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It gives me chills

prettypalfrey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:56:33 GMT

I was haying my colts tonight and feeding the barn cats when all of a sudden a shrill cry filled the night. It sounded like it was just down the hill. Luckily; I am learning how sound travels on the farm, it was more likely that the cry came from my second field. Still too close for comfort. Not even a minute later there were 5 or six more cries. Coyotes, and lots of them.

I am not sure if it is the weather or that there is alot of food for them. I can admit that it gives me chills and I am happy to have my dogs (all four of them) I am hoping that they would save me.

Memorable Stories from the Farm

Drawbar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:46:10 GMT

What are some of your stories from the farm, you know the ones that always make you laugh or smile? The ones that are often told at Thanksgiving Dinner every year because they always generate a laugh or smile no matter how many times you tell them?

******

My story starts with a rock that used to be where my house is located now. The key words being USED TO. Now my Grandfather liked two things...dynamite and hard apple cider, and typically he liked to combine the two extremes when he could. After farming around this rather big rock for years and years, he decided us boys should learn "the proper way to blow stumps and rocks from the ground," after all it was a dying farm skill.

Now we all know when working with high explosives its best to be in the proper frame of mind, but I am here to say that after getting pretty hard into the hard apple cider he always had brewed up, the day we blew up the rock was NOT one of those days for my grandfather.

He decided that simple dynamite was not going to cut it being a big rock and all, so we added some ammonium nitrate to our growing list of supplies, copper sulfate, diesel fuel and some blasting caps. In hind sight, any of the two explosives probably would have been enough, but this was no ordinary rock, and as I said, we had farmed around it for years that day was our revenge!

Using the tractor to dig some holes around the rock, we added 7 sticks of dynamite, and then the concoction of fuel oil, ammonium nitrate and copper sulfate and inserted the blasting cap. No need to cover the rock with sand or a blasting mat or anything..."never did before" he said and then proceeded to run some speaker wire to a car battery. Now was the time we decided...time to blow the rock to smithereens.

Grandfather touched the wire ends to the battery cable and all of hades let loose from the earth. Instead of a big puff, there was an explosion as the dirt kicked out from each side and the rock began to go skyward. Unbeknown to us, the rock was not so big....well it was in size, but it was not very thick, being more of a slab of rock then a big boulder. So when the rather excessive charge went off, the flat rock caught the explosion underneath it rather flatly and instead of shattering, it hefted the entire thing right out of the ground in a nice circular arch.

Now if the power lines had not been there, it would have been just another rock-blasted-from-the-ground story, but the rock...having the aerodynamics of a flat slab of granite, decided that flying was not its forte and made an agreement with gravity to fall back to the earth. Now why it chose to do that as it hovered above the power lines we will never know, but after slicing through the power lines and the phone lines with amazing speed and accuracy, it landed on the shoulder of the road with a loud "womp". At the same time the explosion set up this shock wave that bent every tree over in a one mile area. It knocked our hats off as it rolled by us, and toppled several weak trees out in the forest.

With no power in the house, an explosion and a powerful shock wave buffeting the house, my Grandmother came out of the house...who incidentally had not been in the hooch and in no way, shape or form should have been considered jovial, and to top it all off was built like Napoleon; short, stocky and swearing like a sailor; she let loose with a tongue lashing that curled my Grandfather's hair...or would have been if he was not so darn happy from the aforementioned white lightning!

In the end we took the tractor and pushed the rock out of the ditch and onto the rock wall where it is too this day. Grandmother eventually grew hoarse from her never ending, not-so-jovial name calling, and the power company said they had never repaired power lines from a dynamited rock before, but were happy to do so provided we pay for all the expenses. And us boys...yes we learned the proper way to blow rocks from the ground for sure....now we only use SIX sticks of dynamite!

