The Beginning Farmer

The “NY Beginning Farmer Project” of the Cornell University Cooperative Extension is offering an interesting new class. It isn’t necessarily interesting because of the content, but rather because of the method in which you take the class. Beginning March 19th (and for the price of $200) you can take their new class, Beginning Farming 101, online. The course lasts about 9 weeks according to the website and the instructor introduces a new lesson once each week. With each lesson their will usually be materials to read and an assignment or question to answer. Also, it sounds like live video of a lecture or something like a lecture will be available from time to time. You can also watch the video at a later time.

I’m not sure if this class is just for New Yorkers or those that live in the Northeast, but I do find it very interesting. There are plenty of great classes, seminars, and other learning opportunities available here in Iowa, but so far none of them have fit my schedule. When you are farming in addition to a full-time job it is difficult to make enough time for everything, and then when I add in my coaching responsibilities all hope for making an event or class is thrown out the window. But, an online class would be something that is possible.

Many times I have mentioned how important reading is, but there just seems to be another level of learning that can take place when you are able to listen to someone teach and have discussion with others in the same class. That is one of the benefits of this class … they will have plenty of discussion and interaction available through online forums and e-mail. Like their description says, “You will certainly ‘meet’ other new farmers and share ideas, plans and helpful resources with each other.” As I have seen with this blog, “meeting” other farmers and beginning farmers has been a great help in my learning process.

If you would like to read more about the class you can check out THIS LINK. Or, if you are interested in knowing a little bit about what is covered the “Learning Section” of the NY Beginning Farmer Project website has some of the information they will be covering.

I have contacted them and I’m waiting to hear back about who can “attend” the class (can I sign-up if I’m from Iowa) and to see if there is any space. I’ll let you know when I find something out.

I was bouncing around some of the agricultural websites that I check from time to time when I have a chance when I came across an interesting video on the ATTRA website. It caught my interest because of THIS POST where I wondered about the possibilities of meat goats. The video below comes from a segment on “This Week in Agribusiness” and deals specifically with marketing. You can watch the video below:

I think there are lots of good things to think about in that video … both positive and negative. Marketing goat meat is going to be more difficult that beef or pork, there is no doubt about that. But, I do think it does deserve consideration … maybe not on everyones farm though. After watching that video clip and doing the small amount of research that I have done I think one of your biggest deciding factors is going to be your location. How close are you to a large enough ethnic market, and are they looking for goat?

From that ethnic market I think you could expand into other direct marketing opportunities, but I think it is important to have a good place to start. As I read in one of the articles I stumbled across only 50% of the goat meat consumed in the U.S. was raised in the U.S. That is a staggering number considering the number of farms we have and the way goats graze and forage.

Their foraging and grazing ability is probably one of their most appealing things to a grass finishing farmer. Because you can have goats follow cattle and not decrease your number of cattle they make an ideal addition to the farm. They break the parasite cycle and they eat different types of forages … even the lovely (YUCK!) multiflora rose.

I’m not sure if meat goats are an option that I am going to pursue heavily at this time (maybe sheep are more along my lines), but I do think they need to be in the discussion and this video gave me some things to think about.

Do you have any more thoughts on goats? I would love to hear from people raising them or that have eaten them. What does it taste like? Are they easy to raise? How big and strong are your fences!?!

After yesterdays post, where I mentioned my interest in raising small, and the comments that followed I decided I would try and do a little research into small scale small grain farming. What I found was … NOT MUCH. Of course Gene Logsdon wrote a book quite awhile ago specifically on this topic, “Small-Scale Grain Raising“, but it is out of print and is really expensive. I am going to see if I can check it out via inter-library loan, but for now I did find an article from ATTRA. The article titled, “Organic Small Grain Production” wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, and dealt more with a larger scale production than I was thinking of. But, in that article I did find a link to another ARRTA publication titled, “Marketing Organic Grains“.

Both of these articles had a large focus on certified organic production methods, but I did find the marketing article interesting. The article mentions that the organic grain markets have a tendency to go up and down (sounds like the conventional markets), but are around twice the price most of the time. But, I am specifically thinking about value-added grain products. If I was going to sell to larger organic grain buyers I would have to produce a large quantity and a highly consistent grain, but what if I wasn’t selling the raw materials?

Here are some thoughts that I had. I do not know all of the details that would go into them as far as governmental regulations and I know a certified kitchen would be needed for some of the baked goods, but I think it is something to consider. If I could take a small plot of grain and turn it into consumer consumables and even possible animal food I think it would be an interesting venture.

Things that I have thought about:

-Selling freshly ground wheat flour at local farmers markets or from the farm.

