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Micro-farming and building a life on it  email this discussion to a friend?

myLot reputation of 96/100. xParanoiax (5014)   ranked 1,837 out of 32,943 in life 4 years ago

I know I don't even have the land, the plants, or the resources yet...but I may very soon. And even then I have to wait til spring for most of it.
I just feel woefully unprepared, so I thought I'd talk about here with ya'll in hopes you guys might have some similiar stories or advice, or information...something. Heh.

Okay, so I've had alot of plans -- as some of you probably know already -- for the, well my future. Alot of things I was so close to doing, before life decided to happen to change my plans completely.
THAT and I've not experienced a ton of stability in my short lifetime. Most of the stability I did experience, I can't even remember very well to feel like it really happened.
I'm not complaining or anything, I mean I like to think that I thrive on difficult circumstances. It's just now my family has a chance at obtaining stability, real stability, for the first time in years. Part of me really can't believe that it's happening, but the rest of me just has no idea how to handle the very concept of what's happening.

I'm at a loss.

If we get this stability, what will my plans for the future be?

Well, I'll be trying to make a living in some sorta old fashioned ways. Namely by farming on a mere acre of land and selling the produce locally, we have a farmer's market around here, and restaurants that buy from local farmers sometimes...plus people struggling with the economy. With my tendency to price things as cheaply as I can, I figure this will make -some- money at least.
That, and working with my hands. I'm hoping to get some Reed Grass -- since we live up here when winter gets below zero at least once every year, I don't have to worry about it getting out of control, and can grow some every year to harvest for materials to make things out of. I'm not sure what exactly, I'll go about making, but considering that it's fairly sturdy and that regardless what I spend on it, I'll turn a profit because of how quickly it grows, it seems smart enough.
I was thinking maybe tent/gazebo frames for maybe setting up a stand on the front lawn for selling the produce...and to sell for others who'd like to set up shop on their front lawns as well. I was also hoping to get some citrus trees. I know I'm in a cold climate, but our new house has big windows, so I could always take the trees inside and keep them trimmed to keep them from getting too big maybe, like I do my mimosa tree already in this small house we have now...

I'm already setting some money aside for all this, and I expect it will take alot of my time. But the local job market is basically...crap lol, especially for someone as young as me who's not gonna be able to afford college right off the bat (maybe in the future, who knows?), and I thought maybe if I worked on earning up enough money meanwhile, I could always find jobs later and it'd be less risky.
I figured that if my family can't help me get a mode of transportation (namely, a gas scooter to go with whatever bike I managed to find), this would help me do that..because I can't get a job until I have some means to get there, I can't rely on family and friends of the family because they're just doing okay with the gas prices and all.
I figured after I get a scooter, I'll be able to travel a bit...to sell my wares, and maybe finally be able to participate a bit more with activism and events created to expand awareness -- which has been something I've always wanted to do, and as I get older the more I really want that. I mean as I travel maybe I can buy other stuff to re-sell or trade, there's amish and other farmers about...flea markets..and festivals..so there's bound to be opportunities...

Mom wants to get a goat and some chickens, too. And if we all do well, I'll get the house we're getting right now in a few years from my family, and Mom'll buy herself a bigger farm (though how she'll maintain it now that she's older, I'm not sure. Cute farm-hands? hehe).
Even my dream of moving out once I'm twenty or whatever, is unlikely now, because me and my family need eachother to take care of our futures financially now.

I guess I just have this big tendency to worry. This new goal of mine is the last thing I expected myself to be doing -- I mean maybe after settling down once I'm middle aged, after college, and career's finito...but those things aren't likely now...so here I am. Part of it, is knowing that self-reliant living is harder than heck. How unpredictable farming and selling can be -- I know I always had a knack for the latter, and grew up with the former...but these days I've just so much unease because I feel like these hopes are huge. Isn't that silly? This hope is smaller than my other dreams and only relies on my own abilities...and I feel like it's farfetched! I know it isn't but I think that's why I'm writing this...rant? *isn't sure it can be defined as a rant because it isn't frustrated or angry* xD

I think I'd really feel better if I just knew where to start, once it all rolls around so I'm not in a panic once it does happen. I'll have to work out a scenario for what to do, if it doesn't on my own, I guess, heh.
So farmers, home-business people...advice-givers...or just people going through similiar things as I am, trying to secure your own futures...I'd really like to hear from you. Again information, websites, whatever you have I'd be really grateful.

 

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tags:  amish, business, citrus, economy, farmers
 
1. myLot reputation of 93/100. sweethomecatring (1391)   ranked 647 out of 32,943 in life   4 years ago

What a story of pretty mediocre standard of person having made to take care of a family and self may it be man or a woman, thinking to save some thing from the present and planning for doing micro farming. A good attempt to compose and reflecting it catchy. Have a nice day ahead to fulfill your dream project.