Breaking Up Saline Soil

mystnd — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:44:42 GMT

My Soil Conservation agent tells me that a vast majority of my pasture land that I want to "reclaim" has so much saline and is so compacted/poorly drained that all I can plant in it is western wheatgrasses. He claims that ponderosa pine won't grow there. This is from the geologic mapping and not from actual soil testing. So....my theory is that over time (I suppose I may not live long enough for this to work.) that it can be improved with compost, etc. He looks at me like I'm nuts which I may be. He said, "maybe" planting sugar beats would help to aerate the soil so I was thinking about planting the grasses with things like turnips and rutabagas and beats; basically things with deep roots. Thoughts? Suggestions? Mary Ann

Panel and T-Post

cweick — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:01:36 GMT

Okay.

For P2's pig pen. Which side does the t-post go one? I was thinking the outside of the pen. Is this right or not? If not why?

Also...LOL...

Which one is better to use a 4 x 4 x 8s or landscape timbers for the corners? Does it really matter or is one better than the other? And here it comes...Why?

Thanks.

Intresting Contrast

walls0stoneIV — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:46:56 GMT

I was reading the Sunday paper. The cover article in the local section was on a man who had traveled all around the world and come back here to enhance the area with his wisdom. He had many ideas that he wanted to share with the farmers and how they could make there lives better ect ect.

Saying that business has a lot to teach the hayseeds he left behind for his vision quest round the world for enlightenment and inner peace or whatever.

after reading his article, I open Entrepreneur mag and read an article that says business has a lot to learn from small farmers and Amish. That it's the life style and the mentality of those 2 groups that has kept them afloat in these times.

The former thinks he's seen everything and is bringing it back, wile on the other hand the other case is made for taking info from here out to the world.

In both cases the writers are very general. Wile I do like the idea of new business in farming, most of the formers ideas were based in emotion and not thought out. The other side of the coin was also great, however most people don't know Amish and have never been with one long enough to have bad dealings with one.

Just a thought to break up same old same.

Retirement Farms

Paul Ewing — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:13:54 GMT

There have been a couple people recently mention retiring and moving to a farm. Is this a common thing? It seems like it would be a very hard time to try to set up a farm, especially if it isn't a very early retirement. That is one reason I moved back to our farm. My dad is getting to the point where it is hard for him to do the maintenance and upkeep. He isn't very old, only 66, but the doctors put him on a blood pressure med that saps his strength if he is out in the sun. Also his eyesight is starting to go. The initial work required to set up a farm is very high unless you are buying an established operation.

Trapping / Predator Control

Dingo — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:43:05 GMT

How many of you let local trappers help you out with predator control problems, or do you do it yourself ?

Guns on the Farm

Drawbar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:21:48 GMT

I don't have a gun here at the farm, but after running after a rifle to put down a Donkey and then a Ram, I'm thinking it may be about time. Just curious what would be a good all around gun. Something to toss lead at a coyote, turkey, or deer, and of course the most common use...to euthanize a sheep.

In the latter regard, a sheep has a very hard skull (hence the name ram) and so its got to be able to drive a bullet into their brains for a quick kill. I was just curious as to what people thought works good.

Dominique Rooster

finegansfarm — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:40:42 GMT

My Dominique rooster can't stand up. He is still eating, but lays on the barn floor and cannot walk. I have isolated him from the rest of the flock because the other roosters were beating him up. What could be wrong with him? Thanks.

I want to fix up a shed to use as a Hospital any ideas

TerriL — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:16:34 GMT

I hope I am doing this in the right place, I dont know much about forums.

I had a thought that I would like to have a central building for any of my sick or injured animals so I can treat them each at one time and have all my supplies and whatever right there. I have an empty shed that I could convert I think. I am not much of a builder so I have to keep anything I do simple and very cheap. Just fishing for thoughts, ideas or has anyone tried this and did it work well. Maybe it isnt a good idea, whatever you think I would like to hear. Thanks for helping a newbee. FYI I am 60 years young, female, with no help to take care of the farm. I am living my lifelong dream of having a hobby farm so its all good.

The trouble with old farmers.

britboy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:37:40 GMT

The old farmer down the road was really lonely and placed a lonely hearts ad at the feed store. The old lady farmer on the other side of town answered the ad and they went out for a meal one evening.

