This particular part of the series became a two-parter (and then THREE PARTS) because there’s just so much to cover when it comes to choosing livestock. Livestock will be, by far, your largest investment in your small farm. In time, resources, and heartache. Choosing the right animals to fit your needs, your goals, and your farm space will make the best use of your limited resources, and be less stressful for you AND the animals. If your tractor dies, there will be financial pain and angst. When you lose a … Continue Reading…

So, now we get to the fun part of a small farm–The critters. It’s the part we tend to get over-zealous and the most impulsive about–and probably the most important that we take our time and think through! {smile} On a more serious note, it really is the part people most often get in over their head with. We’ve ended up with a lot of cast off livestock over the years. From “adopting” chickens at the animal shelter, to a goat tied to our porch rail with a note, to … Continue Reading…

Our series the Dollars and Cents of Starting a Small Farm has been going well, but it’s been awfully serious. Livestock farming is an expensive proposition and it can feel discouraging to list out all the ways farming gets complicated and costly. But like I said in the very first post, this series isn’t meant to discourage, it’s meant to be a tool to help prepare you for success! After coming off a hard lambing season, the post on Health and Wellness was particularly hard to write on a positive note. … Continue Reading…