Sometimes you just need to try new things, and right now I’m thinking about trying some new things. I’ve been blogging on this site for nearly four-and-a-half years now and I’ve amassed nearly 750 blog posts in that time and I have gained a lot! I have learned a lot of things from all of the readers and lately I have been encouraged as the farm and I go though some changes. One thing that I’ve always be scared of doing though is throwing a lot of ads up on the site. You may have noticed a few from time to time, but for the most part I figured that I was receiving more than I could ever possibly hope to give just from the comments left by everyone.
Of course all that is just a lot of fancy talk to say that I’m now going to have some advertisements up on the blog 😉 At least I’m going to try some out for now. I’ve added some ads and I’m going to try it for a while. I’m also going to be adding some Amazon advertisements (mostly for the books that I really appreciate and talk about). They way the Amazon deal works is that the blog gets a cut if you click through and make your purchases by going through the links on my site.
Which brings me to one other thing that I’m trying right now. If you are a Kindle user (which I’m not … yet … I think they are pretty neat though and with my book obsession one might come in handy) you can now subscribe to The Beginning Farmer blog for a monthly rate and have each post delivered directly to your Kindle. It may seem like a frivolous thing, but I’m just throwing it out there for anyone that wants to keep up-to-date on the blog.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts lately I’ve mentioned trying to think outside of the box and come up with ways to work more creatively and at the same time in my areas of passion. Besides farming itself one of the things that I’m passionate about is sharing my farm story and encouraging and helping others along a similar path. As I try to think of these outside of the box ideas I keep coming back in my mind to “The Contrary Farmer” by Gene Logsdon
. He wrote about the diverse farm that not only had a large variety of farm income sources (livestock, produce, etc.), but also other ways of making income (repair, wood sales, anything along those lines). I love that idea!
. He wrote about the diverse farm that not only had a large variety of farm income sources (livestock, produce, etc.), but also other ways of making income (repair, wood sales, anything along those lines). I love that idea!
Have you ever thought about taking your blog posts and transforming it into a book? A Book book perhaps?
Gene Logsdon was one of my favorite authors when starting out back in the.., well suffice it to say my brother and I bought Small Scale Grain Raising hot off the press. I don’t read much any more. I used to devour books of all sorts. I might have to pick up Contrary Farmer, if only as an encouragement to keep on keepin’ on. We do major diversity around our place, I always thought it was ’cause we liked so many different things.
A great way to promote the work and writing of those you respect. I will often try something (product, book) from a blog I respect rather than to buy something cold. And like creativematt says, a blog book is a great thing to have as a dairy for your own family use AND to put out on the table at Farmers Markets. People love to read about our farms !
Even though you say you are “trying to think outside of the box and come up with ways to work more creatively”, have you considered more conventional ways?
As an example, unless I am mistaken your father owns a farm, have you thought of some sort of arrangement where you could also farm his land?
Don’t forget that your experience has a value and could add to your father’s experience and land to benefit both of you.
I could see setting up a MiG grazing system to finish your weaned calves while letting you keep the breeding herd at home.
Or, grow the feed for your pigs at your father’s.
Or, two separate cattle herds so that you could take full advantage of better bulls and raise replacement heifers to improve your cattle herd.
Of course, driving back and forth would add to your expenses, but it would be cheaper than buying or renting more land closer to home.