Gardening Fail!

So the story begins at the end of winter... At this time I still haven't found land to start raising livestock, so I decide to do the only thing I could think of doing, grow plants. One caveat, I have never planted a seed (successfully) in my life! So if death freaks you out, you might want to stop reading here...

Attempt #1: One day I order seeds online from seedsnow.com. Good information on the website, non-GMO and non-Monsanto. Sweet! Sign me up!

(Pepper (SWEET), Pepper (HOT), Bean, Cucumber, Kale, Onion, Carrot, Tomato - large, Tomato - Cherry, Parsley, Cilantro and Basil)

With my seeds on their way, I head over to Menards to pick up what I think I'll need to propagate. Dirt and those green house things with the pods that look like cardboard you fill up with dirt. Everything I need... right...?

So my seeds arrive a few days later and I get to planting. I sowed my seeds in dry dirt. Afterwards, I go to the kitchen sink and use the spray nozzle to drench everything. Cover with the plastic greenhouse lid and away we go!

Result #1: I put the trays in our bedroom (not so warm, but it was the only space we had in the house) on the book case to grow big and strong. Almost everything sprang up in a short amount of time. After a couple days I noticed they were growing up, but not out. I could almost hear them screaming for light. Needless to say, they all keeled over... except a couple pepper plants that are alive and thriving to this day.

~~~

Attempt #2: I dislike the cardboard cutout seed trays you just cut out to plant, they were such a hassle. Therefore, I got the older style trays with the plastic seed pods. For the most part, I did everything the same, except I used a spray bottle for watering to regulate it a little better.

Result #2: The kale shot right up within a couple days! That's exciting! I know I need to get these guys to some light before they die... again. On a Sunday morning I place the newly sprouted kale in the yard while we went off to church. It was sunny and warm. I'm thinking perfect weather to get some good growth.

And then I came home... the sun had scorched ALL the kale. 18 kale plants, dead. Ok... I still have tomatoes, cucumber, green onions and 3 types of herbs. There is still have a chance to make something happen here. The tomatoes come through, and then the herbs. Success! (kinda...) They're growing too fast for me to get the appropriate amount of light to them. At the first opportunity I get, I make another run to Menards and I pick up a 4ft shop light and some poor man's grow bulbs. I get the lights set up in the garage and I'm home free. I have water, light and a stable environment.

So, if that's the case... What happened to my onions and my cucumbers? Out of 9 cucumbers, 1 survived. Out of 9 onions, 0 survived...

~~~

Attempt #3: Where the 3 verities died, I planted more kale, swiss chard, summer squash, cucumber and more basil. Still waiting for those to come through... It looks like this growing season will be chalked up to a learning experience.

Any tips, tricks or comments are always appreciated.

An Excellent Wife

An Excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:10-12

There are times when I can take the support of my wife for granted. I can forget the love she continually shows, even through the toughest times.

Over the past two and a half years I truly believe I have found my calling, to start a farm. The only person to show me unwavering support is my gorgeous wife, and lets face it, her opinion is the only one that reaches the depths of... well... however deep my depths are.

For Christmas she got me the book "Quitter" by Jon Acuff. The whole premise of the book is, how to move into your dream job while working your day job. As the sole financial provider for our family I don't have the option of "going all in". I will never risk the financial well-being of our family, especially when there is a better way.

For my birthday, about a week later, my wife got me the book "You Can Farm" by Joel Salatin. I first read this book not too long after our honeymoon. There is so much practical information and processes that really gives me confidence in our coming adventures.

As a child and a young adult, I was like any other kid, trying to find my thing. Trying to find my purpose or my calling. The environment I was in was not really conducive to encouragement. There were always the "insurmountable obstacles that I was just not good enough to get over" brought to my attention. Teachers would tell me I "wouldn't amount to anything". Influential adults told me "you'll never find greatness", and to just try to make it. For 27 years I heard this in many different forms.

