begin to understand what you must feel when you look at your own dream coming true. Is your St. Bernard a natural at livestock care?
I agree, the cantaloupes and watermelon do well in sandy soil. We are gardening on land that's been farmed out and not cared for. Verticilium wilt and some other diseases have been a problem in the past, and with the drought this spring, we've really cut back on the garden, and have clover as a cover for most of it... had to put in some tomatoes, though. :) I could ramble on and on. Thanks again for your big hello! Oh, by the way, here in Perdue chicken country when you tell folks you want a backyard flock they think you're absolutely nuts. I guess my mind is lost!
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Sunshine Farmgirl |
Posted - May 16 2006 : 06:50:34 AM
Hello Ann!
I am close to you. I live in southern Chesapeake, only a couple of hours away. I recently bought a beautiful, lovable Saint Bernard from a woman on the shore. He's our farmdog. I have always lived in this area (I grew up on Knotts Island)and the sandy places always seemed to grow great cantalopes and watermelons. Best of luck.
Wendy
"they say I've lost my mind....I think I've finally found it" |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - May 12 2006 : 5:20:51 PM
Hi again! Thanks for your welcoming messages. I already feel at home. I've been devouring the information on these pages, and am so heartened by the graciousness of messages and responses. There is a true comraderie. Some of you (Aunt Jenny and Libbie!!!) have entered into and given much farmgirl wisdom for the newbies of us. Thanks!
Phil's Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Libbie |
Posted - May 11 2006 : 12:31:40 PM
Hello, Ann! Welcome, and you'll fit right in with everyone here - so many of us have chickens and other farm/garden things going on. So glad to have another farmgirl!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Grits |
Posted - May 10 2006 : 07:40:07 AM
Welcome Ann,Sounds like you have your work cut out for you as far as trying to garden in sand.My youngest daughter just moved to Fla. from N.C.so she is having the same problem.You will love this group of womem.Welcome again,Grits
You will never see your future if you live in your past! |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - May 09 2006 : 05:30:39 AM
Karin of Georgia, hello! Where in Delaware does your brother live? I lived in central DE, out in the country, until I was 9 years old, when we moved to Wilmington (big culture shock)... and I did spend some time as a tourist in Philly, Karen of Oregon. I always wanted to return to the country, however! It was "imprinted" on me as a child. Where we are now used to be very rural. I moved here nearly 30 years ago and married the son of one of my mother's best friends who is a "local". The population just about doubles every 10 years, and the region has lost it's farming culture. The land here is really flat, Jenny. I miss seeing some hills. I'd like to see the Rocky mountains someday! Thanks to all for the welcome.
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - May 08 2006 : 7:12:34 PM
Welcome Ann! I have never been east of Minnesota but someday hope to see the Eastern coast...sounds so pretty and different than places I have lived (West coast and Rocky mountain areas and Minnesota years ago)
I am glad you found us!!
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 |
| truebluecountrygirl |
Posted - May 08 2006 : 6:39:27 PM
Welcome Ann!
I LOVE the Eastern Shore, although it's been decades since I was there last. (I grew up in the Philly area, and my dad had a seafood store and repaired boats, so we spent alot of time in that area. It IS beautiful!) You will love it here - there is so much to learn, and everyone is wonderful about sharing their expertise. It's an awesome neighborhood.
Karen |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - May 08 2006 : 4:12:51 PM
Welcome to the forum Ann! Where you live sounds wonderful. My brother lives in Delaware, and I love visiting there. That whole area is beautiful. You are going to love being here!
Karin |
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