One Year on the Farm
May 6th, 2014 · 4 Comments · Posted in farming
It was a year ago I moved from D.C. to our farm property in Upstate New York and, frankly, I’ve been too busy lately to reflect much on this milestone. But I do think about it all the time.
Why did we leave our home of so many years in the nation’s capital? Mainly, we wanted to grow our own food grazing animals on pasture. We wanted to be more self-sufficient in an uncertain world and get ahead of global warming.
Have we succeeded? Ask me again in another couple of years. We’re just getting started. Last year we operated our farm at a $17,000 loss. Add in another $40,000 in basic infrastructure, including a perimeter fence, water and electric lines, a new well, a permanent paddock with walk-in shelter for livestock. And then a tractor–about the cost of a new automobile. Starting a farm ain’t cheap.
We made some $600 selling eggs and broiler chickens. We hope to do better this year, but it will be more than a year before we see results from our animal husbandry, meaning sales of lamb and goat. But hopefully we’ll be able to cover the costs of animal feed with enough meat for ourselves to see us through the year. This fall we also hope to build a large container garden for produce, and we’ll be making a big push to feed and nurture our fruit orchard.
For sure, starting a farm is expensive. And a lot of work. People ask me if I’m retired and I have to answer in the affirmative, except I’m working harder now than ever. It’s a great life, though, working outside every day.
We’ve learned how to split wood and heat with a wood stove. We’ve survived one of the harshest winter’s in a generation. And now another season of grazing our livestock begins.
I only wish I’d started this 30 years ago.
A friend posted this and I had to comment as I left DC 45 years ago, married the farmers’ daughter in Eastern Washington state, and have farmed and kept bees ever since. We now live on 60 acres on the Columbia River 2 miles from Canada, have retired from commercial beekeeping, but still grow most of the food we eat. I can’t imagine life any other way and highly recommend it for any adventurous soul…
Sounds like the life, alright, Matt. We may be getting bees soon as well.
Congratulations Bruske, Lane and Leila! May you have anoither 30 years!
Thanks, Ben! We will certainly try.