Meredith/early 30s
Pigs are my passion
Seeking the simple life and longing for a partner in crime.
Interviewed today for a really neat job opportunity!
Single mom in mid 50s (last child is 18 now!) Burb-steading on the edge of town on an acre. Have always been into natural, back-to-the-land, frugal, do more with less and self-sufficiency, but this is the closest I've gotten to it in adulthood. I grew up on a wheat farm, but made a living in the city. Love all animals, and the local animal control knows me by name as I call in neglect cases I see when out and about. Love, love my chickens and ducks. Hope to sometime have some goats, as well as fowl. Love your blog, Meredith. Good luck and keep up the good fight!
Many fond childhood memories. My family (Dad's side) originally came from Sweden, and were furniture makers (I still have some pieces). They ended up in the west wheat country via Minnesota - don't all Swedes come from Minnesota? ;-) I'm convinced it was because the weather is so much like the "old country". LOL
Anyway, great grandpa and grandma starting farming in the west. I have photos of my grandpa standing on a thrashing machine (before they had combines) with a 20-horse hitch pulling the machine. They eventually had three farmhouses on 1200 acres, one for the great grandparents, and two more for the sons. I grew up in the bungalow farmhouse that my grandfather had built, and that my dad grew up in, and then inherited and farmed out of. My dad was not into raising animals, really, and basically just farmed the wheat. Prior, though, there were many animals and we still had the outbuildings for them. Large chicken house, pig house, large barn. I did have the privilege of growing up with horses, though, and of course many cats and dogs along the way.
Wheat farming had become more mechanized and mono-culture by the time I came along. The "get big or get out" mentality started taking hold and my dad eventually sold the farm to a (big) neighbor and retired. I always wanted the farm, but in those days women farming was very unusual. Neither of my brothers wanted to farm, so hence it was sold.
It was a really nice, stable way to grow up. My favorite memory is of very early mornings in spring/summer, smelling the alfalfa in the air that my neighbor had just cut, then going out alone on my horse through the wheat fields. On those little trips I got to know every bird and animal in the area; hawks, badgers, coyotes, etc. Sorry for the ramble waaaaaay too much information, I know! Thanks for keeping this blog. I do not have one of my own.
50-something, former city lady living the rural life, I work and live in central coast wine country of California. My life is balanced between working on our property and at the local wine tasting room.
We have a few vines, enough to just say we have some. But there is so much really good wine around here it's hard to want to make any myself, so perhaps I'll do some mourvedre jelly!
I learned how to crochet when I was 10, and although I wanted my Grandma to teach me how to knit around the same time, but my Dad forbid her to teach me. I am determined to learn how to knit, sew better by hand, learn to use a machine, and spin fiber too. I do love how relaxed I become when I crochet, and this past Christmas I made all of my nieces, nephews, and daughter stuffed animals it was a lot of fun. :) Thanks for asking.
All you need is the right hook size, and I usually use size H hook/8/5.00mm, yarn that you like, a yarn needle, and a good pattern. Sometimes it is difficult to read patterns, but I find that Freshstitches.com is very informative. Also, it is good to note that American patterns and British patterns differ a lot in the way the name their stitches, like a single crochet stitch in American is called double crochet in Britain. I did take an individual lesson from a local shop to learn how to decipher the way patterns are written. But like an Aunt of mine said, "if you know how to crochet you can learn how to knit." and vice versa :)
There is always when you can afford to support another in their creativity by buying their already made product, like on etsy. You can also knit stuffed animals. I used to stare at my Grandma's crochet stuffed animals she made for us and that helped me get over the bump to do it for myself. Just because now isn't the right time, doesn't mean another day will be the right time. :)
I'm over 60, retired. We have a small (90 acre) cattle farm, a few horses and dogs and a garden, which I can't wait to get started. In my spare time I do some quilting and I'm trying to relearn garment sewing because I'd rather sew than go shopping.
Share your garment sewing ventures please! Very interested. That's quite a large small farm. Maybe small for a cattle farm but that's a big northern east coast farm!
50. Married, recently moved from far flung suburbs to the big city. Civil servant by day. Run a small t-shirt/baby quilt business in my spare time. Dog enthusiast. Love homegrown tomatoes. Hope to have some this summer. My containers are ready!
