The Beginning Farmer

I don’t have much time to write today, but for those of you are that are interested I thought I would share some of the things that we are wrapping up in the house this week. Finishing these projects is all part of our beginning farmer journey as we try to carve our farm out of this wide open piece of land (it feels especially wide open this week with the high winds we have had). Although I’m beginning to think that a sod house like some of the early Iowa settlers built the first year on their land might have been a bit less stressful (when it came to the finish work).

Anyways here is what we are finishing up (with the help of family of course):

• Tile is going up around the bathtub … this will be a huge improvement over the shower curtains we had surrounding the tub.
• A ceiling and walls have gone up in the mudroom and there is even paint on the ceiling now!
• The trim for the mudroom is mostly painted.
• The outside lights are up and working.
• And, the thing I’m most proud of is that there is now a three switch, an outside light switch, and two working outlets in the mudroom. The picture above shows the connection I had to make to get everything working. I’m not sure if it is now the pro’s would do it, but it works and I got all those wires jammed in the box … I’m happy!

The loan rate is now locked in (pretty good timing) and I would say that the projects should begin wrapping up soon. Of course there is still plenty to do outside around the house (front porch, insulation around the concrete slab, concrete at the mudroom door, and the storm shelter), but once the inside is close to finished I will feel a little weight fall off of the shoulders.

My in-laws are at the farm this week helping us (doing most of the work) finish up the last few inside projects before the newly instituted loan deadline. What that means for me though is that I now have a couple new issues of the “Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman”. Below you will find some quotes from an editorial that I found rather interesting. I have left out a few words so as not to give away the subject right away, but it might work to put the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) in the place of the missing words…

“Several ??? groups, and the lawmakers who support them, are using the passage of ballot initiatives as launching pads to impose even stricter rules on how farmers care for livestock.”

“While the proposed rules are always couched as better for animals, the long-term goal appears to be placing burdensome and unreasonable restrictions on livestock farmers.”

“That would raise costs and reduce production of meat and other animal products, ultimately making those products less available and less affordable for consumers.”

“That, in turn, would help to promote the goal of many of the ??? groups…”

“In the end, these groups truly want Americans to throw away a food system that is the envy of the world because it provides abundance, wholesomeness and diversity at an affordable price.”

Now, if you haven’t figured it out already this editorial writer is talking about specifically about the humane livestock laws (or whatever they are calling them) that have recently passed in places like California. But, I think all of those quotes could have easily been referencing the much talked about NAIS …

Why won’t the Iowa Farm Bureau, and other organizations like them, speak out against the NAIS loudly? It is set-up to trample on the rights of farmers and citizens of the United States just as much as this legislation that I have seen them right about alot in the pages of their publications…

My posts will be a bit more sporadic this because we are in the final push to finish the house on the inside. It wasn’t exactly our idea or go on a big “finish the house” kick this week because it isn’t exactly the right timing (soccer practice begins) or weather (it is absolutely pouring right now), but the bank that bought our loan from Wells Fargo decided they wanted it done because we were living in it. In fact they wanted it done by the 30th of March. So… today we begin the big push.

Honestly there is not a lot to do, but with the dead-line looming and the promise of lots of rain it is a bit overwhelming. Our project list includes finishing the wiring in the mudroom, putting plywood on the ceiling and walls of the mudroom, tiling the bathtub, and putting up just a couple pieces of trim. Besides that there are a few other wiring projects that need to be finished up and we need to put in the air conditioner.

Thankfully my wife’s parents are coming to help because with chores, soccer practice, and work at the church I don’t think I could even come close to getting it all done! There is one thing that I know though … I will be glad when it is done. For whatever reason I feel less overwhelmed by the mountain of things to do outside. Maybe it is because the outside things don’t take as much craftsmanship?

I think one of the best things that could happen in the fight against the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is that consumers would become as outraged as the small farmers are across the country. I admit that to the average consumer something like the NAIS probably sounds like an idea that is best for everybody, but if you dig down deep it to what the system really entails you will find that is far from the truth. To that end I asked my friend, Michael Y. Park, over at the Epi-Log if he could do a post on the NAIS.

