Long Term Farm Share (CSA)

HouseBunnyMomma · #21 04/19/10, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshie

The problem I see with your idea is that it sounds as if you've never really lived on a farm. It's awfully hard work. Just keeping up with the mowing takes a lot of time. Keeping the fencing in good repair, caring for the pastures, keeping the weeds out of the fencing, etc., takes forever. It's not cheap either. It costs $7 each time we do the little bit of mowing we have to do. Our yard isn't very large at all.

Farming full time is awfully expensive. I don't see how you could purchase seed and animals, let alone a farm and farming equipment for a few shares in your endeavor. Our "ladies" sized tractor is 20-25 years old and is worth about $16,000. It does have five or six attachments though.

How would you pay for hired help? Why would anyone, relatives included, agree to pay for a share if you don't have farming experience? Your perennial crops are not likely to produce well for at least the first year. Depending on the crop, it could take several years. I'm thinking about strawberries, raspberries, asparagus, fruit trees, etc. Do you have bulk seed contacts? Know butchers? Have you ever worked on a farm?

I am not trying to sound negative but I'm afraid that your plan will work out like your egg business. I know we have difficulty selling just eggs.

Why do you mow, for hay? My Grandfather has 14 acres that he hays. Why would we need a tractor? I think that you're thinking much bigger scale than I am. A dairy cow gives 20 gallons of milk a week, that should definitely cover 10 families. 40 hens should cover a dozen eggs for each family. I don't understand, if people could feed their families well 100 years ago, why is it so hard today? We all have to start somewhere.

Why would I need a butcher? I butchered a deer, it wasn't hard. Most people just use ground beef anyway. Obviously it would take a few years for fruit trees to produce.

beaglebiz · #22 04/19/10, 07:12 PM

Do you currently provide enough for your own family, and enough to share? Thats a start.
There are times when the cow goes dry, and the hens dont lay. You also need to check out your milk laws where you are...on a small scale like you describe may not be legal.
Im just speaking from my limited experience. Its hard to feed your own family. Very hard work. I grow most our veggies and fruit, but there are times I have to buy it in bulk (like last year, we lost all our plants I started from seed, and all the blossoms off our fruit trees due to a June frost). In my small scale family garden, I use gasoline to power the tools I need. It can be done manually, but I dont have the plows and equipment and ox or mule team to pull it.
PS...If I paid a share in for an organically raised beef, and ended up with hamburger, Id be none too pleased.