Romantic dreamer? Perhaps.

[Anonymous]

I grew up on a “hobby farm” and didn’t even know it. Talk about being ahead of the curve. We kept chickens for the eggs. Didn’t know there was a term for it, but they were free-ranged with a little grain to get them in the shed at the end of the day. We kept 6-12 milk goats to keep the 4-10 kids in milk (we always had 2-6 foster kids around the house). When there were more goats than kids the extras became the responsibility of the next oldest in line. Being the oldest of all I generally had two goats to milk and care for. Mom and Dad worked in a chain grocery so they were always bringing home all kinds of spoiled produce to feed the pigs. I always wanted a horse, but Dad wasn’t having any of that. By the time I was 14 all I could think about was getting away from that farm.

Funny thing but after 13 countries, 21 states, 3 years in the Marine Corps and 25 years in law enforcement all I can think about is getting back to the farm. To that end we are adding 2 dozen chickens to our little backyard this spring, to bide us over while we look for our 15-20 acres. Once we get the land we’re going to add 2 or 3 goats to the mix. We’ll keep the doelings to grow the herd to as many as 12. All that milk will be to make cheese and soap for sale at local markets.

Maybe in the first year, maybe in the second, we’ll add at least one horse. I’ve always admired the visual power of draft horses over fine lined horses. But on the homesteading forum they are suggesting I might better be served by Fjords or Halflingers. What I dream of doing is having the kind of small farm where we produce the vast majority of our own food, and maybe that of the animals as well. I’m not interested in a huge agri-business type of farm. The horses are to negate the need for a tractor; some plowing, some haying, some manure spreading, and maybe some light transporting firewood. Now and then a trip to town with a small wagon. That won’t seem so odd since I live in Amish country.

Hopefully, by only adding a little bit at a time we will reach a “happy point” before we realize we’ve gone too far and have to sell some stuff off.

[Carl Russell]

Welcome Mike, or is it Jack?:D Sounds like you’re on a good track. We run a small farm such as you describe, replacing the goats with Jerseys. I think the type of horse is immaterial, but the animal power will be a god mix at that scale. Good luck, and join in the discussions. Carl

[goodcompanion]

It’s to your credit that this life is what intrigues and engages you most. If it makes you a “romantic dreamer” to care about producing something real with soil, sun, and muscle in your “retirement,” instead of playing on a golf course outside Tampa, then we need more dreamers.

It’s nice that you have that pension. But don’t buy into the “farm until you run out of money” mentality. Make great cheese and soap charge what it’s worth for it, keeping in mind that by matching the supermarket price, you might well be underselling other hardworking artisan producers.

I agree with Carl that the type of animal doesn’t matter too much. Down in your country you ought to be able to buy a nice pair of grade animals for small money. Wish I could do that as easily! I would tend to think a pair would be more useful than a single on that acreage. You’d probably want to mow, maybe bale hay at some point, and you’d probably want two for those devices in most cases. Plowing too–much easier with two, in my experience.

My helper right now is also a former marine with an interest in these things.

Good luck with everything.

[goodcompanion]

It’s to your credit that this life is what intrigues and engages you most. If it makes you a “romantic dreamer” to care about producing something real with soil, sun, and muscle in your “retirement,” instead of playing on a golf course outside Tampa, then we need more dreamers.

It’s nice that you have that pension. But don’t buy into the “farm until you run out of money” mentality. Make great cheese and soap charge what it’s worth for it, keeping in mind that by matching the supermarket price, you might well be underselling other hardworking artisan producers.

I agree with Carl that the type of animal doesn’t matter too much. Down in your country you ought to be able to buy a nice pair of grade animals for small money. Wish I could do that as easily! I would tend to think a pair would be more useful than a single on that acreage. You’d probably want to mow, maybe bale hay at some point, and you’d probably want two for those devices in most cases. Plowing too–much easier with two, in my experience.

My helper right now is also a former marine with an interest in these things.

Good luck with everything.

[Author]

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