"The Accidental Farmers" :: Chapter 5 Book Report

Because the city of Knoxville kindly suggested (through a phone call and letter) that I remove my chickens from town (I sent them down to my dad's farm) they were not the first farm animals to make an appearance on the farm. It was in fact a group of pigs that showed up on the land and began "the farm" three years ago so I can easily relate to the experiences of Tim and Liz Young and their pig fun. In fact their runaway pig story hits a little too close to home for me. Except in my case it was a full grown sow and it took me weeks to catch her (on the neighbors farm)! Yep ... the pigs have provided plenty of learning opportunities for me ... and I think I almost love them the most of all the livestock on the farm!

As you may expect Mr. Young covers all the basics in this chapter about how pigs just love to be pigs and get out in the pastures and woods rooting to their little hearts content. He writes about the difficulties and set-backs experienced by farrowing outdoors and trusting a pig to do their pig-level best to farrow and raise a great litter (as an aside ... Walter Jeffries of Sugar Mountain Farm always has a lot of good things to say on this topic). And, of course he hits on the topic of castration and why they don't do castration on their farm. I believe I mentioned in a previous comment or post that I'm on the fence when it comes to the castration camp. On one had I can see where they are coming from, on another hand I have the hog farmers in my family talking about boar taint, and then on yet another hand I question my ability right now to have separate paddocks for the boar growers and the gilt growers. Needless to say I think I have a lot of reading and researching to do on that subject.

But, the thing from this chapter that really hit home with me the most is their progression through the various breeds of swine on their farm. I believe they started out with Berkshire and then added the Ossabaw Island pigs (which I REALLY would like to have if anyone nearby would like to share) and have now even moved to Large Blacks. What I can appreciate about Mr. Young's discussion of this topic is that I've experienced the exact same thing as I search for the perfect pigs (and cattle, chickens, sheep, etc.) for the farm. Right now I have a Hereford sow, two Tamworth sows, two Berkshire sows, and two Berkshire/Tamworth sows. My current boar is also a Hereford even though I only have one Hereford sow. I guess you could say that I'm in the experimenting stage!

It is not only with the pigs thought that I'm considering and reconsidering the breeds that I have chosen. Lately I've been wondering if the Dexter is the right direction for me to go with the cattle ... But, I think that is a post for another day!

If you would like a taste of "The Accidental Farmers" and specifically this chapter you can read a sample  here (you'll see a link for chapter five).

How Much Meat ...

My post from yesterday, a couple of the comments, and some things I've been reading lately (Accidental Farmer's, Omnivore's Dilemma, etc.) have me wondering just how much meat one family could be expected to eat in a year ... or as some would pose the question ... how much meat should a family eat in a year. As I think about a farming model based more around the sale of wholes and halves rather than individual cuts I can't help but find myself thinking about how much a family (let's say of four) would need in one year. The profit watching side of me says that they need to buy a lot, but I want to be realistic as well.

Right now I'm raising beef (although I'm not to the point of doing wholes and halves yet), pork, lamb, and hopefully this summer meat chickens and a small amount of turkeys for the fall. On top of that there will be eggs available for sale and there is always the potential for fresh produce (not this year tough). If there were a solid base of customer families or couples committed to the farm and purchasing meat seasonally throughout the year I wonder how much a family/couple would want.

In my mind if I wasn't farming this would be the best way to purchase the meat my family would have throughout the year. I could have a freezer and just pick up different things at different times of the year. Maybe in early fall or late summer I could pick up a half of beef (remember I have small cows) and a turkey for Thanksgiving, maybe a little later a lamb, possibly a hog over the winter or sometime before Easter, and then throughout the summer some chickens until the cycle is started again. Of course this would take a little sacrifice/saving when it comes to meal planning throughout the year, but it would also give someone a lot of choices when it came to meat.

Of course that may be a little (or a lot) too much meat for some folks, so it could be altered a little. Maybe you still get a whole hog, but only a 1/4 of a beef (which wouldn't be a lot of Dexter beef), and then some poultry in the summer. I think there are lots of ways to attack this type of marketing and I think it has huge benefits for both the farmer and the consumer.

What do you think? How much meat would you be comfortable having throughout the year if you were buying in bulk (think wholes and halves)? Is that something you would even consider doing or does it seem inconvenient and possibly restricting when it comes to the meals you can eat throughout the year? I'd love to hear your thoughts

Farm Customers ...