Auntie Mow, mid thirties. Married with two daughters. Grew up an inner city kid and I am now on a 20 acre black walnut tree farm in Illinois. We got 11 barn cats with our home stead, we brought 5 laying hens and were gifted two hilarious fainting goats! We have a 100+ year old farmstead that we are working on (no initial functioning plumbing fun fun!) and the work is never ending! Initially I began reading JW's books and found inspiration for the homesteading life in them. That started my study of this lifestyle and goal of leaving the city behind. Through further study I decided that JW actually has no idea what she is doing, and that fueled my quest for accurate knowledge. After providing her some advice during her last frozen pipe incident I was treated extremely rudely, and it became apparent to me that she places no value upon the opinions of people who are learned in such subjects. I work in the field of steam technology and hydroponic heating. After sending her suggestions for keeping water moving through her pipes with out having any fuel in her tank I got absolutely no response back. Do you think if I billed her the $85 an hour I get for consulting fee I'd see anything? Bwahahaha as if.... not here to bash her, just stating how I ended up on the your blog, Meredith. I must say it's a pretty interesting corner of the Internet. Thanks! https://m.facebook.com/NorthlightFarm?ref=bookmark
I'm a single mom of one college aged daughter. Grew up in the burbs of So Cal, but in a community that was deeply rooted in Ag. 4-H member, for 10 years, project and co-club leader for 30 years. Raised sheep for 30 years, gardening since I can remember. Helped DD with her 4-H sheep project.
Lived on an avocado/lemon ranch for 15 years with 50 sheep, 30 head of cattle, a dozen chickens and a bunch of stray cats and a few lazy dogs. It's during this time that my love of simple living and the country life flourished. No having to work off the farm had something to do with it i'm sure.
Moved to town after my divorce. Now live on a third of an acre that I have turned into a mini farm--greenhouse, barn, fruit trees, berry patch, veggies garden flower garden, herb garden, market lambs, chickens (meat and layers), ducks (meat), geese (just because) and one bossy cat. DD raised all her 4-H lambs here.
I'm a cooking from scratch, simple living, suburban homesteading, prepping, hiking, yoga doing single female trying to just live my life the way I want without the impositions of the outside world.
As an aside...I too found JW's initial blog fun and inspiring, but quickly realized that she had NO interest in doing things correctly or easily. Many single women offered suggestions based on our experience and she would have none of it.
And, it's not for me (or any of us) to get in the way of the universe teaching JW what she needs to learn.
We have a lot of the things normal to a larger farm, just on a smaller scale.
Our barn is 12'x24'. The west side is the chicken coop (6'x12') and outside run, about 8'x12'. It's enough space to comfortably house 12-15 chickens, but with DD at college I only have 4 right now.
The east side of the barn was outfitted for the market lambs DD raised and showed. We also had a large outside run area, but with no pasture this was more of a dry lot situation. Raising show lambs is different than raising a flock. The center of the barn was for feed barrels, hay, equipment, tack and supplies.
For a short time we also had rabbit cages hung on the wall of the barn for raising meat rabbits, but we found we didn't eat enough rabbit to make it a viable endeavor.
Producing meat animals in a small space is all about the scheduling and rotating. Lambs came in Jan and when they were gone in August we brought in the batch of meat chicks and ducks. After brooding in the garage they were put in the sheep area, with 2"x4" wire panels as added protection and separation of ducks and chickens.
We have a 10'x12' greenhouse where I start veggies and plants. It has growing shelves, potting area, sink, supply and tool cabinet and a vintage chair and table for sitting and reading or just hanging out.
Around the greenhouse are 11 raised veggie beds. The berry patch (5 canes) and the two composting bins are along the north fence. At the south side of the garden is a small cold frame, but because of our climate we don't really need it that much.
In front of the barn are beds for veggies also, along with bins for potatoes and yams.
The outside sheep area becomes the squash/pumpkin patch after the lambs are gone. Great manure!
The fruit trees are part of the flower beds in the yard and at the edge of barn garden. They are mostly dwarf or pole type varieties.
All the herbs, culinary and medicinal, are part of the flower beds around the patio.
I have a clothes line that stretches from a tree in the yard to the patio cover, about 25'.
With only producing for two people we didn't need long rows of any one crop so used the square foot method. And now with just me I don't use all of the veggie beds.
It's amazing what you can produce in a small space. And, of course, it depends on your family. We raised a batch of 25 meat chickens, but because it was just two of us we cut the carcasses in half, which gave us 50 meals. That's how we looked at things. How many meals are we producing? With just me I split a batch of chicks with a friend and cut the carcasses in quarters, so my 12 meat birds produce 48 meals, with left overs for chicken salad, and soup.
Every year we change things up a bit to better fit our needs.
Thank you for sharing! You are a case study in fraction of acreage sustainability! Any chance you have a sketch of your property with the areas you described?
Persnickity type-A personality 40-year old "mostly-single" woman (my husband is in the military & gone more often than not).
I run a 10-acre organic farm in southeast NC, growing about 2 acres of fresh vegetables on a year-round harvest schedule. Our winters are typically pretty mild; a 20'x96' hoophouse and smaller seedling house can usually carry a decent selection of produce through even the late winter months. The produce is sold mainly through two local farmers markets, also to a small CSA and a handful of restaurants.
