Hi Matthew,
Did you ever get a meaningful reply?
How do your bees do over the winter in NJ? I’m in Eastern Ontario and have been hoping to add some hives to our place for a while but everyone here says it is a losing battle. We do get honey from Grandpa but he lost most of his hives now - from over 60 down to 2! All to say, the winters are pretty harsh here. We have over a metre of snow on the roof right now and it’s hip-deep on the ground - you need snow shoes to leave the yard.
I have 25 acres of mixed forest, maple bush and some plantation. I cleared an acre or so for garden and chickens and I have a plan for some hairy pigs and milking goats this spring. We have a nice river so maybe ducks too but the Cayotes are an issue....
I’m 48 and I dropped out of my science career last year to spend more time with my son (12) and to live a more grounded, realistic life. Self-sufficiency is the dream. Not saying it is easy so far, keeping up the place, building in the summer and clearing snow in the winter, cutting wood, digging, planting, weeding, canning, killing and cleaning critters, shovelling poop! But a swim in the river at the end of the day and some venison on the bbq can make it all worthwhile:) Maybe a glass of my cider which looks like pee but tastes marginally better :)
Right now i have to decide if I can take on more. I have an offer of 100 acre organic farm from neighbours in there 80’s who have to ‘move into town’. Place needs a lot of work. It is the original log homestead and barn, pasture, hay fields and market garden. Question is, can I do it alone or can I find someone up for a challenge? Or should i stay in the forest and find some tree loving pigs, ‘cos let’s face it, what’s life without bacon?....
Bye for now,
Charlotte