The old lady farmer, on the drive home, started to feel a bit friskey and asked "have you got a cialis" "No" replied the old farmer "I'm a John Deere man"

Looking for a tractor

Dingo — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:50:32 GMT

I am looking for some advice on buying a tractor for a small farm we just purchased. Reclaiming fields, plowing ect... Any advice would be great. Thanks

Orange Card

cweick — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:10:52 GMT

Well hubby and I both have one (orange card). I know I was in 7th grade and it was a mandatory class even in the city (back in the 1980's). Hubby doesn't remember when or where he got his. Come to find out at the school that P2 goes to, they will not have a mandatory class. I have to wait until he's 10 and sign him up at the Ag Center building and if they have enough names then they will have a class at the fire station. To my understanding if the child is 8 or 9 they can sign up and go through the motion of the class but not receive a card. I did not even check to see if there was a fee to this.

Does your school have a class for Hunter's Safety? Is it Mandatory? Where would you consider your school to be located in? MHS is out of the city limits.

change of gears

walls0stoneIV — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:35:15 GMT

Recently I rented 2 bulldozers to a crew working in the gas fields of PA.

The tool pusher said clearly, "Don't bring me A CAT!"
His hate of CATERPILLAR Equipment was based on the fact that CAT received
Gov money and he would only take a John Deere.

Then He asked what I drive... I told him A Chevy 2500 HD. But I was quick to tell him that I'd had it for a long time and it was paid for. But like most farmers here I'd be drive'n a Ford next time.

He was quick to tell me that his employer had made a new lease agreement for 100 Ford Trucks and would be turning in there GM's based on the recent situation.

anyone elts change'n Gears?

Favorite spot on your farm?

Drawbar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:50:46 GMT

What is your favorite spot on your farm?

Is it the barn where the lambs or kids are born? Or is it the big hay barn that your spouse and you built by hand? Maybe its a spot in the woods where a small streams tumbles over rocks while pushing autumn leaves downhill with it as it does so? Or is it the view from the kitchen window where the kids can be seen playing on the front lawn as you do dishes and the cows graze in the front paddock?

Maybe its on that Kubota you worked so hard to save up for and buy, and looking across its hood while it pulls a harrow that makes you smile, or maybe its sitting upon your horse picking your way through a rock strewn trail? Maybe its just an apple tree where the dropped apples cause two deer to show up every night about dusk?

I think you get the idea of what I am looking for. Try to describe your favorite spot in detail and why.

why is this good?

walls0stoneIV — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:15:39 GMT

I saw the spot on this site. 350 million given away and that's a good thing?

why not spend that money to break up the price fixing that is going on with the big buyers? and middle men? I'm 100% capitalist! but what's going on is anti free market. They got to the top.. the mile stone of building a big business would be to say the only people who can fight you fair would be the government.

There is no Free Market in dairy.

Second why are we so flipping happy for a hand out? I know why don't you just run down the street boasting about being on well fair! These people know to fish...farmers could make a living if people would just back off and let them. But we are so worried about everyone getting an almost free meal, that we let these large companies rule the markeet.

Recently New England Amish wanted to get out of there co-opp and open there own plant. The inspecter was over heard to say to another,
"if they do we'll find so many infractions we'll shut them down"

The case is being built at this moment.

Why the spin? why the happy angle? IT's a freaking hand out! Not a way out.

Having trouble reading & posting again

Farmermom — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:53:31 GMT

I'm getting that error message out of memory at line 2 again and I have to click OK 3 times before I can do anything, it's been good for awhile now it's back again.

I only have this problem on the forums and only this site none of the other forums I use do this to me, but it doesn't happen on the rest of the Hobby Farms site.

Hobbies beside Hobby Farming?

Drawbar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:55:09 GMT

Britboy's thread about repair shops on the farm got a few replies about "woodworking as a hobby," which is one of my hobbies as well. Despite having a pretty busy workload around the farm, I try to do a little woodworking when I can.

