The Luna Acres Homestead: compost

Thursday, December 6, 2012

the winter quiet

Winter is settling in. I was bundled up this morning to face the 20 degree frost to feed the animals. Even without livestock to care for, the cats and dogs are still time consuming. Things are relatively slow and quiet now, winters cold does seem to have that affect. With the holidays surrounding us it is a time for family and food, projects set on the back burner. Jonathan and I are both working now, meaning farm projects will be the focus very soon. For now, we just enjoy the cold.

smoke

the barn kitties in training - I'm using a big dog crate for a few hours at a time

compost growing

the trees had their first pruning

the shed (with walls and everything)

my cousin Billy did this beautiful wood burnt sign with a magnifying glass

Zae has been enjoying his trips outside

Roxy is enjoying herself as well, although she is definitely the scaredy one

Trilli is busy, the search for hunting season leftovers in full effect

Live simply,
Angela and Jonathan

Friday, October 19, 2012

progress

japanese maple

It has been a productive week, without a penny spent.

the shop- after losing a cabinet and creating the tool wall

the transformed rabbit hutch

complete with functioning doors!

the new brush pile

relocated compost pile - dog proof

fresh stain on the front steps

The last week has been busy busy busy working around the house, the future farm, the homestead. We haven't had any money to spend on anything but we have still managed to get a few projects done. The rabbit hutch we were given by a neighbor has been revamped with a fresh coat of paint, new hinges, and now new doors. The compost has been moved, a real pile started. The field has been mowed, the garden marked out. The shop created, organized and reorganized, yet still unfinished. Firewood has been an ongoing chore which will continue at least until the end of the month; it would help if the chainsaws quit breaking. Next week will be productive in outside areas; we are going to stay with my sister's family, something we have not be able to do the entire year. We introduced them to grass fed beef back in May, and in the few short months since they have undergone a food revolution, trading the supermarket for the farmers market, as well as the orchards and an Amish store. I'm excited to visit with them and share our new knowledge with each other. They have thoroughly kicked our butts at connecting with their food.

Live simply,

Angela and Jonathan

hello there

We are Angela Kelly Jones and Jonathan Taylor, the farmers, if you will. We have been a couple for five years, and sharing our love of farming and animals for two. We were lucky enough to spend eight months on a working livestock farm outside of Richmond, where we learned the skills to raise animals ethically and naturally. The focus is on grass-feeding and pasture management, and while we don't have much pasture land ourselves, the techniques and benefits are still incredible. We also learned tons about gardening and growing mushrooms. We just returned home in early winter and are setting up to produce several varieties of mushrooms, and raise several different animals. Please support our homestead so we can continue to grow!

behind the name

I struggled for months trying to decide what to name the farm. I wanted it to be something creative, that caught your attention, that was interesting. Something meaningful. I wanted a name that could express our dreams, ideals, love for nature and animals, and commitment to sustainability and quality of life- all in one word. The name Luna seemed stuck in my head for weeks in the end of summer, and one day I was jotting down ideas on paper when it came to me. Luna Acres. I played around with the letters, trying to think of an underlying message I could convey within the name itself, this is where I thought, "life's unexpected natural abundance." Our society is so fast paced and materialistic, it's hard to see the amazing abundance that's all around us. We had been discussing the terminology of our business for several weeks as well, and we decided that homestead most accurately described what we are doing. We want to create a home where we can provide for ourselves as much as possible, that we can leave behind. The Luna Acres Homestead.