Washingtonians

[Stumpfarmer]

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It's mostly growing in places I started mulching in 1984: it likes high soil fertility and a lot of organic material.

I'm happy the chooks like it, and mint: I can give up trying to get rid of that too. And the sheep thinks my enemy, Geranium X oxfordianse "Claridge Druce" is the best stuff ever, nice sheep, good boy Bacchus!

ROTFLMAO ...

Yelm ?? high soil fertility ?? lots of organic material ???

well, maybe in my compost bin ....

truly I think there is still some chocolate mint, surviving in what used to be the vegetable garden, but it gets all the water from the downspout, so most of it got flooded out

I need to clear that area out anyway, it has a bunch of pier blocks sitting in there, and most of the leftover plastic seedling pots; DH wants to extend the daytime chicken run through there and under our deck (four feet off the ground) so that the chickens will clear out all the weedy stuff growing under there

the area is not secure enough for a full time run, but DH is concerned that the chickens feel too cooped up in the chicken tractor (20 x 5), and with this chilly weather he doesn't want to sit out with them while they free-range

I dunno

they've always seemed happy enough, to me, when they were in the tractor ... they just wanted OUT when it got windy or rainy

We always had great vegetable gardens in Yelm, but that had a lot to do with having a six-foot-tall cow-manure-and-bedding pile that got mined down to the ground every spring.

Not great lawns, though, to say the least.

 

[Chickielady]

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I LOVE the sound of crickets!!! Reminds me of warm summer evenings in CA. I wish it would just snow already... then the grey would be less depressing!

They used to get into my house all the time when I was younger, and they'd keep me awake until I hunted them down and squished them. Crunch. Bleh. I don't like jumpy insects.

We put one in with the chicks. They followed it around but didn't try to get it. The bigger girls had a blast. Mmmm, crickets.

ETA: Correction. One of the chicks caught it and is running around with it.

I love crickets, we used to buy 1000 at a time, for $15 overnight delivery from the cricketman.com....put them in a big tub with a few slices of melon to eat..everynight at cocktail hour we would throw crickets out to the many bullfrogs we had resident around our 2 big koi ponds.
(This in California)
An empty paper towel roll made an excellent cricket cannon...the cat loved to play with them too!
I will see if I still have the link to his web page.

 

[Chickielady]

ARI loves chickens:::::::::::
YOU fudge is to die for!!!!!!!!!!
Would love the recipe!!!

I had some chocolate fudge too...between the 2 I had about 5 pieces & probably gained 5 pounds

 

[pettec63]

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It's funny cause when i was driving thru Morton, I kinda thought it was pretty cool cause that's my new last name!!! LOL I wanted to steal the city sign!! LOL

I do have connections ya know. Do ya remember just east of Morton (that would be toward Yakima for the directionally challenged) There was an over pass well that is fern gulch (gap). Don't wanna be there after dark.

Ha ha I know where east of Morton is!! LOL Really??? hmmmm

 

[pettec63]

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Dude! I missed you!!! I was trying to sell my Muscovy's and you must have passed right by me????

I saw you a few times - you were very busy

Once I thought I had caught your eye and waved, only to have some really freaked out lady wave back --- I think I frightened her, being evil and all

oh Really?? Sorry about that!!!

I was, I've never been to a show and on top of the fact I really didn't have proper crate dishes for the birds, I felt bad! Well, I'm sure I will see you again! I WILL NOT be bringing that many birds to a show again!! For the sanity of all involved!! lol Hope you had a good time?? OH your soooo evil!! Give me a break!!!

lol!!

 

[Chickielady]

here is the worm man cricket sales page:

http://www.reptilefood.com/category.aspx?zcid=102

 

[pettec63]

Quote:
Somebody (Grace?) linked to the WSU Small Farms site- they're really good at providing ag econ information. For what you're talking about, I'd also recommend getting in touch with whoever is already selling stuff in your area: one thing with is absolutely true about the kind of specialty products you're talking about is that more vendors in a locality is good for all of them, up to a very high number. People still come from out-of-area to the Oly Farmers Market for garden annual starts, nursery plants, perennials, bulbs, and cut flowers because there are sufficient vendors for there to be a choice among a wide selection; having three butcher shops and two seafood ones has increased sales for all of them.