I like to make wooden models mostly, but lately I have been getting into making really high end hand tools (polished stainless and brass), but my proudest project was my daughters cradle. Having worked for the railroad for 10 years, her cradle is in the shape of a locomotive. Complete with dovetails and lovetails, it was really special.

So what about the rest of Hobby Farm Forum members...besides hobby farming what do you do for a hobby? (pics if you have them)

Offensive?

prettypalfrey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:42:04 GMT

I was wondering if anyone else found the add for Rodex sales and service offensive. Every time I see it in HF I get so upset. I realize that rodents can be a nuisence; however I also know that it is cruel to harm animals as well. I find it very upsetting that HF allows this type of add in their magazines. I may be overreacting but Gophers and prairie dogs are animals too. I would love to hear what everyone else thinks.

Thanks

P.P

chicken feed

JustUs — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:43:55 GMT

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to make my own chicken feed?

Thanks!

Western Tennessee

thestartupman — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:37:46 GMT

I am planning to move Western Tennessee. I am hoping to find between 40-100 acres of land with or without a home. I have worked on a few dairy farms when I was in high school. I have been living in the North West for most of my life now, but my job is going away within a year. So, I am hoping to return to the estern part of the country. I have been looking in the Carroll county area of Western TN, but would consider other areas. We have visted the area several times over the last few years.

What I would like to find is info on any of the following items.

What are some of the better areas in Western TN to own a small farm?

If I was to talk my children into moving to TN, would it be possible to split off like 5 acres to each of them without much problem?

What kind of animals, and Garden Vegtibles do good in the area?

What are the better school districts?

Are there any areas that have problems getting electricty to the )property that may keep the property prices down? (I am thinking about going off grid.)

H1 and stuch

walls0stoneIV — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:12:27 GMT

I'm a bit confused buy a rereading of the posts. In a nutshell. some people say that clean barn floors are over rated, and cutting the grass is nothing more than being "upitty". At the same time we think free range chickens running free (and poop'n all over) is good...milk cows into an open pail with no filter and such.

Now I'm not going to kid you. I've eaten more than a few dinners in the barn. Not a snack...but cheese steaks, pizza an such wile milking cows. Dirt is good for us. BUT.. ponder this.

farm critters do carry some nasty stuff. raw milk is a risky, chickens running free were one hand milks is a risk.. hogs are a risk and an uncut lawn, wile it may use less fuel, is still a home for vermin which carry lice that carry sickness.

so why do people sing the song of this healthy way of life and then wonder why they get sick?

Swine Flu Vaccine

ValerieJean — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:04:00 GMT

Well, I've been doing some reading on the swine flu and the vaccine which seems to be coming out. Some of the news is disturbing, some seems to want to create fear in the marketplace, some just doesn't make sense, and with some it's hard to tell who's telling the truth.

For example, there's suppose to be a pandemic and the authorities are running around getting a vaccine to shoot into us, yet, if you check the stats - more people die from seasonal flu than swine flu - so why the hype? And according to the health officials I've talked to, those who died from swine already had preexisting conditions that weakened their immune systems, so really was it swine flu that killed them or was the flu just the extra piece.

According to the WHO and my own health officials the swine flu is rated as mild to moderate - so again, why the hype about the vaccine?

I've read that the vaccine hasn't gone through the rigorous testing most drugs go through - so why are they rushing ahead to give it to people?

Some countries and apparently Massachusetts are making it mandatory! If mass amounts of people don't die from this flu then why make it mandatory? And if the vaccine really does it's job and is safe why are some sites stating that half of the doctors will refuse to take it?

one link - http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=13835

another link - http://www.prisonplanet.com/mandatory-swine-flu-vaccinations-this-fall.html

another link - http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Find-Freedom.htm?At=0068112&From=News

another link - http://www.naturalnews.com/026779_swine_flu_patents_vaccines.html

another link - http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=106304

Also, if it is mandatory and one refuses to take it - then what - will they fine you, throw you in jail, put you in detention, give it to you with force? I'm looking for the answers... are you?

As well, I thought we lived in free countries - at least in this part of the world. If I do live in a free country, and I think I do, then do I not have a choice of where I go, what I do and what I put into my body?

