Hello from Southern Indiana

Hi! I just want to pop in and introduce myself. My name is Alicia. I have 4 children; a 14 yo DD, 6 yo DS, 4 yo DS, and one Angel who passed away at 16 mo and would be 10. I homeschool, sew, cook from scratch, and am overall quite busy! lol! I wouldn't trade it.

We also have a dozen chickens, one rabbit (my daughter raises them, but is changing breeds), too many cats, and 2 dogs; a German Shep and a Border Collie.

Currently we live in South Central Indiana, but in May we bought a farm on nearly 50 acres with a cabin built in 1830, with no power or water currently. We had been looking for several years for our farm. You can read the beautiful story here: https://derbauernhofsite.wordpress.com/about/

Our farm is in Charlestown, IN, about 30 min north of Louisville, in a greatly expanding area, but, for now, it is away from most of the hustle and bustle. My husband's dad got the 45 acres or so next to us, so we will have 90+ acres to work with!! If we can ever get out there.

As soon as my DH can find a suitable job replacement we are gone! lol!

We have plans for a small orchard (3-5 acres), market garden, pastured poultry and, eventually, pigs, as well as grassed beef, and dairy goats. I home to, also learn how to grow mushrooms, since about 25- 30% is woods and I think it will be a great additional use.

In October we met Joel Salatin, we really love his work and he is such a nice guy, too! I am also really loving Justin Rhodes and his sweet family.

I have a TON to learn, but I am eager and so is my husband.

PS- My daughter, who we are homeschooling in her freshman year, is fascinated with forest gardens. So We will be expanding in that area, as well. She is NOT a typical teen. She enjoys frolicking in the woods barefoot with her cats and eating the plantain, chickweed, dandelion, clover (and anything else) she can find on the way!! lol! She is really wanting to learn falconry as well. An falconers out there?

Howdy Alicia, welcome to permies!

Wow what a beautiful farm you all have. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about all of your plans.

Hope you won't be getting rid of all of the honey locusts? They really have some good things to add to a homestead.

Miles Flansburg wrote:Howdy Alicia, welcome to permies!

Wow what a beautiful farm you all have. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about all of your plans.

Hope you won't be getting rid of all of the honey locusts? They really have some good things to add to a homestead.

Thank you so much! We love it!

What would you do with the locusts? They have a TON of massive thorns. Personally, I don't want my kids or animals to get those in their feet like I did once when I was younger. And they are ALL over, like 30-50 of them...

Alicia,
Hello and welcome to Permies! I love your story. I have been reading your blog and find it so well presented. I think Uncle Art and Aunt Edwina would be proud.

I wish you much luck/success/happiness in your journey. I'll be following along and look forward to seeing your progress.

Welcome to Permies Alicia! I moved to Montana a few years ago, but I actually used to live very closeby to your town in Borden! Small world

Charlestown is a beautiful area, but we did have a very hard time finding suitable land for what we wanted to do (just generally not be noticed, hence our move) - you're so lucky to have such a beautiful place! I'll be following your story for sure!

Karen Donnachaidh wrote:Alicia,
Hello and welcome to Permies! I love your story. I have been reading your blog and find it so well presented. I think Uncle Art and Aunt Edwina would be proud.

I wish you much luck/success/happiness in your journey. I'll be following along and look forward to seeing your progress.

Oh thank you so much Karen! That makes my heart smile!

Destiny Hagest wrote:Welcome to Permies Alicia! I moved to Montana a few years ago, but I actually used to live very closeby to your town in Borden! Small world

Charlestown is a beautiful area, but we did have a very hard time finding suitable land for what we wanted to do (just generally not be noticed, hence our move) - you're so lucky to have such a beautiful place! I'll be following your story for sure!

Thank you!!! I know where Borden is!

We were very lucky!! We looked in many other places because nothing could be found in Indiana. I understand why you had to move. I bet Montana is gorge though!!

Here is another thread that describes some uses for the honey locusts.  https://permies.com/t/39003/Updating-Honey-Locust-information-Tree

Those thorns are pretty bad aren't they?

I know some of you have seen that I am having a giveaway on my blog/ FB. And more importantly, after a lot of prayer and a push from a new "friend", I have set a challenge for myself. The kids and I will be moving to our farm in April. I need all the support and encouragement I can get. Being an hour and half away from Matt, with 2 little boys that are  super trying is a bit scary. But I really feel like God is pushing me in this direction. Things will never get worked on like they need to be at the farm if no one is ever there.

Please follow my blog! And PLEASE SHARE!!! https://derbauernhofsite.wordpress.com/2016/12/07/whoa-i-need-something-to-hold-on-to/