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A Farm of My Own:  How would you?..  |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 15 2006 : 7:27:57 PM
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O.k. I have a question ..my husband and I have been looking at a piece of property in Southern Georgia ..for several months now..
the property includes a main house of 3 bedrooms and 2 baths..a couple pecan trees, an old barn that appears to be falling down somewhat..and a covered pole barn type looking structure(no sides just a roofed structure like a carport)..then the owner of the property just added 2 extra acres and a small cottage that needs upgraded.
The total acreage would be about 9 acres.(with a main home and a cottage)
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***Edit: of course we might not get this particular piece of property..but we are looking for about 3-7 acres of land when we do decide to relocate to the area,something comparable to what I have mentioned above...
Wanting ideas for what you would do with land and why..so that we have various input and ideas from which to discuss and figure out what it is we can do and do well with a little bit of land.
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My question is..since work in the area is hard to come by..as far as the type of work my husband does(graphics illustrator)
and we own/operate a sign business as well..but not a full time business as of yet(magnetics, banners, signs for businesses)
We are wanting to know..
how would you personally go about making the land profitable for you and your family to be able to make a living off the land?while trying to establish a business in the area(sign business)
What would you personally do with the cottage and why?
What types of things would you plant on the land and why?
We are wanting to get some ideas as we are really wanting to get out of the city, but the work issue/lack of the type of work he does is preventing us from realizing our dream of the rural life..we want some land in a quiet area, but sometimes the lack of jobs in the areas we find very pleasing to what we are looking for..unfortunately doesn't always come with everything we'd like..namely a profitable job.
So, how would you go about making the land really work for you and in the event that work was not available or if the income declined a good bit ..how/what would you do to make a living off the land?to where you had a steady income coming in to be able to...pay the mortgage, make a little extra, and live comfortably?
Your input on this matter is very much appreciated.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
Edited by - Tina Michelle on Aug 16 2006 11:01:47 AM |
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daffodil dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
805 Posts
Jayne
Hamilton
Victoria
Australia
805 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2006 : 8:04:43 PM
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Hi Tina,
Good luck with your plans!! I too want to live on a farm and our issue is how to make a living from the farm, so I am looking forward to hearing what all you girls do in this area. Finances are such a pain - imagine what we could do if we didn't have to worry about money!!
The place sounds fantastic, especially the pecan trees - I LOVE pecan pie!!
Best wishes and keep dreaming,
Jayne |
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Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2006 : 8:40:23 PM
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Tina,
It sounds like a place with real potential. Now to your question. I would either start a business out of the cottage that I felt would work in the area (ideas; general store, farm supply, exotics or other animals, daycare, and about a million other things. I would have to know the area to give you solid ideas!) or rent it out. As for an income for your Hubbie. Is there anyway he could work from home for a company and do his work through the internet? For the farm, I do not know since I do not know the area or your interest. You may be able to grow a specific crop, are organics big where you are or is there a place close enough that is? What about a U-PICK or farm produce stand? Breeding a specific farm animal. Horse boarding may be a possibility depending on the area (of course you will need your barn fixed up for that or some other shelter) Maybe drop me an e-mail so I can learn more about your interest and area and then I can be of more help?!? I do so hope this can be figured out so you can move and start your dream farm!!
Also I am sure other gals will drop by with some great advice! Remember to drop me a line if you would like!
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" |
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Hideaway Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1553 Posts
Jo
Virginia
USA
1553 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2006 : 06:27:16 AM
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Tina,
Talitha has covered a lot of the ideas I had come up with, but another thought is to get some rental income from the cottage OR can your family live in the cottage and rent the main house? There might be tax advantages to that. Setting up a business or renting to someone to set up a business in the cottage is also a good idea.
Daycare, or animal boarding in a rural area might work. What about a bed and breakfast? How far south in Georgia is the property? Can you pull any industry to/from Florida or internationally?
Let us know how it goes!
Jo |
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heathert
True Blue Farmgirl
59 Posts
Heather
Royston
GA
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2006 : 10:38:17 AM
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Tina,
I have a lot of family in South Georgia so I understand the lack of jobs down there. What part are you exactly looking at?
Some cities would be beneficial, Tifton or Valdosta are known for their AG Dept. I would look into turning the cottage into a B&B or rental property. Daycare rules & regs are very strict, and if you don't have at least a two year degree in Early Childhood Education, don't even mess with it. Everyone has pecan trees in south GA, everybody! Trying to make a pecan profit off of 9 acres will be hard. Can you not do your graphic arts business online?
rule number #1 of farming is you farm because you like it-its hard to make a living from it.Many of farmers (some which are family members) have told me this. You can use your land to be self sufficent-gardens, animals,etc. to help lower costs. Good luck with it all, the rewards will be great after all the hard work!
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."-Henry David Thoreau |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2006 : 10:57:10 AM
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wow, what a response. lots of good ideas. Thank You all!
the area is very close to Thomasville, GA.
In either case whether it is this particular property, or another..the ideas you all have been chiming in with are terrific.
Wonderful ideas for what to do with a little bit of property.
We do know that we are aiming for some property in /around Thomasville, GA . (I have been showing the responses to my husband and we have been discussing them together..thanks gals)
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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theoanne
True Blue Farmgirl
282 Posts
teddie
CARROLLTON
GA
282 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2006 : 3:08:09 PM
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Tina,
I think you should come a little further north of Thomasville. Then we can visit :)
I like the Bed and Breakfast idea. Good luck!!
TEDDIE |
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heathert
True Blue Farmgirl
59 Posts
Heather
Royston
GA
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2006 : 8:29:49 PM
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Tina,
You can always find your little piece of country heaven 20 miles outside of a city! Athens is a small(well smaller than Atlanta!) college town with good job opportunities yet surrounded with rural communities! We live outside of Athens, its a difference of night & day, hehehe!
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."-Henry David Thoreau |
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Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2006 : 10:01:01 PM
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Heather,
I did not realize you live outside of Athens!!! That is were I got married and lived the first 4 months of my married life..many happy memories there! I love that town! How far r u?
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" |
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junebug
True Blue Farmgirl
2421 Posts
Sue
West Plains,
Mo.
USA
2421 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2006 : 04:52:40 AM
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Tina, that place sounds like it could really be made into something, the thing is what? Rentals can be a money pit and a headache, plus you lose the privacy, the whole reason for moving to the country right? I'd turn the cottage into a workshop, craft shop, little store, produce stand, etc. A flower farm might be a posibility, a herb farm, a garlic farm, all organic of course so you can sell your goods to local restraunts and such. Check into raising baby chicks of all kinds, if there is no one close by, this could be a easy start up. I know in spring people sell baby chicks here and do well, they go fast! Your dream might need one of you to stay home on the farm for awhile to get it up and going, but it can be done, and has! Good luck and keep us updated!
www.sageflowerfarm.blogspot.com
www.herbalfarmstead.blogspot.com
www.countrypleasures.motime.com |
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heathert
True Blue Farmgirl
59 Posts
Heather
Royston
GA
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 4:05:24 PM
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Talitha,
I live about 20 miles north of Athens, around Danielsville. What a small world huh?
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."-Henry David Thoreau |
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Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2006 : 02:38:11 AM
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Heather,
Yes it is!! I probably drove through your town many times!!
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" |
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A Farm of My Own: How would you?.. |
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How would you?..
