Introduction:

[Elle]

Sorry if I did this before and you don't want to hear about me again, but here goes anyway since I don't remember doing it before!

We have focused on home education and raising what we want and need for ourselves as much as possible in the past. Now that the kids are all grown but have not flown the coop as yet, we're focusing more on raising what we want to eat and wear...with an eye to buying a larger farm so we can grow more for other folks as well and a more enjoyable lifestyle. As is away from here, and the escalating taxes and the mentality here that has me ready to move the whole farm. Taxes are the main reason I don't care to remain and finally the hubs is retiring! Soon we will be opening up cabins for guests to come stay with us for an overnight, a weekend, a week or a month or a year to learn and grow with us as we grow. I guess once you're a teacher you're always a teacher!??

We raise Maremma lgd's, Berkshire pork, rabbits, poultry of various types, and fibercritters such as rabbits, alpaca, goats, sheep and llamas too eventually, and someday soon I hope to find a new farm with a pond or a suitable spot for a pond or system of waterways suitable for raising fish! I miss going fishing and have never felt it 'right' to have to buy a permit or a license for hunting or fishing, the most basic needs are to eat and clothe yourself and your families!

The fiberarts including knitting, antique sock machines, spinning and weaving are among some of our favorite pastimes as well as horseback riding and foraging. We have a lot of things to do and we love to share our love of those activities with others who would like to learn.

I'm a little camera shy so I'll just share a pic of some of our denizens,...

 

[CntryBoy777]

Welcome from NW Mississippi!!....
It sure sounds like ya have quite a bit to keep ya busy. We have goats, chickens, ducks, and cats on our 20acres here. Something that you'll find very helpful...both to you and others...is to add a general location to your banner. This will aid others to know how to answer any question ya may have, many problems or issues can be locale specific. What can be an issue in the northern states may not be here in the southeast...or vice versa. There are many knowledgeable people here and many beginners as well....all are still learning and we share our experiences for humor and the more serious ones with difficult outcomes for others to gain from. We all do love pics too, so feel free to post as ya see fit to do so. While ya are browsing around, feel free to post any advice, comment, or question. After ya familiarize yourself, with so much happening there, ya may want to start a journal page so ya can keep all posted on your current goings-on.
Again....

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings and welcome. Please make yourself at home. Thanks for sharing the pics... we all love pics. As Country boy stated, please consider placing at least your general location in your profile. If you ask for or offer advice, location is a very important factor. What works up north may not be best for someone down south.

 

[animalmom]

@Elle, Welcome to BYH! Great picture of the dog, you should consider submitting it to the Picture of the Week thread.

 

[Baymule]

Welcome from Texas. We are retired and live 7 miles from our daughter, her husband and their 3 daughters. We raise hair sheep, chickens and Muscovy ducks. We have 2 Great Pyrenees, 1 black Lab/Great Dane and 3 horses. We raise feeder pigs and this year, slaughtered our own. Where are you located and where do you want to move to?

 

[goatgurl]

welcome from arklahoma, right on the boarder of both states. I have dairy goats, hair sheep, chickens, ducks, rabbits and one large black hog who will be going to freezer camp in 2 or 3 months. I also have maremma livestock guardians and love them dearly. I hope youall enjoy retirement as much as i'm enjoying mine. lots of nice people here so ask any questions you want, answer any questions you want and just generally join in the conversations.

 

[Devonviolet]

Welcome from another East Texan.

We are also retired and currently have 3 LaMancha dairy goats (2 of which we are milking, 1 is too young to freshen yet [6 months old]). chickens, Pekin Ducks, Muscovy ducks, Kakhi Campbell ducks, a pair of geese, a cranky turkey and two 3 year old Maremma LGDs.

It's so nice to have you join us. Don't hesitate to,ask questions and share your knowledge as well. We are all here to learn.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Welcome from the Hoosier state!
Your intentions with the cabins and visitors living/learning your work habits and ways sound neat. I have imagined having a large farm house and farmstead suitable to do a kind of bed and breakfast in which visitors get up and gather eggs, milk a goat or cow, feed some animals, etc., then clean up for a big breakfast.

Part of that stems from my time growing up in a family-run diner. Hospitality aspect might outweigh the education, but folks might be able to learn some things or reminisce of days they spent as children at Grandma's and Grandpa's.