| Author |
A Farm of My Own:  Your Dream or Current Farm  |
|
Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 07:20:28 AM
|
What a great thread! This is the place I see when I close my eyes- 5 acres of land with a nice big raised bed garden in a little fenced area, with a creaky gate that opens to a straw=laden pathway. A white farmhouse with a wrap-around porch, lots of seating and big pots of cheery red geraniums dotted along the edge. A bricked walkway leading up to it and nice big trees shading it. Inside, big, comfortable rooms with one very large bedroom upstairs with a row of little beds waiting for future grandchildren.  A canning kitchen for summer so I don't heat up the rest of the house. Hmmm, a nice barn for a cow or two, a few sheep maybe and of course, a chicken house (dressed out to the nines for those clucky girls!) A kitchen garden outside the back door with all of the herbs I love and a nice, fat cat curled up on a flagstone path. A clothesline close by and a small shed just for me- a little place to escape to when I need some peace and quiet.
Alright, I'm awake again! Back to reality. I've been looking at land in the Berea, KY area. I just love that part of Kentucky. Also, TN and parts of North Georgia just to keep my dream going. Now, if I could only convince my husband to hop on the bandwagon I'd be all set. 
Karin |
 |
|
|
Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 07:35:58 AM
|
Oh Karin!!
What a wonderful place!! In a few years we will all have to go dream farm hopping!! So many neat places and so many more to come!! I love your pathways and porches and flowers splashing vibrent red all over the place!! I can hear that creaky garden gate and hear your happy cat purring! And I would love to come toting homemade goodies from my farm to yours, and knock on your special little shed! I want to have fun with my hen house too!! I think I will decorate and call the style "shabby chick"!
Just lovely!! Thank you so much for sharing!! It was wonderful sharing your dream for a moment! I hope your dream comes true very soon!! When it does I want to walk up that brick pathway and say "hello"!!
Hugz!!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
|
|
|
katiedid
True Blue Farmgirl
601 Posts
Kate
West Jordan
Utah
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 07:58:05 AM
|
Karin, when I close my eyes, I can see that house too....What a wonderful home. Especially the big room full of little beds! I can just imagine a room full of grandkids giggling when they should be asleep.
Where I am, in SLC, land is SO expensive. We are looking to move out of state. I want somewhere pretty, safe, and cheap!! Anyone know of such a place?
Kate |
|
|
|
frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 10:02:29 AM
|
this is a great thread!
i love reading everyone's dreams, and though i think i have thought of "everythin" i read karin's thread and think what a great idea!(or ann, or kay, or kate or aunt jenny, or talitha!)
this is one reason i love this site, and usually start(and end) my day here cause there are so many great farmgirls with great ideas.
i hope we can get our little retreat houses up and running this year, and yes talitha we would be glad to welcome you here, maybe we should run a special discount for mj"s farmgirls or a special for folks who would particaipate in our daily chores for a special rate?anywho, i have subscribed to this thread cause it is so much fun.
i wish i could post pics here but i am having a problem with that, if i could i would share the project with yall so you could help me out with ideas during the planning stages.
i am a little bunged up to day as last night i was helping hubby in the garden and we were watching 2 of the grandkids that we watch on weekends while their parents work and i had what i call "delusions of slender". i tried to sit on a little camp stool that was waaaaaay to small for my posterior and i took a bad tumble and wacked the back of my head. 3 hours later, a bloody eye and 2 bubbles off plumb i came home from the emergency room and will be mostly on a little couch rest today.but at least i have some of my farmgirls to keep me company, and maybe i will use this time to figure out how to post those pics to maryjanes site so you guys can see the farm.
thanks so much for talitha for starting this thread, it is great. and thank you and your family for your service to our country, my dh was also a marine, and one of our son-in-laws is currently in afghanistan. my dh works at our local va as a quality assurance/patient reprasentative.
thanks to everyone for sharing their dreams.
fran |
|
|
|
Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 2:09:42 PM
|
I tell ya what- When I do get my dream farm, y'all come visit. I'll leave the light on for you!!