I know... some of you are going to say that this sounds far fetched and outlandish - possibly it is. But, unless you ask the questions and seek the answers... how are you ever going to know?

So... I've done a bunch of reading, asked lots of questions and I wondered what the people on this forum thought. Do you routinely take vaccines? Do you care what's in them? Have you been following the swine flu vaccine? How far would you go? Would you refuse to take the vaccine even if it meant you were jailed? Would you take it just to keep the peace, so to speak?

If, as some of these sites seem to indicate there is a movement afoot to do mass vaccinations - will you partake? Will you step up politically and be heard?

ATV/UTV

cweick — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:03:45 GMT

We have a gas K. Mule and it's oh so hard to start. Should of went with the diesel.

cute farm game

CampineChickens — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:33:38 GMT

Hi all, there is a cute farm game on Facebook called Farmville.

Just though you farm people might like to play.

Thanks,

Ariel

How do you use your ATV/UTV?

HFfriend — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:12:59 GMT

What do you do with your single-seat ATV on your farm?

Haul and transport farm supplies and equipment
Monitor property/livestock
Use attachments to work fields/property
Fun/recreational riding/hunting
All of the above

We would love to hear what you think!!

What do you recycle on your homestead?

HFfriend — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:38:11 GMT

We're all into recycling these days. America Recycles Day reminds us where we are and what more we can do.

After you read the article on our home page, let us know what all you recycle on your homestead.

How have you gotten creative about recycling around the farm?

What tricks have you learned?

Tell us your recycling stories!

Christmas from your land/hand

cweick — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:56:03 GMT

What do you give from your land as presents to family or friends?

Nothing new

prettypalfrey — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:01:40 GMT

My computer has been out of commission for a little while so I have not been to Hobby Farms. I was actually excited thinking, because I was away there would be new topics and discussions. There isn't. We need to get some new topics on here. I come back everyday as I learn so much. I am going to put my brain to work and think of some things maybe everyone can too.

Still love this site though

Has anyone taken a leap of faith, and started over farming?

thestartupman — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:56:29 GMT

I was planning to move across the USA to start a retirement farm a few years down the road. Now my job looks like it is closing down as so many have, and I am planning to go ahead a make the move to the West TN area. I think I should be able to take what is left of the equity I have in my home, and be able to pay cash for a farm. I know it will not be an easy road before me, but every part of me longs to get back to the hard work, but simpler life again. I would like to hear from anyone who has done this, or is thinking about doing it.

We need a name

gcwpapillon — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:52:46 GMT

We love unique names, here are the names of our other horses

Odysseus

Quartermaine

D'Artagnan

Lynwy

Seattle

Galahad

The new horse is a mare, she's black...and we don't like common names!

Please give name, meaning AND HOW TO SAY THE NAME IF IT's UNIQUE (like alot of arabic names are hard to pronounce)!!! We love, fictional names, (if you couldn't tell)........ I've tried google, but it's the same names over, and over, and over!

Thanks for your help

Agri-Tourism for Real

Drawbar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:35:22 GMT

As you know from another post, the wife and I are headed over to Ireland staying in a cottage on a Suckling Farm whatever the heck that is! (LOL) I am really looking forward to seeing how they raise livestock over there, and they sound eager to see how we farm over here! Being both dairy farmers I am sure it will be interesting.

Now for years I have always wanted to put in a small cottage on the farm myself. Nothing big, but with electricity, running water and septic so nothing primitive by any means, and then rent it out on a weekly basis. With the new road the USDA built for me, I have an excellent, out of the way, but close enough to utilities, location for it. But would anyone come?

My wife says no, as we seldom have visitors on the farm, and our friends and family rather stay over even though the house here is plenty big enough. She thinks it is silly to spend money on a cottage that no one wants to stay in. I am not so sure. I have had a few people mention that they would "love to see your farm Drawbar". I am not advertising anything here, just trying to find out if the members of Hobby Farm Forums would visit a farm like mine? Or if you wouldn't, do you think enough other people would consider it? What do you think I would need to do for activities to entice people to come as well?

