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A Farm of My Own:  why can't I ??? OH, YES I CAN!  |
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peafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Penny
South Dakota
182 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 10:58:03 AM
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I just had 3 days of vacation and returned to find out I still HATE my project and wishing I could stay home and make money on the farm. While I'm wishing, I want it to be EASY $$$. I'll need to stay away from money making infomercials tonight. I'll be a wide open target in this fine mood I'm in.
So join me @6 instead for a Malibu Rum n Coke or a peanut butter cup blizzard made with chocolate ice cream. It's a tossup right now which direction I'm headed.
Thanks 4 listening.
apologies for typing...i am typing on cell phone.
Penny
www.peafarm.weebly.com |
Edited by - peafarm on Apr 30 2010 8:33:16 PM |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 11:05:44 AM
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oh Penny I am so sorry! You are in my prayers deary!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Friendship is not something that can be bought, it is earned. |
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paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 2:23:57 PM
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Penny, I am so with you, girl. I wrack my brain on a daily basis trying to figure out how my farm can not only pay for itself, but pay for me, too! Hey! I'm not expensive or high maintenance, I just want to stay home. Hang in there, girl. I'm gonna make it a point to go get my own blizzard, and I'll sit and visit with you while we eat it. Uh, I WILL do it in the car, where no one can see me, lest they think I'm crazy and talking to myself!!!!!! Hang in there, girl. At least you know someone is there with you, if only in spirit!!!!
from the hearts of paradise... |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 2:35:59 PM
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is your farm conveniently located for folks to be able to come out and get produce should you start a CSA program? what about your ability to deliver to them should they want to join a program but perhaps you are a not as conveniently located...could you make weekly deliveries to your customer base? look at the items that grow the fastest on your farm..can you market these products to area chefs and food establishments? Can you look into growing items that are specialty gourmet crops geared towards chefs? Have you looked into offering farm fresh organic eggs and other items to these food establishments? Such as free range chicken,grass fed beef, goat cheeses, etc. Do you create "out of this world" baked goods that everyone raves about? What about specialty jams, jellies? Contact food establishments, shops, even specialty boutiques that would be willing to carry your products. Do you craft homemade soaps from goats milk or other natural products? Offer these to area health food stores. just a few ideas for you.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.net
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
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peafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Penny
South Dakota
182 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 9:10:10 PM
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I went the blizzard route.  But I found that the best thing was to vent on the overgrown weeds in the cattle yard. I feel all better ... until tomorrow ...
Tina, thanks for your comments, I'm going to read them over again to absorb and consider all your helpful ideas. We are actually looking to start actively developing a plan for developing farm revenue. I believe meat goats will be our first source of revenue that we will be focusing on along with a couple of dairy goats so that I can try making soap etc products. While on vacation we also stopped and visited a Lowline Angus producer and will also be incorporating them too at some level. The "I believe" is still somewhat up for debate as I am trying to be smart about this and develop a business that will reach my financial goals as much as my emotional needs. So if it comes up raise pheasants with no tail feathers that's what we will do. (I made that idea up!)
We are technically on the edge of nowhere. Close - 15 miles - but just a little too far out for people to venture to our farm and we have 3 miles of township gravel roads that not everyone appreciates. (I have been known to mutter occasionally about them also)
I am also going to venture to say that a CSA program will not have the support in this area although the farmer's market has grown over the last year or two. I like to start seeds, plant, weed, and harvest and then all my interest comes to a screeching halt when it comes to processing. I put canning in the same category as laundry. You're never done even if you do it every day! That is the reason most of my planning is happening on the livestock end more than the garden end. We do just have a few chickens right now and pastured poultry may be another area if we get chicken tractors built. (Our dogs are hunting dogs and like to use chicken chasing to stay in shape for hunting season  ).
Anyway, thanks again. I also enjoyed going to the Small Town Living magazine link in your signature.