I'm very interested in adding livestock (pigs, dairy goats) to the mix, with pasture grazing rotated through with the produce, but not there yet. Still have much to learn about building pastures, fences & general animal husbandry before adding more than a few laying hens to the system.
I'm also the worry-wort chicken-mistress a couple of posts up :)
Single mid-40s woman in Mid-ish Missouri. I recently moved from a small town to the middle of nowhere...in the woods. I've got dogs and cats and the local wildlife at this point. I've thought of chickens but one dog at least would find them very tasty....so I'll have to wait on that. I have just ordered equipment and some bees. So in mid-April I'll be dealing with that. My family had bees when I was growing up so it's not unfamiliar to me. Who knows...it could be fun! I've grown garden type things here and there but really just happy with tomatoes and strawberries. Oh and I'll plant a peach tree or two this spring. I had one when I lived in town and loser people came into my backyard and stole every peach off the tree. I've read J's blog as well, for years. Just waiting for the train to derail. I'm very pleased that you've provided an outlet like you have. I was sitting around for a long time wondering if I was the only one with the "Truth". :-)
Welcome! I.understand. I have one high prey drive can't be near chickens dog and look forward to the day I have a dog that protects chickens...not that I have to protect chickens from. Keep us posted on your bees!
I've got a fifth-generation farm in Iowa. 100 head of beef cows, 300 head of feeders, ..used to enjoy JW's blog and style of writing, gave some advice which was not taken well, and now just watch in wonder. I have Scotland and Ireland in my background and CANNOT STAND the ridiculous take on those realms and the totally insulting manner directed to Tolkien and Hobbits. ! I've had goats, bees, chickens, pheasants (!), horses, dogs, cats,,..the JW blog is mesmerizing...and not in a healthy way.
I'm 33, married with 2 stepkids, living in Maryland on an acre. I have a BS in General Ag, with a focus on Animal Science. I've worked on a beef farm, multiple dairy farms, and have lots of experience with horses and sheep, along with dairy goats, pigs, and chickens. I grew up in 4-H (thanks Mom) raising sheep and goats, and showing market lambs.
Sheep are my passion, but I raise dairy goats too. I have an acre of ground and currently have 4 ewes, 1 ram, 3 does, 3 meat rabbits (breeders), and lots of chickens. Oh yeah, and 2 dogs and 3 cats. We also have a garden.
Because I have a small space, I focus on rotational grazing and finding ways to manage the small space so my pastures aren't over grazed. It's working out very well. :-)
I started a small soap business a few years ago, and now make and sell goat milk soap, along with lip balms, lotion bars, and knitted and felted items. I make everything entirely by myself. I sometimes am lucky enough to have help with things like labeling soap bars (again, thanks Mom!).
I work full time job, so I'm away from home a good bit of the time. I also take care of all the animals myself, except the kids feed the rabbits half the time. My husband is supportive and will help me out when I ask (or when he sees something I need help with), but I do most everything else by myself. :-)
We're currently looking at buying larger property, but we'll see how it all works out. Until then, I'm happy on my 1 acre of heaven.
You should be able to find my blog by clicking my picture.
Katiegirl! You are so pretty!!!!!! I love your blog. I remember you from JW's comment section years ago. I haven't had time to read all the back history in your blog, but I LOVED the recent picts of all the animals inside. Any chance you could post recent picts of the overall acre and how you use it. I am fascinated you can have grazing animals on 1 acre and make it work.
Thanks, Anon @9:34! Yeah, my barn is a mess right now, but it works to keep the animals warm!
Almost 5 years ago I did a post showing the layout of my property. The only thing that is different is the larger red outline for the hog pen. Here's that blog post: http://katiegirlkate.blogspot.com/2010/04/random-rambling.html
And here's a post showing where we built the hog pen off the back of the barn. We still call it the hog pen, even though we haven't had hogs in a few years. http://katiegirlkate.blogspot.com/2010/07/weekend-project-part-2.html It doesn't look the same exactly, now. We've added a top wood rail above the fence (because goats kept pushing it down), and we have built a different shelter. At least you can see the layout.
These links were perfect - thank you for taking the time to show me. I loved the initial one showing the shape of your lot. In that picture, it seems small, but then the pictures of the various pens and fences make it look big! I am such a sucker. I always feel like animal need WAY more space than they probably do. I think 3 chickens need a huge run even tho I have read over and over that this just isn't true. I love how much you do with what you have. And your dad and his comments are adorable.
Katie - I started reading your blog from the beginning. I am only up to the end of 2009, so I am curious if you still do rows versus raised beds? What are your thoughts on the pros and cons.