Over the past 12 months I have marketed Crooked Gap Farm products online through The Iowa Food Coop, Facebook, Twitter, the Crooked Gap Farm website, e-mail lists, on farm, word-of-mouth, and of course a season at a farmer's market. Some of those methods have been very successful for the farm (especially considering the small-scale that the farm is at now) and others have been great learning experiences for the future. Without a doubt though I would say that each one as been an important part of the my farm marketing education.

In this coming year I see more of the same for marketing with two (hopefully) major exceptions. First of all I'm hoping that this year will see a move to a bigger and potentially more profitable market (even if only on an eight week probationary level). I've sent in the application for the Downtown Des Moines Farmer's Market and now I'm just awaiting the reply. I'm also looking at the possibility of a Thursday evening market in Des Moines as well, but I need to do a bit more research on that one (if anyone has any experiences with it I'd love to hear them). The nice thing about the farmer's market is that it gives me a chance to tell the story and talk to a lot of people ... it's a game of numbers ... the more people I can talk to at the booth the more product I can sell.

But, I'm also hoping to see an expansion of those "on farm" or word of mouth sales. Specifically I'm talking about more sales of whole and half animals such as lamb, pork, and poultry. It is these types of sales that I'm most interested in making and working towards in my marketing. Not because I don't like the other methods or those types of interaction, but rather I think that the sales of wholes and halves gives the consumers and farmers greater interaction. I know I've heard Tim and Liz Young of Nature's Harmony Farm talk about it before, but a customer farmer relationship like this seems like it could be very (or even most) sustainable.

My question then is this ... how many customers do you need to make the farm financially, emotionally, and physically sustainable. Of course these customers would need to be committed to the farm and buying in bulk (and have a freezer), but if they were how many would you need. I thinking a family that throughout the year could buy a half or whole hog, a half of beef (remember I have small cows), a lamb, a few chickens, a turkey, some eggs, and maybe even overflow from the garden. If there was a family of four or five and they were doing something like that spread though out the year how many customers do you think you would need?

Just an interesting question to think about ... at least it is for me ;)

"The Accidental Farmers" :: Chapter 4 Book Report

If you would allow me to use a bit of a pun right now I would like to say that chapter four of Tim Young's new book really gets to the "meat" of the values behind their farm. I thought of that one right away ... I promise! But, really this chapter is about why they have decided to focus on meats at Nature's Harmony Farm instead of going with a CSA or market garden and I would have to say that I agree with at least one of their most basic premises ... that eating meat is just part of who they are and they like it! That is probably one of the biggest reasons I went the route of a livestock farm. Because I just love to eat meat ... especially more than vegetables, but I realize I need to work on that.

This chapter is an interesting one to read though especially after Monday's post on the topic of "propaganda". I think (according to the dictionary definition of the word propaganda) that this chapter could be labeled propaganda. Now as I say that please don't think I disagree with the way they are choosing to raise their animals, just understand that I'm just looking at the definitions of propaganda and seeing that Mr. Young is using ideas, facts, and information to promote his cause. At the same time I'm sure there are other farmers out there that would read this chapter and say that he is focusing on rumor and allegations. I don't think that is necessarily the case ... I'm just saying it that if some conventional farming advocates got their hands on this chapter they may like to disagree with Mr. Young. Which I think he would have no problem with ... at least that is what I think.

What I can appreciate about a chapter like this one is that it allows you to see the thought process that formed their values and farming purpose. But, what really jumped out at me is the real disconnect that he writes about having with his food prior to beginning the farm. Obviously I grew up in very agriculturally minded state and had family members out on the farm, so even though I wasn't a "farm kid" I had a connection. Even as a young boy I knew about confinement houses, feed lots, and things of that nature. Although I did not wonder whether it was a good idea to raise pigs inside on cement I at least knew where the pork on the grill was coming from.

I what a deeper look at this chapter does for me is make me realize how important my individual farm story is ... and how important the story is of Nature's Harmony Farm ... and every other farm out there. And that is truly what I love about my farm. I love the fact that because of the farm I have a chance to tell the story and share with other people the beauty of cows and pigs and chickens and sheep and people out living and enjoying and soaking it all in (I like to use the word and)!!!

