Naming My Farm

[Perry17]

Hey everyone! I need some help deciding on a name for my farm. I'm not all that creative, but I feel like I need a name to build on and expand my farm. I know most of the name goes with what is being produced, so I am going to try and describe (ramble) what my plans are for the future.

Right now I have horses, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and working border collies. I have played around with raising piles of other types of animals and plants while in middle and highschool. Now I am in college, and know exactly where I want to take my farming passion.

I know it will take years to build up to all my goals, and I know it sounds crazy but I guess you have to start somewhere.

I really love heritage breed hogs. So one goal is to breed, raise, and sell (and butcher for myself) American Guinnea Hogs and Kune Kune.

Another goal is to have a few different heritage chicken breeds, out on pasture. Again, that I can breed, raise, sell, and use for personal consumption.

Other poultry types like quail, Guinnea fowl, peafowl, ducks, heritage breed turkeys, and maybe even a few emu to try out. All on pasture/rotation grazing.

I was raised around horses, and with my small stature I have decided I want to train and maybe breed (registered) a few pony type horses for kids. Both mini horses for toddler age kids or carts, and larger welsh or POA for older kids. (I also have a soft spot for rescues since I have had quite a few, so there would have to be room for those too haha)

Another to raise a milk breed goat (once I figure out which milk breed is my favorite). And be able to use the milk for products like soap and lotions (mostly for personal use, maybe sell some on the side). And have extra milk for any orphan bottle babies.

I also train working border collies. And of course some sheep or mini cattle or cattle to train them with. (Planning to work with rescues to bring in dogs and train them to work livestock or train them in other areas, to then be rehomed) That is my main passion, so that will be a major part of the farm.

Right now I am at a crossroads with my major. Making big money and having no time, or loving my job and making decent money while having time to farm.

It will be a few more years until I am out of school, working, and ready to move out and start up a farm on my own property. Even then I know it will take a lifetime to reach that point. But that is all the areas I have that I could potentially go into. Thought that might help with the naming process.

I can't go with a last name or landmark (your girl hasn't found the right man yet), because there is no limit to where I might end up. And I want the name to last, so I can't go with "piney hill" or something. What if I move to the mountains, it would make no sense?

I registered my newest collie, which is to be my new little farm mascot, under the name "Steel". At the time thinking I would go on to name my farm Steel Sky Ranch or Steel Sky Farm or Farms, Steel Creek, Steel Water, Steel River, Steel Ridge, Steel Gaze or Steel Gazin Farms (pun after the collie eye stare). It gave me plenty options to use. At the time I thought were catchy, now I just think they sound dumb. (Mostly because he has a nickname we use, he ended up too goofy for a tough name, so we never even call him Steel) Or didn't think buyers would like it or take it seriously.

Maybe I am just overthinking it. All this time I have been fine with no farm name, and I guess I can always change it. But I want to get to the point where I can make a website and/or social media, so I really need to decide on a name.

Most of this is me rambling, and a very long post, because it's late and my mind tends to work overtime until I solve all life's problems before it lets me go to sleep. But I am very thankful for any suggestions!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Your life sounds very busy, I'm tired reading about it. I have been a chronic animal owner too. Also a Dairy farmer, and dog groomer, now I'm a hobby farmer. I have no advice for a name, one will come to you when you least expect it.

I like the name Steele. I've had one working border collie. She was a wonderful dog, I was a horrible trainer, but she was happy. I also love POA, so good choice there too.

 

[Perry17]

I guess I have had plenty practice haha. I have been caring for quite a wide variety of animals on my own since I was in elementary school. My parents liked having them to look at, so they kinda just let me bring home whatever lol. So being without them would drive me crazy, I think of it more as a stress reliever than anything.

With everything I have now, it only takes 30 mins - 1 hour to care for all of them in the morning. Maybe a little extra time for rides and training, but I think of that as more of a hobby.

Of course I wouldn't jump into it all at once, it will be a steady growth over the years. Whatever is the best fit at the time. But I still will go through which is too much work, and which of those I will just leave out of the plan. Lol So I guess the name can't be related to a certain "livestock" because not even that is certain. Only that I will have Collies forever, love them way to much haha.

How did you like the grooming? I am going to jobshadow a sheepdog trainer from out of state. They do training and boarding/grooming also. So I have thought of that as an option, if I decide I hate the field that I am currently going into.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I enjoyed grooming for many years before the naughty dogs and owners started to wear on my nerves. My body fell apart in the process too. Grew up a farm 's doing lots of farm chores so I developed arthritis in my 30's. I have always been surrounded by animals too.

I enjoyed many aspects of grooming, the art form of it was my most enjoyable part. I've also worked at a boarding kennel and always wanted to run one but it never happened.

I've dabbled in many species too. It's been fun.

Making a living at any type of farming isn't as easy as it's used to be. Small farms are pretty much extinct these days, and the hours are long and the labor is hard on the body. I much prefer it as a hobby these days.

Definitely try to do what you love, whether for money or for fun. Life is too short and has a way of going in a different direction than what you planned.

 

[Teila]

Hi Perry

I like to have a shot at helping people with naming things so here goes .....

In the past I have used their location and landmarks to assist but as you said on this occasion, not doable.

However, I do have a suggestion. Pick a word or two that will be related to your Farm, for example 'chicken' and 'collie' or 'steel' and drop it into the Google translator to come up with something in Spanish or French for example?

I do not have a lot to go on with your suggestions but you may have some other words you would like to use.

Without much thought on my part but as an example, Steel in Spanish is Acero so it could be Acero Acres [assuming you will have acres]. Horse in French is Cheval, which could work with something else. OK, not the best suggestions but may be some food for thought.