Save This Farm

Head'em up/move'em out














Much, much easier said than done. The newest weight lose program I am on is the "chase cows for three hours wonder diet". (you wonder what were you thinking) I have never seen such hard headed cows. My brother and I tried for one hour alone, then the guy with the trailer arrived and helped us for another hour. We finally got them in the trailer after reinforcements arrived. (8 people and another hour)


The trailer guy did give me a lot of advice on how to train the cows so next time won't be THIS much fun. It has a lot to do with "sweet feed" (cows must think it's a treat). The rumor is they will come to you if you just rattle the sack after they have been given it on a regular basis. (sounds a lot like me and chocolate)


Things learned about rounding up cows:


1) don't let them win


2) leave the dog in the air conditioned house-he does less damage there


3) real friends will chase cows with you

Save This Farm

Money, Money, Mon ey.

(no piggy banks were injured in the making of this photo)

Well, unless there is a legal world wide pyramid scheme with my name at the top I need to make some money from my cows. There are several schools of thought on the proper time to sell. I have tried to listen to all the advice I have received with an open mind. There are a lot of smart people in the cow raising business. The final decision to start selling has come down to the need for an immediate cash flow. So today the first three calves are going to market....

My grand plan is to sell three calves and purchase four younger ones every two weeks for the next three months. Hopefully some money will be left over from this selling and buying merry-go-round session and I will be gradually increasing my herd. I am holding my breath that this won't be a "what we need is a bigger truck" story.

Some things you need to know about money:

1) buy low, sell high

2) dogs don't care how much money you have, to a point

3) pyramid schemes and merry-go-rounds are not terms usually found in financial plans

Save This Farm

Do these shoes look too big for my feet?

Reality is beginning to set in, and just like that very unsure child in Mrs. King's first year French class I am unsure of the language being spoken. Hanging weight, on the hoof, grass fed, grain fed, animal byproducts, humane treatment, butcher orders, fat content, etc..... One thing I am thankful for is the gender doesn't have to be figured out for each item and the verbs do not need to be conjugated.

The thing I am sure of is I do want to raise the calves in the best possible environment . I grew up on a farm and I know where steaks come from. The number of calves to the acre will be low, the water will always be plentiful and fresh, and I will try not to name them.

Three points to remember when learning a new language:

1) you don't know everything

2) dogs don't care what language you speak

3) there are people who do know the language, so ask them

Save This Farm

Ahhh, Sunday. No matter what your beliefs everyone needs to take time to slow down. My day is Sunday. It is a day to spend a little longer in the sun on the deck enjoying coffee, trying not to count the bruises on my leg from a long hard week. (5). A day to reflect on the past week and gather some perspective. We know we can't change the world in a week, but maybe a dent has been made.

It is amazing how quickly your world and your prioritizes can change. Two weeks ago rain was something that interfered with a picnic, now it is something so necessary prayers are being said on its behalf. Farmers have always been at the mercy of the weather and this year it seems especially true. Floods, droughts, tornadoes, hurricanes and late freezes have caused hardship for farmers across the country. As you take the time this week to enjoy your day of rest, take a minute to send up thanks for the people working the farms (they need it).

Some items of interest:

1) Thunder does not equal rain

2) Dogs can sleep anywhere

3) Things that keep you up at night can change in a heartbeat

Save This Farm

If someone had asked me six months ago what I would be doing in June I would never have answered raising grass fed beef cattle. That saying about life is what happens while you are making plans bit me in the butt. I was planning to continue my very slow life style, knitting, quilting and reading....but the farm I grew up on was being foreclosed on (I am soooo tired of this slow economy). My mind said no way, but my heart and soul said otherwise.

Now we are entering the next stage of our lives as farmers. (Que the "Green Acres" theme song)

Bob and I both grew up on farms, but that is not the same as owning the farm. The farm had grass, fences and water. We have purchased 21 calves and are patiently (sort of) waiting for them to eat the grass and gain weight. The idea is they will sell for more than we paid for them. This all looks good on paper, but refer to the second sentence in the first paragraph.

I have learned a few things the first couple of days as a cow farmer:

1) you can not herd cows in flip-flops

2)my yellow lab is not a good cow dog - he is a good sleeping dog

3)there is such a thing as cow language - it has something to do with profanity

Green and Debt Free - Day 42

Wishing.......

That splashing sound you hear is me crying in my beer. We just received the highest electricity bill in the history of living in this house. We have done all the things we did in the past and then some to keep this bill as low as possible, but we and most of the east coast have enjoyed one hot summer.

I know you should not wish your life away....but right now winter doesn't look that bad (I did say right now). I am ready for hot tea instead of iced tea, knitting without needing a fan blowing on me, and quilts on the bed. I did see an advertisement for a craft store with Halloween items so I know there is hope. To everything there is a season, I am just ready for this season to cool off.

goal #1 - going green - I am trying

goal #2 - debt reduction - I am trying

goal #3 - enjoying the good life - I am trying

At least I get something for effort...right?

Green and Debt Free in 2 Years - One month down, twenty-three to go!

If you do something for a month, it becomes a habit. We have all heard that when it comes to adding something good to our lifestyles. Well maybe. I have been on my green brick road for a month and somethings are second nature and somethings are well....still being worked on.

The trash thing has become a habit. Nothing is put into the trash bag without failing these three tests-is it reusable?-is it compost able?-is it recyclable? Then and only thing is it thrown away. These three questions have reduced our trash by 80%. (yeah team, we actually have a composting bowl)

Combining trips has definitely become a habit. I still have a half tank of gas from last month.

We have plugged our TVs and cable boxes into a power strip to turn off all the power when we are not watching TV. Sadly this is still a work in progress. (you would think flipping a couple of switches at night wouldn't trip us, but..)

Money has been saved by reducing purchases, electricity use and gasoline. We have not dropped below the $100,000.00 mark, but we are closing in.

goal #1 - going green - a lot of success, but room to improve

goal #2 - reducing debt - $4,000.00 improvement

goal #3 - enjoying the good life - every step along this path feels like a step in the right direction

When you hear a loud HURRAY, you will know we have broken the $100,000.00 mark!