Getting Closer

Its the beginning of June and the farms are a buzz with activity. Most farms a busy growing corn and soy, cutting and bailing hay and managing their livestock. As of right now I am trying to get our Rhubarb, blackberries, basil and flowers to grow on our tiny residential lot in town. While trying to grow a few plants I have been spending time reading and preparing for our farming future. I am trying to get a grasp on pigs, cattle and chickens through the only source currently available, books. I am currently reading "Everything I want to do is Illegal" and "Grass fed Cattle". Both books are informative and give me a heads up of what I need to be looking out for and some basic principals for pasture based farming.

Every step brings us closer to our goal of farming. About a week ago I laid out a 10 year plan broken down into two year groups expounding on different enterprises, costs, timelines and projected profit analysis. I set up a farming system with the overarching goal of starting and growing debt free. This means owning land may be a few years down the road. However, in the mean time I will start looking for a land owner who is willing to lease us land at a reasonable rate.

Our goal for beginning a land lease is March 2013.

If you happen to know someone who lives within about 15 minutes of Forest Lake, MN willing to lease land to a grass farmer, let me know.

A weekend at the Farm

A week ago my little family got to spend the weekend at my grandparents farm just outside Stewartville MN. We periodically go down there just to visit with family and get away for a day or so. This place was a second home to me as I was growing up. I would spend my summers working, playing and growing up. Now that I have a family of my own I love bringing them here and letting them experience some of the things from my childhood. 

Vienna's first ride on the old tractor

Regardless of the noise, Vienna loved riding on the tractor. She would just look around and all the new things while riding on her daddy's lap. As her mind took in all the new things, I was busy enjoying the time with my beautiful daughter. 

A funny thing happens when I start up the tractor, a peace comes over me as I pull the clutch and enter the fields. My mind races as I ponder my future farming endeavors. I'm constantly getting ideas, setting goals and just trying to figure out how to make it all happen. (more on this later)

There seems to be a common love in our family for farming and farm equipment. My beautiful bride already loves farm animals, most of all pigs, but now I think her love for farming is rapidly expanding. 

Why? you ask.

Thats right, she drove it. And looked hot doing it.