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2. myLot reputation of 94/100. 1hopefulman (3135)   ranked 164 out of 32,943 in life   4 years ago

And you are only eight? And you can write like that? I think you should forget farming and become a writer. Unless, you are pulling our leg by saying you are eight years old. But no matter you are certainly talented in writing.

The reason I got attracted to your post was that I'm very interested in farming. But I don't have a farm or a garden or a lot (except for Mylot hahahha). But this year I started to grow plants inside my apartment. I even pulled some dandelions from outside and replanted in pots. I was able over the summer to eat quite a few leaves from my inside dandelion patch. I'm curious to see if they die over the winter or continue to grow leaves that I can eat.

Anyway, all the best in farming or writing or making money over the internet. :)


myLot reputation of 96/100. xParanoiax (5014)   ranked 1,837 out of 32,943 in life  4 years ago

I AM a writer. Unfortunately, to make a living at it you have to have a little money to begin with, and you have to be lucky. And since I no longer have an editor anymore, I'm not liking my odds with trying to write for a living.

Too up in the air, you know? Even though there's a tons of uncertainties with farming, it is at least something tangible I can work with. And unfortunately, for me to be able to earn anything decent for a living online, I'd have to never get off the computer! Lol.

I'm not eight, just very private with my exact age and I thought it was amusing.

How lovely to grow your plants inside your apartment! Dandelions for sustenance, I wish more people knew the nutritional value of the "weed", they'd probably appreciate it alot more. They're perennials, so I'm sure your dandelions should last throughout the next few years granted you continue caring for them =)
I've done something a little similiar, only I dug up sproutling maple trees and potted them and am now looking after them in my house -- I'm hoping they won't get upset at being inside for the winter.

Good luck for you as well! =) and thanks.


myLot reputation of 94/100. 1hopefulman (3135)   ranked 164 out of 32,943 in life  4 years ago

Thanks for clearing things up. I wish you success. Don't give up your dreams. Keep at it! Things have a way of working out when we least expect it. Keep an open mind. Be alert to different possibilities to eventually do what you love best.:)

"Dandelion don't tell no lies
Dandelion will make you wise" Rolling Stones :)


myLot reputation of 96/100. xParanoiax (5014)   ranked 1,837 out of 32,943 in life  4 years ago

I'll try ^_^ good luck with your own things, hun!


myLot reputation of 92/100. avidwhit (734)   ranked 663 out of 32,943 in life  4 years ago

You sound like a person with a kindred spirit. I used to grow mints and beans in my apartmant in montana. Now I have about 6 sq ft with a banana several small yet to produce papayas and a lime tree. You might want to check out the website listed onm my profile might be something of interest to you if not now but someday. Sincerely David :) Happy growing!


myLot reputation of 94/100. 1hopefulman (3135)   ranked 164 out of 32,943 in life  4 years ago

Yes, very interesting. Will study it more as I have time. :)

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3. myLot reputation of 92/100. avidwhit (734)   ranked 663 out of 32,943 in life   4 years ago

Great post! I like your dreams ideas mind set etc. Your not alone in wanting a more sustianable life style. You might want to check out the website on my profile and be in touch if nothing else you might find some thing new to think about with on of the links maybe even find use for the classified page ad. Take good care and hope to hear from you! Sincerely David


myLot reputation of 96/100. xParanoiax (5014)   ranked 1,837 out of 32,943 in life  4 years ago

I have =)
I hope your website continues to grow, man. When did you start this project of yours?


myLot reputation of 92/100. avidwhit (734)   ranked 663 out of 32,943 in life  4 years ago

The website is going its 4th month. I expect it to take awhile. The dream has been over 5 years and has changed in various forms. Thankfully some people are interested and others give input various ways. It will continually be fine tuned.
Lots say it wont happen a few believe it will and it thoose the kkep the dream alive. All you located in a ttropical area? :)


myLot reputation of 96/100. xParanoiax (5014)   ranked 1,837 out of 32,943 in life  4 years ago

All things worthwhile take work, it's a pretty robust project for a thing so newly started (though it's been in your mind for longer) so I think that's encouraging.

I think there's decent odds your dream will happen -- even if it's just in a small way. I was talking to my Mother about your idea for a permaculture community and that if you did it in the country you're in, how sad I was that I'd probably never get to see it. I've been hearing alot about a rising mortality rate for tourists in Mexico and if the current climate of change in this world continues I don't expect my own country to be much safer in the future, so travel at least for such distances wouldn't be extremely wise. BUT, I'd love if you do get to accomplish it. It'd give me so much hope for the future yet. I mean I know it'd take some doing, but all you need is some people who feel the same about it and all it takes is finding them. Time seems to be the only thing you need, imo.

Tropical? Heh, no. I'm in the northern states, which means crazy weather all year round. Crazier since the whole climate change thing seems to be panning out. This past summer FELT tropical...and it's into the autumn now here, and we've not yet hit weather that's supposed to be typical for autumn, it still feels like summer.
Last year we'd skipped spring and autumn entirely...and it looks like that's how it is again this year. Hot-Cold.

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