Anon 11:19, I no longer do raised beds simply because our soil is too sandy to hold the shape. I've been adding compost and doing no-till for a few years now, hoping to build up organic matter. I don't think I'll ever be able to do raised beds here though. I love raised beds in areas that have soil that will hold the shape (like my sister in NC).
Lately, my focus has been on finding ways to reduce weed pressure without the need for tillage or herbicides. I find heavy mulching helps. I also made friends with my stirrup hoe, which is my most used garden tool.
Thanks Katie. Dang, I am in NC....and I have always done raised beds in VA before I moved here a few months ago - I just didn't want to have to make all the raised beds again....finding untreated wood for cheap and all that....!!! I'm almost up to 2010 in your blog. I can't comment on it b/c I don't have an open ID or google ID, but I love it. Seeing your start in a new home is super cool since I just started in a new home too.
Raised beds don't have to be made out of wood! You can just hill the soil up. See this picture here. http://theyarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/250.JPG
About felted dogs....I don't make them too often anymore. Because it's a super busy time right now, I probably wouldn't even have time to make them anyways. :-( There are lots of felters on Etsy though, maybe you could find one there? Thanks for asking, though!
Those raised beds are so interesting. I have never seen that, but would be afraid one HARD rain would ruin it, but maybe I will try one just to see since the soil is clayish around here. I really need to figure out how to comment on your blog as I am sure Meredith doesn't love my hijacking her blog. I really like the informative, simplicity of your blog. It reads like a real life and seems like a REAL life. One of the biggest things I respect is how you go to some full time job, but then do this awesome little homestead in your "free" time. That is more realistic and what I am working toward. Anyway, I have learned so much and I am only to mid-way 2010. The incubating eggs was super cool - I had NO IDEA it could be done like that and hatch real chicks. I'm obsessed with that now. The felted crafts and hats are awesome. The simple yet effective animal shelters - giving a sheep a bath - I mean, its all so simple, but SO interesting. I also love how one night you helped your husband with his engine stuff even tho its not your thing and how he does animal stuff with you even tho its not his thing. That is neat. I hope it doesn't sound too stalky of me to say that if we get a snow day tomorrow, I want to curl up and read thru the nest 4 years of your blog. I am so inspired to start a blog at the beginning of my journey. I guess it doesn't have to be Pioneer Woman-esque to be interesting and useful! So, thank you. I highly recommend your blog to others!!
I'm just over 30. Found my way to this blog after starting to learn the reality of JW. I enjoy the dialogue that goes on in this space and think there's a lot to learn from everyone. I've got farm fever and very much hope that I will get into it professionally one day, but make due with other options until then. I studied marine and environmental science in college and our natural resources/animals have always been important to me. I work a full-time office job now, but feed and turn out horses at a local barn as part-time work before coming to my "real" job. I also work at another horse farm (100 acres and 14 horses) on Saturdays. I stretch myself a little thin I guess, but I know you don't get what you want by sitting idle. The more experience I can get now and the more connections I make, the better off I'll be when I try to go at it on my own.
I live in a city in the northeast where urban agriculture is huge. There are so many resources here to learn or volunteer. I live in an apartment with a large yard so I'm fortunate to have a pretty large garden, by city standards (maybe 30 x 15? just a guess). I try to grow a little bit of everything and use heirloom seeds from various sources.
Apparently there's quite a history of farming in my family, but unfortunately all of the land was sold off a generation or two too early for me to take advantage of it. Guess the love of dirt and the outdoors is in my blood! ~AM
Single mom in mid 50s (last child is 18 now!) Burb-steading on the edge of town on an acre. Have always been into natural, back-to-the-land, frugal, do more with less and self-sufficiency, but this is the closest I've gotten to it in adulthood. I grew up on a wheat farm, but made a living in the city. Love all animals, and the local animal control knows me by name as I call in neglect cases I see when out and about. Love, love my chickens and ducks. Hope to sometime have some goats, as well as fowl. Love your blog, Meredith. Good luck and keep up the good fight!
ReplyDeleteWhat was it like growing up on a wheat farm?
DeleteMany fond childhood memories. My family (Dad's side) originally came from Sweden, and were furniture makers (I still have some pieces). They ended up in the west wheat country via Minnesota - don't all Swedes come from Minnesota? ;-) I'm convinced it was because the weather is so much like the "old country". LOL
DeleteAnyway, great grandpa and grandma starting farming in the west. I have photos of my grandpa standing on a thrashing machine (before they had combines) with a 20-horse hitch pulling the machine. They eventually had three farmhouses on 1200 acres, one for the great grandparents, and two more for the sons. I grew up in the bungalow farmhouse that my grandfather had built, and that my dad grew up in, and then inherited and farmed out of. My dad was not into raising animals, really, and basically just farmed the wheat. Prior, though, there were many animals and we still had the outbuildings for them. Large chicken house, pig house, large barn. I did have the privilege of growing up with horses, though, and of course many cats and dogs along the way.
