Organic Search Results

I'm trying to gather info and resources so I can write up a business plan. One of the things I'm running into is that there doesn't seem to be any info on start-up or running costs for a <5 acre organic market garden type farm.

I can find spreadsheets that will tell me exactly how much of 5 different insecticides to buy, how long it will take to pay off 100 acres and a tractor, or even how many peppers I'll get off 25 acres, but that's not at all helpful to my needs.

I just want info on growing food without killing everything around it or going into debt for 50 years. 

Is that so hard?

Growing Forward

All this must be done before building the actual farm. This is the foundation for the future. Other than the first one that I'm currently working on, these can be done simultaneously.

Take stock. Figure out where I am financially, physically, and mentally.

Get into shape. Commit to exercise , education, and saving plans that will take me where I need to be.

Build bridges. Go to small business networking meetings and make friends in the online farming communities.

Write a business plan. With the help of the small business center, write a proper business plan with the goal of having not only a blueprint for the business, but also a tool that may help get some funding.

One More Reason to Have My Own Cow

In Canada and I believe in the US, it's illegal to sell or give unpasturized/raw milk. You can drink it from you own cows cause they can't really stop you but they don't want you spreading it around.

Of course when I have my own cow I'll not only have raw milk. I'll also have the cream from that milk. This is where it get's interesting.

I recently found an article titled The Benefits of Raw Cultured Butter and I think you'll like it.

That Farm Girl Glow

At work we were talking about our dreams. Some wanted to live extravagantly, some wanted to travel. Here's how the conversation went when I was asked to share my dreams.

Me: I want a farm
Zar: like serious or just...
Me: I'm saving for land and in two years I'm going out west to apprentice.
Maj: Go on and tell her how you don't wanna make any profit.
Me: Come on now that's not what I said. I said I don't need to make billions of dollars. What I would like to do is have a farm that's self sustaining and a nice buffer amount in the bank for when things go wrong and I'd like to donate any extra to homeless shelters and food banks because there's no reason for anyone to be hungry.
Zar: What kind of farm? like, for animals?
Me: Cows chickens, fruits, veggies, nuts, a little bit of everything really.
Zar: Well that make sense. You're a farm girl right?
Me: Everyone says that but I was born in Toronto. I didn't grow up on a farm.
Maj: Well you just exude Farm-Girl, doesn't she? Like you were born for it.

I don't know if it was a compliment but I'll take it. :)