While I may not agree with everything in this chapter (and others may not even agree with this chapter existing in book like this), I do appreciate the way that it makes me think and remember the story that I and other farmers have to tell. I love to tell a story ... any story actually ... especially ones I'm passionate about!

Alternative Feeds?

If you've read my blog lately I'm sure you've noticed that the price of feed is something that has been on my mind a lot lately. When spring and summer gets here I'm hoping and expecting that my pigs will be getting a portion of their feed from the woods and pasture, but even then the prices (which may even keep rising) will have a huge impact on the farm.

A few posts ago I mentioned that I'm hoping to try some open-pollinated corn this year, but I'm interested in other options as well. I've been reading articles about feeding dried distillers grains ... I've been looking for alternative protein sources ... and I've been going back through some of the "pig" books that I have looking for ideas. But, I don't feel like I've come up with the right option.

I'm still looking for ideas though. If you have any tips or suggestions I would love to hear them ... and I'm sure others would as well!

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Muddy Hole Farm

life in the muddy hole

There was a time last year when I was searching for a new farm name that I wanted to call the farm "Muddy Hole Farm". I thought it was a fitting name because there always seems to be mud on the farm somewhere and because it works with the whole pig being a pig thing. Of course there was also the historical aspect of the name because "Muddy Hole" was the name of one of George Washington's farms. But, after careful though and input from others I decided maybe it just didn't convey that picture of a beautiful pasture based farm! I still say the name would fit though ... I mean just take a look at this picture on the right.

Mud is always going to be an issue on any farm, but it is compounded a little on this farm because I don't have gravel in some of the areas that are highly traveled by the tractor or even in the shed. This of course leads to some major ruts, the possibility of getting stuck, and some major muddy holes in the shed. If I can work it out this year I'm going to try and get some more gravel on the farm so that I can still function in these muddy times. For example if I needed to get to my livestock trailer today I don't think I would be able to get it out of the shed or even to a place where I could load pigs.

Of course I need to remember that getting all worked up about the mud right now will probably mean that later this summer there will be no mud in sight and I'll be wishing for some mud puddles!

In a completely unrelated note I've been working on creating a new résumé for my job search and I would love some help. In the past my résumés have been fairly bland and just a listing of places where I've worked and then things that I've done. Since I'm looking to move to a job that is different than all the others I've had in the past I've decided to create a more functional résumé that shares my skills and abilities. If you have any experience with résumés I would love to share mine with you and get some advice. Please just shoot me an e-mail and I send one to you. Thanks again for all the help and encouragement you all have been giving me.

"The Accidental Farmers" :: Chapter 3 Book Report

Chapter three in Tim Young's new book is titled "The Accidental Farmers", but I think it could easily have been titled "Why We Farm". As you make your way through this chapter (and the previous ones) you begin to see the picture behind Nature's Harmony Farm and how the ended up in the place they did ... which is with a farm out in the country raising animals exactly how they believe they should be raised. But, this chapter specifically, more so than the previous three, gets into a lot of the reasoning behind their farming values and goals. I think you can almost see the wheels turning in Mr. and Mrs. Young's heads as you read through this chapter! In fact when you make it to page 59 you will find a list that details some of their "reasons" for the farm (I'll let you pick up a copy to check out that list if you'd like).

The one recurring thought that I had though as I read this chapter is how does a farmer balance the financial needs of the farm/family with the vital farm values and goals that they have. On one hand this chapter is about the realization that the farm is not a way to profit (in the way that someone coming from a corporate background would see it), but also that the farm needs to make a profit and not wear everyone out along the way. It seems like a tight wire act to balance those to needs ... the need to have a farm that is built around your values and the need to make a living. I am not suggesting that the two don't go together, but I am suggesting that there is a fine line and you have to keep that all in mind as you work through your farm life.

I will also say that as I read through this book it seems like I have a hundred questions after finishing each chapter. I think that is a good thing because it makes me think about my values, my farm, and the way I go about everything, but at the same time it makes me wish I could have a couple days with Mr. Young to swap stories and gather information from a more business oriented mind than I have! I do appreciate that about a book though ... I think it is a good thing when a book makes you have more questions than when you started with because that means it is causing you to think and look at things from different angles. I know things like that help me on my farm!

Farming Propaganda ...

