While the main purpose of your land probably depends on how much land you have available and what you are particularly talented at cultivating, almost everyone could stand to utilize spare space to bring in some extra income. In such tough economic times, looking beyond traditional means of income is increasingly important. Petting Zoo If you have a variety of animals on your land—or you would be willing and able to—consider setting up a small petting zoo. If you live in a remote area surrounded by farms, this may not be a viable option for
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While hobbyists are enjoying their pumpkin pies and other fruits of their summer gardening labors, the serious gardener is likely to be hopping about with the year-end tasks that need to be accomplished before the winter gloom sets in. When you are a landowner, there is never a shortage of things to do around the property – no matter the season! But in order to avoid a major growing upset in the spring, it is essential that you complete a very important tasks around your flowerbeds, raised beds, and your vegetable and herb patches. You
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As a homesteader, small farmer, or someone who dreams of becoming one, you understand the importance of animals on the farm and the roles they play in providing companionship, food, and income. No one understands better the value and the necessity of animals than small farmers and homesteaders who care for them personally and on a daily basis. Over the last century, as small family farms dwindled and factory farms became the norm, the treatment of animals has been under scrutiny and debate by those who care about their welfare. Factory farms raise huge numbers
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Homesteading and living off the grid is a fantastically rewarding way to live. You and your family enjoy the experience of being self-sufficient, relying on each other and like-minded neighbors. You get to raise your children in a manner that works for you. You can protect them from the dangers and influences of modern society and city life. You also get to instill in them a love of and appreciation for the natural world and animals. Undoubtedly you keep animals, grow your own food, and live off of the land. To help you be efficient,
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Illness and disease in animals can be very serious. If you keep animals on your small farm or homestead, you are responsible for keeping them well, both for their sake and your family’s. Your animals are a part of your lifestyle. Depending on what animals you keep, they may provide you with milk, eggs, meat, wool, or protection. The animals need you to survive and thrive, and in turn, you need them to meet some of your basic needs. Your animals can’t talk to you and tell you that they don’t feel well. This means
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Having a dog or multiple dogs on your farm is a practical necessity. Dogs were bred to work, and working farm dogs are some of the oldest breeds around. They provide protection for both your home and your livestock. Some can herd your cattle better than you can, and others can keep pests and vermin out of the way. Your farm dogs can also be great companions. Clearly your working farm dog is not the same kind of animal as a pampered pooch living in the suburbs or the city, but he is still man’s
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There are several reasons you may find yourself raising a bottle baby on your small homestead. The most common one, however, is because you want to keep as much milk as possible from your dairy animals. Raising bottle babies can be loads of fun and a great experience for family members of any age, and even young children can get involved in your homesteading experience by lending a hand feeding your other babies. The Equipment You don’t need a lot of expensive equipment to feed bottle babies on the farm or homestead. The easiest and
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Whether you have a huge farm or a little homestead, a hundred head of cattle or a single goat for your family’s milk source, the Udderly EZ Milker is a must have. Milking is tough on the hands, and if you don’t have the feel for it, you can get frustrated and aggravate the animals
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