How much?

britboy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:17:17 GMT

I thought it may be interesting to find out how much things are arouind the country?

Northern Illinois:

Gallon Milk $1.89

5 Acres, 3 bed house, smallish barn; From $400,000

T Post 7'00"; $4.50 chinese one

Day old chicks; $1.99

Add to the list any HF based product.

Spoiled Animals on the Farm

Drawbar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:47:59 GMT

Pretty simple question, how do you spoil your animals on the farm. It does not have to be livestock per see that way more people can participate in this.

Myself my dogs get spoiled by having the run of the house and a nice big kennel attached to the house. We also keep the TV on when we are gone...tuned to Animal Planet of course!

As for the sheep, they are spoiled too. My wife is a teacher so we have the kitchen staff separate out the leafy green vegetables from the scrap that goes to some other farm with pigs. We get about a 5 gallon bucket per day and on big lunch days, even more.

Another thing I do for the sheep is let them listen to the radio. I leave my radio on in the shop all day and night, and wired some speakers to it out in the sheep barn. I am not sure what they prefer for music but until they get evolved enough to get out of the sheep shed, get in the farm shop and use those cloven hooves to adjust the tuner, they are listening to classic rock. There is no way this farm boy is going to listen to country music...I would rather listen to static! (LOL)

If anyone wants to hear what the sheep are jamming their wooly clad and docked tails too, you can take the link and hit the listen now button.

http://zoneradio.com/wkit/index.shtml

Neighbor: Doing a bee line?

Drawbar — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:53:20 GMT

I was out doing sheep stuff when I ran into a neighbor that was doing something odd...he was following a bee. I did not quite understand what he was doing exactly, but apparently he needed my permission to cross my land (its unposted anyway) to follow his bees.

From what he said, he was chasing his bees in some sort of bee line and timing it. Something about his hive swarmed and he was tracing it back to its source. He also said that the furthest they could fly was four miles, but where he was standing (in my field) they were only 4 minutes away.

Later he came back and said that the corn was in the way and as soon as the boys chop it, he wanted permission to come back and follow his bees again. I told him it was fine because he seemed nice enough and was not really doing anything harmful. My only question is...

What the heck was all this talk about bees, beelines, queens, swarming and hives somewhere out in the forest? I know bees are great, and we have had bees here before from beekeepers, but I never had someone chase them halfway across the county before. Just wondering if this guy is legitimate, or some sort of crazy person on a mission from Allah or something?

Stemming Rural Development

Drawbar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:32:14 GMT

We have a perplexing issue where I live, and I suspect others do as well. My town of 200 people has a "Village" and then the rural areas. Back in the hay day of my town (1980's) we had a thriving village with two stores, a church, fire dept, grange, masonic hall, train station, garage, post office, etc. Its not so thriving any more.

Out of the dozen houses on the street, (yes singular word there) 8 are now abandoned or up for sale. This is Maine so these are nice homes, big and spacious with attached barns and whatnot, and they have that nice quaint turn of the century look to them. In fact it looks no different today then from a picture taken in the 1930's. I mean literally its like time forgot this town.

Out in the rural parts, the area is 90% forest and 10% field. As people from away, drawn by a local environmental college and the second homestead movement come here, they drive through town and buy up the farmland. They plant odd houses (round homes, 8 sided homes, underground homes, and even teepee structures) right smack in the center of these fields. They do this to get the views and to raise livestock.

The problem is, with so little acreage in this town as ag land, the farmers here are losing farmland at an unprecedented rate. It seems in a few years time, these homesteaders realize that the glorious life they dreamed of, is actually teeming with stress and hard work. Its an 8 year cycle, but they soon leave, and in their wake leaves odd-ball houses that do not sell, once prime farm land laden with septic system and outbuildings that ultimately make the land unfarmable. Its a HUGE problem because the working farms need to get bigger to stay afloat, and yet farmland is shrinking.