The other day I happened to be making a delivery during 1040 WHO's "Big Show" (that's the agricultural show if you're scoring at home). It was a rare occurrence because usually I'm safe and sound inside the store or eating lunch during that show, but the other day I was able to catch just a tiny tidbit of it while they were broadcasting from the "Commodity Classic" or something like that and using it as an opportunity to share their disagreement and possible dislike of Michael Pollan, Food, Inc., and other things along those lines. I would consider myself a fan of the "Big Show" even though I may disagree with them from time to time. And, I really have no problem with them refuting things from Food Inc. or Mr. Pollan ... I mean that is the beauty of our country right ... opinions ...


What really struck me though is that each side of the "battle" is accusing the other of spreading propaganda. Which lead me to the definition of propaganda ... according to Merriam-Webster ::

• the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
• ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect

The crazy thing about that definition is that whether or not something is truth is not a part of propaganda. It is all about using a certain set of facts or information in order to sway people to your way of think. With that definition of propaganda one could say that every issue in the world right now has propaganda on both sides of that issue. That is why the Corn Refiners Association is putting out this commercial and my King Corn friends have made this spoof. It is why Mr. Pollan has written The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals and The Center for Consumer Freedom has published articles like this, this, and this.

Do you know what I think of all that? I think I enjoy reading Mr. Pollan's books and articles. I think I enjoy listening to "The Big Show" even when I disagree with them ... even when I disagree strongly with them. I think that there is probably some problem with High Fructose Corn Syrup and that I probably eat too much of it with out thinking about it. At the same time I think it's funny that the spoof by my "King Corn" friends uses tobacco to prove their point ... some would say that their commercial was also an anti-tobacco spoof (I think that is ironic). I think that we should be paying more for food and I think that those that argue for the need of industrial agriculture because of starvation worldwide should be spending more time overseas helping feed people instead of writing about it or fighting for a system that may or may not be helping those really in need ... (I think a lot as you can see) ...

But, do you really want to know what I think? I think I raise great pork chops, bacon, roasts, burgers, and all sorts of other goodies. I think I raise food that has a taste that you won't find at your local box store. I think I love when I hear former conventional confinement hog farmers lament that the pork chops that they were raising tasted nothing like the beauties they ate when they were a kid ... his honest to goodness description of the pork chops he was raising ... "cardboard" ... that's what he said! Basically I think I raise some great tasting pork and beef (and eventually lamb and poultry) and I think everyone should buy some because they will love the way it tastes and will find out that meat does have taste that makes your mouth water. 

How about that for your daily dose of propaganda. What do You think? Does this farm propaganda frustrate you? Make you think? Or maybe make you tune it out? I know that I just want to continue raising great food in a great way as long as there are people that appreciate it and love it!

I Want to Feel Corny ...

The combination of rising feed costs, my current job changes/situation, and my desire to make the farm work has me thinking a lot about corn lately. Specifically I'm thinking of growing some of my own corn this year for livestock feed ... at least enough to experiment with that is. I currently have a couple of areas that I'm thinking of planting. One of the areas is where the pigs lived a couple of years ago and where the cows wintered last year. The other area is where the sheep and cows wintered this year. I figured that both of those areas would have a few extra nutrients that might help things along a little bit. Also, both areas have both been "sacrifice" areas that would need to be replanted anyways so I think it makes sense to try my hand at growing corn.

Like everything else on the farm my corn growing knowledge is limited ... very limited actually! Of course I have raised small amount of seed corn in the past, but I've never done anything beyond that. As soon as it is possible in the spring I will need to plow up those areas and disc it all (a few times I'm sure). From there I'll need to get some seed into the ground ... which I haven't quite figured out yet. I do have a single row garden seeder around, but I need to get a belt for it and see if it will work. If that doesn't work out I guess I can always do it by hand. If I'm really good this summer maybe I could even talk my uncle into bringing down one of his Minneapolis Molines with a cultivator.

As you can see I don't have my mind fully around this idea yet other than knowing that I want to do it. I'm very interested in all of the suggestions that you may have. I'm looking for some ideas on finding some good open-pollinated corn, help with planting and cultivating, harvesting ideas (I'm thinking hand picking it), storage (on the cheap), and anything else. This would be a totally new direction for me and one that I didn't really expect to make at this point, but I'm interested in trying it out on an experimental level at least and seeing if I could come up with something in the future.

