(updated 9/20/2024)
Seems that we now have a builder that is going to come out and finish was another company started. That is to get us from 1 bedroom, which is what we have right now, adding 3 bedrooms and 2 baths so we can have some room to stretch. Hoping for the best. I hope, because the stress is unimaginable right now. I have to say I have sought Jesus more in the last many months that I perhaps have over the last couple of years. So – here we are.
I am adding a link that I am going to try with our 2 y/o mare. Here’s to new things…..
https://www.facebook.com/reel/3276032139199702
(updated 2/27/2024 below)
A picture is worth a thousand words. Here is a pile of junk that has sat in this paddock since we moved in last year. That pile of junk sat in the backyard of my last house for at least 5 years previously. In the upcoming days, weeks and hopefully only the next couple months, I will be getting all of this junk in place and functioning as part of the hydroponics/aquaponics setup within the greenhouse. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s been marinating in my mind for the last many years. Time to turn this junk into treasure and get it producing.
Junk Pile: (pictures coming)
First weekend to get started on the greenhouse. Got the layout/placement finally determined and the hoops up:
This past weekend, I got the purlins installed (braces to hold the hoops in place):
Attached the top end runs of c-channel, (which is how the plastic covering will be attached to the greenhouse):
And installed some low piping in the northwest corner to serve two functions. (Keep the horses away from the Gas line and water line and to serve as a an enclosure for ease of access from outside of the greenhouse to the gasoline, should it need to be accessed):
It’s coming along. Did have a minor disaster this weekend, with one of our chickens being overtake by mites. He was actually burned in the coop fire a while back and evidently that left him exposed to pests. He is quarantined and is being treated. We also had to clear out the entire coop and disinfect it as well with some coop spray and DE. I really dislike any type of toxins getting around my livestock, but in this instance it was necessary and urgent, if we didn’t want to start over. Which, truth be told, may end up having to happen anyway. But will keep a close eye in the situation. Egg production was up to anywhere between 8-11 eggs per day between the 13 hens we have. We are going to have to dump the eggs for the next while, so that we don’t end up taking any of that in. And so we continue the journey.
Another note, that I’m not excited to share, but feel that I should. I told the manufacturers of the timer that caught fire from Amazon and how it caused some substantial damage. They ignored the notification. The coop is repaired as I said before, but now in need of a new cement mixer to get another couple projects done. Adding it to the wishlist.
Update 1/31/2024
We have made significant progress, but still have so far to go. The greenhouse area is marked off, we have added a paddock for our horses and donkey. Yes, I said donkey. 🙂 He’s such a treat. To be honest, all three of our equine are awesome. In September we had our builders build my workshop, which is to say, they built the bones, put on exterior walls, some doors and a roof AND they did quite a good job. I put in the insulation, wiring, a breaker panel and then ran that to the pole. Installed walls, all the electrical outlets, light and fan switches as well as a ceiling fan. From there I put up pegboard and lined the walls with tools, shelving, etc. Ready to go….. Built a chicken coop and yes we now have chickens. Built a lean-to for the donkey and a covered patio to cook out on. Also, figured out that the gray water drains down into one of the paddocks. I have since modified the plumbing to extend it out of the paddock altogether. And lad but not least. Had a fire in the chicken coop, repaired it and had three busted pipes so far…. It’s been a journey to say the least.
BUT NOW… we are waiting on our builders to build our addition which will give us 3 more rooms, 2 more bathrooms and a larger utility room so we can give our son his room to him. It’s actually quite frustrating right now and I am having to actively look for a plan b, because I’m no longer convinced that they are going to get to it anytime soon. I truly hope that is not the case however.
Aside from that. We have had our ups and down with attitudes of everyone, including myself. But, I will say, last month we decided to become members at our local church to start growing some roots. We have made several friends in the community and we are looking forward to strengthening those relationship. As for now. Lots of work yet to be done.
updated 9/16/2023
We are a family of five who are going to explore the great unknown of starting a farm out in the country. Our hope is that the experience will get us closer to one another as well as learning animal husbandry, to learn to live off the land – yet give back not only to the earth, but the community as well.
For many years, I would consider myself an advocate of trying to live green. I have tried solar and it’s problematic to say the least. We will be trying varied methods of generating energy through wind harvesting and even try our go at catching wind to run through the greenhouse, to lessen the burden of the grid. I.E. saving electricity. In the meantime, we’ll be connected to the grid like everyone else, but will be moving at least partially to natural gas soon. BUT… our main goals are these…
- Create a permaculture habitat to not only utilize the resources of the earth, but to give back to the Earth in a way to where it becomes more than what it started as – through the raising of many different varieties of animals and produce, but doing it in an organized and productive manner.
