From tech founder to sustainable farmer

[NH Homesteader]

That sounds lovely except two things. No electric and outhouses. I don't do those things!

I am actually thankful for the times I was dirt poor because I was forced to learn skills I never would have otherwise. I might still be floating around in that "other" world. I certainly value what I have more and waste less because I know how hard it was to come by. I don't throw food out, it all goes to one of the animals after I've gotten a few human meals out of it.

As for disagreement... I think it helps you learn and stretch out of your comfort zone when someone says something you may not agree with. I get along with a lot of people who have wildly different views than me. It works out great. IF we are all decent to each other.

 

[baymule]

I don't consider myself a homesteader either. I am a farmer. Small farmer, but a farmer none the less. In my mind, if you have a tomato plant in a bucket and 1 chicken, you are a farmer. We need more folks to become farmers and raise something to eat, no matter how small the effort.

 

[Hinotori]

See the glorious thing is we don't have to agree with everything. It's actually much better to have differing thoughts and opinions that converge on a few things. That makes for a stable group that can cover all the bases in whatever is being done.

 

[Mini Horses]

Remember that she is in an area where, & knows the people who, can demand & pay those prices. In fact, it can be a "bragging" point. Northern VA is so close to DC and the people there often pay upwards of $8K for a kids trained pony.

SHE seems far more grounded and wanting to have organic, etc., but also the business mind to know it isn't free. Those of us who raise/eat this way on a daily basis often do NOT have those who can afford to support our costs -- making the generation of such income far less achievable. I mean, who will buy 800 turkeys from YOU at that price? LOL Commercially, the costs for inspections and legal issues often prevents us going that scale.

I am happy to sustain self & family. A few sales would/are great! You can get an outlet of several who will buy & repeat. But, I don't see there being a huge market for most of us. Small is good. Supporting costs is really good.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Bee you are right that rich folks like to buy from rich folks. In our area the only people making money farming these days are either doing it as a side job to their already well paying job or were rich going in.

 

[Beekissed]

Yep...usually replanted city or urban folks who have made enough in the city to buy up farm land and have a "sustainable" farming setup by charging huge prices for the same thing poor folks have been growing since the beginning of time but is suddenly something more desirable because it's being grown by more enlightened, wealthier city folks. IMO, that's what makes their farms "sustainable"...only the wealthy can sustain that kind of setup.

None of the country folk seem to be farming nowadays, stating they can't afford to do so, but the rich folks can afford it and so they do and they make more money because they will charge more than a poor farmer and can afford to risk that venture and pretty soon it pays off for them because rich folk like to buy from rich folk.

This all makes it even harder for the poor farmer because they can't sit on their money and risk the farm on charging huge prices, as that is always a gamble when dealing with fresh produce and livestock, so they can be growing the exact same quality of food on the neighboring farm but still have to market it at lower prices so the general public can afford it. But, he still can't afford to grow it for as low as Walmart sells it, so even that's a bust.

Pretty soon all the healthy food from "local" farmers is all being produced by rich folks who are charging an arm and a leg for their produce because they feel like it's just worth that much....but there ain't no turkey worth $200~heritage breed or not~ unless it's the last turkey on earth and you are starving and have money but no food. It's a case of the Emperor's new clothes...and only the smart folks can actually see them, but even a child can see he's naked.

 

[NH Homesteader]

I don't see why heritage birds are so expensive. We've raised both... I think the BB turkeys cost more because all they do is eat. Heritage grow slower sure, but they don't take as much food to get there.

We sold our chickens for $2.50/lb to family and $3/lb to other people. The rich ("important") guy in town charges $4.50/lb. And they are not organic. We've stopped selling chickens because they're a pain to raise and a pain to process, and we are not interested in raising Cornish X anymore.

Most non-rich farmers have become homesteaders now. My husband hates the term, he says it's just how you're supposed to live, why does it need a fancy title? Lol I embrace it because it's easier than explaining our lifestyle.

 

[NH Homesteader]

But common sense is rare these days. Sadly.

 

[NH Homesteader]

See to me a farmer makes a living farming, a homesteader grows and raises food for themselves and their family. But I'm happy to be called either! And yes more people should do it.

 

[NH Homesteader]

OK maybe not "make a living". I more meant if you make money off it. I haven't made any really. So I'm not a farmer... Yet!