Karin
Ps- Fran- I'm glad you are OK!! MY gosh. You made me laugh with your "delusions of slender". Sounds like me. |
Edited by - Mumof3 on Aug 07 2006 2:12:16 PM |
|
|
|
blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 4:24:46 PM
|
Talitha,
First of all, I love your vision. Sounds wonderful.
I know farming is hard work, even for folks with a small amount of land, but how much more rewarding it is!
I, too, would like to buy 5 acres or so. I'd like a cottage or victorian style home. I'd have cream or yellow with green shutters & trim and a white wrap-a-round porch. Have to have some chickens for eggs. I'd plant lots of veggies, fruit trees and berries and can, dry and store my bounty. I'd like to get some goats too. I definitely have to figure out how to make a cozy hideaway like the plum pit too.
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
|
|
|
Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 6:13:54 PM
|
Oh dear Fran!! I am so glad you are ok! And yes sometimes I have those delusions too lol! Thank you for those kind words about my husband! It is so heartwarming how this time around the troops feel loved and cared for instead of outcast! My husband is out though now (just got out officialy in March, even though they say once a Marine, always a Marine! ) Now he works for the military school system as a contract specialist so he still works doing the same thing he did, only it is safer and I sleep better at night. A big thank you in return to your SIL for his service and may he be kept safe and well until he returns home!! And let your DH know that my husband and I appriciate those that came before us, I think even a little more because they served their country, yet did not have the love and support they should have and we thank him and all veterns for their courage and sacrifice before!!
Hugz Always!
Talitha
PS I hope you do figure it out! I love to see pictures of everyones places!! 
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
|
|
|
Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 6:29:06 PM
|
Debbie,
Cottages are so adorable!! (of course you already know I love victorian! ) They just make you want to curl up somewhere with a good friend or a good book, watch the world outside and never leave!! And wraparound porches!! So wonderful!!! They just invite you to sit and relax or visit with a neighbor or friend! And I love yellow houses! They are so brite and happy and cozy looking! And cream is lovely too!
I am rooting for your dream to come true!! I am so excited.. I have another friend to visit and another porch to sit on!!
Hugz Always!!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
|
|
|
frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 9:35:27 PM
|
oh my gosh, my dh helped me tonite and i am sending pics into cyberspace. here are some pics of our farm:
  ![]() 
please bear with me this is like a new toy.
i still cant believe its working.
the last photo is of some of my scrap crafts, homemade journals and pin cushions.
thanks for letting me share,
fran |
|
|
|
frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 9:38:12 PM
|
well, okay i still have a little more learnin to do. when i saw the photos i felt like dorothy must have felt when her house got whirled around in that tornado.
sorry,
fran |
|
|
|
Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 10:07:00 PM
|
I LOVE that tree!! So big and shady!! Makes me want to climb right in it!! And I love the way your home is tucked in the trees just waiting to welcome you..and those crafts..how neat!! Are the journals the ones in the blue tin? I love whatever those are! SO unique and pretty! Thank you so much for sharing!! And no worries on the size!! We were able to feel like we were right there, that's all...and what fun to be with you for a moment in your cozy hideaway!!
Hugz!!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
|
|
|
daffodil dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
805 Posts
Jayne
Hamilton
Victoria
Australia
805 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 10:42:42 PM
|
Hi Talitha,
I thought I would swap over to this topic to talk to you. You certainly have been thinking about this for a while!! It sounds absolutely gorgeous - pretty similar to my dream actually, except for maybe the house. I have always wanted us to build our house, as there are just not the gorgeous old farmhouses in Australia that you have over there. I am leaning towards strawbale - there is a lot of strawbale being owner built here at the moment and it looks fantastic.
Like you, a library is a must for me, if only to house all the books on farm animals, organic growing, permaculture, etc. that I have amassed over the years (there are still more due to arrive from Amazon next week - including MaryJane's book! I can't seem to stop, I can't seem to get enough information!)