"The Accidental Farmers" :: Chapter 2 Book Report

Chapter two of Tim Young's new book, "The Accidental Farmers" delves deeper into their transition from the crazy city life that they lived before to the new life on the farm. In most ways I cannot relate to their experiences because even though I have for the most part only lived in town or at least within a community of people (I did spend two years working at a boarding school in the country), I have always been fairly connected to the country and in some small way the farming life. For me the move to the country was really just a culmination of my life dreams. Ever since I was a young kind I've always wanted to live in the country or out in wild as it were (there was a time when I wanted to be a park ranger). Even though I couldn't relate on many levels I did appreciate Mr. Young's honesty about just where they were coming from and why they felt led to leave.

What I can relate to is the optimistic picture he had of the farm when he was looking at it for the first time. Even though it was really just 70 plus acres of weeds and brush he looked at it and pictured what was possible. I often (even in the midst of frustration and doubt) look out over my farm and picture just what it could be. I picture the pastures thriving, the set-up perfect, the woods teeming with life, and me out there taking care of it all. I suppose if you can't see that then you shouldn't be out there trying to heal the land.

That's just my 20 second review ...for what it's worth

"The Accidental Farmers" :: Chapter 1 Book Report

When I heard that Tim Young of Nature's Harmony Farm was writing a book I knew with out a doubt that it would be reading it and I was fairly certain that I would enjoy it. I was able to be pretty confident of those two points because I have been following along with his farm since the beginning and I've enjoyed and appreciated his blog posts, e-mails, and podcasts. So, now that I have my hands on a copy I'm beginning to make my way through the book. The first section of the book deals with the "Birth of a Farm" ... their farm specifically ... while the second section is more about their values, methods, and farm in general. If your interested in a copy of the book for yourself be sure to click through to Amazon.com from the picture to the right.

Chapter one of "The Accidental Farmers" deals with the awaking that Tim and Liz Young had that eventually (and by eventually I mean fairly quickly) to the farm. The Young's were living the typical "American Dream" life in suburban America when a trip to the country changed their outlook on life and on their values and goals ... at least that is what I'm taking away from this first chapter. I really appreciate the honesty and picture that Mr. Young paints in this chapter as he shows how they made the decision to transition to the farm.

I think it is a good reminder to follow our passions and look for ways to make them happen. Thanks to a few suggestions on one of my previous blog posts I'm also reading 48 Days to the Work You Love: Preparing for the New Normal by Dan Miller and I appreciate the idea of making your work your passion. If nothing else this first chapter may give you some encouragement to to form your values and think outside of the box.

My Kingdom for a Horse ...

"A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse." At least that is what King Richard III says in Shakespeare's Richard III (this blog has really gone high brow if I quote Shakespeare). Lately though I've been thinking ... "A job! A job! My kingdom (or farm) for a job!" The cold hard reality is that the farm is not ready to carry itself quite yet and it might not be ready for some time. As much as I would love to just throw myself into it and give it a go there just isn't enough money in the back to tide it over until things get up and going to the level it would need to be at. So I need a job ... a decent job ... in the area where the farm is ... that will allow me to keep farming at least on some level (if I want to keep the farm going).

Right now that seems like the tallest order possible. Obviously it is not the best job market out there right now, and finding a job that is in my area and provides enough financial stability with my Associate of Arts degree is proving more difficult than I had hoped. For the previous ten-and-a-half years I have done basically the same job ... working in ministry with students (both in church's and at a boarding school). To be completely honest though my biggest struggle is trying to figure out how my past experience translates into a job in the secular world.

There is me ... being brutally honest. I guess what I'm saying is if you have any tips, suggestions, job searching ideas, leads, snide remarks, or help of any sort I'm open and willing to take it all! This is something that I've never experienced before (and yes I understand that so many are having to deal with it ... and probably worse than I am) so I'm humbly asking for help.

Thank you all for your support ...

Dirty Coveralls

The other day as I was throwing on my coveralls and boots in the mud room I became acutely aware of just how dirty, smelly, and blown out those poor coveralls were. That of course makes perfect sense because I wear them every day throughout the winter and I put them through a lot of abuse and of course they never fail to snag on any little sharp edge that I cross paths with. But, the reason that it really hit home with me is because it wasn't that long ago that I was at my uncle's plow day and he and my cousin were commenting on just how clean and nice looking my coveralls were ... they looked like I didn't even do any work (and to be fair to them the only thing I used them for at the time was shoveling snow).

