our first year farming- successes and failures- intro

I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the things we did the year around the farm, and make some notes about what worked well, what didn't, what we need to do more, etc. It's been a big adventure this year. Sometimes I feel like we are standing still, but making this list has really helped me see how much we have accomplished. I can't wait to see where next year takes us.

A few general success failures to start us off:

Success - We only missed one farmers market all season, we sold nearly all of our inventory as soon as we had things to offer, and we were welcomed by the other farmers so openly. It was a great experience working with neighbors we never knew we had.

Failure - We need to make LOTS more mushroom logs. We sold out in August at the Celebrate Catawba festival, where we sold all 6 we brought in the first hour and a half! Over winter we need to make a good stock pile for selling, as well as a stock to keep for ourselves.

Success - We are living a pretty frugal lifestyle, Jonathan and I. We are lucky to have so much help from our families, but we have truly learned to live without much. We realize how much more valuable our time is here than time spent working for a corporation.

Success - For our first garden, I think it went pretty well. Lots of good notes for next year though.

There will be several more detailed posts to come in the next few weeks.

Live simply,

Angela and Jonathan

our dear ducks

the garden - before the ducks

the newly covered duck house - on the garden

the garden - after the ducks. goodbye weeds!

the backside of the ducks house, with their door to the run and a little window for ventilation

The last week has been very windy, stripping the colorful leaves from the trees and leaving things looking much like winter, much too soon for my taste. This morning I recovered the duck coop with clear plastic, less drafty and more sunny. When I was doing my homework about preparing the bird house for winter I was pleasantly surprised to learn that ducks are much more hardy than chickens. They just need a semi-draft free space, unfrozen water, and some dry hay to keep their feet warm. Of course we try to give them more than just what they "need", like a brighter enclosure and access fresh grass. Stay warm duckies!

Live simply,

Angela and Jonathan

just over a month until spring!

the garlic peaking through the cold ground

February snow storms

barn kitty Zae has no fear

my first attempt color logo

There isn't much going on, it seems to snow every weekend around here. We finally have most of the supplies for a chicken house, so we hope to have that finished in the next few weeks. The garden is marked out, just waiting to be tended. The rabbits are all enduring the winter, and we are expecting two litters of kittens (baby rabbits) in the next two weeks. A greenhouse for growing mushrooms on a larger scale is in the works as well, and we couldn't be more excited. I can't wait to share all these projects with you.

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