Wheat farming had become more mechanized and mono-culture by the time I came along. The "get big or get out" mentality started taking hold and my dad eventually sold the farm to a (big) neighbor and retired. I always wanted the farm, but in those days women farming was very unusual. Neither of my brothers wanted to farm, so hence it was sold.
It was a really nice, stable way to grow up. My favorite memory is of very early mornings in spring/summer, smelling the alfalfa in the air that my neighbor had just cut, then going out alone on my horse through the wheat fields. On those little trips I got to know every bird and animal in the area; hawks, badgers, coyotes, etc. Sorry for the ramble waaaaaay too much information, I know! Thanks for keeping this blog. I do not have one of my own.
I held my breath and got lost in your comment! I love books about growing up on Midwest farms. I was longing to read one last night!
DeleteYou touched that nerve.
I'm me.
ReplyDeleteEarly 30s. Veterans to farmer advocate. Looking to grow veggies to give away. Starting over after a cross-country move.
East to west or west to east? So brave!
DeleteLess brave, more husband got a new job. Lol New Mexico to Georgia.
DeleteOh! popwellhomestead.blogspot.com is where I ramble.
DeleteBtw- Meredith, did you find that Start 2 farm link useful?
50-something, former city lady living the rural life, I work and live in central coast wine country of California. My life is balanced between working on our property and at the local wine tasting room.
ReplyDeleteThose with blogs please link...hint hint ^
DeleteOK, here it is! http://hotflashhomestead.blogspot.com
DeleteNice! I lived in San Francisco for 20 years, so am familiar with the area. Do you grow wine grapes?
DeleteWe have a few vines, enough to just say we have some. But there is so much really good wine around here it's hard to want to make any myself, so perhaps I'll do some mourvedre jelly!
DeleteSue, and I am in my early 40's.
ReplyDeleteMoving soon, which will start a new chapter.
love to crochet, and hope to have a fiber farm one day.
I knit but don't know how to crochet. Do you prefer crochet for a reason?
DeleteI learned how to crochet when I was 10, and although I wanted my Grandma to teach me how to knit around the same time, but my Dad forbid her to teach me. I am determined to learn how to knit, sew better by hand, learn to use a machine, and spin fiber too. I do love how relaxed I become when I crochet, and this past Christmas I made all of my nieces, nephews, and daughter stuffed animals it was a lot of fun. :) Thanks for asking.
DeleteI desperately want to learn how to crochet stuffed pigs! What tools do I need?
DeleteAll you need is the right hook size, and I usually use size H hook/8/5.00mm, yarn that you like, a yarn needle, and a good pattern. Sometimes it is difficult to read patterns, but I find that Freshstitches.com is very informative. Also, it is good to note that American patterns and British patterns differ a lot in the way the name their stitches, like a single crochet stitch in American is called double crochet in Britain. I did take an individual lesson from a local shop to learn how to decipher the way patterns are written. But like an Aunt of mine said, "if you know how to crochet you can learn how to knit." and vice versa :)
DeleteI'm in a "I can't do.anything right" funk and it seems like going to.the moon would be easier than crocheting a stuffed pig.
DeleteThere is always when you can afford to support another in their creativity by buying their already made product, like on etsy. You can also knit stuffed animals. I used to stare at my Grandma's crochet stuffed animals she made for us and that helped me get over the bump to do it for myself. Just because now isn't the right time, doesn't mean another day will be the right time. :)
DeleteI'm over 60, retired. We have a small (90 acre) cattle farm, a few horses and dogs and a garden, which I can't wait to get started. In my spare time I do some quilting and I'm trying to relearn garment sewing because I'd rather sew than go shopping.
ReplyDeleteShare your garment sewing ventures please! Very interested. That's quite a large small farm. Maybe small for a cattle farm but that's a big northern east coast farm!
Delete50. Married, recently moved from far flung suburbs to the big city. Civil servant by day. Run a small t-shirt/baby quilt business in my spare time. Dog enthusiast. Love homegrown tomatoes. Hope to have some this summer. My containers are ready!
ReplyDeleteWhat's the small t shirt business about?
