Another new member

[sassafras manor]

Well after 3 months of watching and learning, I have finally decided to step out of the shadows to join. Not only do I come here looking for advice but also to pass time rather than watching TV. We live on 15 acres in central IL and have an option on the adjacent 25. We bought vacant farmground and are enjoying the chance to build our farm from the ground up. It took us 11 months but we built a traditional farm house with a wrap around porch and after 2 years of planting the orchard, working the garden and berries, and building small misc. outbuildings we are finally building a 30' x 80' pole barn we bought at an auction for $50. Granted it may take $3000 to put it back up but we will still come out ahead. Aside from raising children we also have goats, pigs, turkeys, chickens, guineas and cattle. My wife is able to stay at home to raise the kids and take care of procesing the bounties of our work. Thanks for all of the advise in past postings and I look forward to learning more.

[FarmerChick]

Welcome
I am new and this site just seems like it is loaded with great info and nice people.
just started....so much to read.

nice to meet you!

[tamsam]

Welcome aboard and hope you keep learning. Sam

[Windy in Kansas]

A hearty welcome. Great to see new faces or at least names showing up on these forums.
Windy in Kansas

[glazed]

Yes! Warm and hearty welcome to you!

[Kelly]

Welcome Sassafras...sounds like you and your wife have been busy these past couple years. Always feel free to share your photos with us!

[salmonslayer]

Welcome, sounds like we could learn from your experiences too.

[Joshie]

Welcome.... from a fellow central IL resident. Are you closer to Peoria or Bloomington?

[firegirl969]

Welcome Sassafras! Glad to have you finally join us. I look forward to hearing more about your homestead and your future plans as you post.

[Murray in ME]

Welcome aboard.

[sassafras manor]

Well to answer a few questions, we are located more in southern IL between Effingham and Vandalia. The name Sassfras Manor was a name my younger brother put on our blueprints as he was designing our house. Our property has two large evolving grooves of mature Sassafras trees with a few trees topping the 40' mark. As kids we used to always dig up younger saplings at our grandparent's farm in SE Missouri to make tea from the roots. Both of my grandparent's passed away this past year along with my brother that passed away while we were building the house so the name of our farm is that much more special.
As far as our farm experience goes, my wife worked on a large working dairy when we met so she came with expereicee so to speak while I am making up for what I always wanted as a kid growing up. We beleive in producing as much as we can as naturally as possible. Our beef are grown on pasture and hay as well as our hogs that are raised in a 8'x12' movable hog tractor. We free range our heritage turkeys and have no problem selling either whole or half birds for $3.50 or so a pound. The goats are our only "named" animals and our boys (3 and 5) understand that since they have names they will not be eaten while anything without a name is for table consumption.

[Joshie]

We have 26 acres closer to Peoria. I was hoping for some close HT neighbors. Unfortunately our chickens have names. We eat their eggs but my daughter's cousins call her the Chicken Whisperer. So...I don't think the chickens are going to make it to a dinner table. Those darn Easter Eggers are a very friendly chicken.. they sure like our nearly 12 year old daughter.

[littlebitfarm]

Welcome from another central Illinois'er! About 40 minutes north of Effingham. No kids but 16 acres, critters, and gardens.

Kathie

[tyusclan]

Welcome to the forum.

Sounds like you're off to a great start.