But now ... well now they are just pretty nasty and worn and ... and ... and I love them! I love the fact that I have dirty, smelly, and blown out coveralls. I love the fact that I haven't taken the time to wash them yet this winter (in hindsight I should probably make time) because they are just such an important part of my "winter on the farm" arsenal. These coveralls have protected me from the cold and wind on the bitter winter days, they've protected my "good clothes" from the mud and yuck and other farm related goop, they've provided they perfect place to wipe my dirty goods, and they have become a visible reminder of what I'm doing.

It amazes me that such a little comment about the lack of dirt and wear on my coveralls is a comment that would stick with me, but if I'm honest with myself it amazes me even more that they are dirty, smelly, and blown out. Five years ago if you would have painted me a picture of the farm that is now a part of me I would have never believed it. I would have wanted it, but I would have never believed it! Despite all of the limiting factors (see yesterday's post) and the things that continually get me down and make me feel defeated on the farm I know that I've come a long ways and that I'm making progress.

I think that is what makes things so difficult. The fact that I've made progress and I'm seeing things come together (in there very slow way) makes me see and believe that the farm is possible. At the same time though the changing landscape of my life sometimes has me doubting the possibility of moving the farm to another level. If nothing else though I now have some dirty, smelly, and blown out coveralls ... and a stack of worn out mud boots ...

**That's my philosophical and introspective post for the week ;) Check back tomorrow and I'll try to be a bit more normal **

Limiting Factors ...

Sometimes when I think about the farm I think about what I've done and what could have been done differently. Or more specifically, how I would do things differently if I started over again. All of those thoughts lead me to what I consider the limiting factors are for my farm ... not that they spell the end, but just that they are factors that limit my growth and that to succeed at a greater level I need to get past these factors. I also think they are good things for other beginning farmers like myself to consider. So ... here a four of my major limiting factors (as far as I see it) ::

Knowledge :: As has been discussed numerous times on this blog my farming background prior to starting consisted of weekends as a child at my dad's and uncle's where I was just there to tag along. This has meant that there has been a huge learning curve as I try to learn everything from books, questions, phone calls, and of course trial and error. Learning on the fly is wonderful in some ways because it causes you to really grasp something fully and think about the why's and how's of what you are actually doing. But, it can also mean that there are consequences for the lack of knowledge and there have been plenty of times that I've had to pay the consequences for not knowing enough in certain situations.

Time :: This is an interesting limiting factor and I think in some beginning farms it would be less of a factor than it is in my farm. With my desire to start a pasture based livestock farm and my lack of large amounts of cash (see the next two limiting factors below) I needed to continue working a full-time job in town to help pay the farm mortgage. Because my time is always limited the amount of time I have to spend on marketing or other things important to a direct marketing farm is much less than I would like, especially after taking time to do chores and other farm jobs. It also means that I have less time to do projects that would make the farm more efficient or help the farm grow more quickly. Time is one of the limiting factors that I butt my head up against the most it seems.

Land :: From the outset of my farm thoughts and adventure it was obvious to me that I wanted to have a pasture based livestock farm. That is just where my passions were and it is what got my juices really flowing. The thing about livestock though is that they take much more land than rows of carrots, beans, lettuce, and other garden fare. So, I ended up with 40 acres (even though that is very small in the livestock farm realm). At some point land becomes a limiting factor to my growth because even a great pasture has a limit to what it can carry. There is also the whole factor of the land payment (which also connects to the next limiting factor). With my still owned by the wonderful lending institutions I have to make payments and even on a relatively small 40 acre farm those are big enough payments. If I was farming this land and it was owned free and clear ... well, let's just say that I would have to be making a lot less money! One other factor with the land though that I know some will think about is the fact that there are other farmers out there doing stocker cattle or grassfed livestock on rented ground. I think that can be a very profitable venture and a great thing for a beginner ... if you have experience ... which I do not have.

Money :: Of course this is the obvious one, so I won't spend much time on it. But, if I had begun my farm with a decent amount of capital and I was able to pay for the farm or at least pay enough that the land payments weren't a huge factor then other things would fall into place. Or, if I was making more money in town that allowed me to hire work done (things like fence, water systems, electricity to my shed, structures, etc.) my time could be spent in other areas of growth. I'm not going to lament the money issue though. It is what it is and everyone has to deal with it in some way. I'm just saying it is one of those limiting factors that one should think about when they are diving in head first to a farm.