Penny
www.peafarm.weebly.com |
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Patti Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
Patti
Portland
Oregon
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2010 : 07:11:53 AM
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Penny,
I know what you mean! I moved about three years ago to 40 acres of mainly woods and kept on looking out my windows thinking how beautiful it was but how I had to leave it so often in order to do my work somewhere else. I envisioned gardens and animals and a roadside stand. Little by little I have started to create what I always saw out my window. Struggling along the way with so little time in between all the rest of what life has you do, but I encourage you to just sit and dream about what you want to see out your window. Its so cool to be able to dream and know you can make it come true! I took the Master Gardener program out of Oregon State just recently and am implementing gardens in childcare centers as a Jr. Master Gardener program. I just transplanted 650 seeds to my little greenhouse that was just built in order to pland a thousand more. I say plant and store girl! Just the beauty of it all will inspire you to new heights! Good luck........and I would have picked the blizzard, too!heeheehee
God Bless You! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2010 : 07:46:12 AM
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I think that dreaming is a great way to try out your ideas. I frequently get lost in my dreams for the future. I really try to focus on the little details- like how much work a certain thing will be or how I will get feed to animals in the winter and keep water from freezing etc. If I am still excited about an idea after considering it from all times I mentally earmark that idea as one consider more indepth.
I have a lady that does chickens and eggs. She takes orders in the spring for meat chickens and charges 5 dollars a piece, but I know exactly where these chickens were raised and that they had healthy free-range lives and I also know that she didn't pump their bodies full of saline solution to increase weight for sale. I also pay $9.00 a month for her to deliver a dozen eggs to my door step every week. It's great! I love it!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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peafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Penny
South Dakota
182 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2010 : 6:04:20 PM
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Well, I guess its gotta get worse before it gets better. I arrived at work this morning to find out that they fired two people on my project from my department. Aww... the warm fuzzies, I'm feeling right now. It is not good. I don't think I realized how much I needed your support when I started this thread. Thanks, all! Patty Ann, I'm envious of you planting in daycare centers!
Well, I'm off to study my "make money from the farm" to do list. 
Penny
www.peafarm.weebly.com |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1145 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1145 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2010 : 6:32:37 PM
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:0( Sorry it's going rough! We have been 'out here' (lol) since Oct 08. I work for my husband (yay) so I can tend the farm when needed. Our goal is to become mostly self sufficient (raise our own food, including meat). It just takes a baby step at a time. I do not let myself get discouraged....I go and hug a chicken, ha! This year I have sold a LOT of eggs and I am raising 30 tomato plants (along with a ton of other things), a lot of which I plan to sell. You just have to find out what 'works' in your community. It does take some legwork, but I believe it will all pay off! I started with a blog, and I have a lot of local followers who are also my 'customers'.
Something else we are also doing is paying off all of our debts, and learning to live with a lot less. This allows us to meet our goal of 'livin' off the farm' a lot quicker! :0) |
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barefootmama
True Blue Farmgirl
133 Posts
Jennifer
BLOOMSBURG
Pennsylvania
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 12:21:54 AM
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Awwww I feel all of you ladies pain..I have the same dreams of an organic, self sufficient life off of my own property. we are taking baby steps and have had set backs, and heartache but also many small victories. My advice to all of us is to take small steps and keep reaching for your goals..small victories are worth the wait and will help in the long run. I am more inspired everyday when I log on to MJF and talk to all the wonderful ladies here,or when the new magazine comes in the mail I get a new breath of fresh air and some of the negativity leaves and I gain a little more courage and motivation to keep pushing!!!!!I hope that one day soon I will be able to leave the rat race for good!
We can do do it ladies!!!!!
Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves,for they shall never cease to be amused:) |
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Chives
True Blue Farmgirl
232 Posts
Victoria
Shelton
Washington
USA
232 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 08:17:20 AM
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| I work full time, but someday I want to stay home and work. I live one mile off a highway. I know I could in the future sell eggs and honey (when I get my little bees). Perhaps sell garden produce and turn my garage into a little antique shop with crafts. Its a dream but you have to have one. Everyone is correct, take baby steps. We will all get there. Vicki Sister 280 |
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peafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Penny
South Dakota
182 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 8:48:30 PM
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Back at you - We will get there! We can do it!
Thanks, everyone needs a little reminder.
I'm hoping that next weekend we get to start putting up some fencing and that will be enough to get (and keep) the first goats in the yard. Then I'll haul water uphill both ways to get them there.
