This is a 2009 Farm Goals Update. In January we made a farm goals list, link is at bottom of page for review purposes, if needed. Below is the list with marks beside. KEY:
U- Undone- May no get done... I-In ProgressX- Done I 1. Have fun, enjoy family and seasons more- In progress, we have had quality family time. We purchased a pop-up camper, and hope to spend more time together and enjoy this fall season!I 2.
Firewood Shed & Firewood & Firewood Wagon- Shed done, Roughly 1/2 winters firewood in, Wagon in progress but delayed.
I 3.
Cow Shed on Barn- New roof for old section first, then maybe new cow shed?
U 4.
Expand Cow Herd- Maybe not this year. We had 2 heifer calves born and hope to buy a couple of beef steers to raise and sell.
X 5.
Fence- Mostly complete. See past posts.
I 6.
Pig House & Pens- Pen done- though will be expanding very soon. Pig house in progress. Pig herd= 10 to feed out this fall. That's a lot of mouths to feed.
U 7.
Chickens- Completed, then dissolved. Due to Raccoons and other farm projects chickens are on hold.
X 8.
Flooring for sun room- Hardwood complete.
U 9.
Garage Door- Probably not getting done, unless I find a good deal on a door.
X 10.
Garden & Canning- Complete, I think. Garden fared well. Lots of canned goods: green beans, tomato juice and beets. Frozen corn, tomato juice, bell peppers. Potatoes in storage.
X 11.
Water lines- waterer- Complete. Water line in. Frost-Free Spigot-- works great.
I 12.
220 electric to garage- Electric line in, not connected on either end yet.
Unlisted are the daily chores that go along with raising a family and expanding a farm. Two big events not planned on were the purchase of a Haybine and Tractor. There will be a year end review in a few more months. For now that hay season is mostly over- Firewood is the name of my game!
http://concordmeadowsfarm.blogspot.com/2009/01/goals-for-2009.html
On Sunday we visited Slate Run Historical Farm- run by Metro Parks. It is a fully functioning 1880's farm in Canal Winchester, OH. The farm is very activity filled with much to see. Please check out this link: http://friendsofslaterunfarm.org/home . What an outlook of the primitive ways of farming a century ago. As you can see Jay loved every minute!
Our son, covered in a dust of corn and soybean meal that he was supposed to feed to the pigs (not throw, LOL!) But he had fun, as you can see above. Below is a photo of our tractor. Concord Mommy took this picture or she would be in it too. It has worked well so far, and will be a great asset to the farm.
We have also been working on putting more firewood inside the wood shed and cleaning out the other half of teh shed for the tractor (to be parked out of weather). Monday morning was first of many firewood cutting parties to be had through the winter. The parties usal consist of myself, Matt and Andrew. We cut, split and load all 3 of our trucks with wood; many hands make the work go fast.
The Jeffries family has a great blog that I regularly follow. They raise pastured, naturally grown pork and sell locally in Vermont. Please follow this link to check out their Blog: http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/ .. As you may know we too raise pork and are striving for pastured, naturally and humanely raised also. In the near future I will be posting links to other blogs and sites that participate and promote local agriculture. 
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