tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.comments2023-11-07T06:51:41.301-06:00The Beginning FarmerEthan Bookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333115493519268802noreply@blogger.comBlogger3941125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-18661428261681889422015-09-02T10:16:13.745-05:002015-09-02T10:16:13.745-05:00Failure is a feedback for the future. Fail fast f...Failure is a feedback for the future. Fail fast forward. Thomas Edison found 10,000 ways to not make a light bulb. Remember the "light bulb moment." <br /><br />Leviticus 25:4vanchiashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14814633014429637594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-71662963497830393572015-05-01T12:02:10.669-05:002015-05-01T12:02:10.669-05:00The Founding Fathers were very much behind farming...The Founding Fathers were very much behind farming. I do really enjoy that George Washington quote. Thomas Paine also said, "The first useful class of citizens are the farmers and cultivators. These may be called citizens of the first necessity, because every thing comes originally from the Earth." - letter to Henry Laurens, Spring 1778Founding Fathershttp://www.foundingfatherquotes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-29405068521660069402015-03-04T08:14:18.775-06:002015-03-04T08:14:18.775-06:00Why sell eggs when the margin is so thin? Reliabl...Why sell eggs when the margin is so thin? Reliable cash flow, and to interact with your customers regularly. Those two ideas spring to mind immediately.dfr2010https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865244243226266725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-4563773498992965832015-02-23T12:03:00.544-06:002015-02-23T12:03:00.544-06:00IF I was to buy land that has a CRP on it do I the...IF I was to buy land that has a CRP on it do I then start receiving those payments?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-85413895416076822812015-02-23T08:00:38.600-06:002015-02-23T08:00:38.600-06:00Wow, I can't believe I missed this NYT piece -...Wow, I can't believe I missed this NYT piece - what a downer! It makes me happy to be able to read sites like yours that provide a positive example instead. <br /><br />I've really been trying to wrap my head around these problems lately - especially the barrier of entry for new farmers, and I wonder if a big part of it isn't a matter of scale and vision... That is, perhaps scaling back our vision of what it means to be a "small" farmer, and what it means to live well from farming.<br /><br />As I prepare to launch my own small farm project here in Quebec, I wanted to share with other people my research, calculations and *hopes* about one possible set of options for getting started small - and staying small. I'm calling it "The $1,000 Farm: Agriculture for Cheapskates."<br /><br />https://payhip.com/b/HXG2<br /><br />I set up a coupon code, BEGIN20, that will allow twenty free downloads until March 2nd.<br /><br />I really want to see more small farmers begin and succeed - though I know already how hard it can be. Maybe if we're all going through these challenges together and sharing our results, we'll learn something - or at least feel not quite so alone in the struggle. <br /><br />Keep up the good work, <br />Tim B.Tim Boucherhttp://www.timboucher.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-12791710667358260832015-02-16T15:07:05.644-06:002015-02-16T15:07:05.644-06:00There are so many beginning farmers out there now ...There are so many beginning farmers out there now but I think people of all ages are discovering the empowerment of growing their own food.<br /><br />Http://palemoonfarm.com<br /><br />We are up in Maine and starting making salves and soaps from what we could forage.<br /><br />Our latest hit is the Birch Salve, amazing stuff for winter dry cracked farm hands.Farmer Jon Mainehttp://palemoonfarm.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-4124047515229572142015-02-11T07:43:27.078-06:002015-02-11T07:43:27.078-06:00I am embarking on a major chicken project: I alrea...I am embarking on a major chicken project: I already have chicks down here (central FL) with another order already placed for mid-April. I will be breeding my own after this year, and the first breed I will focus on is Gold-Laced Wyandottes. Another angle on the raising is learning to caponize the cull cockerels.dfr2010https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865244243226266725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-26201757892645559242015-02-10T01:58:59.465-06:002015-02-10T01:58:59.465-06:00Thank you!Thank you!RoysFarmhttp://www.roysfarm.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-17946982139933332282015-01-16T00:59:18.946-06:002015-01-16T00:59:18.946-06:00I don't understand why farmers want anything t...I don't understand why farmers want anything to do with govermental programs like this. Why are the Federal and State governments involved with giving farmers incentives to be good (goverment controlled) farmers? If you give them an inch, then they will take acres. There are crappy people in every profession, are farmers exempt from this fact? Shouldn't a good farmer always be intetested in being a better farmer, no goverment handout (with strings attached) required? I find it sad that it is necessary for our government to regulate farming and industry due to mankind's propensity for greed and laziness. What happened to common sense and being a good neighbor? I find it ironic that the very agency that regulates our industries, can't regulate themselves. It's late, I think I'm starting to ramble - good night : )TheBereangirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01103557723272805558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-34247251147251224522015-01-16T00:31:50.024-06:002015-01-16T00:31:50.024-06:00Honestly, all politicians are high paid actors; no...Honestly, all politicians are high paid actors; none of them have any power to change diddly squat. They ALL work for the psychopaths of banking and industry; the humanity haters who call the shots that make their high paid minions jump into action by screwing over the common man from both sides of any issue, while playing the political blame game. If you really believe they got elected by your votes, then I have some prime farm land in the Florida Everglades to sell ya real cheap. <br />Has anyone else noticed that not only are food prices ridiculously cheap, but housing and land prices are ridiculously high? It sounds like a recipe for destroying farmers and therefore anyone who eats.<br />And as for the "greenhouse gases" nonesence, that has got to be the biggest joke since the 1950's "duck and cover" will save you from a nuclear blast diatribe. What I am trying to say is that Americans would be better off by turning a deaf ear to any and all network media controlled outlets (t.v. programs, movies, radio)and think for themselves, and to return to being family farmers. But what do I know? I'm just a lil' ol' housewife with dreams of being a farm girl ; )TheBereangirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01103557723272805558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-81724430419555959432015-01-15T23:24:36.030-06:002015-01-15T23:24:36.030-06:00A wise man learns from his own mistakes, but a gen...A wise man learns from his own mistakes, but a genius learns from the mistakes of others.TheBereangirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01103557723272805558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-37779602050167683432015-01-14T23:49:12.851-06:002015-01-14T23:49:12.851-06:00Thanks for sharing the above information. its real...Thanks for sharing the above information. its really handy in being prepared for the winter. we decided to lay some horse hay on the ground. We bought it from a <a href="http://www.thehayshed.net.au/" rel="nofollow"> Horse Hay Supplier</a> Greghttp://www.thehayshed.net.au/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-59022203365053130172015-01-07T17:58:07.420-06:002015-01-07T17:58:07.420-06:00Love your podcasts. Grew up in the country in Engl...Love your podcasts. Grew up in the country in England and really appreciate the hardship farmers face.<br /><br />From what I have heard so far you seem to be someone interested in real diverse farming.<br /><br />I wish you every success and will continue to listen to your adventure.<br />Great Local Producehttp://www.greatlocalproduce.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-60778192400346494922014-12-21T07:06:59.202-06:002014-12-21T07:06:59.202-06:00We raised two pigs on pasture last year and our ma...We raised two pigs on pasture last year and our margin was good. This year we raised four. Two have already been processed and we're almost sold out. The other two are destined for whole hog sausage in January. Obviously we can't make a living selling that few hogs, but we haven't had any trouble breaking even (we don't factor in our own labor,fwiw) and the pork is a great complement to our veggies and eggs. We calculate our cost of production and set our prices accordingly. We educate our customers on why our prices are higher than the grocery stores and they come back for more because of the superior taste (and presumably because they prefer how we treat our animals).Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01640663629610290592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-81233410681743119602014-12-18T22:27:12.778-06:002014-12-18T22:27:12.778-06:00One of the main concerns with raising pigs would b...One of the main concerns with raising pigs would be having a reliable food source. Some friends of mine raise 2 pigs per year. Their time is consumed by searching for low cost or free food for the pigs. Vegetable and fruit from a market garden as well as dairy from the farmstead cows/goats/or sheep could provide a large portion of their diet. I would prefer raising pigs because waste from the farm can be used to create a wonderful product. Sheep can provide more saleable products than pork but milking and processing fiber is labor intensive.Hobbyhorse1027https://www.blogger.com/profile/11905525653707915062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-21258851761959843402014-11-12T21:14:07.036-06:002014-11-12T21:14:07.036-06:00I know what you mean Ethan, I think if you are jus...I know what you mean Ethan, I think if you are just raising cattle for yourself and a few others the Dexter is a great breed. I used to think the Scottish Highland cattle were the breed we would like to raise but now I am thinking about Red Devon or the Galloway. Those two breeds are bigger and do real well on grass and hat alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-37658940539958860972014-09-10T11:47:45.879-05:002014-09-10T11:47:45.879-05:00Hi There,
