ok, I too have to put in my 2 cents worth...for what it worth. My dh and I have just bought our "mini farm" We have just over 5 acres. We have only been here 2 1/2 years. It has taken us this long, to get the "plans" worked out to be "self sustained"
Being there are only 2 of us....it will be alot easier. We plan on raiseing 2 pigs, and 1 cow, for the freezer every year. Now.....there will be more than 2 pigs, and more than one calf....this way we can sell the excess for feed costs. We will raise 100 broilers every spring/summer. Our garden will be close to an acre. ( already started.) We have a cellar that stays cool, but doesnt freeze, for canned goods storage. We have grapes, mulberries, elderberries, for jams and jellies....and will be planting a few nut trees and blackberries this spring. We also have Persimmon trees. We have a small pond, which we plan to enlarge, and will have fresh fish.( in a few years) We already sell eggs, and altho we dont make a "profit" we do sell enough to make the feed bills.Any excess veggies, and fruits, I will sell from the front yard. We also plan to build a smoke house...got the plans already, to smoke our own meats. Now, will we make a profit? NO....DH will have to continue to work outside the home. I will do most of the animal and garden care, and canning. This summer, I am planning an Herb garden...and will try to learn to dry my own herbs for seasonings and hopefuly flowers for drying and sales. Farming is not profitable these days....unless you inherit the land, equipment,animals, and know how,,,and even then, like others said....mostly, just getting by.
Being there are only 2 of us....it will be alot easier. We plan on raiseing 2 pigs, and 1 cow, for the freezer every year. Now.....there will be more than 2 pigs, and more than one calf....this way we can sell the excess for feed costs. We will raise 100 broilers every spring/summer. Our garden will be close to an acre. ( already started.) We have a cellar that stays cool, but doesnt freeze, for canned goods storage. We have grapes, mulberries, elderberries, for jams and jellies....and will be planting a few nut trees and blackberries this spring. We also have Persimmon trees. We have a small pond, which we plan to enlarge, and will have fresh fish.( in a few years) We already sell eggs, and altho we dont make a "profit" we do sell enough to make the feed bills.Any excess veggies, and fruits, I will sell from the front yard. We also plan to build a smoke house...got the plans already, to smoke our own meats. Now, will we make a profit? NO....DH will have to continue to work outside the home. I will do most of the animal and garden care, and canning. This summer, I am planning an Herb garden...and will try to learn to dry my own herbs for seasonings and hopefuly flowers for drying and sales. Farming is not profitable these days....unless you inherit the land, equipment,animals, and know how,,,and even then, like others said....mostly, just getting by.