- Raise and breed animals for meat, milk, eggs and other products.
- Utilize enhanced soil building methods and aquaculture methods to grow various vegetables and fruits, through the raising and harvesting of fish and fish by-products.
- Invest in people through building relationships, teaching, sharing and loving on them.
As we get started and build up the farm, we are going to be learning a lot – I’m sure tons of trial and error, but perhaps we have a good grounding and can get connected to the right people to help guide us along during this adventure. Will keep you posted.
2023/09 – Update:
We finally got to move into our new property as of June 30. It took several months to get the property ready, to get the house packed up and ready to lease and then get the house moved to Comanche. What a special time.
Here’s what’s up. Kids are in their new schools. Build a cooking area, chicken coop, goat enclosure, a windbreak for the horses and donkey and got a new gas line put in. All since we moved into the house. Bought two horses. Bought a donkey. Bought 23 chicks. Now, we are waiting to get the shop built, the new utility built and then the addition built. Dates have slipped significantly, so we are biding our time, but not sure as to how much longer this can go one with dates slipping. May have to find another builder. I say all that, to include this picture, courtesy of Lentz Photography. My wife’s best friend. It has been raining the last many days and we are so grateful. This is from this morning, just as another storm was coming in and just after a double rainbow had appeared. What a magnificent experience.
2023/05 – Update:
Livestock:
In the process of choosing our first 2 calves to start them grazing. Worked out a lease agreement with a neighbor to allow my “herd” graze through the year and I will provide hay to over-winter them as well as theirs. Also worked out a lease agreement with another neighbor to mow the hay on our land. I will have to admit that I’m not a fan of putting down weed killer, but evidently that is something that he’s done on the property for several years as was agreed with the previous owner. Once I’ve got a good foothold on this all, I will need to move it to no pesticides or herbicides. Evidently it’s a common practice among farmers in the area and perhaps throughout the U.S.
Regarding other livestock… We are considering what else we are going to add, right off the bat. Chickens will come and as it stands, likely a donkey. Still weighing and praying.
Farming:
Have started quite a few plants in my greenhouse in the city and put many of them in the growbeds that I have, but also have several in 4″ pots that I just transplanted from starters which I will be taking out to the farm in the coming week. Will have to figure out where to put everything this week in my planning of where everything will go. Still have the main portion of the greenhouse frame to still move out there as the enclosed trailer I have is a bit to short. I was however able to get the main set posts and some other parts of the greenhouse out there already. A few weeks ago, I also laid out some cardboard and fiberboard on the ground in an area where I want to plant a couple things to kill the growth around that. A lot in progress, but moving in that direction.
Regarding the greenhouse itself. I have done aquaponics the last 8 or so years and have learned a ton. What has to happen though, is as much as I wanted to push back against the system, there are still nutrients that need to be added to the system. Magnesium being one of them, Iron and a couple others. I am wanting to treat this in a minimalist perspective, but I also have to be realistic. I do have vermiculture in the gravel, which adds other nutrients as well. However, even with that, the plants produce like they are supposed to when I provide more nutrition. The leaves tell me they are missing things when I don’t. I use no chemicals or poisons in the greenhouse or on my plants. Only organic nutrients. Is it truly all organic? Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve done the best I can. What I do know, is that in the new greenhouse, the growbeds are going to be modified. Some plants grow amazing without any additional nutrients, other than the fish/worm waste and so those will continue to be in standard gravel growbeds. However, I am also going to be shifting several plants over to wicking beds with gravel/sand and soil/compost. The soil coming from compost which will be produced with the waste on the farm. I have done some composting in the past, but I’ve got a sense of what needs to be done and I’m quite excited about this new methodology being introduced. At some point I would like to be free of all inputs requiring chemicals of any sort, organic or otherwise. BTW – I see Tilapia and Freshwater Prawns coming in the coming year. I have raised Tilapia before and they grow really quickly. Will have to modify how I’ve raised them, but I believe I can get some good growth there. Will keep you posted on this.
House:
We have a 2/1 cabin for the 5 of us right now. It will make do until we can build the addition. I entered into a contract last week to build closer to fall. They have a significant waiting list, but they will be building the transition building from the cabin to the addition in the next month. Will give me a chance to start getting everything set up, gas, new plumbing, utility room expansion, etc. A lot of moving parts right now.
Will update again when I have something new.