Posted by Farm at January 4th, 2009

Well, this year’s going to be a challenge. In looking at the other farms around us the landscape is changing. There are some farms growing very large, while others are downsizing until the point of extinction. Hames & Axle has decided to keep going the way we’ve been going, but adding other avenues for us to succeed with. We think the size of our herd, is just about right for us. We have some ‘08 kids still available, but if they stay, they stay. They, and they’re milk, are welcome. But we’re open to others getting started with their own milk supply as well. Just ask us.
Since we’ve always been about teaching, the farm will open for visitors a couple days a week. We’re also offering classes for homeschoolers and others who want to learn about “responsible living,” skills such as breadmaking, sewing and basic carpentry. These are meant to help people take charge of their own repairs and face economic confusion with more control for themselves.
I’m open to doing speaking engagements about food security issues, and goats, and we’re expanding our farm offerings into herbs and eggs. I’ve also started another blog, FarmerCode, to spread the opportunity to teach others about the issues facing American sustainable agriculture.

As for the goats, we all survived the ice storm, though our landscape has changed drastically. Lots of trees are broken or down. Some of them on the fencelines for the equines and goats. We got off easy though, compared to others in our region that  were without power for many more days than our four. Now we move on to fence repairs, breedings, and soon, new babies will start again.

We’re offering a kidding workshop for anyone who’s anxious about the first set of kids being born on their farm, or confused about registering, NAIS and sales. Feel free to contact me and reserve a spot. And hope that we don’t see another major snow storm on Feb. 22, the day of the workshop.

Well, that’s it for now. Hope you like the new format, and check out the new EdBlog for more information about Small Farm Issues.