I came across your blog while looking...Hi There, <br /><br />I came across your blog while looking for agriculture blogs and I quickly related as I have always had a huge interest in farming. However, I too grew up in a town setting.<br /><br /> My interest came through my first love of horses, and has grown into the farming and ranching career and lifestyle. I attended the University of Saskatchewan for a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture for one year before deciding to enter the workforce. My dream is still to one day own a farm, and I regret now, not finishing my schooling. <br /><br />With that I have a few questions: <br /><br />1. Before choosing to become a farmer, did you complete a diploma or degree in agriculture to learn what you needed? <br /><br />2. Would you have any advice for another beginning farmer?<br /><br /> 3. What exactly do you farm i.e. crops, hay, vegetables, livestock? <br /><br />4. How big is your farm and where is it located?<br /><br /> On that note, I believe a business plan is hugely important for your farm. I was working for a farm that grew from a small fruit stand to a multimillion dollar business. When I left, they were shipping fruit and vegetables to grocery chains such as Superstore and Save On Foods all around BC because of a great business plan. <br /><br />I found a good link to a website about business plans which I thought might be handy to you: <br /><br />http://nebeginningfarmers.org/farmers/planning-2/business-plan-templates/ <br /><br />I would love to discuss farming more, and look forward to hearing your ideas on being a new farmer!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279147860248255448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-13167592577269778382014-08-11T09:17:40.449-05:002014-08-11T09:17:40.449-05:00Thanks so much QakAndQuail! You can also follow al...Thanks so much QakAndQuail! You can also follow along on my new website (thank I've been trying to transition to for a year) at www.thebeginningfarmer.comEthan Bookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333115493519268802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-13985545279827881822014-08-11T09:16:22.100-05:002014-08-11T09:16:22.100-05:00Donna,
Thanks for the great link and suggestion!Donna,<br /><br />Thanks for the great link and suggestion!Ethan Bookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333115493519268802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-5894274374597221732014-08-07T08:02:46.439-05:002014-08-07T08:02:46.439-05:00We have a great organization here in Central Illin...We have a great organization here in Central Illinois called The Land Connection that does an excellent job not only of training new (small) farmers but also of linking them with older farmers who have land to lease. Terra Brockman is definitely someone you need to connect with.<br />http://thelandconnection.org/central-illinois-farm-beginningsDonna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-641775527737523472014-07-20T23:03:33.758-05:002014-07-20T23:03:33.758-05:00Great show, great blog. Stoked to follow your adve...Great show, great blog. Stoked to follow your adventures.<br /><br />- a fellow beginnerOakAndQuailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03304941110047415411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-66013502317179022642014-07-09T12:19:44.749-05:002014-07-09T12:19:44.749-05:00Agriculture Economics...yeah..lots out there for t...Agriculture Economics...yeah..lots out there for the big guys not so much for us independent guys and gals. But I do highly recommend GRAZE magazine. The editor Joel printed an article I wrote about the cost of producing raw milk, because no one else had or wanted to share those numbers.Donna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-42246958740136207912014-07-04T18:22:58.993-05:002014-07-04T18:22:58.993-05:00Ethan,
I have just discovered your podcasts &...Ethan, <br />I have just discovered your podcasts & and listen to several a day. Listened to this one at work today & heard you mention a video that you watched. I can't remember the name of it. It was a model for making $60K a year raising pigs. Would love to take a look at it & see what he has to say. Can you recall the name of the person who recorded it? Thanks, Kelly B<br />Kelly Breitenwischernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-11147243794297172742014-06-15T17:02:00.960-05:002014-06-15T17:02:00.960-05:00I love reading your blog,
I study at the Royal Ag...I love reading your blog, <br />I study at the Royal Agricultural University in England, and would really appreciate it if you would check out my new farming blog on my journey to becoming a farmer at:<br /><br />http://www.freshertofarmer.com<br /><br />Thank you <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17806733603332995050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35188043.post-10425680460665508802014-06-15T15:22:26.706-05:002014-06-15T15:22:26.706-05:00I had the best luck getting bad pastures to start ...I had the best luck getting bad pastures to start growing a grass mix and clover mix by Adding Lime to the pasture then feeding the cattle herd all Winter with bales of hay on both sides of the pasture and make them walk across the Field and keep moving the hay to make them take different paths to put the best fertilizer you can get all over the Field. In early spring, Then take some chain link fencing and drag it across the whole field to spread all the Cow Manure And That Will Aerate And Fertilize All Naturally.....And Its Free Except Time And Gas! If you want, Spread some Red Clover Seed For more Protein, Clover Loves to grow with Cow Manure And it will put nitrogen in the soil.<br />Or.... You Can Spend Thousands On Fertilizer Every Year????<br /><br />However, This will take a little longer to see results but in a couple years you will have a nice all natural Pasture and it will end up in better shape and the bottom line is to make profit and not give it away and to have the healthiest cattle possible!!!J and J Moo Cattlenoreply@blogger.com