Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[eatwhatyougrow]

Without going backwards too much, where did you find the info on hoop houses/ Is that a Fed thing, or state? I'm looking for "other" incentives that may be out there. And yes, I hate involving the government. I worked for Uncle Sam for 31 years and already know about once his foot is in the door. It can go your way, or the highway...

you know there is a passage in the Bible that talks about not giving the devil a foot hold.....oh but your talking about Uncle Sam...

 

[RaZ]

LOL, I'm glad you *did* go - I was *almost* considering going to check out the Wellies. Thanks for the offer of using your trough - I have a really large Rubbermaid tub for now - I think I want something I can actually connect wire too versus just laying something over it. These cats are really tenacious, I'm sure they would find a way to get into the top if it was not attached - they have already tried pushing in the base of the bathroom door in to get to the chicks. Crazy cats.

I currently (currently! haha) only have 4 chicks, but something they can grow into since I have a feeling they will be inside longer than usual… If you do get a wooden shipping crate with his order I would love to try it - I think I can fashion a tight lid to one to keep my cats out.
Thanks for the offer!

I did have an attached wire "lid" that was sturdy enough to keep a nosy golden retriever out of the brooder trough.

Maybe I better fire up the wood shop and start making some brooder boxes and such. Maybe I can start a new trend of brooder coffee tables.

I better get on that as my little brooder is only temporary.

 

[RaZ]

Without going backwards too much, where did you find the info on hoop houses/ Is that a Fed thing, or state? I'm looking for "other" incentives that may be out there. And yes, I hate involving the government. I worked for Uncle Sam for 31 years and already know about once his foot is in the door. It can go your way, or the highway...

You can get a lot of information from the field office. Most of it is a simple flyer with a brief description. I'm trying to sort out the process as I along to make it easier for other people to follow. I started with this website. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/mi/home/

Then a few clicks to get to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/mi/programs/financial/eqip/

 

[SillyChicken]

I click on all those links Randy and I don't see what they actually help with. Do they offer plants/seeds at a cost? or are they just offering loans to make it easier? I really don't have time to keep searching or go talk to someone at an extension office. So I guess I'll have to pass for now.

We've been planting a few fruit trees and I have several bags of wild flower seeds that I'm going to put on the 4 acres we aren't doing anything with at this time. Hopefully this will help with our bees this summer.

 

[SillyChicken]

You can still sell the goats without tags can't you? Maybe not? I remember when I got my Toggies they came with ear tags. I registered the doe with ADGA for future sales. My rescue has NO documentation. So, I guess I'll have to look into what to do if I breed her in the fall. What 'membership" do you pay. I recall it cost 15 dollars to register the toggie. No fees after that. I'm lost on the scrapie issue though. Can you provide what you are doing via PM? Thanks, John.

Yes goats can be sold without the tags as long as they are tattooed and registered. If I sell my wethers or any non registered, then they are supposed to have the tags.

 

[Amy PT]

I did have an attached wire "lid" that was sturdy enough to keep a nosy golden retriever out of the brooder trough.

Maybe I better fire up the wood shop and start making some brooder boxes and such. Maybe I can start a new trend of brooder coffee tables.

I better get on that as my little brooder is only temporary.

Quick-grow canaries!

 

[SillyChicken]

you know there is a passage in the Bible that talks about not giving the devil a foot hold.....oh but your talking about Uncle Sam...

mmmhmmm... he makes the devil jealous!

 

[RaZ]

I click on all those links Randy and I don't see what they actually help with. Do they offer plants/seeds at a cost? or are they just offering loans to make it easier? I really don't have time to keep searching or go talk to someone at an extension office. So I guess I'll have to pass for now.

We've been planting a few fruit trees and I have several bags of wild flower seeds that I'm going to put on the 4 acres we aren't doing anything with at this time. Hopefully this will help with our bees this summer.

The actual help really isn't made public on the web, you need to go to the office for the paper flyers. Government efficiency I guess.

I did pick up a flyer for the native plant and tree sale for Washtenaw County CD. I think the prices are very high, about $3 for an ~12 inch seedling. Fruit trees are $18 for a 5/8 caliber bare root tree. The wildflowers advertised are $3 each in a 1.5 inch pot.

I guess that the take home message is that with all the government there to help citizens, they make it so darn difficult that no one can get any help at all unless you spend an inordinate amount of time searching and filling out forms.

 

[uchytil]

Yes goats can be sold without the tags as long as they are tattooed and registered. If I sell my wethers or any non registered, then they are supposed to have the tags.

OK, I'm lost (it's ok). Registered with whom? A cross goat like my Shirley Sweet (rescue - tog/Nigerian) can't be registered with ADGA to my understanding. Her offspring could have scrapie tags if I sell them. They would be non-registered cross whatever goats with ear tags.

 

[jimmysanborn]

We are starting the adventure of a lifetime.

Last Wednesday we received 5 New Hamp reds from Family Farm and Home in Chelsea. A week down and the girls are happy and talkative. They sure don't like being separated. There already seems to be a drama queen in the flock. Every time you pick up one of here sisters she starts peeping like mad.

Looking forward to amazing eggs and a bug free yard in the summer.