One day, I'm sure, we will get there. My husband is talking about maybe the end of this year, but he has been putting time limits on it for 15 years! At the moment, my problem is that we have moved to the other side of Australia for him to work, away from all family (my sister had a baby 4 months ago, my first niece, and I haven't even seen her yet). It is starting to get me down, being so far from everyone, and still waiting for my dream. We live in a biggish country town, but it is expanding rapidly and everyone here seems SOOO interested in making money - it doesn't really have a very community feel. My girls are also missing everyone tremendously - my oldest asked me the other day if we could move back home in time for her birthday (in November). When we first came here, I thought I would just have the dream here and buy a farm over here, but I think, since being away from them, I have come to realise that I want it to be near family.
You said you were living in Japan - is that for work as well? Is it just a short term thing? How are your girls finding it?
Anyway, I think I've got that off my chest - we will just keep dreaming and hoping and maybe one day soon, we will both be able to post pictures of our farms and talk about our cows, chickens, etc.
Best wishes (and thanks for listening!!)
Jayne |
|
|
|
Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 11:16:39 PM
|
Jayne,
Anytime!! And feel free to e-mail me to! There are some lovely strawbale homes. I had once thought of that, but since hubby will keep working, and I REALLY LOVE victorian or farm homes..that is what I am hoping for! If we build, I have a plan all picked out complete with changes and colors and all! If we buy a home..will have to start from scratch..but that is ok! I love to decorate and dream and plan, so it will give me more of what I love to do! In the States I have a book on strawbale homes! And yes I LOVE books and feel I can never have enough!! My favorites are on farming and DIY and interior and garden design and cooking and crafts and so on.
What part of Australia are you originally from? Yes, we are here due to Hubbie's job. I hope to only be here a little longer. Anytime after April next year we can move IF we find something good for him back home. I am hoping for New England, but might also do Missouri or Washington State. But Maine has my heart!! My kids do miss family and friends though my girls do not remember the States that well they were only two when we moved here...but they do want to move back mostly because they want a farm as bad as I do!! I have four children, two boys and two girls. The boys are 13(almost. next month) and 10 and the girls are twins and will be 6 next month. But I think the kids want to go back mostly so we can settle and have our dream farm and be in nature! They all want something special! And my oldest LOVES to work outside and garden and can and cook, so we are all chopin'at the bit! My hubbie is not that into the whole thing but wants our kids raised in the country, wants me to have my dream...and gets this ...lol...wants a rooster and a horse! I tell him .."see you want a farm you just don't know it yet"!
Is there any chance that you might be able to transfer back home? It is hard being away from home and those you love! I do so hope you are able to find a way for your dream farm! In the mean time you and I can keep planning and chatting and one day we can see eachothers dreams come true!!
Hugz Always!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
|
|
|
daffodil dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
805 Posts
Jayne
Hamilton
Victoria
Australia
805 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 11:44:11 PM
|
Talitha,
We are originally from Melbourne, so to visit home, it is a four hour drive to the nearest city, then a three and a half hour plane flight. It doesn't sound that far but it would be much easier if you could just drive (that would take four to five days). And when you are so far away, it always seems hard to make the time to visit. When we first moved here, the company offered my husband a travel allowance to visit home twice a year (for all of us) as an incentive to move here, but that was taken away within three months as a cost cutting measure. So we've only been back once in the last two years. Have you been able to get back much or family visit you?
My husband sounds similar to yours - he is not as keen on the farm idea as me, but he does discuss plans and I know he would enjoy it. He just can't stop worrying about the finances of the whole project.
You like all the same books as me too - hardly surprising I guess.
My girls are absolutely desperate for horses. I would like to move to the high country - the snow mountains. My brother lives in a town near the mountains at the moment and it is simply beautiful. I love the majesty of mountains. I also love having definite seasons - there are lots of parts of Australia that are just warm all year round, but I love autumn and the leaf colours and having winter and log fires. I think that's why I am drawn to the snow country.
Best wishes to you all, and keep on dreaming!
