- Aug 28, 2013
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I think it is always good to introduce yourself on forums. The regulars are typically so helpful. 
And, watch the intro boards for newbies so they can help!
I live on 113 acres in the mountains of Montana. Originally, well I was an Army brat and later joined the Army. My mother called Baltimore home and I spent my teenage years there.
My grandmother had some land in Virginia and canned food... she did her thing. So, basically, I had never been exposed to farm animals. Until I met my husband. He grew up on a very small cattle operation here in Montana.
I spent 25 years in the Life Insurance industry from NYC to Atlanta to Texas to Seattle and points between. So, I've lived in every area of the country. But, right now, nothing is better than Montana. I've been here 13 years. I love this time of year here. The state is "tucking in" for the winter and I love to watch the process. I gave up the corporate rat race, bought out a hazardous materials cleaning company and parked myself here in the glory of the Rockies!
I am a certified master gardner, for what that is worth
I learned to preserve food from a really great lady when I lived and worked in Atlanta, GA in the mid eighties. She was priceless! They had a small farm out in Alabama.
My husband HATES poultry. When I said I wanted a small flock for egg production I thought his mechanical heart valve would stop working !!!! He finally has said he doesn't mind as long as they weren't running all over the place AND he wasn't involved in their care (which was fine I hadn't counted on it in the first place ) He is on board for construction and fencing though.
So, my journey begins. With research over the last 6 months here and other places I'm looking at a couple of breeds good in cold weather and dual purpose meat/egg production. I'm not really interested in the meat at the moment but, hey, you never know. So, talking to chicken people at the local fair and a lady I know, it seems the breeds most popular for this area are Buff Orpingtons and Australorps. I think they will make a great fit here.
I'm working towards more self sufficiency. I go out to St. Ignatius, Montana this weekend to talk to a lady about miniature Jersey milk cows and Lowline (miniature Angus) beef cattle. Hoping to find something I can handle and assist with the progression towards self sufficiency. I'm excited about the milk cow because it will sure help with my leap into cheese making I made a year or so ago!
We show and compete in dogs. We happily have a Belgian Terverun, 2 Shetland Sheepdogs (all three compete in herding, obedience, rally and agility), a Brittany who is in the show ring, competes in rally and does some hunting. A Great Pyrenees/Border Collie cross that is the BEST.... good livestock dog I think he tends to guard against the local coyotes, racoons and occasional cougar (scary!). And then the Miniature Pinscher who is in the show ring and is like the ALARM at the house!
I look forward to interacting with such a knowledgeable group! And, at some point in the future helping along the way if I can!
Charlotte
And, watch the intro boards for newbies so they can help!I live on 113 acres in the mountains of Montana. Originally, well I was an Army brat and later joined the Army. My mother called Baltimore home and I spent my teenage years there.
My grandmother had some land in Virginia and canned food... she did her thing. So, basically, I had never been exposed to farm animals. Until I met my husband. He grew up on a very small cattle operation here in Montana.
I spent 25 years in the Life Insurance industry from NYC to Atlanta to Texas to Seattle and points between. So, I've lived in every area of the country. But, right now, nothing is better than Montana. I've been here 13 years. I love this time of year here. The state is "tucking in" for the winter and I love to watch the process. I gave up the corporate rat race, bought out a hazardous materials cleaning company and parked myself here in the glory of the Rockies!
I am a certified master gardner, for what that is worth
I learned to preserve food from a really great lady when I lived and worked in Atlanta, GA in the mid eighties. She was priceless! They had a small farm out in Alabama.
My husband HATES poultry. When I said I wanted a small flock for egg production I thought his mechanical heart valve would stop working
!!!! He finally has said he doesn't mind as long as they weren't running all over the place AND he wasn't involved in their care (which was fine I hadn't counted on it in the first place ) He is on board for construction and fencing though.So, my journey begins. With research over the last 6 months here and other places I'm looking at a couple of breeds good in cold weather and dual purpose meat/egg production. I'm not really interested in the meat at the moment but, hey, you never know. So, talking to chicken people at the local fair and a lady I know, it seems the breeds most popular for this area are Buff Orpingtons and Australorps. I think they will make a great fit here.
I'm working towards more self sufficiency. I go out to St. Ignatius, Montana this weekend to talk to a lady about miniature Jersey milk cows and Lowline (miniature Angus) beef cattle. Hoping to find something I can handle and assist with the progression towards self sufficiency. I'm excited about the milk cow because it will sure help with my leap into cheese making I made a year or so ago!
We show and compete in dogs. We happily have a Belgian Terverun, 2 Shetland Sheepdogs (all three compete in herding, obedience, rally and agility), a Brittany who is in the show ring, competes in rally and does some hunting. A Great Pyrenees/Border Collie cross that is the BEST.... good livestock dog I think he tends to guard against the local coyotes, racoons and occasional cougar (scary!). And then the Miniature Pinscher who is in the show ring and is like the ALARM at the house!
I look forward to interacting with such a knowledgeable group! And, at some point in the future helping along the way if I can!
Charlotte