This is the end all list of limiting factors and points to consider when beginning a farm (or continuing a farm), but these four are the ones that pop up most in my mind as I drive around the Iowa country side and ponder the Crooked Gap. I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject and what some of your limiting factors are, and if I get really ambitious I'll try to share (it will take a while) what I would have done different if I knew what I know now.

Pricing ...

When the first pigs were ready on the farm pricing was a big deal and something that was difficult to figure out. Then when the first individual cuts were ready for sale pricing became even more confusing ... at least trying to figure out what price to give each cut was confusing. Pricing is an interesting thing though because when the first prices were made my custom pig ration was running about $3.50 on average per 50 lb. bag. Now here I am over a year later (corn is now over $7 a bushel soybeans are over $13 per bushel) and the same feed is running around $8 plus per bag (unfortunately the bags are still 50 lbs.). Obviously that means that it will cost twice as much to finish a pig on the farm and that doesn't even include the rising prices of other things (fuel, materials, etc.).

One of the major upsides of direct marketing (besides getting to know the consumers) is that you can become a price maker instead of a price taker. One of the major downsides of direct marketing is that being a price maker means that sometimes I need to raise my prices to make the farm financially sustainable. Right now the live hog market seems to generally be trending up with feed prices (I realize that always/usually isn't the case), but I haven't raised my prices.

I understand that price change ... an upward price change ... might be hard to handle for some customers. With my current job changes and situations, farm mortgage, and the inputs it takes to run the farm I'm acutely aware of the fact that we need to watch every penny and squeeze them even tighter. But, on the flip side if I don't work to make the farm financially sustainable then there will be no farm for consumers like ours to visit and purchase from

I feel very strongly about the importance of farms like Crooked Gap Farm. I believe it is important to be able to get great, clean, healthy meat from your own area. I know that we need strong local business (including farms) to help sustain a community. I'm very passionate about the farm and what it's all about ... but, I hate the idea of raising prices ... even if it's what needs to happen.

A Friendly Reminder ...

Sometimes I just need to give myself friendly little reminders. Today's reminder has to do with the image above ... yesterday it touched the lower 70's on the farm and it was just wonderful. All the snow is gone up around the house and the buildings and I would say that the ground was even beginning to dry up and the puddles were disappearing. But, as you can see above the weather is about to change a bit and I think I'm going to be reminded that it's still February (although I'm never going to get upset about temps in the 30's as long as everything keeps drying).

Even though there hasn't been as much snow as last year I feel like this has been a long winer and I'm ready to move on and start getting projects done on the farm instead of just keeping up with things. It's not that I think I will have much more time when the weather gets warmer, but that the sun will stay out to play longer so that I will be more efficient with the time that I have.

Like I say ... sometimes I need a friendly little reminder on the farm. Today I need to be reminded that spring is not here yet (but it's coming) and that today's mud will eventually turn into summer's green grass. That will happen right ...

Bar the Doors and Lock up Your Pigs

With live hog prices hitting $60 plus dollars per hundred weight and feeder pig prices going through the roof I have a feeling stories like this won't be completely out of the ordinary. That's right ... in my own little Iowa county a couple of hog rustlers have been caught trying to take 13 stolen hogs to the sale barn. I guess they decided that with feed prices going through the roof it would be easier and more profitable to steal the pigs instead of raise them and feed them out ... of course I don't think they factored in the possibility of getting caught!

The pigs were valued at $2408 (which breaks down to $185.23 per pig). Let's just say that I'm going to keep eye on my pigs from now on ... of course someone stealing my pigs would entail them actually penning them back up (yes they like to get out) and then loading them into a trailer. I think I'll be safe ...

Mud and Farrowing Fun ...

It has been unseasonably warm lately. The kind of warm that has me thinking about spring and green grass, but I'm trying to keep myself grounded and remember that it is still the middle of February. Obviously the frost hasn't left the ground yet, but the top couple of inches are thawing and making everything nice and muddy ... which I'm not going to complain about! The warm weather though came at just the perfect time though because yesterday my second Tamworth sow farrowed in the lean-to off the back of the shed. You can check out my Twitter feed to see the new picture.

