We bought a seven acre piece of land near Charlotte, NC to turn into a self sufficient mini farm and to sell anything extra. So far we have 40 chickens and 16- 2'x10' & 4'x10' raised beds based on the Square Foot Garden. We are on waiting list for Nigerian Dwarf Goats and would also like to add a pig or 2 and maybe a cow. Our overall goal is to make farm as self sufficient as possible. Grow everything ourselves to feed livestock and to grow as much as possible for ourselves. The last few months I have been learning about Permaculture, Contour Swales and Hugelkultur and it just makes since to me why you would want to do this. What doesn't make since is why you wouldn't. While I wish now that I didn't do the raised beds, I will keep them for now as I have a lot of money and energy in them and so far working, I do however what to add more beds and will most likely add Contour Hugelkultur Beds for the rest of my annual garden area. My main design problem comes from what we currently call the pasture that is just being mode every 3 or 4 weeks (used for horse pasture by previous owner). I want to add Contour Hugelkultur Swales to provide grain and corn for ourselves and livestock, perennial food forest, 3-4 pasture paddocks for livestock, and an easy way to get them from their shelter to the different pastures. Also a way to keep the from eating off of beds until I want them to. We are self employed so another goal for us is to make this system as efficient as possible as we work a lot of hours. On map, White writing is current & Blue Writing is our plan and need help with. I am open to any ideas as I get all the concepts, but can't get the plan together.
Soil descent except top of hill on pasture, it is solid rock.