Penny
www.peafarm.weebly.com |
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peafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Penny
South Dakota
182 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2010 : 8:59:01 PM
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I think I need an ear again. Again in the last week, they have fired two additional people that I have worked closely with. I almost feel like I am a common element between the 4 people and am thinking that I am at a high risk for losing my job within the next month. Bless my DH  who has given me the wise advice of "Well, don't cry about it, there's nothing that can be done." Easy for him to say! (whether he's right or wrong is immaterial  )
I don't know if I'm stressed over the possibility of losing my job or if it's the thought of being fired that is pushing me over the edge. It appears to me that the firings are another way to do a reduction in work force without the visibility that a lay off would have. And since we are in a right to work state, there does not need to be a reason to be let go.
Anyway...you've let me vent. Now it's time to plan.
Penny
www.peafarm.weebly.com |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2010 : 03:34:53 AM
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Penny, I definitely feel like your sister, if not your separated-at-birth identical twin!
Do you work for the same company I do? LOL
I've been daydreaming about a farm of my own for 20 years. I am not sure I have what it takes to do the hard work necessary - I have gotten fat and lazy after 30 years of sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day and making "easy money" - problem is its not so easy anymore. My garden always seems to have weeds. Now I blame that on not having time because I am working, if I quit my job to farm full time, I will have no excuses! Tee hee. I love Alee's post about thinking about the downside and then earmarking the idea for later. But I love the other posts too about starting small and taking baby steps and just generally persevering.
I've been thinking about fiber goats - but might mix in some meat goats, since this area has a substantial Muslim population that should provide a ready market. One book I read said don't produce it until you have it sold!
All you girls have beautiful advice above. Thanks for the lift this morning before I head out the door!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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peafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Penny
South Dakota
182 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2010 : 8:42:14 PM
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I think today qualifies as the beginning!
I am now the proud owner of 2 dairy goats and their kids. Tomorrow I'll be busy figuring out how this whole milking works. Unfortunately my son graduates in two + weeks so I won't get a chance to make my first batch of milk soap until after that. Or if I do, the stress of yet another to-do item may push me out of the house and I'll be living with the goats!
We're looking at adding meat goats, too, but I felt with all the activity going towards getting ready for graduation that I needed this little picker-upper to see that we're making progress.
Oh, and how is my project going, you ask? It was just delayed 4-5 months... and I don't care cuz I got me a goat. 
Have a great weekend!
Penny
www.peafarm.weebly.com |
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gypsy goat
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
mary jo
michigan
673 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2010 : 05:52:08 AM
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good for you penny-keep it up and someday hopeful soon you won't have to go any further than your own backyard-remember dorothy(from wizard of oz) said that was it all was-and i believe her!!!!
whatever you are be a good one-abe lincoln |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2010 : 4:27:17 PM
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That is so neat Penny!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
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peafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Penny
South Dakota
182 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2010 : 8:00:40 PM
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Well, you know Channah, when I "grow up" I want to be just like you (and your goats)
We had a busy but very enjoyable day despite the wind. It's funny how you think you kind of have it settled how you want things set up, but when they got here we kind of regrouped to what makes obvious sense.
Penny
www.peafarm.weebly.com |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2010 : 4:32:59 PM
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aww. lol I don't think I'm the greatest role model though. lol
I bet those goats just love you! Aren't they fun?!?
Hugs,
channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
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peafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Penny
South Dakota
182 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2010 : 7:13:09 PM
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ohmigosh ... tons of fun!
They really haven't been milked by hand and they are obviously not being milked by an expert milker, but my DH was really good about holding them (he built me a milking stand today) while I milked. And when they got antsy he'd just sing away and they'd stop and just look/gaze at him. We were rollin'!
They also are pointing out a few weak spots in the fence but were very good about coming and finding us and just hanging out or hiding behind things.
Tomorrow am may be tough milking before work but am looking forward to some fresh air time before work -- just wish it would be warmer.
Penny
www.peafarm.weebly.com |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2010 : 8:37:43 PM
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aww, that is so neat Penny!! My goats just love it when I sing to them. lol It sounds like you are doing a beautiful job with them!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
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A Farm of My Own: why can't I ??? OH, YES I CAN! |
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why can't I ??? OH, YES I CAN!
