This is by far my favorite bread to make. It is so easy, yet feels so fancy. I’m all about fancy bread. Baking bread is one of those odd things that don’t quite make sense. Most bread recipes, like this one, are very easy. I have found in my short amount of time baking that […]
How to Make the Best Artisan Bread Read More »
Did you know that about 60% of small farmers do not make a profit? Now some of this is done through financial gimmickry at tax time, which is a whole other subject, but the vast majority of it is the result of two common misconceptions about how to make money, both of which are likely
The Best Financial Advice for Your Small Scale Farm Read More »
Recently, a frequent question I seem to be getting asked is, “how do I find a market for my farm products?” So, in this post, I hope to give you the best answer I know how, whether you’re wanting to sell directly from your farm, via a local farmers market, CSA, online, or whatever else
How to Find A Market for Your Farm Products Read More »
Over the last few years there has been growing interest in farming and a desire to escape the high pressure, urban lifestyle that so many people find themselves in. So, if you’re one of those people who are looking to make a change, or maybe you’re already in the process but not sure where to
How to Start a Small Scale Farm Read More »
Below is a list of materials I used to build my wooden round bale feeder. All lumber is pressure treated. 2x6x10 – 5 2x6x12 – 22x6x8 – 1 (you can substitute a 2x4x12 here)1 box of 3″ structural screws – 50 count or larger Material cut list: 2 – 72″ boards (from 12′)4 – 36″
Round Bale Feeder Material List Read More »
One of the biggest mistakes that any farm enterprise can make is specialization. There are too many farmers in the US that only do one thing. Honestly, specialization in only one or two markets has only been a common practice for the last 50 or 60 years. Prior to that, a single farm would have
How To Avoid These Small Farm Mistakes Read More »
Dreams die with unrealistic expectations With any business, and farming is a business, it takes time to actually start making money. I’m not talking about income or revenue, I’m talking about a profit, after all the bills are paid. In this post, I’ll go over some hard truths for beginning farmers. Overnight success isn’t realistic
Hard Truths for Beginning Farmers Read More »
In 1973 US Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz told American farmers to, “get big or get out.” Over the next couple decades the US saw vertical integration of multiple markets including poultry, beef, and pork. Today the 4 largest meat packers are responsible for 85% of the beef purchases and 67% of hog purchases in the
How To Make A Profit Farming On A Small Scale Read More »
How to farm the right way. This has been on my mind lately and it’s got me to thinking, are we doing it all wrong? Or, maybe we just do it all a little differently. There’s a Jeff Foxworthy video going around where Jeff says that when he was a child, Truett Cathy, the founder
How to Farm the Right Way Read More »
Droughts are part of farming and in my neck of the woods, the saying is that we’re only ever two weeks away from a drought. Things can change quickly, leaving even the most diligent unprepared. Last year we had a decent spring, a hot dry summer, and a really good fall. During the summer, many
How To Manage Livestock During A Drought Read More »