Spirit Farm

Riona Abhainn wrote:You've got some great ideas to start with, including having it so people buying at the farm stand can pet the animals, kids and many grownups will love that, and it will keep visitors who are local coming back again and again.

Thanks Riona!

Right now, continue to slow clear were we need to create out define zones.

We completed the poultry area which was the thickest and laid an all purpose forage seed and straw.

Today, will focus on crop zone to have two defined areas before the USDA agent comes for a site visit on the 26th (this coming friday).

Have put in for usda farm loan to get then funds to buy our own piece of equipment as weve been renting which is pain!

Will keep posted!

Timothy,

Great questions! In response:

You wouldn't happen to have a topographical map would you?

- [ ] Uploaded attachment if terrain map yet, mostly flat! 😁

Unless everything is relatively flat then please disregard.

- [ ] No worries! Was good exercise!! 😁

What kind of chicken density are you looking to have in those tractors and what size would you say the chicken tractor area would be?

- [ ] Will start with with about 10-20 hens as we want to provide significantly more free range space as possible yet, the are after we worked the clearing this weekend turned out to be way bigger than anticipated. Will slowly scale to the market interest we get for sure.
- [ ] For tractor size/desig, definitely in research mode at the moment. Any suggestions or recommendations?

Anne,

Thanks for warm welcome! In response to your great questions:

I see that you have planned a Welcome Center.  What kind of business do you plan to have?

- [ ] Simple produce to start: eggs/poultry/crops.  
- [ ] Then after establishing solid business fundamentals and practices (in learn mode), will transition to more agritourism by allowing on premise touring and animal interactions with are small speciality livestock: babydoll sheep/pygmy goats/mini pot pigs.
- [ ] There is a state park thats 5 minutes down the road that average 300,000 visitors a year. The goal would be to capture 2-5% of that traffic to reach profitability to constantly reinvest into the farms landscaping (more ornamental vibes) and creating better engagement experiences for children while enriching the animals habitats.

Maybe Goat Yoga?

- [ ] If we can find an instructor, would absolutely provide the area and goats! 😁

Your post suggests egg production will be first then goats/sheep.

- [ ] Yes, will attempt to grow in small phases to allow for corrections/lessons learned adjustments along the way.

Ben,

Great questions and thank for feedback! Responses below:

Can I ask what your intention is for the existing tree/brush cover on the land?

- [ ] The plan is to keep as much of the current ecology as possible as it's doing so well.  I am only clearing what is needed to create the open area for perennial forage cover.

Have you taken the time to identify what's growing there currently, what purpose it serves in the ecosystem and how it could be useful in some way to some of your design goals?

- [ ] Absolutely, 90% is Autumn Olives and small pines.  Will leave many olives/pines in the goat and pig area for grazing and shade.  You can see the google map this is the most overgrown area. Will leave a smaller amount in sheep paddock, crop, and poultry area.  All the olive/pines removed will be pushed into hugle berm walls to the barriers of each section, covered with dirt and straw, then planted into for supplemental animal food as large hugle beds!

The Autumn Olives are invasive in our area yet, they do provide lots if small fruit through fall and the goats will eat the pine needles from what ive read.

Hola brilliant permies!

Looking for any/all criticism for my new 25 acre farm that i built a chart plan to incorporate: poultry area, crop area, sheep grazing paddocks, goat area next to farm stand for hand feeding by farm stand visitors, and small mini potbelly pig area.

Will build out in phases and have already contacted the ag department who are coming out SEP 26 for site visit.

Goals is to generate revenue with eggs/pultry first --> then specialty crops --> then agritourism with specialty sheep/goat/pig breeds

Overarching goal will be to do this with permaculture principals and and a closed loop sustainment system that will be evident to our visitors.

Appreciate and/all feedback!!!

Wes