Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe to “The Beginning Farmer” YouTube Channel!
When we began looking for a place to start our farm we quickly realized that we could either have roughly 40 acres of land or a house and about 20 acres of land for the money we were able to scratch together. If you’ve been listening to the show for awhile or reading the blog from the beginning you’ll know that we went the 40 acres route which meant we were going to be building a house … as inexpensively as possible! One way that we saved money in the construction (and during the cold months) was by forgoing ductwork and central heating. Now that I think about it though we do have central heating, it’s just in the form of a centrally located wood burning stove. Heating with firewood has been a learning curve for us over the years, but the further along this journey the more we learn and the more efficient we become.- “Does Firewood Make Sense for the Homesteading or Farming Life?” Homesteady Podcast Episode
- Wrangler Star YouTube Channel
- The Beginning Farmer Show Episode 23 (thoughts on equipment … including chainsaws)
- Chainsaw Safety Chaps (You must have a pair if you cut firewood … in my humble opinion)
- Safety Helmet or one with Eye Protection or a Cheaper One
- Eye Protection or Eye Protection in the Glasses Style
- Pick a Wedge, any Wedge … There sure come in handy though!
- Brave Log Splitters
Check out The Beginning Farmer Show on Facebook!
As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I’m thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn.
If you do enjoy the show, don’t forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!
I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with “The Beginning Farmer” and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links …
After the tornado hit the farm, I spent a year or so cutting firewood from all the downed trees. I had a “system” where I’d take two chainsaws with me so I wouldn’t have to worry about sharpening chains or not being able to get one started, etc.
I’d cut a couple of tankfuls worth of wood with the first saw, I’d take a break and wolf down something like a peanut butter covered bagel (lots of carbs, protein, and fat), and then I’d load up the pickup bed. After another short break, I’d get the other chainsaw and cut another couple of tankfuls worth of wood, and then head for home.
The next day, I’d come back to load the rest of the wood I’d cut, and I’d start splitting and stacking. I had so many trees laying around that I only bothered with the “pretty” wood (nice straight, easy to split logs), which really sped up the splitting and stacking process.
Then I’d take some time off from cutting firewood because all of that was a heckuva workout, especially since I did most of it during the summer.
So after all that, my only advice about cutting firewood is to work at a steady pace, take breaks once in a while, keep your chains sharp, and try to cut “pretty” logs.
I ended up with about 5-6 years worth of firewood when I finally stopped, and that work cleaning up after the tornado eventually also led me to farming. It’s funny how things work out sometimes, isn’t it?
Do you guys have “Spare the air days” in Iowa? Days when it is recommened to avoid wood or coal burning because of air quality?
Have you ever had to clean out the chimney because of creosote?
—
George