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A Farm of My Own:  Scaling down your expectations  |
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NatureNymph
True Blue Farmgirl
73 Posts
Tracy
Barrie
Ontario
Canada
73 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 11:11:53 AM
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I am facing the harsh reality that I may not get the farm of my dreams and the way things are going I doubt I will be able to get even a decent parcel of land.
I am being forced to scale back on my wants because if we stay in this area (which is what my husband wants) then our land will cost more than twice as much as where we planned to go. So... I may only get an acre, if that and will mostly likely not able to keep any animals other than chickens.
Anyone else go through this? Is there any way to cope or come to terms with not getting your ideal farm?
"Everybody likes to go their own way--to choose their own time and manner of devotion." Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
http://simplicitysampler.blogspot.com/
http://blessewefarm.blogspot.com/ |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 11:21:36 AM
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Tracy, first (((HUGS)).
I have changed my dream significantly, partly due the times and partly the reality of where I am in life. I dreamed of owning acres of farmland, with the red barn (Or maybe mine would be pink) and the old fixer up house, where I would garden and plant my flowers all day, making my own food,running around in my boots and apron, hair twisted in a scarf, etc. That dream got expensive and location was going to work for us as far a making decent money, schools, and I can't be that isolated. I live isolated for 2 years and ended up not liking it very much. That dream has faded away to now living closer to the city on a smaller parcel of land, something manageable, and working full time. But I still dream and I can still carry the values of that dream with me. I had to think "Well, I can still have a small garden, mucking around in my boots, apron and scarf and though I may have to delegate it to the weekends, I can still enjoy the farm or country living." There are fairs to be gone too, rodeo's down this way, drives in the country, good food, friendship and laughter.
As MJ says and what I have found to be so true, Farmgirl is a condition of the heart. I am smack dab in the middle of the corporate world but my heart will forever be a farmgirl.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 11:24:54 AM
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Me...I want a small farm that is manageable by one person most of the time. My sweetie, doesn't really want farm animals other than chickens. We currently can't even afford an acre and are looking at the harsh reality of not getting our property for a few more years. Even then it will likely be a very small piece of land...money is just too tight.
I'm trying to deal with it pragmatically and right now just be happy for the roof over my head. I am coming to the reality that I need to just be happy with less... a few chickens, maybe turkeys and a good garden and I will just have to deal with it. I'm the nature girl of the two of us.
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Mud Hen Queen
MJ's Heirloom Maven's Librarian
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
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Maryjane Lee
True Blue Farmgirl
2195 Posts
Maryjane
CA
USA
2195 Posts |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 6:12:01 PM
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Tracy... (((HUGS farmgirl at heart..)))
Remember...
"Having someone to love is family...Having somewhere to live is a home....Having both is a blessing"
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 10:06:21 PM
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oh there is actually quite a bit you can do on one acre with a few chickens.
but think of it this way..if ever you decide to travel..you are not tied down to having to be on your property 24/7 to tend to everything that might come up(and come up it will..all the time) on a much larger parcel of land with a much larger grouping of animals
...while some of us dream of "bigger and better" parcels of land with the capability of having loads of animals..you honestly can have plenty of fun on an acre or less...
so..if life gives you just a "wee piece of paradise" you really can still have plenty of fun raising fruits and vegetables and having a few critters. Maybe not that big bunch of acreage you had hoped for..but none the less..a little "slice of heaven" to call your own.
You simply just have to allow your mind to think differently...and sometimes a bit more cleverly.(farm girl ingenuity at work..remember..smiles)
And plot and plan out your space quite a bit more thoroughly...and quite a bit more to the T.
For gardening..think about growing things on a "square foot gardening" plan(check out the book called "Square Foot Gardening"..or perhaps you can think about "growing things up"...letting items grow upwards onto fences/trellises(cucumbers, and tomatoes can be planted to be staked onto fences to use up less space.
Or maybe even consider a system like the vertigro hydroponics system at: vertigro.com (ways to grow plenty of vegetables in limited space)
Think carefully about the types of fruit trees and so forth that you can plant on the perimeter of your property..they'll provide privacy..but also provide a fruit crop.
For the chickens you can create a portable coop or two...and these can easily be moved by 2 people around your yard to fertilize different areas..and the chickens can free range during the day.
You could also consider growing rabbits for wool.Still have a hankering for a small farm type animal that could provide milk? Think on the small scale...a pygmy goat or a even a miniature cow.If there is a will..you can make a way to make even an acre work out for you.
I presently live on less than half an acre in the city..and we have planted numerous trees on the perimeter of our property for privacy..on either side..then we planted 2 pear trees..this year alone I managed to gather about 50 -60 lbs of pears and get them canned up.
We have 2 raised beds in the backyard..this year we had strawberries and some lettuces in them.
Then we tilled up a small part of a back corner of the yard and we planted peppers, tomatoes, green beans,sweet potatoes,broccoli,peas, and more.By the back door we had a deck that we tore out that was untreated wood..we then used the area/part of the deck railing /a few left over pieces to create a small 4 section herb garden with a tiny stepping stone pathway in the middle of it to create an herb garden directly by the back door.Oh, and we have 2 chickens and a portable chicken coop.
Now that we have decided to sell our home we have taken up the garden..but have left the raised beds and the herb bed area for a new owner to be able to grow their own garden..if they so desire to..and let the yard go back to lawn..but I'm saying all this to say..you can do it!
And I'm wishing you the very best....and no matter how small your "little slice of heaven" on earth is..may you be happy.
Hugs to you.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2008 : 11:15:29 PM
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I have less than an acre here and have a small milk cow, two small sheep, an angora goat and chickens too..as well as a decent size garden..not as big as I would like..but there is room to plant more and I intend to do that next year. It DOES depend on where that acre is located for sure, what you can do. I live in a very small town that does allow animals in town..with limits of course..and you have to be concerned about what neighbors think. I never thought I would end up on such a small piece of land..but really, at this point in my life I think I can just be happy here from now on. It is hard to take care of more property..I have done that in the past. I have learned, after many moves and changed situations out of my own control to bloom where I am planted. I do hope this is my last "re-potting". I do understand scaling down. If all you can have is chickens and a garden you can still do alot though. (((hugs)))))
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
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 |
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chickabella
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
D. A.
Austin... ish,
Texas
177 Posts |
Posted - Oct 17 2008 : 12:36:35 AM
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Tracy, I'm so sorry that you're feeling like you have to scale back on your dreams. Maybe the following will cheer you up: it's a link to a family that is "farming" on 1/5th acre in an LA suburb. They have chickens & goats, and every square inch of their landscape is edible. They even have enough left over to sell to local restaurants! http://www.pathtofreedom.com/about/urbanhomestead.shtml
Farm blog: http://farmnatters.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dasparky
Heart of Texas Farmgirls Chapter; Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #275
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5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2008 : 05:17:15 AM
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I absolutely agree, sorry about your dreams having to be scaled back, but, in this day and age, we must all "scale back" on one thing or another...We only have 5 acres, partially because we bought it 12 years ago, when land was still cheap, but, as the rest have said, work with what you have and then work with the rest...
Happiness comes from ones heart, not how "much" one has....
Farmgirl Sister #368
http://froccsfrillsfurbiloesandmore.blogspot.com
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A Farm of My Own: Scaling down your expectations |
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Scaling down your expectations