I think he came up with an excellent and very informational post on the subect, and the comments afterwards are equally interesting. Take the link above to check out his post and whenever you come across some good NAIS information pass it along!

Okay, if you follow this blog with any sort of regularity you know that I recently finished reading Dirt Hog: A Hands-On Guide to Raising Pigs Outdoors….Naturally by Kelly Klober. Right now I’m working my way through “Harris on the Pig” and “Small-Scale Pig Raising”, but I’m interested in taking a break from the pigs for a little bit and branching out. In the past I have come to those of you that take time to read the blog for all sorts of tips and advice, so once again I’m coming to you … What are you reading now or what would you suggest.

Here are a few things I’m looking for in a book:

1. It has to be agriculturally related.
2. The book could be about agricultural history, grazing, agricultural philosophies, how-to, etc. Just no pig books for the moment because I already have those.
3. Maybe something from an author I haven’t read yet. Of course if there is a can’t miss book out there from an author I have already read don’t neglect to share it with me.
4. I’m looking for a book that you consider a “must read” for every farmer.
5. Can’t miss publications are also good. Right now I’m really interested in an “Acres” subscription, but would love to hear what others read from cover to cover.
6. And finally, I would be interested in reading something outside of what we are doing now on the farm (beef, pork, poultry). Something that would give ideas for the future of our farm.

So, there you go. What suggestions do you have for me this time?

If you are a beginning farmer, a wanna-be beginning farmer, or farmer that has been around the field and then some I ran across something interesting through a link over at the New Farm website that you need to check out. It is an on-line resource (in .pdf format) called, “The Greenhorns Guide For Beginning Farmers”. At this point it appears that it is co-written by a few beginning farmers, but they are also looking for some old hands to share in the writing process and offer up their expertise. Take the link above to check out the on-line book or go directly to their website (the book is over 1.5 mbs).

After a quick browse of the table of contents and reading a few pages I have to say that this is a very intriguing project and one that I hope can take the next step (whatever that step may be). The online book really is a clearing house of information for the beginning farmer no matter what stage you are in. In fact as I was glancing through it I really wish I had come across this about two years ago because I think it could have saved a lot of head-aches and late nights scouring the internet and worry about whether or not we could pull this off.

The book contains links to everything from loans and grants to mentors and internships and also offers up some words of advice from history and a few beginning farmers. I like the idea of having so much information in one place because it helps people find out about opportunities that they only dreamed would exist.

Not only that, but it looks like this whole “Greenhorn” thing includes a film documentary and more. I encourage you to check it out and share with them if you are a seasoned farmer!

This morning I received a call that they would be delivering our new Ford 5000 tractor and this afternoon it showed up … ready to work! Of course I had to take the obligatory, “New (to me) Tractor and Proud Owner Wearing Dealer’s Ball Cap” picture as you can see above. After that I shut it down and let the kids take a turn at the wheel pretending to drive. Once all of that was out of the way I just drove around a little trying to get used to everything and hooked up a few implements to the three-point hitch just for kicks. Before the night was over I put the loader bucket to good use and cleaned out a stall that we had set up in the storage side of our house for a calf that we wanted to keep a closer eye on. So far, so good.

Here are some of the details of our new tractor (if you are interested in this type of thing). This particular Ford 5000 was made in 1967 (I believe) and is an 8-speed diesel tractor with around a 60 h.p. engine. It has the loader as you can see and the three-point hitch which will come in handy around the farm with a few implements and my new three-point carry all (machinery auction this morning). Other than those details, I just know what I read about this particular Ford model and try to learn as much as I can.

Also, as I mentioned in my “Tractor Shopping” post, this tractor has recently had an engine overhaul. This was a big selling point in my book because of the lack of mechanical abilities that I have. That overhaul included: a new crankshaft, 2 rods, 4 ring sets, various new bearings, new gaskets, a new clutch, a couple new hydraulic fittings, new hoses, new filters, and a few odds and ends. On top of that they did a once over and fixed a couple things at the dealer.