-Selling homegrown corn meal in the same locations as above.

-Using the wheat flour to bake value-added products such as breads, cinnamon rolls, and other baked goods.

-Even possibly producing organic animal feeds.

I would love to hear from anyone who have thoughts on the subject of small grains or marketing them. Also, I have always thought that multiple minds were better than one or in this case multiple internet searches are better than one … So, if you have run across any good articles, forum posts, blogs, etc. dealing with raising small grains on a small scale I would love to check them out. I’m not sure if I will ever give the small grain idea shot, but I think it is important to explore as many farm marketing opportunities as I can.

I haven’t exactly been flying through this book by Ron Macher, but it isn’t because of lack of interest! Chapter eight is a real nuts and bolts kind of chapter about choosing what exactly you are going to do on your farm. Of course this is something that many people have already considered to an extent, but Mr. Macher brings out quite a few ideas in this chapter. In fact he touches on at least 26 different ideas and gives a few thoughts on each one. They range from the basics like cattle to more unique ideas that will require special marketing, such as vermiculture (worms). The chapter opens with a series of questions (and explanations of those questions) to think about when you are choosing your various enterprises. Then goes into the section on the different possibilities (including some basic cost/profit comparisons, and finally touches on a couple of things that get debated and discussed on here all of the time … Diversity and Sustainability.

The questions at the beginning of the chapter were great reminders of exactly how much needs to be considered when you are starting out from scratch. You need to think about things like marketing, water, soil, liability, machinery, labor, pricing, and if there is even room or a need for what you want to do in the marketplace. I think this is important stuff for the beginning farmer to remember and have drilled into their head, but it is equally as important for a farmer who is transitioning to something different or to direct marketing. Some of it seems basic, but I think until you take the time to really research and answer most of the questions Mr. Macher brings up you would be wise to slow down. Something about lacking to plan, planning to fail, or measure twice … cut once comes to mind! I guess I’m trying to say that it is very important that you know what you are getting into and what it will need to look like. Having all of these questions in one place may be worth the price of the book in and of themselves…

After the section with all of the questions Mr. Macher moves on to suggesting some farming ideas. While I do have a pretty clear picture of what we would like to add to the farm and how we desire to build what we already have, because of my passions and the market that surrounds us, I did find a couple of the ideas interesting and possible candidates for spot on our diversified farm. One of those things was vermiculture. I don’t see becoming a “worm rancher” a centerpiece of the farm, but I do think there are possibilities if you are doing on farm sales of meat or other products to also produce composting kits (as was mentioned in the book) or worm castings as fertilizer. My wife and I had the chance last summer to check out a couple who produce (well the worms produce) worm castings. There is not a lot of overhead to get started, and there is a growing market if you are wiling to build it. Just something we may think about.

One other venture that caught my eye, and that had been on my mind, was traditional grains. Not in the sense of large scale conventional row crops, but rather I’m thinking about open pollinated corns or cereal grains for grinding. I have not do a lot of research into the possible markets for these things, but it is something that I plan to look into. If nothing else I would like to raise both open pollinated corn and cereal grains for our farm and family use.

While a Joel Salatin book may give you a good combination of “how to”, “passionate encouragement”, and a “farming worldview” I think “Making Your Small Farm Profitable” by Mr. Macher is a must read for any beginning or growing farmers such as myself. Just three chapters left…

Well, after my fence post on Saturday it was pointed out in the comments that I had forgotten “high tensile electric fence”. I blame it on my “Iowa Farming Bias” (I really don’t, but it is a good excuse). Basically what I mean is that as I drive the roads of Iowa and look at fencing I always see the same thing … woven wire with a couple of barbs on the top. That is pretty much standard fencing in Iowa, so I admit even with all the reading and researching I have done the “Iowa Standby” was the first and only thing that popped into my head. But, after being reminded of the other options out there I dove in and started reading.

One thing I found out right away is that when you Google “high tensile electric fence” or even “how to install high tensile electric fence” you end up with a lot of links to companies selling the product! But, I picked through and did as much reading as I could on sites trying to sell the product and extension agency type of sites giving basic information about high tensile. I would say that there isn’t one good source when it comes to this type of fencing, although I think that is true when it comes to beginning farming in general (that is one of the reasons I started the blog).

Here is what I have “learned” … High tensile seems to be more economical than conventional woven wire or barbed wire fences. It requires a smaller number of posts. You can have it all electrified, partially electrified, or not electrified. High tensile fencing originated in New Zealand. It holds up better than some of the other options, and is easier to install. Those are some of the basic facts that I found in a short afternoon of reading, but I have so many more questions!