Jayne
|
|
|
|
Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 12:06:39 AM
|
Jayne,
Wow!! I read your post and just smiled!! I love the mountains and I love seasons!! I love snow and winter sports and fireplaces. I love the reds and yellow of autumn and crisp air, I love the fresh smell of spring and flowers blooming and I love the summer when it is too hot to move and you can sit and sip a cool drink and visit or read or just lie in a hamock and watch the clouds! I love rolling valleys and green moutains and hills! and then splashing sparkling creeks and springs are wonderful! I was never to Melbourne. We started in the north along the east coast of Australia and went to many places all the way down to Sidney. My favorite was Brisbane. I saw your birthday post and I was born in Aug 1971...so I smile to think there it would be in winter too! I would like that! I do much better in the cold then the heat!
As for trips home, I have been home 2 times in 3 1/2 years. I go by myself with the kids which is an adventure in itself!! . That is awful that they cut that from your husbands benefits..I hope he can transfer back soon!!
I have three kids that want a horse and one who wants a giraffe in the worst way lol...I think I have convinced her to go for an Alpaca instead!
Here is to all our dreams! May they come true!!
Hugz!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
|
|
|
blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 10:05:51 AM
|
Buttercup,
I love New England too! I grew up in a beautiful part of NY State, right along the Hudson River, but I love New England so much. But, if I have to stay in Idaho, I will make my dream happen here. I've been throwing out ideas to my daughters about us all buying some acreage and each building our own house. We could raise animals and some crops and try to be more self sufficient. I don't know if that will ever happen, but I think it would benefit all of us.
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
|
|
|
Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 6:13:49 PM
|
Debbie,
That sounds neat to have the family together like that!! If your heart and dream are for there in Idaho, then yea for you!! But if not then I hope your true dreams come true!!! And yes I agree, doing that would benefit you all!!
May your dreams come true!!!!
Hugz,
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
|
|
|
robyn
Farmgirl at Heart
4 Posts
robyn
welch
mn
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 7:00:15 PM
|
i have truly been blessed with 3 acres and a husband who is very supportive of my dreams. looking at pygmy goats and chickens. may have found the goats for free and the chickens i would like to have the rare breeds. just for eggs. have decided for christmas this year our family should make all the gifts. have begun crocheting dishclothes as per mary janes book. any other ideas??? remember the simpler the better. God Bless robyn
i refuse to tiptoe through life just to get to death safely......rbp |
|
|
|
Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 7:23:56 PM
|
Robyn...do tell us more! What kind of home do you have or are planning to have, how is your place set up or what do you envision for your place now or a few years down the road? I hope those goats come through and that you are able to find the perfect chickens for you! Do you have a garden or fruit trees or herbs...oh do share!! 
As for gift ideas, pin cushions are great, I used to make sweatshirts for my family using other fabric and applying it with iron on fusion to decorate. Fabric covered journals are beautiful and if you buy fabric remnents at the fabric store are low cost as well ( I always get really fancy expensive fabric because you only need a half a yard for two...but if you did it with remnents would be very cost effective)... We have a bunch of VERY talented gals here..I am sure if you start a thread asking for easy to make Christmas gifts, you will get tons of help!!
Hugz!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
|
|
|
daffodil dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
805 Posts
Jayne
Hamilton
Victoria
Australia
805 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 9:36:50 PM
|
Robyn and Heather, can't wait to hear more about your acreage. I am dreaming away and it is great to share in the progress of someone else's farm. It is very exciting for us all reading about your plans!!
Christmas presents, what about aprons? I LOVE aprons (and so do a lot of girls here!). What crafts do you normally do - that would narrow the ideas down. I love lots of crafts and love making my own presents, as long as I actually get to doing them. There seem to be a lot of lists made about this time of year, and then the time just flies away!!
Best wishes and keep dreaming,
Jayne |
|
|
|
heathert
True Blue Farmgirl
59 Posts
Heather
Royston
GA
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 05:19:25 AM
|
Right now I have 5 acres that we are in the process of turning into a working farm. I decided to call the place "The Rustic Star Farm," I love stars & iron/wire work. My dream for this place is to raise Boer Goats for meat, & have a couple of milk goats (leaning towards Nubians) to make products with. We just had the land cleared, minus the trees I told my husband I had to save! My friends husband has made a living out of having a green thumb, so we are deciding what fruit bearing trees would work good on my property. I of course will have tomatoes, squash, zuchinni(sp), peppers, corn, potatoes,blueberries, peaches, etc. I really want lemon & oranges, I am a bit of a citrus girl. But my dream farm doesn't end here, we actually have a bigger plan.
