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A Farm of My Own:  Farm Advice  |
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Calico Hen
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Meg
Middle Tennessee
USA
146 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 04 2010 : 4:03:31 PM
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| In two weeks, we will be looking at hobby farms (100 acres M/L)in South central/southeastern Missouri and western TN between Memphis and Nashville! We are looking for pastures and out buildings with a good sized house. We would like to have a large garden, chickens and a small herd of beef cows. This is an exciting time and we are wide open to any and all advice. |
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Rxgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
216 Posts
Dana
Id
USA
216 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2010 : 9:17:20 PM
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How exciting!I don't have any advice really, just don't compromise on what you want...keep looking until you find the perfect place. :-)
farmgirl #1432
"He who throws mud only loses ground"-Fat Albert |
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vegetarian farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Jane
Freedom
pa
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 05:35:27 AM
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Good for you! I wouldn't call 100 acres a Hobby Farm, that's the real thing girl! I would say to make sure you have a good water source especially if you are going to have livestock. Also look into if there is natural gas drilling in the area because it can ruin any water you have on the property. We are having this problem in our area. Some people lost all their calves because of the horrible things the drilling does to the water table(think toxic chemicals). Well water is undrinkable, ponds and streams contaminated and it is destroying some farms. Most other problems can be fixed. Good luck in your search.
Jane
http://hardworkhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
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Kerbear
True Blue Farmgirl
261 Posts
Kerry
Middle
Tennessee
USA
261 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 09:28:08 AM
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Hi Meg,
I am in Tennessee, southeast of Nashville! We love it out here! Its such a great area with lots of farms. Please feel free to email me if you like!
Happy Hunting~
~Kerry Anne
Farmgirl Sister #975 |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 6:57:51 PM
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I am stuck on 3 1/2 acres here and it isn't even enough for my five to eat off of all year. I would say 100 acres is a true blue farm! My biggest concern would be water sources as well. Thats what we're running into here. But we found several springs and are working on figuring out how to tap them. That could be an option on the property.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Equusfriend
Farmgirl in Training
18 Posts
Deborah
Keystone Heights
FL
18 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 7:53:28 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Calico Hen
In two weeks, we will be looking at hobby farms (100 acres M/L)in South central/southeastern Missouri and western TN between Memphis and Nashville! We are looking for pastures and out buildings with a good sized house. We would like to have a large garden, chickens and a small herd of beef cows. This is an exciting time and we are wide open to any and all advice.
I don't have any advice really, because our climate in N. Fla is different than yours, but I know our resident fox ate my neighbor's chickens, so keep them in at night!
Change your thoughts and change the world! |
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gypsy goat
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
mary jo
michigan
673 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2010 : 06:22:37 AM
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i just wanted to say hooray for you and your soon to be new farm. i hope everything goes well for you
farmgirl#1362 whatever you are be a good one-abe lincoln |
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knead2garden
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Ashley
Spring City
TN
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2010 : 3:42:14 PM
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Order "Publication 225" from the IRS. My accountant just gave me one today (we are starting a farm officially this year, also) and I have learned TONS already. The one she gave me is from 2008, so I had to order a new one via internet today. There are several other publications she suggested I order too. If you are interested in those, let me know and I'll give you the numbers.
CONGRATS! I am so happy for you and your family:)
~Ashley
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
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amomfly
True Blue Farmgirl
658 Posts
Angie
LaGrange
IN
USA
658 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2010 : 4:47:00 PM
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Ashley, how did you search for the publications on farms? Info. please!?
Thanks so much.
Congrats on getting a new farm!!
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
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knead2garden
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Ashley
Spring City
TN
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2010 : 5:44:10 PM
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Here is the link- http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/page/0,,id=10768,00.html
In the little box, key in the number and hit search. After it finds what you a re looking for check the box and hit add to cart (they are free). Just keep searching and adding to your cart:) These all appear to be full of good information.
You can order up to 10 publications at a time and they will mail them or you can download some. The main publication I needed was #225. The others I ordered (for free) are: 525, 534, 535, 334, 538, 587, 925, & 544.
I hope that this is helpful:)
~Ashley
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
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simplefancies
True Blue Farmgirl
117 Posts
Tami Lynn
Longview
WA
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2010 : 9:37:29 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by natesgirl
I am stuck on 3 1/2 acres here and it isn't even enough for my five to eat off of all year.
Ouch. Wow. We'd be tickled pink with 3 1/2 acres. Believe me, we'd love more than that although we've never really wanted more than 20 but we're to the point that something between 3 and 6 looks like heaven.
www.theporcelaindesk.blogspot.com
1 Tim. 6:8 But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that. |
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mandymcar
True Blue Farmgirl
73 Posts
Mandy
Montana
USA
73 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2010 : 05:18:02 AM
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Check and understand your water and irrigation rights, they are the lifeblood of your farm - at least they are here in Montana!
http://www.haystackstudio.etsy.com |
Edited by - mandymcar on Jun 10 2010 05:18:36 AM |
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Calico Hen
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Meg
Middle Tennessee
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2010 : 06:03:24 AM
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| Thank you farmgirls for your advice/ideas. We leave on our farm seeking adventure this weekend, we plan on taking it slow and making sure it is the right farm for us before we even begin to think about an offer. Our Realtor has a farm on the edge of a city (population 12,000) which she wants to show us. I was thinking of all the problems being near the city, people complaining about the rooster crowing, etc. But I have just started to think of the economic advantage if I chose to have a farm stand or u-pick field. Hubby travels a lot of the month so I don't want to be too rural. Anyone out there who has a farm within or next to city limits? |
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vegetarian farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Jane
Freedom
pa
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2010 : 10:39:07 AM
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My farm is located 3 miles from an area that used to be very rural but now is becoming an urban metropolis. As more and more people move to this area they buy out local farms and put in housing plans. The problem is that they start to change the zoning laws. For example they can tell you no spreading manure on your fields, it contaminates water and the housing projects don't like the smell. They can also force you to get city water, even if you have a good well. You have to pay frontage when they install the line and it is by the foot. I have 1/4 mile of frontage. They also can make septic tanks illegal or make you install a new one to the tune of $30,000.I also am starting to have trouble with trespassers. They think a farm is a free for all where you can hunt, drink, hangout - even if the property is clearly posted. They can also change the zoning law to read no sitting vehicles because they are unsightly. So your broke down tractor or your Rv is something you can be fined for. There are pluses and minuses, but in my opinion the closer you get to a city the more you have someone else telling you how to keep your farm.
Jane
http://hardworkhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
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Melina
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Melina
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2010 : 11:24:06 AM
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If it doesn't make your heart sing, don't buy it. You'll know when you see it.
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi |
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A Farm of My Own: Farm Advice |
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Farm Advice
