John Cabot

Land is lots of clay...and lots of granite!

We make artisan cheese on our South Carolina farm and need to expand a cheese cave. It's a very small family farm and, as such, money is very tight. We do already have a large (60' X 30') cement slab available that was used previously for something else, so we hope to construct a cheese aging cave there. Unfortunately, going underground isn't possible/practical for us at this point.

My challenge is this...what is the most cost-effective (cheapest) way to build a cheese cave on that slab? Here are things I'v considered.

Purchasing a 30X60 metal building (I-beam construction), insulating it and covering the internal insulation with washable material

Purchasing one or more used refrigerated trailers, connecting them if needed

stick building the structure, which of course requires a large roof as well

This building will need to be kept at 52-55 degrees year round, and maintain humidity of 88-92%. I'm considering cooling with standard air conditioners connected to coolbots. Of course, whatever choice we go with, it has to be very well insulated.

I appreciate any help/advice the community has, as construction isn't my area of expertise. Thanks!

Yes. http://tinyurl.com/79vxwsy

Hope this is helpful.

Dusty
http://farm-dreams.com

I've raised lots of sheep on grass only. If you're not going to deworm them, which I absolutely do not, then the key to managing parasites is frequent rotational grazing. If you don't move them to fresh paddocks frequently then they will graze close to the ground where their parasites are waiting. I've found that it takes about 9 months at least to raise lambs on good pasture.

Good luck!

Dusty
http://www.farm-dreams.com/group/sheepgoats

Walter is definitely right. $90K to work that hard, hand milk, grow year round will likely put them at the poverty level when all their expenses (not including book royalties) are factored in. Still, love living off the land but there is nothing wrong to aspiring to a good white collar wage while growing food for others and improving the earth at the same time.

Dusty
http://www.farm-dreams.com/profiles/blogs/how-to-make-money-living-off-the-land-part-1-of-5

Agreed...there really are so many ways to make money off the land. The key is to get/have some land and then you're on your way to independence!

Dusty
http://www.farm-dreams.com/profiles/blogs/how-to-make-money-living-off-the-land-part-1-of-5