We want 100+ acres, our land as far as the eye could see. I have already designed my dream house, just waiting to find a place & the funds to build it. I want cows, a couple horses, chickens, goats, maybe even a pig! I want to be able to have a self sufficent farm, and provide goods to my community. Farming is a dying art, I want to breathe some life back into it for the next generation to see. I would love to have an area on my farm for the local children/schools to visit & learn.
But for now I am grateful to have my 5 acres to work with & hopefully to make something out of it. My dad said to make him an apartment over the barn when we build it so he can move up. He's a bit of a city slicker (lives across the street from a golf course) that wants to be a farmer, well I guess at least help out with it.
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."-Henry David Thoreau |
|
|
|
Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 07:30:47 AM
|
Heather,
Me too..I have a house plan all picked out! But we will see, I am flexible! ...I have to look up these famous Nubians...several of you gals here like them, so I have to go check it out! I really think it is wonderful that you are planning on bringing the farm life into the light and sharing it with children! I am torn, I want my farm to be as self sufficiant as possible, but do not know if I can do it all myself! And hubbie, well he is a doll, but just not his thing, though he is VERY supportive. I think that it is wonderful what you are planning and I am so excited that you joined us now so we could all have front seats to the develoment of "The Rustic Star Farm"!! I get so excited hearing everyone's plans and think we are all so lucky to have eachother cheering us on and watching us from the front seats with big supportive smiles on our faces!!
Hugz!
And to all our dreams, Cheers!!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
|
|
|
frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 2:37:06 PM
|
heather,
i think your plans sound wonderful.
all the animals and plants, and just being self-sufficiant.
im glad you found this topic, and im glad talitha started it cause it has been so fun to share and hear other people's ideas.
i love the thought of passing on the farm ideals to children.
you go!
love, fran |
|
|
|
heathert
True Blue Farmgirl
59 Posts
Heather
Royston
GA
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 3:23:24 PM
|
All farmgirls shall be invited when things are up & running somewhat smoothly! I don't think you can ever have nature running perfectly!
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."-Henry David Thoreau |
|
|
|
Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 4:13:58 PM
|
My dream farm is about 46-47 acres and is very close to becoming a reality…. While we will be building the things on our list in stages, this is what we envision:
A small concrete farmhouse, probably stucco’ed on the outside, with solar panels on the roof and a water collection system for catching rainwater. We’d like to make it as “green” as we can, given the budget we have and the time frame for getting it built.
The house will have a small cellar to be used as a root cellar, and there maybe a separate storm cellar nearby, depending on how big we make our root cellar and whether or not we can actually build one in our area. I’d love to try raising mushrooms in the root cellar.
The house will have a large library/livingroom where my DH can research his law cases and keep his hundreds (and hundreds) of books, and TWO kitchens – one for normal cooking and a second, with a walk-in freezer, for harvesting and canning. A separate dining room isn’t necessary, unless the kitchen is too small for a large picnic-style table with benches. I want to have big Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners with lots of family and friends…
In the harvest kitchen, I’ll keep all my breadmaking, pasta-making, sausage-making, cheese-making, ice cream-making (etc.) appliances (plus all of the many others,) and there will be a walk in pantry for all the canned and dried goods. All the pans, except for a small collection of daily use pans, will be stored in the production kitchen, and the main kitchen will store all the table linens, plates and glassware. I want a second sink and stove in the harvest kitchen. And if I get my way, I'll package my DH's collection of condiments into smaller jars, so he only has to use a few at a time... no hogging the refrigerator space!!!!
There will be at least two guest bedrooms with baths, as our friends will want to stay overnight when visiting from Dallas. I’d love to have a bunkhouse that sleeps four to eight for when my many nephews visit, but that will not be a reality anytime soon. (Eventually we WILL have a family summer camp at my farm for all the kids...)
