tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post2033776005555746401..comments2023-11-07T06:51:41.301-06:00Comments on The Beginning Farmer: Four "Don'ts" for the Beginning FarmerEthan Bookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333115493519268802noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-79813922966033734962011-04-30T23:42:19.070-05:002011-04-30T23:42:19.070-05:00My dad works off the farm full time, while my mom ...My dad works off the farm full time, while my mom and I work on the farm full time along with my huband who also works on the farm part time and I think of the day my dad retires from what we call his "real job," daily! I know our farm will flurish when he does retire but I understand the need mainly for health insurance that is provided through his place of employment as well as my husband's other "real job," its unfortunate. Good Luck! Love your blog!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17691175659191012421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-12438348976733780252011-04-24T17:15:59.248-05:002011-04-24T17:15:59.248-05:00We tried poultry, repeatedly. For us it didn't...We tried poultry, repeatedly. For us it didn't work as our main gig. But the ducks and chickens are an excellent part of the system for what has become our main profit center - pastured pigs. We keep a lot of chickens, not to make money on them directly but for their organic pest control, breaking up of the manure, smoothing the soil, the eggs for a protein source for weaners and then the chickens in the fall. The ducks stir up the pig ponds and eat the mosquitoes. Without one or the other we see the negative (increased pests, etc) and appreciate having them.Walter Jeffrieshttp://SugarMtnFarm.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-67736452906533322422011-04-21T12:25:16.599-05:002011-04-21T12:25:16.599-05:00My husband and I too are guilty of 3 and 4, but it...My husband and I too are guilty of 3 and 4, but it is hard to not have a full time job off the farm, at this point, to SUPPORT the farm :/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09069117326093443006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-30378899996325286402011-04-19T08:35:51.448-05:002011-04-19T08:35:51.448-05:00For years we did not meet the fourth suggestion in...For years we did not meet the fourth suggestion in this gentlemans book. My husband farmed full time while I worked off farm full time and our farm survived but stayed fairly static. After kids were grown and we were responible for just ourselves, we lept into full farm sustainability and forced creativity to get the bills paid. 6 months in and it is hugely satisfying and very frightening to rely on our customers consistent patronage. But even if we fail in the end result, we know we did not fail in the attempt. We each must do what is best for our own family and our own farm.Donna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.com