DeleteAuntie Mow, mid thirties. Married with two daughters. Grew up an inner city kid and I am now on a 20 acre black walnut tree farm in Illinois. We got 11 barn cats with our home stead, we brought 5 laying hens and were gifted two hilarious fainting goats! We have a 100+ year old farmstead that we are working on (no initial functioning plumbing fun fun!) and the work is never ending! Initially I began reading JW's books and found inspiration for the homesteading life in them. That started my study of this lifestyle and goal of leaving the city behind. Through further study I decided that JW actually has no idea what she is doing, and that fueled my quest for accurate knowledge. After providing her some advice during her last frozen pipe incident I was treated extremely rudely, and it became apparent to me that she places no value upon the opinions of people who are learned in such subjects. I work in the field of steam technology and hydroponic heating. After sending her suggestions for keeping water moving through her pipes with out having any fuel in her tank I got absolutely no response back. Do you think if I billed her the $85 an hour I get for consulting fee I'd see anything? Bwahahaha as if.... not here to bash her, just stating how I ended up on the your blog, Meredith. I must say it's a pretty interesting corner of the Internet. Thanks! https://m.facebook.com/NorthlightFarm?ref=bookmark
ReplyDeleteVery neat...what's a walnut farm like? Do you.work on the farm? What do you use to collect the walnuts?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAuntie mow, deleted your double post...unless you have a very identical twin!
DeleteI'm a single mom of one college aged daughter. Grew up in the burbs of So Cal, but in a community that was deeply rooted in Ag. 4-H member, for 10 years, project and co-club leader for 30 years. Raised sheep for 30 years, gardening since I can remember. Helped DD with her 4-H sheep project.
ReplyDeleteLived on an avocado/lemon ranch for 15 years with 50 sheep, 30 head of cattle, a dozen chickens and a bunch of stray cats and a few lazy dogs. It's during this time that my love of simple living and the country life flourished. No having to work off the farm had something to do with it i'm sure.
Moved to town after my divorce. Now live on a third of an acre that I have turned into a mini farm--greenhouse, barn, fruit trees, berry patch, veggies garden flower garden, herb garden, market lambs, chickens (meat and layers), ducks (meat), geese (just because) and one bossy cat. DD raised all her 4-H lambs here.
I'm a cooking from scratch, simple living, suburban homesteading, prepping, hiking, yoga doing single female trying to just live my life the way I want without the impositions of the outside world.
As an aside...I too found JW's initial blog fun and inspiring, but quickly realized that she had NO interest in doing things correctly or easily. Many single women offered suggestions based on our experience and she would have none of it.
And, it's not for me (or any of us) to get in the way of the universe teaching JW what she needs to learn.
Jenn
Would love to hear more about your farming/gardening on a 1/3 acre.
DeleteWe have a lot of the things normal to a larger farm, just on a smaller scale.
ReplyDeleteOur barn is 12'x24'. The west side is the chicken coop (6'x12') and outside run, about 8'x12'. It's enough space to comfortably house 12-15 chickens, but with DD at college I only have 4 right now.
The east side of the barn was outfitted for the market lambs DD raised and showed. We also had a large outside run area, but with no pasture this was more of a dry lot situation. Raising show lambs is different than raising a flock. The center of the barn was for feed barrels, hay, equipment, tack and supplies.
For a short time we also had rabbit cages hung on the wall of the barn for raising meat rabbits, but we found we didn't eat enough rabbit to make it a viable endeavor.
Producing meat animals in a small space is all about the scheduling and rotating. Lambs came in Jan and when they were gone in August we brought in the batch of meat chicks and ducks. After brooding in the garage they were put in the sheep area, with 2"x4" wire panels as added protection and separation of ducks and chickens.
We have a 10'x12' greenhouse where I start veggies and plants. It has growing shelves, potting area, sink, supply and tool cabinet and a vintage chair and table for sitting and reading or just hanging out.
Around the greenhouse are 11 raised veggie beds. The berry patch (5 canes) and the two composting bins are along the north fence. At the south side of the garden is a small cold frame, but because of our climate we don't really need it that much.
In front of the barn are beds for veggies also, along with bins for potatoes and yams.
The outside sheep area becomes the squash/pumpkin patch after the lambs are gone. Great manure!
The fruit trees are part of the flower beds in the yard and at the edge of barn garden. They are mostly dwarf or pole type varieties.
All the herbs, culinary and medicinal, are part of the flower beds around the patio.
I have a clothes line that stretches from a tree in the yard to the patio cover, about 25'.
With only producing for two people we didn't need long rows of any one crop so used the square foot method. And now with just me I don't use all of the veggie beds.
It's amazing what you can produce in a small space. And, of course, it depends on your family. We raised a batch of 25 meat chickens, but because it was just two of us we cut the carcasses in half, which gave us 50 meals. That's how we looked at things. How many meals are we producing? With just me I split a batch of chicks with a friend and cut the carcasses in quarters, so my 12 meat birds produce 48 meals, with left overs for chicken salad, and soup.
Every year we change things up a bit to better fit our needs.
Jenn
Thank you for sharing! You are a case study in fraction of acreage sustainability! Any chance you have a sketch of your property with the areas you described?
