County Fare

Finance is a dirty !@#$%

Friday, April 2nd, 2010 | County Fare Site, Minnesota | 2 Comments

OK we’ll just say it’s a dirty word. After talking with the wonderful, seriously they want to help, people with the FSA concerning a beginning farm loan we have been told that land purchases are more difficult to get funded through the beginning farm programs. This combined with the fact that time is ticking away and moving anything through govt. is slower than snails racing, yes yes I’m all for the slow movement but in agriculture there are a few times a year when you need to be ready to go, such as spring, is why we have decided to make a purchase on our own.

First, I’d like to write a bit about our decision to purchase. While this isn’t the only option we feel it is right for us at this time. Mainly because home rentals are equal or greater in monthly cost than purchasing. Also, if we were to find the perfect rental we would still not be able to easily make improvements to the property that are necessary.

So we have decided to take matters into our own hands and purchase a small piece of property and possibly put a manufactured home on it. This option allows us to get in on time and under budget. Plus we can get started with our soil and composting projects lickety split. The more we discuss this the more we find reasons why it seems like the right thing to do. For example:

1. low cost of ownership (20 acres a home and cost to put in utilities is under half of purchasing a small farm ready to go)
2. low start up cost allow us to funnel more resources into production
3. we get to design our farm (very exciting! farming is DIY paradise)

But, none of the local banks are into financing trailers; I wonder if I could call it pre-fab and get warmer reception? :^D Even thought this option brings our purchase price and payments down to more reasonable the terms of financing aren’t as friendly as with the FSA and it introduces non-local banking business to our plan. Waiting is starting to sound better.

We’ll be weighing the pros and cons here to see what the best option is.

Pros:

1. low cost of ownership
2. more resources for production
3. build what we want as we go
4. get to start now

Cons:

1. financing terms aren’t as nice (fine print from more than one entity yuck)
2. non-local business involvment

Farm Plan

Sunday, March 7th, 2010 | County Fare Site, Minnesota, Uncategorized | No Comments

Wow there is a lot to be done when planning our little endeavor. Business plans in and of themselves aren’t that difficult to create, but research takes time. Add the needs of small children to the mix and you get an extended time line that’s nearly unacceptable. We are definitely up to the challenge, but it seems just getting there is going to be the hardest part.

On a positive note I had a meeting with our local FSA Rep and it sounds like one of the loans they make available for beginning farmers is going to be the best option for us at this point. Now to research and compile data to come up with some hard numbers for a balance sheet and projected income, write a farm experience narrative and then collect the supporting documentation to complete the application. When I get a clearer idea of our farm plan I’ll lay it all out here. What I will say is that we are taking a LONG look at aquaponics. Nearly year round production in USDA zone 3 sounds interesting.

Friends Neighbors Countrymen lend me your ear (or your farm beginnings info)

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 | County Fare Site, Food Activism, Food Writing, Health, Minnesota | No Comments

It may seem that this little food media experiment has bit the dust. I assure you it has not. In fact things are looking pretty exciting for the next year.

First, a little about the extended hiatus. Last summer as I excitedly worked my first real job in over three years at a reputable advertising agency here in Minneapolis my youngest daughter developed eczema as a result of some nasty FOOD ALLERGIES. At the same time the eldest daughter became violently ill with Lyme’s Disease. It took six weeks and five doctor visits to find this out. AND THEN I came down with shingles! Uber stress I guess. So I decided I was going to stay home for awhile and get things in order. Shingles and Lyme’s are treatable and were nipped in the butt within a couple of weeks. Food allergies on the other hand are a real nightmare. 9 months later we are still adjusting our family diet and have found an herbal remedy that has helped immensely with her aczema, at the recommendation of our acupuncturist. We still don’t get much sleep at night with the poor little girl, now 1yr, rolling around and itching at all hours; but things are greatly improved from the days when her skin literally bled day and night.

Instead of pursuing my working career at full steam I’ve opted to enroll in graduate school. Something I’ve always wanted but thought was a few years down the road, oh well. In hope that my wife could stay home with the kids we have been brainstorming ideas for extra income. A few have come and gone but one lingers nagging us on. Starting a small farm. After some research we have found that there is an abundance of help for people who wish to start farming. And get this, a lot of it is from the good ole USDA! WOW! Beginning farm loans! Business planning resources! Classes! Everywhere we look this is a positive for us, the planet, and profit. We are truly  amazed and are excitedly attempting to start a business plan. Tough with only a couple weary hours of production time available. We’ll get there.

So it seems this will be our contribution to County Fare. We will document as much of the process as possible and post it for the community as a resource. Hopefully it will be useful.