When I started dating my now wife, I couldn't believe how encouraging and positive she was. It's almost been three years since we said I do and I have never known anyone believe in me the way she does. Giving me these two books are just a small way of her saying "I know your dream of being a full-time farmer is within reach. Go after it."

There are truly days I cannot thank God enough for a Proverbs 31 woman.

Chicken Thoughts

Red Ranger

Recently I have been going back and forth on raising chickens on rented land. I mean... Chickens are delicious and fresh eggs are amazing... so why have I been going back and forth on them?

The reasons are simple actually 1) I don't have a place to butcher, or a chicken plucker to clean the meat birds 2) I need to figure out a shelter for the egg layers.

If I owned my own farm there would be more options to solve some of these problems. As it is, I see some hurdles I would need to overcome.

But really... How many things can come up that I can't find a solution to? I mean, Is it possible I can butcher on the farm I'm renting from? Could I butcher at my house (Give the neighborhood kids a lesson on where their food comes from)? Take it to a processor (I'd rather not)? To every problem there is a solution.

Barred Rock

As for the shelter situation... There is a lot I can accomplish with 2x2's and some chicken wire. I can throw some wheels on the heavy side and a rope or something to pull on the other side. I think I can actually make something work.

I do have a confession though... I have never eaten farm fresh chicken...

Top Five Pigs

Our current farming system holds up confinement pigs as a norm and something to be set as a standard across the world. These animals are bred for only two qualities; growth rate and litter size. The living conditions are so poor, pharmaceuticals are required to keep the animals alive.

I have something completely different in mind when I say "I want to raise pigs". I believe God created pigs to be pigs. They are meant to roam pastures and forests; eating acorns, grubs, berries, grasses and roots. They'll live in an element where there is no need for antibiotics and large houses.

Here are my top five choices. For what I would love to raise/breed, in no particular order

All of these breeds thrive outdoors and all of them taste amazing. These are all heritage breeds, which means they are a rare high quality pigs you will not find in your local grocery store. The three most important qualities for them to have are taste, temperament and foraging abilities. I have listed their conservation status next to their name. In raising these breeds we can use the highest quality piglets to grow our own breeding stock or sell to other breeders to continue promoting the heritage breed, thus aiding the endangerment status. 

Berkshire (critical)

Country of origin: England

Meat: Juicy, flavorful and tender. Pink hues with heavy marbling. Its higher fat content allow it to cook nicely with high heat. 

Red Wattle (critical)

Country of origin: USA

Meat: The culinary world fell in love with the quality of this pig. Winning taste test after taste test the Red wattle is highly sought after because of its juicy, well marbled and lean meat. I cannot wait to give this pork a try.

Size: typically 600-800 pounds but can reach 1500 pounds. (butcher weight typically 250lbs)

Tamworth (threatened)

Country of origin:United Kingdom

Meat: Traditionally known as the bacon pig (need I say more?)

Size: About 440lbs - 820lbs Fully Grown. (butcher weight typically 250lbs)

Large black (critical)

Country of origin: Great Britain

Meat: Lean and flavorful, this meat will be cooked best on a lower heat setting.

Size: Fully grown from 660-800lbs. (butcher weight typically 250lbs)

Hereford (watch)

Country of origin:USA

Meat: Flavorful and light on fat. 

Size: 600-800lbs (butcher weight typically 250lbs)

No matter which one I decide to go with when I start breeding pigs, any of them will be sure to have tasty meat, good temperaments and good foraging abilities.

If I had to pick one right now it would have to be the Red Wattles because it has the most impressive reviews.

I think we are going to wait a few years before we start breeding, in the mean time my plans are to buy piglets that have just been weaned from their mothers from other local farmers who would currently have these types of breeds available.

Step 1:1

Large tasks need to be broken down into steps. My first step is to find some affordable land close to where I live. With this task being so large I need "baby steps" in order to keep from being overwhelmed.