DeleteI'll have to look. It may be an older version though. We did a bit of changing.
DeleteJenn
This sounds awesome! Would love to see it!
DeletePersnickity type-A personality 40-year old "mostly-single" woman (my husband is in the military & gone more often than not).
ReplyDeleteI run a 10-acre organic farm in southeast NC, growing about 2 acres of fresh vegetables on a year-round harvest schedule. Our winters are typically pretty mild; a 20'x96' hoophouse and smaller seedling house can usually carry a decent selection of produce through even the late winter months. The produce is sold mainly through two local farmers markets, also to a small CSA and a handful of restaurants.
I'm very interested in adding livestock (pigs, dairy goats) to the mix, with pasture grazing rotated through with the produce, but not there yet. Still have much to learn about building pastures, fences & general animal husbandry before adding more than a few laying hens to the system.
I'm also the worry-wort chicken-mistress a couple of posts up :)
-Anne
Pigs are great! ...just a little biased ;)
DeleteSingle mid-40s woman in Mid-ish Missouri. I recently moved from a small town to the middle of nowhere...in the woods. I've got dogs and cats and the local wildlife at this point. I've thought of chickens but one dog at least would find them very tasty....so I'll have to wait on that.
ReplyDeleteI have just ordered equipment and some bees. So in mid-April I'll be dealing with that. My family had bees when I was growing up so it's not unfamiliar to me. Who knows...it could be fun!
I've grown garden type things here and there but really just happy with tomatoes and strawberries. Oh and I'll plant a peach tree or two this spring. I had one when I lived in town and loser people came into my backyard and stole every peach off the tree.
I've read J's blog as well, for years. Just waiting for the train to derail. I'm very pleased that you've provided an outlet like you have. I was sitting around for a long time wondering if I was the only one with the "Truth". :-)
Welcome! I.understand. I have one high prey drive can't be near chickens dog and look forward to the day I have a dog that protects chickens...not that I have to protect chickens from. Keep us posted on your bees!
DeleteI've got a fifth-generation farm in Iowa. 100 head of beef cows, 300 head of feeders, ..used to enjoy JW's blog and style of writing, gave some advice which was not taken well, and now just watch in wonder. I have Scotland and Ireland in my background and CANNOT STAND the ridiculous take on those realms and the totally insulting manner directed to Tolkien and Hobbits. !
ReplyDeleteI've had goats, bees, chickens, pheasants (!), horses, dogs, cats,,..the JW blog is mesmerizing...and not in a healthy way.
I'm 33, married with 2 stepkids, living in Maryland on an acre. I have a BS in General Ag, with a focus on Animal Science. I've worked on a beef farm, multiple dairy farms, and have lots of experience with horses and sheep, along with dairy goats, pigs, and chickens. I grew up in 4-H (thanks Mom) raising sheep and goats, and showing market lambs.
ReplyDeleteSheep are my passion, but I raise dairy goats too. I have an acre of ground and currently have 4 ewes, 1 ram, 3 does, 3 meat rabbits (breeders), and lots of chickens. Oh yeah, and 2 dogs and 3 cats. We also have a garden.
Because I have a small space, I focus on rotational grazing and finding ways to manage the small space so my pastures aren't over grazed. It's working out very well. :-)
I started a small soap business a few years ago, and now make and sell goat milk soap, along with lip balms, lotion bars, and knitted and felted items. I make everything entirely by myself. I sometimes am lucky enough to have help with things like labeling soap bars (again, thanks Mom!).
I work full time job, so I'm away from home a good bit of the time. I also take care of all the animals myself, except the kids feed the rabbits half the time. My husband is supportive and will help me out when I ask (or when he sees something I need help with), but I do most everything else by myself. :-)
We're currently looking at buying larger property, but we'll see how it all works out. Until then, I'm happy on my 1 acre of heaven.
You should be able to find my blog by clicking my picture.
Oops, click on my name, not picture.
DeleteKatiegirl! You are so pretty!!!!!! I love your blog. I remember you from JW's comment section years ago. I haven't had time to read all the back history in your blog, but I LOVED the recent picts of all the animals inside. Any chance you could post recent picts of the overall acre and how you use it. I am fascinated you can have grazing animals on 1 acre and make it work.
DeleteThanks, Anon @9:34! Yeah, my barn is a mess right now, but it works to keep the animals warm!
DeleteAlmost 5 years ago I did a post showing the layout of my property. The only thing that is different is the larger red outline for the hog pen. Here's that blog post: http://katiegirlkate.blogspot.com/2010/04/random-rambling.html
And here's a post showing where we built the hog pen off the back of the barn. We still call it the hog pen, even though we haven't had hogs in a few years. http://katiegirlkate.blogspot.com/2010/07/weekend-project-part-2.html It doesn't look the same exactly, now. We've added a top wood rail above the fence (because goats kept pushing it down), and we have built a different shelter. At least you can see the layout.