Some of the things that I am wondering:

-I have Dexter cattle and expect to have pigs and sheep. How many wires should I think about using? How many should be electrified?

-I have read about those “flex” posts that a few companies are selling. They look pretty nice and are about the same price as t-posts. Should I use those or stick with the old standby?

-Does anyone know of a good book or pamphlet on how to install the fencing?

-I have seen some cost comparisons and read from others that it is less expensive, but what exactly are we talking about? How much per foot realistically?

-How about post spacing? I read that you can do 40 to 50 feet! Is that true?

Of course I’m wondering so much more, but I just thought I would throw those questions out for debate. Other suggestions are welcomed also. I am not set in stone on the high tensile fence, but it does sound very intriguing. If you are interested in some of the sites I used for research check out these links:

“How 2 Articles” at the PowerFlex Website

“High Tensile” section of the Max-Flex Website

“Construction of High Tensile Wire Fences” by the University of Florida Extension

“Why Build High Tensile Fences” from the Ken Cove Website

Like I said three of the four links come from manufacturers, but they were helpful. I think the best links is the top Powerflex site. The links there are pretty good and a couple of them are from outside sources.

Lately I have been thinking about fencing. Despite all of the snow on the ground I know that spring is going to be coming soon and with it there will be some opportunities to do some fencing projects that are needing to be done. But, in the world of fencing there are so many options that sometimes I’m not even sure of where I need to begin and what I need to be looking at. I thought I would just open it up for discussion and see what a variety of people think.

Basically our fencing needs will break down into two categories. First of all we need to do some permanent perimeter fencing. This will be a combination of replacing some old fence between us and a neighbor and putting up some new fence along the road. The second fencing need will be interior fencing for Management Intensive Grazing (electric and easy to move).

When it comes to the perimeter fencing the choices range from 4 or 5 strands of barbed wire, to woven wire, to woven wire with 1 or 2 barbed wires on top, and even to 2 or three strands of electric (I saw that on a pasture walk last year). One thing that we have to keep in mind is the variety of livestock that we will be running on the farm. Anything from our Dexters, my families horses, sheep, goats, or pigs could be on the farm so we need something that will work for all of the above. Also, cost always needs to be considered in these types of situations … what gives you the most bang for the buck?

For the interior electric fencing the options really break down into posts and wire. There are so many posts out there from fiberglass ones with 3 or more wire hooks, to step in re-bar posts with plastic insulators, and even steel step in posts with a pig tail on the top for the wire. Obviously we need something that goes in and out easily, but also works for our short cattle (Dexters). Also, does it matter if the calf can walk under the wire? What type of wire is also an issue. We could use the inexpensive steel, the slightly more expensive aluminum, or the most expensive poly-rope or wire. Here price is a factor, but ease of moving and longevity is also very important.

So, what are you using? What works for you? I would love to hear from anyone who is doing MiG about their interior fencing. I would love to hear from people that are just thinking about it, but have ideas! Basically I’m putting out an appeal for help 🙂

There are a lot of buzz words flying around the alternative agricultural world today … you know words like: small scale, cottage farmer, sustainable, heritage, natural, organic, and even alternative. As I continue on my journey towards and in farming I find myself using these words from time to time and reading them all of the time. But, it seems like they mean different things to different people. What is natural to some may not be natural to others … what is alternative to some may be main stream to others … But, the word the I find myself using the most and that I hear different definitions for is “sustainable”. What exactly does it mean in terms of agriculture?

Before we go any further I want to throw out my two cents. To me having a sustainable farm means that I have a farm that supports my family emotionally, physically, and financially. I mean that a sustainable farm would be enjoyable to my family not a drain on their happiness or spirits, that it would provide health to my family through the work they do and the food that they eat, and that it would provide a reasonable living for us. My sustainable farm would provide my family with plenty of food for our own table, but we would not become self-reliant in the food sense. Also, I believe a sustainable farm is beneficial to the community … sometimes that means they purchase goods from us, sometimes it means they enjoy the land, and sometimes it means that we do not harm the area around us.

In a nut shell that is my view of sustainable agriculture … for me. Of course there are lots of other things that I could add to that, but I think it is a good starting point. Others, I’m sure, would include things about the environment or even the animal welfare. While these are both important to me they are not what my idea of sustainable is based upon … probably because of the reason that I desire to farm (you can check out THIS POST for more on that).

As I have surfed around various areas of the internet I have often read debates about what exactly is or is not a sustainable farm. There some that would say that your farm is not sustainable unless it does this, that, and this. Others believe that the term is more broad … I’m probably in that group.

