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A Farm of My Own:  Holy Moly!  |
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MereOnceMoore
Farmgirl in Training
33 Posts
Meredith
IL
33 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 07 2010 : 2:59:44 PM
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Well, here it goes!
We're getting out of the Chicago burbs!
We're heading North towards the Madison WI area and we're looking for a little self sufficiency. Think "THe HAve More Plan"
I'm really looking forward to this, but I'm suddenly intimidated...seems like it has been a dream so long. Now that I can put a foundation under it I'm freaked.
What should I look for in land?
Suggestions, hints, things to avdid?
Any and all info is welcome.
Help a greenhorn please.
Mere
Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours. |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2010 : 3:09:54 PM
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First and foremost, don't bite off more then you can chew! Get what you think you can honestly handle
Have a plan, but be adaptable with it
I have yet to get my own piece of land, so I don't have a lot of advice. Still saving for my dream.
But I wish you a lot of fun and joy in your homesteading adventure!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Palouse Prairie Girls Chapter
http://palouseprairiegirls.blogspot.com/
http://prairiegirlsjournal.blogspot.com/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2010 : 3:28:18 PM
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Research, research and more research, talk to people in the town you are interseted in, talk to the local Ag office. See what taxes and insurance is gonna run for the place you want, any restrictions? If you are completly new to any kind of farming/ranching, please start very slow cause it is alot of blood, sweat and tears, and its 365 days per year, no matter the weather,your health, and other plans you want to make, like vacations. Good luck
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2010 : 4:09:01 PM
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If you've never lived in the country, be prepared for well issues, septic issues, snow removal issues. How many acres? Old house or newer house or Mobile home? How many gallons per minute in the well? Does it ever go dry in the late summer and early fall? Make sure you have timber rights, mineral rights on your land or you could get a future surprise if you don't. What is the community like? How close are the neighbors? Like Teresa said - take it one step at a time - it is a lot of work to keep animals going. I hope you find what you are looking for. Just be really sure that it's the perfect place for you before you commit to a piece of land.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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Fiddlehead Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
4562 Posts
Diane
Waupaca
WI
USA
4562 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2010 : 6:40:52 PM
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Hi, Meredith! You are moving into my neck of the woods! Wisconsin has great soil for growing vegetables. Let me know what areas you are looking in by e-mailing me. Yeah another Wisconsin farmgirl!
Why not go out on a limb, that's where all the fruit is! "Mark Twain"
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2010 : 7:37:08 PM
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Awesome!! Congrats on such an amazing step in your life!!
I too think it would be a great idea to really research your area. Also what exactly are you planning to do with your land? Planning on farming or ranching? If farming you will want to look at the lay of the land. Does it have a slope? Is water going to collect in areas during rainy times?
When you are looking at Real Estate- get permission to get a soil sample and have your local Extension Agency check the soil sample.
If you want to have animals, existing fence can be a HUGE bonus, but you might want to get permission to walk the fence line first to make sure it isn't a wreck waiting to happen.
Good luck! I think you will do great!!
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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ClaireSky
True Blue Farmgirl
1792 Posts
Julie
Arcadia
WI
USA
1792 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2010 : 03:11:13 AM
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Hi Meredith! I am happy too that there will be another Wisconsinite! Good Luck on finding land!
Julie
Farmgirl Sister #399
West-Central WI Farmgirls
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog...Charles F. Doran |
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Twinsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
116 Posts
Debbie
Wyoming
USA
116 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2010 : 08:44:54 AM
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Hi Meredith,
First congratulations on your new adventure! Remember realtors usually always work for the seller. Make sure there is a recent appraisal. If there are buildings, wells, springs, have them inspected. How old is the septic system, if there is one. Is the water rights, mineral rights and do they transfer. If they are availabe you want these, hold out for them. Most of all make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew with the economy the way it is.
Have fun and I wish you the best!
