SS Goals for 2010 and beyond . . .

[FarmerChick]

While others build ---I am scaling down the farm and workload.

1. No more breeding my goats. Will sell some does and keep some old ones for retirement for pasture control.

2. Sell about 10 of our 30 black angus. buy no more.

3. Selling at least 100 chickens, will be down to about 100-125 then.
Will not buy new ones.

4. Cut back on farmer market weekend selling. instead of 3 times per week each month....down to only 2 weekends per month.

5. cut back dramatically farmer market produce acres for sales

6. no more soliciting for soap sales to stores. done with wholesale. got enough stores and I want no more. turn away wholesale customers.

7. downgrade all sales we do on the farm---time to relax now

8. dramatically cut back hogs frmo 125 in production at any given time to about 50.

9. buy 2 horses, one for me and one for Nicole

10. go on more camping trips

11. grow more hay and sell.

12. build an outdoor brick oven and grill. always wanted one and will do this next year


that is it for me, I want to cutback workloads and get my oven/grill for the backyard. my big plans for 2010 is truly to relax and have more fun

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I like your plans, FarmerChick. Pare down to what is working best and have more fun (plus build the oven)!

 

[FarmerChick]

yea I really want the outdoor oven and grill
I want to build it brick by brick with my own hands


the rest of the work can go to H***
hahahaha


I don't know what it is, but I am getting so burned out on farming and the hard work.
I am turning and trying to run as fast as I can in the other direction..LOL

 

[tamlynn]

1. Plant more fruit trees, including replacing ornamental landscape plants and learning to espalier in order to fit the most into my yard.

2. IF we get a community gardern plot- we are #10 on the waiting list- keep that going and not have to buy many veggies.

3. Not turn on our heater until we are REALLY cold. So far so good!

 

[Beekissed]

I'll have to try to keep this short enough to not take three days to compile......

Build a good fence around the garden.
Buy a great tiller(Mom lost hers in the recent episode.)
Build topbar hives from barrels and try to capture local swarms.
Reconfigure garden plans to allow for optimal spacing and growing of more produce.
Finally make all the things and ideas for my roadside stand and implement them.
Work extra hard to preserve every piece of food I produce on this place.
Reseed the orchard and yard, scatter lime also.
Build better broody setup to encourage replenishing of flock.
Build greenhouse from scavenged glass and materials.
Have my first crop of lambs.
Butcher Two Bites and tan her hide.
Build fencing across the orchard and slowly purchase poultry netting for use in rotational grazing system.
Make my front yard into a parking lot(heavy black plastic and gravel)
Build some wide steps down the front of the house, a ramp up the existing side steps.
Grow more perennials and herbs for fresh cut selling and for drying.
Lose 100 lbs.
Go on our first family vacation ever.


I think I better stop....

 

[Wolf-Kim]

I did want to work on building up a broody army of gamehens. I like my incubator but can't beat a good ol' fashioned broody butt.

 

[deb4o]

I would like to increase my laying flock, and get more clients for the eggs.
BIGGER garden, already working on getting the ground ready.
compost more.
worm beds.
Get my DH and DS to broaden thier eating habits to include more of what we grow in the garden.
All of which would help us to KEEP OUR MONEY and stop helping to make someone elses pockets fatter.

 

[dragonlaurel]

I'll have to try to keep this short enough to not take three days to compile......

Build a good fence around the garden.
Buy a great tiller(Mom lost hers in the recent episode.)
Build topbar hives from barrels and try to capture local swarms.
Reconfigure garden plans to allow for optimal spacing and growing of more produce.
Finally make all the things and ideas for my roadside stand and implement them.
Work extra hard to preserve every piece of food I produce on this place.
Reseed the orchard and yard, scatter lime also.
Build better broody setup to encourage replenishing of flock.
Build greenhouse from scavenged glass and materials.
Have my first crop of lambs.
Butcher Two Bites and tan her hide.
Build fencing across the orchard and slowly purchase poultry netting for use in rotational grazing system.
Make my front yard into a parking lot(heavy black plastic and gravel)
Build some wide steps down the front of the house, a ramp up the existing side steps.
Grow more perennials and herbs for fresh cut selling and for drying.
Lose 100 lbs.
Go on our first family vacation ever.

I think I better stop....

Check pawn shops and yard/estate sales for tillers. People tend to get rid of them in fall and winter.
You need to get lucky on a scavenging trip. What kind of places get rid of fencing? Maybe construction sites- since they use it to reinforce concrete.

I was mentally working on your list, cause it's easier than trying to do mine.

 

[Beekissed]

Thanks, dragon! I've already asked at the local construction site about their fencing...it was a no go. They even laughed at me when I told them what I wanted it for....durn menfolk!

No pawn shops here but I will be keeping my eyes peeled. Mom has her heart set on, not just ANY tiller, but one that is powerful as a big tiller but easy for a woman to horse around in a garden. We'll see how successful we are!

I want a rear tine, TroyBilt, of course!

 

[dragonlaurel]

Troy Bilt tillers have a really good reputation. I'd go for it too.

Don't ever worry about people laughing at you. Just remember- Small minds are easily amused.

Thrifty Nickel or Craig's list maybe? Good luck.