Baby step #1:

     Put together a flyer I can post in strategic locations around town.

What I'm hoping to accomplish by this is to find a local farmer who has some land he's not using. I'm not looking for the cleanest pastures, heck, I don't even need pastures... I would be happy with a wooded lot to allow the pigs to go crazy on acorns and other nuts. As a benefit to the farmer I rent from, he will have a cleaner wooded lot. I don't require electricity as I plan to use a battery powered fence charger. It would sure be nice to have access to water, but again it wont be necessary. I have found large containers on Craigslist for a reasonable price. I am even flexible on the size of lot. I figure anything between 5 an 10 acres will give me a good start.

My end goal is to find a workable piece of land at the best possible price. Any comments/suggestions are appreciated.

An Intentional 2013

There is an opportunity at the beginning of every year for setting goals and looking forward to what this next year will bring. 

For me, this year's goals are simple- find some land to rent and start raising pigs. 

The goals are simple and not very well defined but I assure you, there are many details that are not being overlooked. 

When you start something new there is always fear of the unknown. I personally fear both failure and success. As well as the lack of knowledge that I currently don't know I don't have. This year is primarily about acquiring the knowledge necessary to avoid complete and utter failure on a large scale. So, to kick off the new year, this is my goal. 

Here's to achieving it.

Correspondence Regarding Land

Yesterday I sent an email to the University of Minnesota small farms extension seeking advice on how to get my hands on some land. To my delight I got a response today with some great ideas. Unfortunately is was coupled with news that might become a huge obstacle.

My Email:

Hello,

I am planning to start a grass based farming operation next Spring. My desire is to start small and grow as my customer base grows. My question is: Where do I begin looking for land to lease? I would like it to be within 15 minutes of where I live (Forest Lake, MN).  I would like the size to be 20+ acres.

Thank you for your help,
Lucas Johnson
Facebook.com/wittenburgfarms
http://wittenburgfarms.blogspot.com/

Their response:

Hi Lucas,
I would write up a simple ad very similar to what you have written here and place it in your local paper or shopper.
You could also put up a flyer 8x10 sheet of paper.

"Wanted to Lease, 20 acres or more of Good Pasture land for grass fed beef operation.
with or without water source within 10 miles of Forest Lake, MN
I will maintain or build fences
call Lucas Johnson and number"

put your name and phone number horizontal across the bottom of the page so they can rip off the name and number.

Put the flyer at the FSA, NRCS office, church, grocery store, feed store and gas station.
Put one at the county Extension office and ask if 4-H has a facebook page and if the 4-H agent would be willing to post on
facebook.  You may also want to put up a flyer at the Senior Center.

Be prepared to pay $15.00 per Animal Unit (1000 pounds) one cow calf, per month.
I am attaching a link to a sample pasture lease.
http://www.mwps.org/stores/mwps/files/NCFMEC03A_D9E5FDD476870.pdf

If you have further questions  or need additional resources please contact us again on the Farm Information Line.

Best regards,


My thoughts on their response:
Overall this is a good follow up to my email. I now have a plan of attack to pursue a land lease. I guess it makes sense to do things a little more traditional with the kind of work I'm wanting to do. I would definitely change the advert to say something along the lines of

Wanting to lease 10 acres or more of pasture land to raise heritage pigs and chickens.
Need access to water and prefer to have electricity within 15 Miles of Forest Lake.
I will build or maintain fences. 

Something along those lines would work.

The part that bothered me was the last paragraph. "Be prepared to pay $15 per AU per month".
If I figure that right, it would be about $300 per month. With what we are doing, that really makes it difficult to pull in a profit. Paying $3600 for leased land + purchase of animals + feed + fencing & equipment, I'm finding it a little difficult to breaking even, let alone bring in even a small profit. 

I guess the only thing I can do is find a better deal and keep the option open to purchase land as opposed to leasing.