The only answer I see is to get the homesteaders to buy the village homes. I mean they have the barns already built, and all the homes in the village are flanked by a huge field that measures probably 100 acres in size. Every house in the village owns a portion of this field (now unused and starting to grow up into trees). If homesteaders would actually live in town, they could have a few acres to raise livestock, make the village alive again, and be able to save money on property taxes, building costs, be able to walk to the post office and possibly a store, etc. It is permissable in my town to raise livestock in the village so there is nothing stopping people from doing this. But the best part is, if they decide the work is not worth it, they can leave without having a negative impact on the farming community that has been here for centuries...in many cases the same farm families.

So my question is, with a Maine legislature looking to stop the loss of agricultural land to development, what can I suggest to my legislatures to help promote people buying village properties, getting what they want and yet allowing farming communities to keep what little ag land exists?

Is the Economy recovering?

Drawbar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:18:20 GMT

Awhile ago I said that you can watch the economy by watching two principal indicators, the price of milk and the price of sawlogs.

The milk prices are a great indicator because as more consumers buy ice cream, fancy cheeses, eat pizza more and go out to eat where cheese is often used in food preparation, it means the economy is on the rebound, or on the way down. Saw log prices mean housing is starting to take off and the first place this shows up is at the sawmills as they get orders and need more wood, or alternatively, not buying wood as there are no homes being built.

For the first time in months cheese prices are on the rise. If you don't think that is a good sign, then consider this, a dairy farmer gets his best prices just before the superbowl because so many pizzas and their cheese toppings are being made. Who would have thought one game would propel 60,000 dairy farmers coffers huh?

Maine...being a forested state, we have had sawmills idle for the last year and a half. Now that is no longer the case. The local sawmill by me just completed a 20 hour shift where they sawed out 450,000 board feet of white pine in a single day (2 shifts). Before that they were averaging 350,000 bf per day. The problem is the loggers here can only produce 300,000 bf per day. (For you non-loggers the saw mill is burning up around 1000 cords of wood per day while local loggers can only supply 600 cords per day).

So these are true indicators the economy is indeed coming back. Yahooo huh? But I do caution you, most economists are predicting the economy will make a W pattern, meaning it will come back only a short ways before falling, and then rising again. Either way I am glad to see some real world indicators (I have seen this many times in my 35 year life) so even if we are entering the short rise of the W, we are at least moving closer to a better place for the unemployed (which includes me).

Dried up Wetland

britboy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:34:55 GMT

I just found this article on the news and wanted to post it to start a discussion concerning farmers and/or land users responsibilities to the environment.

I have a interest in this because I have a state registered wetland just cornering my land, it only consists of about an acre but I will describe later some of the implications that we have with this.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091022/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_spain_threatened_wetland

How do gas prices effect you?

txmisshorsey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:58:34 GMT

Not sure how Hobby Farm this is but it effects me so I thought I would ask yall. The price of oil/gas is creaping up pretty quickly all of a sudden and it got me thinking. How does fuel costs effect your operation?

It mostly effects me personally as far as trips to the grocery store, market etc. but it also effects my job because I work for a tractor dealership and as gas goes up our customers go down. Obviously it also effects the price for me to get to work and the price of all our goods.

So what are your thoughts?

Anti Susity

wallsostone — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:39:35 GMT

So I was watching TV, and saw this add for products made with 100% wind energy.

That's a list of products to put on the banned list in this house. Right next to plastic butter and anything made by GM.

Why? well Wind is subsidized. Working around construction as I do, I'm tired of the stories of all the failed mills, and the high percentage of tax dollars that have gone into building these farms when we have many other ways to get power with out tapping into the pocket of the common citizen.

Wind energy is the in effective thing I've ever seen in the north east. The wind farm they are building here is so far behind schedule it's not even funny. They don't pay the land owner anything to speak off. AND They remove tons of forest land to put up those things. I mean how green is it to destroy a mountain covered with trees that offset the (dum dum dum) carbon footprint the green folks are trying to reduce.

many PVT industries produce power in the us far faster, and more effectively than before.

I don't like subsidy of any kind. I believe in free enterprise and I'm not buying any product with a sticker that says "made with 100% wind power"