Like most of you, I look at New Years as an opportunity to reflect on what this last year has taught us here on our small farm and feel reenergized about what's ahead. As we march forward into 2022 as a small farm, I do have my eyes set on a few key goals and dreams. Perhaps that's why I'm a bit long-winded in the video (sorry about that). Truth be told, we're deep diving back into our homestead this year with the same eagerness we started with almost a decade ago.
Let me paraphrase for you, in case you've only got a few minutes to spare:
Sheep:
- Replace breeding ewes (old ewes will live out their retirement years on the farm).
- Get ear tag equipment/band ram lambs
Cow:
- Prioritize butter storage
- Learn to freeze-dry milk
Chickens:
- Replace old hens in flock with new chicks
- Butcher unneeded roosters
- NO FREE RANGE CHICKENS!
Gardens:
- Prioritize fermenting and freeze drying produce
- Prioritize growing as much as we can of utilitarian crops
Farm:
- BUILD A BARN!!!!!!
Lots more about our small farm dreams in the video below! What are YOUR goals for 2022?
Gayle Parrish
I don’t know if this could help but I grew up in northwest Montana. When our hens stopped laying in the winter, we would make a mash of ground grain and hot water, then liberally cover it with ground cayenne pepper. A few days of this, and the hens would start laying again. Worth a try, anyway.
Katherine
Oh my gosh!
I just found you. You guys are precious. I’m looking to renew my inspiration for my homestead. You will be a dear part of that I do believe.
It will take me a while to catch up but in the meantime what type of ducks do you raise for meat?
Also, what freeze dryer?
The best to you in 22!
Gwen Lingenfelter
I just found you today. I am totally impressed and wish for you all the best in your 2022 Goals. And thank you so much for your tips.
We started with meat goats 20 years ago. When we went fallow, we switched to Angus feeder calves. This round of chickens & ducks for eggs is 2 years now in production. And we have veggie gardens. I am now looking to get some nut trees in the ground this month.
We just finished building my She Shed & Greenhouse, and so have winter veggies growing in the Greenhouse now. My She Shed is 2 rooms. One is an “above ground root cellar / dba canning room” where I keep all spare jars plus my canning for both personal consumption & for Farmer’s Markets. The other room currently has baby ducks & chickens under the heat lamp, plus storage for my Market tent, tables, etc.
I purchased a 3-shelf Harvest Right about 3 years ago. I have not lost any produce since buying it. The most novel thing I did was freeze dry ice cream & eggs ( about 12 whole eggs on one shelf, plus 24 egg whites on the second shelf and 24 egg yolks on the third shelf ).
I also now have a pressure canner and am looking to learn to can meats & soups.
I am so totally glad to have found you. My parsley is year round, so today I was searching on preserving it, and found your Tuscan Salt. I am going to use your guide to make parsley salt this afternoon.
Thank you so much for your caring and your sharing! If I can ever be of service to you & your family, please be sure to email me.
Have a very Blessed & Fruitful 2022 !!