Noob In Central NY.

[aalissa]

Hello to all. My name is Alissa and I live in Central NY, near Syracuse. My background is that I am a city transplant from a farm girl beginning. My parents left the farm. I have missed it ever since. Life got in the way of my dream to own a farm, so I became a Nurse, that doesn't believe in our medical system.
I am here researching all thing farming. My husband and I are getting ready to buy land and a cabin to start a small Hobby/Health Farm. My story is long however, I won't bore you with a long explanation. Let's just say that I became ill 7 years ago and after 4 years of unexplained PAIN, varied symptoms: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, sleep disruption, unexplained rashes ... inconclusive testing and the inability to diagnose my symptoms, the medical community labeled me as having Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In an effort to help myself I started recording my diet and symptoms... long process short I learned I have multi-chemical, multi-food allergies: Bovine dairy, Gluten, Sugar etc. I also have problems with laundry detergents, dryer sheets, perfume, blah...
I started eating healthier/organic choices, however, this option is limited. My diet at this point is very limited. Moving to a small farm would open up my ability to have better/more choices... I will know what I feed them therefor I will be able to know what I am eating.
Our plan is to start with an organic garden plot, chickens, milk goats and rabbits: expanding from there to beefers and pigs. who knows from there. oh and bees, I want bees.
I am open to any and all advice.

 

[norseofcourse]

Welcome from Ohio! No advice but I wish you much luck.

 

[Sunny75]

Welcome from CNY! My husband and I are also moving towards a self sufficient lifestyle. It's worth all the hard work

 

[animalmom]

Here's a big Howdy from the Great State of Texas! One of the many funny things that I've observed since raising my own dairy and meat is the stuff in the stores and even the restaurants just doesn't compare to the taste and texture of my goats, rabbits, chickens and geese. I've been spoiled!

That surely is one heck of a list of health issues for you to tackle. You might get some advise on the Natural and Organic Husbandry section. Heck, we're just another specie in the husbandry of life... so to speak. Second thought have you looked into fermented foods? Lots of sites out there, I don't do it myself, but it has been very highly recommended to me by folks who do that lifestyle.

Good luck with your ventures. Being out of the city has got to be good for you! Keep us posted on your progress... with the obligatory pictures, doncha know!

 

[kinder]

Welcome to BYH , Glad you joined. .

 

[Devonviolet]

Welcome from another proud Texan! Y'all have come to the right place for learning about raising animals. Two other good groups to check out are our sister sites The Easy Garden and Backyard Chickens. You will find lots of great info there too!

WOW Alissa! You described my situation to a "T". I'm a retired nurse, with Lyme Disease, Epstein Barr Virus, MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity), and multiple food sensitivities. I too, am no longer on board (for the most part) with conventional medicine. I have come a long way using herbs, supplements, homeopathic remedies and essential oils.

Mine has been a long journey, which brought us to our five acres of heaven, here in East Texas. We started planning 3 years ago, and finally bought our land in October, of last year. Our plan is to raise our own organic food, so I know what I am eating. We now have 13 chickens, 7 French Guinea Fowl and one Turkey Hen, as well as 4 wether Nigerian Dwarf goats and 2 LGDs (Livestock Guardian Dogs, to keep our animals safe). We also plan to eventually get some dairy goats, so we can make organic cheese and butter, with the high butter fat in their milk. YUM!!!

@animalmom gave you some excellent advice, about eating fermented foods. There are three categories: Kombucha (fermented Green Tea), Kefir (fermented milk - unsweetened is best), and cultured vegetables.

I think you are on the right track and came to the right place to get started.

Once again. HOWDY, and welcome to BYH