So, what is your definition of sustainable agriculture. Do you have to do certain things to fit into the mold? I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject because I believe the answers will say a lot about why people farm and why people trust certain farms.

If you would like to see how some others define “sustainable agriculture” check out these links:

“What is Sustainable Agriculture?” – University of California

“Introduction to Sustainability – What is Sustainable Agriculture” – Sustainable Table

“Sustainable Agriculture: Definitions and Terms” – USDA

“Sustainable Agriculture” – Wikipedia

**I am so sorry! I can’t believe I did this, but I forgot to put up my post today. I wrote it last night, but didn’t remember to get it up on the blog. Whoops!**

I have to give credit to Kelli of Sugar Creek Farm again for the link to this article. I don’t know how she finds all of these great articles for her “Ag Speedlinking”, but I’m glad that she does it! Anyways, the article that I read was titled, “Speaker at organic farming conference derides corporate agriculture“, and written by Joe Orso for the La Crosse Tribune. The article stems from Andrew Kimbrell’s keynote speech at the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) Conference this year.

Mr. Kimbrell is the author of “Fatal Harvest: The Tragedy of Industrial Agriculture” and that was also the title and theme of his address at the conference this year. One thing that he said in the speech (according to the article) that really made me think was this, “What they never saw coming is you. They thought they had the future. They thought they had successfully taken the culture out of agriculture.” The “they” he is talking about of course are the people involved in “industrial agriculture”.

I have to admit that the first thing that popped into my mind was, “Do ‘they’ really even know we exist?” In my question the “we” are the alternative/organic/sustainable farmers of the world. Are they really concerned about losing market share to the small farms popping up around the country? I readily admit that I don’t know the ins and outs of market effect, but are they noticing us?

My first reaction is no way! They aren’t a bit worried about losing market share to a few farmers that sell pork or beef at the local farmers market, but then I started to think about it on a larger scale … There seems to be a number of these farms beginning and growing around the country and while they may seem small when taken individually, but on the whole they can have an impact. And with some of the bad publicity hitting the airwaves more and more people are beginning to think about their food choices.

What does all this mean? Well, on one hand it really means nothing to me. I’ll still do what I am going to do and market my farm the way that I feel will work. But, on the other hand I think it gives us something to be optimistic about. Maybe the big agri-businesses are thinking about the growing market share small farms are commanding … if that is case we need to work together to open doors for the small farmer, educate the public, and produce a high quality product.

Make sure you read the article! It has some interesting stuff to think about. In fact I would love to hear you thoughts after reading the article.

The past couple of days have been pretty eventful around here. Well, I guess they haven’t been as eventful around here as it the past couple of days have been eventful on the road! potheadprincess710 liltay onlyfans Late Monday morning I was finally able to get away and pick up SGF SANT Hershey. You may remember reading about when the deal was finalized way back in THIS POST, but because of mechanical problems, schedule problems, and weather problems I had not been able to get down there yet! But, now he is home … along with a cow and heifer!

The traveling actually started on Saturday when I drove up to Dan Butterfield’s, of Grandma’s Dexters, to pick up a bull calf and two cows that I was going to deliver to Steven in Southern Missouri (you may recognize the name because he comments from time to time). So, late Monday morning I headed out of town and swung by the farm to pick up the trailer and Steven’s cows. The driving was uneventful (except for a traffic jam in St. Louis) and so was the unloading (even though it was slightly muddy and 9:00 PM). It was great to finally be able to put a face to the name and chat with Steven and his family. They have some pretty cool things starting up down there so it was neat to see what was going on.

After that I headed on my way to Erik and Marian Van Beever’s Five Ponds Farm (with a break for sleep). I arrived there and also enjoyed putting a real live face to the many e-mail conversations we have had. It was neat to see their diverse livestock ranging from sheep and goats to Dexters and of course their Red Wattle Hogs! Of course I picked up Hershey while I was there, but I also had decided to bring back a bred cow and heifer calf they had for sale (Gigi and Tinkerbelle). Hershey looks as great in person as he did in the pictures and I’m looking forward to seeing him mature this summer. I am also pleased with the prospects of Gigi and Tinkerbelle bring to the herd.

So, now there are eighteen Dexters roaming (not so much in the snow I guess) Stoneyfield! If you are scoring at home it adds up like this: 8 cows … 4 heifers … 4 steers … 1 bull calf (to become a steer) … and of course, 1 Herd Sire!! Don’t forget that we have at least three more cows we are expecting to calve. And to think, this started out six months ago as an “experiment”!

**The first picture above is of Hershey of course, and the second is of Tinkerbelle (calf in front) and Gigi (horned). Hopefully I’ll be able to post some more pictures soon!**