Is Our Economy Going To Crash?

[MoonShadows]

I would love to have a tractor and some other farm equipment, but almost every dollar is spoken for each month. We do everything like we are back in the 1800's...by hand. Financially, it used to be a lot easier when we both were teaching, but one of us had to leave to continue growing our home business. It doesn't make nearly as much as a teacher's salary, but it just couldn't grow any further with both of us working full time.

 

[Jshubin]

Why would you clear the brush? to make room for crops?

Brush seems like a good free food source for your goats... unless you feel like you need to plant crops for other needs.

I would like to do this with my goats... but I dont have a gate out to the hills behind my house, I'd have to lift them over or walk them around (about 1/3 mile walk to reach hill brush).

 

[NH Homesteader]

Good question. To clarify, I don't want to clear all the brush! We need to clear a high point to build a barn, we currently have all outbuildings. I prefer to have moveable buildings except I truly need a barn for kidding, milking, and hay storage. Also we need to clear some of it to be able to move the chicken and turkey tractors around. And the brush is so thick in places we have a hard time fencing it. We want to clear a path around our property so we can ride the 4 wheeler around the entire 5 acres.

Right now we have our house, garden, and all our animals on a little over an acre, so we need to push everyone out a bit!

Yeah no fun having to pick goats up. I can pick up all but one of mine. I think he knows it too, lol

 

[MoonShadows]

For those "wanting" a tractor....I was 69 when I bought mine!
So just know "one day" your time will come! Funny thing is the loan is for a "recreational vehicle" -- I laugh every time I see that.

Thanks @Mini Horses...that makes me feel better. I'm only 60! That tractor may still be in my future.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Here's a tip, consider that they ALWAYS return to feed. When mine get out of the pasture they are in they browse until done and then return -- NORMALLY the same hole they went out!!

And that's the truth! On one side of me is a neighbor whose pasture I fenced and have the use of. On the other side of me is a neighbor who let's her pasture run rampant (for a bird sanctuary). It only has two sides fenced (and I did those too) A few years back we noticed that her pasture was looking better and better and if I hadn't known better I would have sworn that the goats were over there cleaning it up. But, I could NEVER catch 'em at it. They were in my pasture when I would leave for work - and they were in my pasture when I came home. I finally found a tiny (you would never believe that a full sized goat would fit through that hole) hole in the fence that they would sneak through at least twice a day.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Eh we have a stray dog problem around here. So I would be nervous even during the day. But Holy moly do they come to the sound of grain!

 

[baymule]

I will read that petrodollar thread.. sounds like interesting read... macroeconomics (not my best subject)

You need to read it, then read it again. Understand what is coming at you so you can prepare the best you can.

Yeah it's mentally exhausting for me. I'm reading a little at a time. Important but hard to digest.

We have 5 acres and access to the adjoining 35 (my parents' land) but it's full of brush and hard to deal with not having heavy equipment. The goats can clear brush but I only have 6 of them, and no LGD so I don't want them where I can't see them from the house. So I will continue to dream of tractors! Haha!

After you read it, read it through again. I don't know how many times I have read it, a lot of it I already know, but this is very good, well written articles and I see something new every time I read it.

 

[baymule]

Thanks @Mini Horses...that makes me feel better. I'm only 60! That tractor may still be in my future.

I'm 61 and my husband bought me one! We bought it 2 years ago and don't know how we would have gotten as far on our property without it.

 

[Jshubin]

Thanks for the attempt of liking anyway. It's the thought that counts, lol.

Was a good post.. I previewed a few of those Homestead videos with Brad.... very informative. Watched the wheat grass one in detail.

Bought 40lbs of barley grass seed and looking to finish my aquaponic system soon. In the mean time.. Dirt works...

 

[MoonShadows]

Here's another good site: http://www.askaprepper.com/