My hope and prayer is that all of this adds up to a tractor without MAJOR problems. I completely understand that there will always be something on a tractor of this vintage, but if we can stay away for the biggies I will be a happy camper. If not … I’m buying a horse and buggy and selling all the vehicles 🙂

I just have to say this first thing … I really enjoy each issue of “Graze” that I receive and read the entire publication cover to cover in the first few days. The articles are great and are often written by farmers who are out there trying to do things differently. There are also many thought provoking things in each issue. One of those things that made me think recently was Jim Van Der Pol’s column titled, “Why unions are important to small grass farms.” I will read anything with a title like that!

Like I said, it is a pretty interesting piece, but more than that I think it is an article that will make you think about your farm, the farms around you, the food you eat, and your core values. If you don’t believe that there could be a very thought provoking article in “Graze” then just read this opening sentence, “For some years now I have been answering the question about a good and fair farm policy by saying that we need a decent universal health care system.”

That sucked me in big time! Mr. Van Der Pol’s basic premise (as best as my tiny mind can understand) is that we need to level the playing field, especially in the world of farm products that need processing (livestock, etc.). He uses his own farm as an example because they raise livestock and direct market to customers using a local small processor who pays his employees a decent wage for their work. Because of that he contends that his products have a wide gap between conventional products produced in a feed lot and processed at a large processing plant with cheap labor (can’t disagree with that).

The conclusion that he has come to is that small farmers can no longer take a hand’s off approach to the government. He writes, “the fact of the matter is that if we are not willing to grab the government and use it, then it will be used against us by those more powerful than we.”

While I can’t wrap my mind around universal health care or a union of small grass farms I think there is one thing that I take away from Mr. Van Der Pol’s article. I agree that we can not just stand idly by and let others “grab the government” to use against us (see NAIS), and although I don’t like the idea of using the government I do think we can work with the system and use it to make the changes that need to be made for our country and our farms (without creating more government).

My inspiration actually comes from across the pond. If you haven’t seen the movie “Amazing Grace” I encourage you to check it out, but what I think we can learn from England is how William Wilburforce (and others) worked in vain for the government to end slavery, but it wasn’t until they started playing the game (I don’t think that means unions and universal health care) that they were able to win the fight.

What do you think? Are unions what we need to get changes in the broken system, or should we realize that working outside of the system is going to be best in the long run? Good questions to think about…

This chapter is the last in Kelly Klober’s book, “Dirt Hog” and it kind of serves as a summation of the book and encouragement to get out there and raise hogs on the range again. I appreciate what he had to say about the 21st century range producer, “Yours is the business of not exactly reinventing the wheel, but rather of redefining hog production for a new day and a new role in agriculture.” As I have become more and more immersed in the “un-conventional” agriculutral world I am seeing so many great examples of guys that are doing exactly that … they aren’t reinventing anything, but they are gathering knowledge from generations of hog production to make it work in their own environment and farm goals.

I think the most important thing to keep in mind when you are producing hogs outdoors is that you don’t have to produce for the markets that every else is producing for and you don’t have to play the game of super high numbers. I like the analogy that Mr. Klober uses … three sows a year producing two litters of 8 pigs each would give you 48 bucher hogs. Take those 48 buchers and make them into whole hog sausage sold somewhere between $2.00 and $2.50 per pound could give you between $14,000 and $17,000. Of course you have to sell that sausage, but it is about thinking differently.

Finally, Mr. Klober hits us with one of the most important points of this whole book. Hogs need to be a part of the complete picture, not the entire picture itself. In an agricultural world that has recently built itself upon the ideas of specialization and big size the idea of a completely diversified farm is being lost. But, the farmers that I have had the opportunity to meet over the past year or so that seem to be enjoying life the most and farming in line with their family and farm goals are the ones that haven’t thrown all their eggs in one basket. They are the guys that don’t have the biggest and the latest and greatest, but they are able to weather the ups and downs and enjoy what they are doing.

If you are interested in taking pigs outside and letting them live and grow on the grass then I would recommend “Dirt Hog” to you. It is not a book for a complete beginner as far as the “nuts and blots” of pig farming go, but it is a great starting point for the experienced and beginner alike.