Here are a few posts about grazing:
http://katiegirlkate.blogspot.com/2010/03/cross-fencing.html
http://katiegirlkate.blogspot.com/2013/06/electric-netting-fence.html
I sometimes even graze the front yard, if there's good grass there!
These links were perfect - thank you for taking the time to show me. I loved the initial one showing the shape of your lot. In that picture, it seems small, but then the pictures of the various pens and fences make it look big! I am such a sucker. I always feel like animal need WAY more space than they probably do. I think 3 chickens need a huge run even tho I have read over and over that this just isn't true. I love how much you do with what you have. And your dad and his comments are adorable.
DeleteKatie - I started reading your blog from the beginning. I am only up to the end of 2009, so I am curious if you still do rows versus raised beds? What are your thoughts on the pros and cons.
DeleteAnon 11:19, I no longer do raised beds simply because our soil is too sandy to hold the shape. I've been adding compost and doing no-till for a few years now, hoping to build up organic matter. I don't think I'll ever be able to do raised beds here though. I love raised beds in areas that have soil that will hold the shape (like my sister in NC).
DeleteLately, my focus has been on finding ways to reduce weed pressure without the need for tillage or herbicides. I find heavy mulching helps. I also made friends with my stirrup hoe, which is my most used garden tool.
Thanks Katie. Dang, I am in NC....and I have always done raised beds in VA before I moved here a few months ago - I just didn't want to have to make all the raised beds again....finding untreated wood for cheap and all that....!!! I'm almost up to 2010 in your blog. I can't comment on it b/c I don't have an open ID or google ID, but I love it. Seeing your start in a new home is super cool since I just started in a new home too.
DeleteKatie - I JUST read your post on the felted dogs. I TOTALLY WANT SOME!!! How much do you charge for those? So freaking cool.
DeleteRaised beds don't have to be made out of wood! You can just hill the soil up. See this picture here. http://theyarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/250.JPG
DeleteAbout felted dogs....I don't make them too often anymore. Because it's a super busy time right now, I probably wouldn't even have time to make them anyways. :-( There are lots of felters on Etsy though, maybe you could find one there? Thanks for asking, though!
Those raised beds are so interesting. I have never seen that, but would be afraid one HARD rain would ruin it, but maybe I will try one just to see since the soil is clayish around here. I really need to figure out how to comment on your blog as I am sure Meredith doesn't love my hijacking her blog. I really like the informative, simplicity of your blog. It reads like a real life and seems like a REAL life. One of the biggest things I respect is how you go to some full time job, but then do this awesome little homestead in your "free" time. That is more realistic and what I am working toward. Anyway, I have learned so much and I am only to mid-way 2010. The incubating eggs was super cool - I had NO IDEA it could be done like that and hatch real chicks. I'm obsessed with that now. The felted crafts and hats are awesome. The simple yet effective animal shelters - giving a sheep a bath - I mean, its all so simple, but SO interesting. I also love how one night you helped your husband with his engine stuff even tho its not your thing and how he does animal stuff with you even tho its not his thing. That is neat. I hope it doesn't sound too stalky of me to say that if we get a snow day tomorrow, I want to curl up and read thru the nest 4 years of your blog. I am so inspired to start a blog at the beginning of my journey. I guess it doesn't have to be Pioneer Woman-esque to be interesting and useful! So, thank you. I highly recommend your blog to others!!
DeleteI'm just over 30. Found my way to this blog after starting to learn the reality of JW. I enjoy the dialogue that goes on in this space and think there's a lot to learn from everyone. I've got farm fever and very much hope that I will get into it professionally one day, but make due with other options until then. I studied marine and environmental science in college and our natural resources/animals have always been important to me. I work a full-time office job now, but feed and turn out horses at a local barn as part-time work before coming to my "real" job. I also work at another horse farm (100 acres and 14 horses) on Saturdays. I stretch myself a little thin I guess, but I know you don't get what you want by sitting idle. The more experience I can get now and the more connections I make, the better off I'll be when I try to go at it on my own.
ReplyDeleteI live in a city in the northeast where urban agriculture is huge. There are so many resources here to learn or volunteer. I live in an apartment with a large yard so I'm fortunate to have a pretty large garden, by city standards (maybe 30 x 15? just a guess). I try to grow a little bit of everything and use heirloom seeds from various sources.
Apparently there's quite a history of farming in my family, but unfortunately all of the land was sold off a generation or two too early for me to take advantage of it. Guess the love of dirt and the outdoors is in my blood! ~AM