This sow was the last of the group of four I purchased a few weeks ago and so far so good with her. Well I guess I should say ... so far so okay. She, like the others, would not farrow in the huts and I'm a little disappointed that the instinct of building a nest in them did not come out like I've experienced with some of my other sows (the Hereford and the crosses). She did only lose one so far (it was dead when I found it) and after a few hours I was able to get her calmed down and in the hut with her pigs. I checked her throughout the night and then again this morning and the only problem was that one little pig had found its way out. I nailed a board up on the door hoping to keep them in, but I did that last night as well and the sow wouldn't go in ... I'm hoping that her spending the night in the hut will take care of that problem.

It's during these farrowing times and other times like this that I realize just how much I have to learn! Don't get me wrong, I do feel like I've come a long way, but there are plenty of times when I feel like things aren't going well and I don't know what I'm doing! You just have to keep your chin up and keep pressing on though ...

2011 Farmer's Markets Season

Either it is the seven day forecast that includes above freezing temperatures that has me thinking about the upcoming market season or the e-mail that I received from the Des Moines Downtown Farmer's Market, either way it's really on my mind. This year I'm really hoping to up my market involvement and the farm's visibility to consumers. I think it is just the next natural step in the process of a beginning farm.

Last summer I did a Wednesday evening market that was more small than it was large. It would have been nice to have a slightly more successful market season, but in all honestly it was a perfect start for me. Since I had no background in marketing or setting up a booth it was good to have a chance to get things going at a market that was a little less stressful. I took away a lot of things ... things that I need to change and things that I need to improve in order to make more sales and to be more efficient. For example, I feel like I need to come up with a better system for checking out customers ... it just seemed slow!

But, the one thing I really need help with is my farmer's market booth/space/tent thing. I feel like all those fruit and vegetable farmers have it easy because they can cover their tables with their beautiful produce each week. On the other hand when I show up at the farmer's market I have coolers full of frozen meat. That is not exactly something you want to put out on the table for customers to look at ... the rancid meat isn't a super draw! So, I have to come up with a super duper market table that catches the eye of all the customers walking by and draws them in.

If anyone has any ideas or examples of what you've done in the past please let me know. I'm always on the lookout for some creative help and great ideas! Also, if there are any books or publications please let me know. I did come across this book on Amazon though ... it has some decent reviews, so I might check it out.

Little Things and a Thank You ...

Sometimes it's the little things on the farm that amaze me. Or more specifically the little things that have become routine parts of my life since taking on the farm. Here are just a few mundane and not so mundane things that have become part of my farming life. For someone who grew up on the farm these things are just things that happen in the course of the life of a farm ... for me ... well, let's just say I didn't grow up on the farm!

• I am working on perfecting the art of the hose drain. After stretching out the 300 feet of hose to water the hogs/cattle/sheep I need to drain all of the water out in order to keep the hose from freezing shut. I've worked out a great system ... I hold the hose above my head and count to fifteen (my unscientific research tells me that 15 is the perfect number). After my fifteen count I reach ahead a couple of feet and repeat the process. I do this every day ...
• In the past week I've had to lance an infection on a baby pig not once, but twice. Many people that have known me my whole life might be surprised that I just take this as part of the farm and that I can do it without losing my cookies. Let's just say that most of the time I don't have a stomach for most things, but for some reason when it comes to the farm I can just dig in and do it. Even when there was that rectal prolapse that one time ...
• Circumstances that I have had no control over this winter have led to my arms being completely submerged in water ... while the temperature is hovering around zero and the water temperature was struggling to stay above freezing. It's just one of those things that you have to do on the farm.
• A few weeks ago I spent an hour laying in deep bedding in the pig shed trying to introduce some baby pigs back to their mother who had decided to have them in the alleyway instead of in the hut. Of course prior to me laying in the deep bedding I was in the house feeding the little pigs some electrolytes and warming them up while their mother was trying to tear apart the hut I had put her in ... in the end things kinda worked out.

Those things may seem simple or common place for those with more experience than me, but at the end of the day I'm proud that I can accomplish something! Sometimes it's just important to find comfort and strength in the simple things of the farm ... even if they are a little out of the ordinary.

There is one more thing though. I just want to send out a big thank You for the surprise gift that I received this week. Let's just say someone really knows me and I'm thankful to have them in my life. I can't even begin to express my gratitude and I hope this gets to You! Thank You ...