Get out there and make friends! ** FALL UPDATE

[ohiofarmgirl]

Hey Fellow SS Friends,

here's probably an obvious tip to help with your efforts - dont be afraid to get out there and make friends with other farmers/producers!

we just scored 8 5-gallon buckets of apples from folks that we made friends with last year - they own the local apple orchard. they cant sell or make cider with any apple that falls on the ground or that has the most minor blemish... so they save them for us after the apples are sorted by their workers.

later today we'll go up and get the pulp from pressing cider - all of this feeds our hogs, turkeys, chickens..and well, us! we give them eggs and whatever snacks i'm baking....as well as a huge gift bag of pork after our hog harvest.

how'd this happen? i got over my initial hesitancy and shyness, got together some stuff from our farm, marched in there, stuck out my hand and said hello. the great thing about farmers and local producers is that they actually want to help other producers - i think this is unique in a world system that promotes greed and me-ism.

the best thing is that we made some great friends.

i think one of the things that i need to remember is that you dont have to do it all yourself when you know the right people. why should they have chickens when we bring them eggs? we dont need to learn how to make cider - it all works in a lovely balance.

who do you know and what do you trade for?

ps if you smell a heavenly scent later its the applesauce...

 

[keljonma]

Good topic!

Our church has apple trees. We pick the apples and make baked goods for church food ministries. We also make canned apples, canned apple pie filling, applesauce and apple butter to be given to families in need. The church yard is kept clean from falling fruit and food isn't wasted.

A local blueberry farmer lets her customers pick for free at end of season, just so they don't go to waste.

A local peach farmer barters peaches for eggs. I have bartered home made laundry soap and eggs for Concord grapes. I have traded beets and Swiss chard for cabbages and pie pumpkins.

I usually have enough fruits and veggies canned by winter not only for our use, but also to give as gifts and to share.

 

[BeccaOH]

That's awesome.

More and more when I mention I'm into chickens I get caught up in a whole world of talk with folks who either remember having them, want them, or do have them. Chickens have brought me many friends and connections.

The county livestock auction is a great place to meet farmers and swap ideas or help. Talked to the owner of a feed store there and may be able to provide chicks for her in the spring just by a simple conversation.

I don't plan to have a milk cow or goat anytime in the future, but I'm making friends with a dairy family.

I used to have a guy come hunt from my land and give me meat in return. I need to find another person like that.

 

[miss_thenorth]

My mom's friend works in a greenhouse where thye grow red peppers. i get alot of the seconds that they can't sell (love love love red peppers) My dd's friend's mom picks tomatoes--that is where i got all my tomatoes, (and might be getting more). I also got onions from her to add to the ones I grew. My neighbour's brother grows potatoes, I trade for chickens. My neighbour has an apple tree that I still haven't gone over to pick, but she doesn't use the tree. Very few are good enough for eating, (it's au naturel) but the apples are great for applesauce and such, and also for horse treats.

i pick alot of fruit which I don't grow at the pick your own farm 10 minutes away from me. I doubt they would trade.

A guy hubby knows has a green gage plum tree that we pick, although this year nothing, last year we had them coming out our nose. My sil has pears and also apples, but she is over an hour away so we don't get much from her.

We still might trade a neighbour some chickens for beef, if hubby doesn't get a deer this year, -but he got a doe tag, so we should be all set. (plus they might be bringing home a bear.) Now I just need to find a pig farmer and trade him some eggs or chickens for some bacon.

Other than that, we should just need to buy staples and dairy (no dairy farmers around here, I wish), and toiletries, dog and cat food and livestock feed.

But you're right, we need to get to know the right people.

 

[miss_thenorth]

I used to have a guy come hunt from my land and give me meat in return. I need to find another person like that.

That should NOT be difficult!! Around here, we have a difficult time finding farmers who will LET us hunt their land. We would gladly give them meat in return!!!!!!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

I used to have a guy come hunt from my land and give me meat in return. I need to find another person like that.

That should NOT be difficult!! Around here, we have a difficult time finding farmers who will LET us hunt their land. We would gladly give them meat in return!!!!!!

i have to say that i hadnt really thought about this one...but i know that we have an active bow hunting community.. hum.... well i guess as long as they dont shoot our turkeys by mistake!

great idea, keljonma, about the church fundraiser!

 

[Wifezilla]

I need to make friends with whatever neighbor has goats. I could hear them while I was cleaning the pond yesterday. Sounds like a moma and baby. While I don't like goat milk, I think it would be fun having a suburban farmer buddy....someone who doesn't think it is crazy to have farm critters in suburbia

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

dont like goat milk!?!? (falls over with shock)

wow oh wow do you need to give it another go - we are wild for raw goat milk! and the cheese - oh the cheese.... maybe you can trade for some of your ducky eggs?

 

[Wifezilla]

I have tried it several times. It was terrible. Tried fresh got cheese from a small local dairy

I need a cow :sigh::

 

[Farmfresh]

I have tried it several times. It was terrible. Tried fresh got cheese from a small local dairy

I need a cow :sigh::

I am with you Wifezilla. I do like goat cheese and I like goats milk, but I LOVE cow's milk VERY bestest of all. I would still like some goats because I like chevron and like I said I do like goat cheese.

In MY perfect world I would raise some Lowline Angus, some Highlanders and mix in a little mini Jersey blood for extra milk volume.