If anyone has relevant information please post it here. I’m currently looking for current accurate data regarding sales prices for berries and mushrooms (these are my lead crop contenders). I have a meeting with our local FSA person in a few days and hope to get some of this data for my region.

Sorry about the sloppy post and writing. What can you expect with an average of 4 hours of sleep for months. This ship will only get tighter as time goes on. I’m very much looking forward to it.

Dustin

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 | Minnesota, Organizations, Recipes | No Comments

Tags: event, slow food, splendid, table

The Future of Food: Muy Importante!

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 | Food Activism, Health, Minnesota, Organizations | No Comments

The Future of Food, a film by Deborah Coons Garcia and Lily Films, is an important look into the state of our current food supply. People sometimes ask me why I have taken the stand that locally produced agriculture is important. My replies are always shallow because I can’t sit down with them for the hours it takes to explain the depth of the issue. This film is an excellent resource for knowledge and does a great job of stringing together the pieces of the puzzle that are often hidden from us.

Visit the web site

Tags: film, food, future, Health

Brussel Sprouts mark the end of our CSA season

Sunday, October 26th, 2008 | Food Activism, Minnesota, Organizations | No Comments

October 26 is our last Community Supported Agricultural Delivery from the Women’s Environmental Institute in North Branch, MN.

For the past 19 weeks we have been shareholder in WEI with our dividend being picked up in a bushel box of produce at our local grocer every Sunday. All in all this has been a wonderful experience. Fresh sustainably farmed fruits and veggies from our neighbors has provided us with a steady supply of sustenance. Knowing that this food has been grown without the use of Johnny-come-lately chemical agriculture has helped to put our mind at ease about our food supply. And, last but not least, without our neighbors help we would never have known what brussel sprouts looked like while still on the stalk. Thanks WEI

If you would like to know more about WEI visit their web address: WEI

Search for Community Supported Agriculture near you: Local Harvest

Tags: CSA, farming, food, local, wei

Sustainable Fashion? You Bet!

Thursday, September 18th, 2008 | Minnesota, Organizations | No Comments

Our friends over at MNfashion are working for a sustainable local business environment for fashion designers and retailers. But don’t take my word for it:

“MNfashion is dedicated to providing resources and professional development allowing designers to establish a sustainable livelihood in Minnesota. In doing this, we foster community and encourage industry growth.”

It’s not food, but with goals like that count us in! Let’s support our neighbors and help bring livable earnings to some of our most creative citizens. All through this weekend you can attend local fashion events around Minneapolis for MNfashions Fashion Weekend. Check out their site to find out when and where.

Fall Fashion Weekend

Tags: economy, fashion, local, Minnesota, sustainable

Snail in the Park

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 | Food Activism, Minnesota | No Comments

Title: Snail in the Park
Location: Shepherd’s Way Farms
Description: Slow Food Minnesota’s First-of-Autumn Potluck
Sunday, September 21, 2 p.m., Shepherd’s Way Farms
8626 160th Street East, Nerstrand, MN

Tour this beautiful farm, enjoy a Slow potluck and hear Jodi Ohlsen Read and Steven Read talk about their life as shepherds and cheesemakers. Beverages and grilled lamb will be provided. Please bring a dish to share. Shepherd’s Way Farm is near Northfield, MN, less than an hour’s drive from the Twin Cities.
Reservations are required. $5 for members, $10 for non-members. Children ages 2 to 12, half price (2 and younger, free). You may reserve online using your credit card or PayPal account at slowfoodmn.org/events

Questions? (612) 362-9210.
Directions to Shepherd’s Way from Minneapolis:
1. 35 W South to Hwy. 19 East to Northfield. 2. Hwy 19 East (left) to Northfield. 3. Turn Right on Hwy. 3 (stoplight by Kwik Trip/Walgreens).
4. Left at next stoplight, Hwy. 246. 5. Follow Hwy. 246 as it turns right at next stop sign. 6. Follow Hwy. 246 past Middle School. 7. Right on County Road 30 (top of hill, sign also says Valley Grove). 8. Left at first stop sign. 9. Right at second stop sign (still County Road 30 but also called Ibson Street). 10. Follow winding Co. Rd. 30/Ibson to stop sign at top of hill. 11. Go Straight – now called only Ibson Street. 12. Follow Ibson as it turns sharply right, becoming 160th St E. 13. Farm is first on right. We will gather at the cheese shop/office, a small white building across from end of barn.

Start Time: 02:00
Date: 2008-09-21

Tags: convivia, events, food, slow