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Entrepreneurship:  I Want to Stay-at-Home on the Farm!  |
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momof4grlz
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
Michelle
Hesperia
MI
USA
8 Posts |
 Posted - May 01 2011 : 6:24:04 PM
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Hello Farmgirl Friends...this is my first post after "eavesdropping" for a bit...
I'm looking for some ideas on how I can make a living at home on the farm. My husband and I are "city-slickers-turned-farmers." We've been learning as we go for about 18 months, so we're pretty green at the farming thing. I still work in town about 35 miles away, but I'd like to find a way to stay home and do the things I love to do. I'm more interested in working with kids somehow rather than making and selling things. If anyone has any resources or ideas I would greatly appreciate them. Thanks!
Michelle
A city chick learning to scratch in the country dirt |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2011 : 6:26:37 PM
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Hi Michelle~ Without knowing your situation - have you considered day care or tutoring?
~ Elaine
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi
Farmgirl sister #2822
http://embchicken.blogspot.com
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2011 : 7:35:21 PM
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If you have an unused piece of good acreage you might be able to bring in a little supplemental by renting it out-- If you have a lot of animals (or are open to acquiring more) you could consider doing a farm themed daycamp and petting zoo (party packages!) If you're more into growing things you could run a gardening camp, or grow a summer melon patch and an autumn pumpkin patch, people LOVE to visit the pumpkin farms before halloween to pick their jack o lanterns, and I'm sure you could market a melon or berry patch similarly for different seasons.
If you're a horsey person you could consider getting a wagon and pony cart and renting out your cart services for parties and events.
That's my .02!
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2011 : 9:08:49 PM
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I was also thinking if you have animals or want to get some, and could get some very gentle ones, even rabbits and such, you could get paid for "therapy" of some children with "issues". I know there is a couple around here that helps children with anger, and other emotional and physical problems, by use of their animals. They even take in so many special foster children at a time for certain predetermined amounts of time. They have found assigning children one animal to care for on their farm helps a lot of emotional issues and trauma that many foster children go through and have helped a lot of kids, the state pays them for their help and "therapy".
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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momof4grlz
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
Michelle
Hesperia
MI
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 05:44:52 AM
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These are great ideas..thanks for helping me get the gears turning...I have been thinking a lot about a Nature Camp idea. Or helping low-income families start a gardening project. I guess one of my big questions is how to get started, and are there organizations out there to work with????
A city chick learning to scratch in the country dirt |
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KD Earthwork
True Blue Farmgirl
210 Posts
Katie
Gualala
Calif.
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 9:03:05 PM
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I think there are some grants for farm to school programs, working with vegetable gardens and kids,usually at there schools though. There are grants mentioned on the Greenhorn Blog a young farmer website http://thegreenhorns.wordpress.com/ . Maybe you can find something that might work with your situation.
Good Luck, My wish is the same ! Katie
http://www.rosemancreekranch.com |
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adnama
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
inge
fargo
north dakota
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 5:25:58 PM
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| If your house is large enough, consider being a respite care foster family. the children do not spend the night but they do need to have an area where they can rest. they spend the day with you, doing chores if it is possible for them, and generally conecting with your family. the entire family is involved with this so it does take some trainging, usually provided free or at a very low cost. Most of the children do have some intense issues, but your given a file and you have a feel for how to inspire these kids to connect. the money isn't the best, it is usually weekend work, and for most of the time it is for the foster familys to give them a break in taking care of these kids. In South Dakota I ran a cooking school for kids that were harder to connect with, teaching them the skills of cooking and how even a mistake can be saved was the most rewarding experience I had with youngsters. I had developed the program to fill a need for latch key kids and it developed it's own life from there. Find out from the states social services program who to connect with and how to get to training. they can be your best source of information as each state is different. |
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momof4grlz
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
Michelle
Hesperia
MI
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2011 : 08:43:20 AM
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I've stumbled upon a program through Arbor day called "Nature Explore" where they create outdoor classrooms. It sounds like it's mostly for professional educators, but they do have a family program where you create a nature club. Has anybody here had any experience with this program? I signed up to recieve their info packet in the mail and I'm anxiuos to find out more about it!
A city chick learning to scratch in the country dirt |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2011 : 5:38:39 PM
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I know of 3 farms that teach classes or camps for different topics.
Green Gate Farm
Pure Luck Dairy Farm
Cascabelle Farm
It runs the gamut of how to grow things, the do's and don'ts of planting, farm tools, everything about dairy goats, making cheese, etc.
My advice is to talk to people that are already doing classes. I'm sure they'd be willing to give you information about how they got started.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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BarnChickCecily
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
Cecily
Corydon
IN
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2011 : 08:28:12 AM
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Love these ideas... we have land and renting to campers is a great idea!
Farmgirl Sister # 241
www.thebarnchick.blogspot.com/ |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2011 : 3:19:41 PM
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You may want to talk to you local extension office about grants, too. :)
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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blackfell_farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
96 Posts
Casey
Chandler
AZ
USA
96 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2011 : 12:12:22 PM
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So many good ideas out there! The biggest issue with making money at anything you do yourself is marketing. Day Camps, Nature Clubs, Pumpkin Patches are ALL stellar ideas, but you have to get the word out! :) I think you chose the right group of people for that. The Farmgirl Connections is a great start for when get what you want off the ground, and getting your own website is now so simple. Just look at all the links in the posts above! :O)
blackfell_farmgirl
HorseCrazy! |
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Entrepreneurship: I Want to Stay-at-Home on the Farm! |
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I Want to Stay-at-Home on the Farm!
