Howdy Neighbors! I

[horseymama2]

I just thought I would pop in and say 'Hi'. I live on 3.5 acres, zoned agricultural, in the woods of central Virginia with my husband and two darling daughters. I am back in college to get a teaching degree, going part time I have 2 or 3 years to go until I graduate. I recently did a paper on Monsanto and the dangers of GMO seeds. This has inspired me to get back to my farm roots, so we are trying to start raising more of our own food. We have started a flock of chickens for eggs and meat, and I am considering getting a pig to raise for slaughter and a couple of dairy goats. I have a nice garden, and am canning/freezing the veggies.

I do have a couple of questions to help me decide which way to go from here. How would a pig do alone? Are they herd animals, will they be to lonely solo? I have never had goats so I am not sure where to start. Would a couple of pygmy does with staggered deliveries provide enough milk for a single family and the kids? Is it difficult to find some one with a buck to breed to if I don't want to keep one?

Thanks everyone.

 

[helmstead]

If you post your species specific questions in their appropriate areas you're bound to get the answers you're looking for

 

[Livinwright Farm]

& from NH!

 

[elevan]

Posting questions in the specific sections will get you the answers that you seek.
But I'll go ahead and give you a few of my opinions.
I've had pigs both in herd and single...it works both ways fine. If your pig is bound for the freezer and you're new to them, it's easier to start with one so that you know what you're getting into.
Pygmy goats are actually a meat and / or companion breed. I am an advocate for milking them...but, if you're looking for a milking goat that is small I'd look at Nigerian Dwarfs. NDs are a dairy breed (in miniature).
Finding a buck will just depend on your area...I personally decided to keep bucks on my small farm. I don't find them to be as difficult or stinky as most people say...but individuals are different (in humans and goats).

 

[horseymama2]

Hello Everyone,
It's me, Horseymama2. It's hard to believe I originally posted six years ago. Fast forward six years and life throwing in a few curve balls which has led to a lot of changes. I now have new degree, a new career, and a new little farm in another state. We moved back to my home state of Missouri and ended up buying 5.2 unimproved acres. We have a nice little house, and shed/ chicken coop, but no fences or barns. I still plan to grow as much of my own organic/GMO free food as possible. The good news is that I now have plenty of sun for the gardens, the bad news is that I am building the place from scratch.

The soil is in bad shape; this place was row cropped to death until about 13 years ago. A developer purchased a large tract of land and subdivided it, then the market tanked. Only 6 lots ever sold, the rest is vacant and undeveloped. A neighboring farmer has been managing all the land as hay fields off and on over the years. So my place is planted in mixed grasses and red clover, which are competing with a ton of weeds. We have purchased the materials to fence the "North pasture" which will be about 2 acres. We plan to build a barn there and build a new chicken coop in the pasture as well, because we have an issue with foxes running through and snatching my chickens. We will fence the south pasture later.

I have the beginnings of a flock of Lavender Orpington and LF Cochin chickens and I have the beginnings of a goat herd, thanks to my sister who has a herd of 50 dairy goats. My sister gave me an Alpine mix first freshner with her twins in January (yes, she foisted a problem child on me in the middle of the winter while I have no barn or fence). So I put up a temporary pen with cattle panels and portable hog shelter in my garden spot from last year hoping it would improve the soil and I would have a better garden this year. Last week my darling husband built two small pens until we can finish the pasture fence. I am sending the babies back and getting a second doe from my sister's herd to keep her company. I plan to stagger their deliveries so we will always have a doe in milk.

So, its a fresh start, but I am really excited about the prospects. I look forward to chatting with you all about our farming adventures.

 

[Latestarter]

Welcome back! Sounds like you're off to a good start.

 

[norseofcourse]

Welcome from Ohio! Sounds like you've got a lot of work, but a good plan, too.

 

[animalmom]

Glad to have your back!

Where are you in Missouri (not exact location, just in general). Rabbits might be a good add to your farm plans as they produce some nice immediately usable fertilizer. Our soil isn't super good either but over time with the addition of mulch and goat and rabbit poop the soil is doing much better. We went with raised beds (4'wide x 12' long x 2' high) for the vegetable garden and it has worked out real well.