Hand-Forged Farm
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Our Plans For the Farm

10/9/2014

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It occurred to me today that while I have spoken often of parts of our plan for Hand-Forged Farm I have never really laid out the entire plan for you. Today you get the full vision!

We first and foremost are a working homestead / farm. We will continue to produce fresh healthy food for ourselves and the community. The structure for the market garden is being put in place this fall, so that we will begin selling produce starting in the spring of 2015. The first greenhouse will be completed late this fall. We will be offering a limited amount of CSA memberships next year and expanding as we bring the garden to full size the following year.

The garden also serves as a valuable teaching tool for those who want to learn the skills required to produce their own food. From WOOFER,s who stay for the season, or part of the season; to workshop participants who come for a weekend to learn a specific set of skills. There a few more plans that will revolve around the garden, but those details will need to wait for now.

The barn will grow also, to start with Gary wants to run 2 sows and a boar. We are on the hunt for a Tamworth gilt, he might also consider a Duroc. The pigs will continue to feed our family and local community. We will continue to sell weaner pigs but will also be raising more of our pork for sale. Gary is finally happy with the system he has worked out for growing sprouts as fodder and is now producing well over 100 lbs a day summer and winter. The animals are all doing very well on them and we are ready to expand. Keeping more pigs will also allow more hands on experience for those who want to work with pigs.

I want to build up the goat herd to six milking does, This will provide enough milk for our family's needs and my soap making. Again, the expansion will allow for more hands on workshops and teaching opportunities.

There are no concrete plans for cattle at the moment, but I have a feeling one or more of the boys may have plans in that area. This would be at least 3 years out right now.

Herbs are also an integral part of the plans. There is going to be a large herb garden which I will use for our medicinal herbs. I plan to use our homestead as a venue for herb walks and wellness retreats and workshops. We plan to bring in other teachers and leaders to give workshops; herbal weekends are a great place to start.

A new orchard of apples, pears, peaches and cherries is going to be planted next spring. Between the garden and the orchard, we will need a few more bee hives. I am planning at least 1 workshop next year for introductory beekeeping.

We have a food forest planned for an area close to the ridge line on the property, and I am working hard to bring a permaculture design course here in late next year or early the following year. Accommodations for WOOFERs round out the plans on the drawing board for now.

Whew!  When I write it all out it sounds almost impossible; but when I look back at what we have done in the past year I know we will bring it all together. It is what we have always wanted to do. We could just build up our property and become almost self sufficient, but we have always wanted to share our knowledge as well as learn from others. For us that is the only way to really become self sufficient... by being part of a self sufficient community.

Humans were not meant to function in isolation, a strong community of people with varying skills and abilities is the basis of any healthy society. We have, for the most part, lost sight of that fact. It is our intention to work with as many like minded people as possible to change that. The oft quoted "be the change you want to see", message is alive and well here at Hand - Forged Farm, and thank you for being along for the journey.
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New Beehive is Finished

23/6/2014

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TA DA!
We finally finished the new top bar hive. As per the
construction plans, I coated it with a mix of beeswax and raw linseed oil.

We used Philip  Chandler's top bar hive plans. They are available for free here.
I also highly recommend his bee keeping book the Barefoot Beekeeper. The forum on his site is a treasure trove of information.
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All that said, we did alter the plans somewhat. The plans advise the use of
1X12" or 1X6" boards to construct the hive. Being from the UK, Mr. Chandler has access to finished boards that are a full inch thick; here in Canada we don't.
We could have purchased true 1" rough lumber from our neighbour but I would have then had to sand the interior surfaces smooth or risk the bees attaching comb to the side walls which is a real pain in the but to deal with. We decided to go with finished 1X6" and Gary doubled the wood and created an overlap at the same time to make the finished hive more water tight. (Did I mention how smart my guy is?) Given the winter we just had I see this as a prudent alteration. We did use the mesh bottom for the hive. I really wanted to keep this feature as it is
quite helpful in keeping the mite population in check. Referring back to the
winter Gary constructed the hive so that we can easily add a board when we close up the hive for winter. We decided on the cedar shingled roof, I just love how it looks. Gary added vapour barrier to keep things dry and warmer through the cold months.
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The inside dimensions are true to the plans. We did use rough lumber for
the top bars as this is easier for the bees to attach their comb to. I applied
wax to the bottom edges of the top bars just to help the bees build a solid
attachment to the bars.
 
We did go with the 48" hive. This allows me the capacity to separate  nucs next year and increase our capacity. It also allows flexibility to capture a swarm if the opportunity arises. It is also easier to insulate the hive for winter as the dividers are placed centrally and the ends of the hive can be insulated.
 
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So everything is ready, I am just waiting for the call to pick up my nucs. Hopefully next week. I have baited the hive with lemongrass essential oil, just on the off chance that a natural swarm happens before I pick  up my nuc. If I can find a willing helper to man the camera when  Reiley and I convert the Langstroth nuc
to the top bar. There may be some bribery involved.
 
If you have ever thought about keeping bees may I just urge you to step in
now. Our bees are in danger. We have completely ignored their health over the
past twenty years. Colony collapse is wiping them out at an alarming rate. Mono
cropping, pesticides and taking too much honey are leaving the bees exposed.
Pesticide resistance is creeping up in the mite population. Without the bees we
are in serious trouble. Please consider keeping a hive of bees, they are
fascinating creatures and incredible workers. They will repay you a thousand
times over.
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    A  4-H Family
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    Author

    Hi! I'm Shelli Killen,
    a homesteading, homeschooling, wife and mother of five. 

    I am a student  herbalist with a passion for learning and a  habit of bringing home strays.

    I love music, and the power of creating things with my hands.
     
    I tend to do best when life around me is organized chaos
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