Most people who are making a living from their small farm have at least one family member working a job with benefits or they are young retirees with a pension and health coverage. If you're trying to sneak up on quitting your day job, you need to have a whole lot of information from people who know your area, your proposed products, and your suppliers. The Extension Service is always the first place to ask.

You can use LocalHarvest.org to find other farmers close to you.

Thanks!

 

[RedReiner]

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I happen to have a miniature pinscher pup looking for a home also lol lookie there!! 2 for 1 deal!! whats your DH's email address again??

Ohhh no! Our Pomeranian is 12 years old now and still going strong. I've made promises to DH that Dasher will be treated well for the rest of his precious little life which seems like it will go on FOREVER. And then NO MORE little dogs. At least not until we get one.

Minpins are big dogs in small bodies, and very smart and independent , no ankle biters. and you really do need a lonely little serama pullet under your tree...did I mention she is really lonely? and tame?

 

[pettec63]

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And I might add, the best way to succed, is to have enough land to raise the feed for your animals.
When you have to BUY the feed, you are loosing money.

Yes, I agree. The only way to make money on the animals is to be able to grow their food and direct marketing is the only way to go so there is no middle man. Produce is more profitable. I come out ahead for the expense and the amount of time I spend. I try to follow Eliot Colemans methods. He is the small farm produce guru! It is reported that he grosses $80.000 an acre. We have 5 and I grow on 1/4 acre of it so my goal is trying to get as close to $20,000 as I can. Takes time and practice and DIRECT MARKETING but every year I get better and closer to my goal. Plus, planning on adding a 30x96 hoophouse to extend the season thru winter. Each plot of land can grow 2 or more crops each year. As long as you grow organically, add the nutrients and compost needed for healthy soil it won't get depleted. Equipment has already been amortized out so my expenses each year are pretty much seed and fertilizer and occasional equipment repair. I consider the horses a hobby so I don't include the cost of their feed resulting in their contribution to the compost. The chickens do pay for themselves,(barely) so their contribution to the compost is a bonus. With produce it is possible to make money, plus you are contributing to the locally grown movement. Saving fuel so it's not shipped across the country. Huge satisfaction in getting so many people who are so grateful for what you do. My DH thinks I need to get a REAL job so the support of the people I sell to is what keeps me going.

Just crunching numbers, if I had a REAL job and worked 40 hrs a week making $8 and hour I would be making less per hour than I do growing produce, our entire second vehicle is deductible not to mention so many other things that are plus I'm home, with a somewhat flexible schedule to be able to run errands for him, rescue him when his car breaks down etc. The list is long. I try to tell him all this but he won't listen. He really has no idea. So, whats a girl to do?

Wow! That's awesome CGG!!! I don't have a green thumb tho, I'm a warm and fuzzy kinda person, it needs to breath and have hair and 4 legs, then I know what to do with it!! Oh wait, ok two if its a bird!! LOL There was a butt load of information on the WSU small farms site, I think for me, it's doing research, find my focus and lay out a plan. Again, I'm not looking to get rich, or my husband quit his job, just do something I love and do it well! As for your husband, well... there's a few options, but that's a personal choice!!

 

[pettec63]

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Well, providing I didn't get too big, I have enough pasture to raise pastured poultry and goats. I could grow grains for them too! I was just perusing the WSU site on small farms and they have a TON of information!! Also, I think I'm going to sign up for the Women in Agriculture seminar Feb 11 2012, it's a simultaneous seminar in 15 locations in WA. One of which will be in Kennewick!!

Isn't the small farm website/ cooperative extension great? Thought you might like it.

Frickn A it rocks!! I sat there for two hours reading stuff! Thanks again!!