The house will also have a deep covered & screened-in veranda running the entire front of the house to protect us from bugs at night and to keep the kitties safe from predators. Hopefully it will be designed for keeping us cool as well. Chairs for relaxing and maybe a small bar for serving drinks will be out here.
In the winter, the house will be heated with radiant heating, and as a back-up, a wood stove. Lots of ceiling fans for keeping cool.
Off the kitchens, there will be a small mudroom and laundry room, with a shower for getting off all the barnyard grunge before entering the house. It will be designed so that it can be used for washing the dogs as well and all my cleaning stuff will be stored here.
One end of the huge library/livingroom will hold built-in desks for the “media” area, so that we can use the computers in the same area where we are researching. Built-in filing storage goes under the desk areas. An area for entertaining will be set aside in this room, with a table for eating or for playing cards.
Because both of our hobbies are so material-intensive, we need a separate area for them. Ideally, we plan to build some tiny one room cabins to act as our hobby studios and offices. DH may have an additional office in one of the barns, depending on what space he decides he needs. Both studios will be designed like small camping cabins with lofts for storage and will be close enough to the house so that we don’t have to put in kitchenettes or bathrooms. If we work it right, they can serve as additional sleeping space for guests.
Another option for the hobbies is to build a big metal building that is framed and dry-walled inside, to serve as our “hobby barn.”
A small kennel area is a necessity for the dog, who currently lives inside with us, but I want a place to put her up if guests visit, or if we need to do some work with the livestock and we don’t want her underfoot. She’s never run loose before and I am afraid she’ll go nuts and torment our livestock, or worse, the neighbors’ cows.
I’d love to have an enclosed outdoor “cattery” for the kitties to allow them room to play outside, since my kitties love to hunt and sleep in the yard, but I’m not sure what we can build to protect them. I have 8 of them right now, and I’d rather let them run free, but I also don’t want the coyotes or owls to eat them… Any ideas??
The farm itself will consist of (at the minimum) one pond (there now) and hopefully at least two more…. It will house a variety of livestock – from goats and sheep to chicken, ducks and geese, rabbits and maybe a cow or two. I’d love some llamas and maybe a guardian donkey or burro – we have friends who run a burro rescue…Since our land is already fenced for cattle, we’ll have to reinforce the fencing for the smaller animals.
DH wants some greenhouses so that he can get into some sort of commercial plant enterprise… not sure what yet. It will be interesting to see what he chooses. Hopefully some sort of heirloom plants and seeds. The green houses may also serve as a hatchery for small fish or crayfish.
He wants some beehives and a vineyard for making wines and mead. Maybe even a small field of hops for beer. (He’ll need an area for that… maybe in the harvest kitchen? Maybe not.)
I’d like a fruit orchard with apples, peaches, plums etc… and a large berry patch. An herb garden is a must and it will probably be spread out in various spots around the house and studios… most likely in raised beds framing the backyard tiered patio and the small lap pool, which I’m praying my DH will eventually build for me. (Or let me build myself, since I’ll have to learn how to use the equipment any way.)
The chicken and rabbit coops will provide compost for the large compost pile in the garden area, and we will raise a large variety of vegetables, for canning and perhaps selling if we have an abundance. I’d like to build the coops in such a way that I can raise worms underneath them, for either fishing in the ponds, or for feeding to the birds. I’d also like to grow some of our feed crops to minimize the amount of purchased feed that is required for the animals.
I’ve already decided to focus my poultry efforts towards rare or endangered birds, mostly dark egg layers. I’m looking at Black or Black Copper Marans, Barnvelders, Gall de Pendedes (Black Penedesencas), and maybe some Lakenvelders. For ducks, I’m looking at Magpies, Black Cayugas, Acona and Welsh Harlequins. Geese will probably be White Chinese or Grays. I’d like to find out more about the lavender (Lilac) turkeys too.
Goats will most likely be La Manchas and sheep most likely Dorpers. I’d love to have some angoras and some Icelandic for their fleeces, but I think the heat will be too much. But we’ll see.
My Homesteading Journal
http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal
http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com |
|
|
|
A Farm of My Own: Your Dream or Current Farm |
|
|
|
Your Dream or Current Farm