Twinsmom
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Twinsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
116 Posts
Debbie
Wyoming
USA
116 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2010 : 08:47:11 AM
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One thing I forgot to mention Meredith, is make sure you have clear right of way to the property.
Good luck!
Twinsmom
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2010 : 6:30:24 PM
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Congratulations to you and your family. I hope you find a beautiful place to make a home. Good luck.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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karinf
Farmgirl at Heart
4 Posts
Karin
Lake City
Tn.
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2010 : 6:37:21 PM
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I am so happy for you! You will love it, but it is important to start slow. Let your farm grown with as you envision it a little at a time. Let us know what you start with and how it goes for you.
Karin
Getting Back to My Farmgirl Days |
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sw80689
True Blue Farmgirl
207 Posts
Sharon
Papillion
Nebraska
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2010 : 5:20:57 PM
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Congratulations, that is your dream coming true! I am so happy for you. Let us know how you are doing. I think it is normal to feel a little intimidated, I think I would. Keep us posted! A farmgirl hug for you.
Blessings,
Sharon
*We are all angels with one wing, the only way to fly, therefore is to embrace one another* |
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MereOnceMoore
Farmgirl in Training
33 Posts
Meredith
IL
33 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2010 : 07:01:55 AM
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Thank you all for the info and the encouragement.
We went up this weekend and I am thrilled...though we won't be in Madison proper I LOVE the farmer's market at the captiol. HOLY MOLY!! It was amazing.
We did some driving around and I found a place I love. The barn has seen better days and the siding and trim on the house looks rough. But that is not a deal breaker.
Cosmetic issues I can handle!
We still have to sell our house in Chicago before we can get too carried away. The market waht it is, I should stop looking until we have a buyer here!
Again, thanks ladies. I'm so excited and I can't believe it is finally happening!
WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mere
Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours. |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2010 : 07:27:00 AM
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Hi Meredith, Congratulations on following your dream!! I know how your feeling. . . when I first moved here I did not feel like I was home and did not even know where to begin with all my "plans". So start out with the simple parts and work forward from there.
Write down what your intentions are for your new homestead.
Animals? Gardens? In home Business? Building a barn, sheds etc?
This will help when you go looking. Be sure the town your considering allows these things on your list. . . and check at the town hall not with the Realtor. . . like someone else said, they are working for the seller and will do whatever it takes to sell.
One town we looked into did not allow for the keeping of "live stock" which included chickens. . . needless to say that town we were not interested in.
Enjoy the hunt for your new home!!! It is worth the time it takes to achieve your dream!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
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JudyT
True Blue Farmgirl
196 Posts
Judy
Southwest
Wisconsin
USA
196 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2010 : 06:40:59 AM
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Congratulations Meredith! We are doing the same thing, getting out of the hustle and bustle. We are in the process of buying a place in South Central Wisconsin. You can't imagine how many places we looked at. We had our list of wants and whittled out places. The place we found doesn't have a barn, but it has the land we want, tillable and wooded. The barn will come soon enough. I can have more chickens than I do here and a rooster...Yeah! Good luck to you!
Judy~Farmgirl Sister #599
I was born a city girl, but I'm a "farmgirl" at heart, sharing my life at...http://dailyyarnsnmore.com
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AndreaPaige
Farmgirl in Training
18 Posts
Andrea
TN
18 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2010 : 6:24:39 PM
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| So where are you moving to? Spring Green area is really nice and beautiful. I lived in Madison for 11 yrs. |
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MereOnceMoore
Farmgirl in Training
33 Posts
Meredith
IL
33 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2010 : 6:38:50 PM
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We're looking East of Madison. Columbus, Waterloo areas or perhaps a bit North. Deforest Windsor.
Found one place I like a lot, but I'm concerend about the barn....
To throw a new wrench into the works, turns out I'm pregnant with #3! This is a wonderful thing, but wow...a new element to consider. Whew!
SO excited to have one more little soul to share the dream with!!!
Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours. |
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A Farm of My Own: Holy Moly! |
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Holy Moly!
