Winter is the only time I can rest. In the warmer months I am leaving a small footprint as well. I have solar panels in my pole barn waiting to go on the house and want to incorporate solar power on my coop as well for the door and lighting. I'd like to build a 400 sq ft barn and then attach the coop to the barn itself to save on land taxes which are a killer here. My garden is plowed by a horse I use as I don't believe in machines and I plant heritage seeds. Even my roses are heritage breeds. My herbs are for both medicinal and for the soaps I make and I make oatstraw infusions in the warm months which I drink more than anything else. Apples are pressed to make juice, and my meats I get depend on the end of the season...if I get a deer and turkey great, if not, I get a free side of beef from the Mennonite family up the road. I'd like to one day have 4 goats, chickens and some rabbits, hence would bring in some extra income. All this would in turn make my hobby farm self reliant and profiting. Since I make flour out of acorns I don't need to visit the grocery store all the time. I still buy sugar and salt and toiletries and thats about it. My last bill from 4 months ago was $48.92 and I'm set for a full year before I head back to the store.
