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March 6, 2015

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How to Live the Life You Want -Really

Many books, magazines and television specials tell you how to live the life you want. But do they really know the life you want to live?

Permaculture-Gardening-100x100

You are the Sculpture Creating the Life you want.

When you decided on the life you wanted to live, did you plan for it, or did it just happen? For me, I excelled in working with horses and on farms when I was in Jr. High and High School. I was content. Going to the Student counselor for our mandatory “Career Counseling” session was an experience. How about you? Being told that I have to choose a career and that working for someone else would be my best option.

My parents suggested an electronics school that I had been recruited to go to sounded acceptable,but it meant moving to Phoenix, Arizona, a big city. Not the life I wanted to live. Plus, would I be stuck indoors all of the time? I love being outside. My Father had been in the Navy and my brother in law just came back from Vietnam.

Everyone was telling me what I should do, as well as the life that would be best for me. On my brother in laws advice, I chose the Navy. I was outside quite a bit of the time, but I ended up being on submarines. Really locked inside for months on end. Not even a screen door!

Chris-Downs-Heather-and-Bugar-Bear-362x276

Lessons I learned from working with others

  • I like to learn new skills and work with my hands
  • I like to trouble shoot and repair many different things
  • I enjoy meeting new people and discovered that what the “rumor” was about people and cultures was never true. Most people I met love being outdoors, eating great food and sharing their story.
  • If you love animals, growing food and smile, even in stressful situations, sharing your love for life is contagious.
  • I learned that I enjoy helping other people in many different ways.
  • Working on a fire department is tough and rewarding
  • Building and owning a store and restaurant is a LOT of work to be successful
  • Not knowing what I wanted to do or enjoy kept me from being fulfilled, at peace and joyful.

Discovering and Planning the Life that you Want.

After getting Married, my Wife Heather and I planned out our future. We drew plans for the farm that we wanted

  • Complete with a runway, Hangar, and maintenance facilities. (Of course I had to put this first!)
  • Must be self sufficient for water, food and power.
  • large 4 acre garden
  • Home that allows for people to come, stay and recover from the stress of living in the city
  • Have the property pay for itself
  • Have a restaurant (Biker Bob’s Breakfast Bizarre that only serves lunch)
  • Train interns and help others learn how to live sustainable lives
  • Live to have more by having less
For us, we still have these plans 30 years later. We live off grid and continue to grow toward our vision and goals.

The List we follow to get to where we want to be:

  • Spend time reading history and about the land, Listen
  • Read, play, listen to others generously
  • Eat nutritious food
  • Ensure you get All of the nutrition you need (Physical, Emotional and Spiritual)
  • Surround yourself with mentors and people who have the same dream
  • Give a hand to others
  • Do not be afraid to make mis-takes (I learn from them all of the time)
  • You do not have to buy new equipment
  • Hire some jobs done, it will save a lot of time and money
  • Keep your vision alive
  • As you meet new people, rejoice in their journey and their dreams
  • Take action on a daily basis, even if the action is to rest and recover
  • Don’t take yourself too seriously (that one took me some time)
  • Bend, soften stubbornness (my lesson) bring determination into balance with humility
  • Forgive
  • Ask for and accept help
  • Give help
  • Save 10%, Give 10% and live on the rest.
  • Learn new skills (be teachable)
  • Teach those skills to others
  • Love your neighbor and yourself
  • Be Calm even in an emergency (ask Heather)
  • Don’t be stuck on the path to how you will get to the life you want, enjoy the changes in your plans that get you there
  • Walk softly on the land
  • Protect your soil, water and nature so that you and generations can enjoy it also
  • When a challenge arises, Know that this too shall pass

As my Friends and chosen family [[[3]]] share:

“You Create the life you want and have by the Three Arrows of Power”

  1. The thoughts you think
  2. The Words you Speak
  3. The Actions You Take

sustainable-living-660x300

“When you are up to your chest in water, clear the culvert”

We have been greatly blessed by so many people. I hope that these tips that I have learned, sometimes the hard way will smooth the road for your Journey.

Today is a Great Day

Chris Downs

How to Live the Life You Want -Really is bought to you by hisfarm

Originally posted here:
How to Live the Life You Want -Really

Natural News |

January 24, 2015

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Do You Still Use Bent Nails?

Why do I ask if you still use Bent Nails?

bent nails

When I built my first barn,starting at age 15, we used bent nails. My brothers, sister and I would have to straighten the nails to use them. Most of the time 2 or 3 times until we could finally drive them into the boards so that they would hold together. It was very time consuming as well as added months to the job of just building the first floor of the barn.

The wood we used was also salvaged from old railroad car decking and siding. Those boards where hard as a steel, almost. Lots of times we had to pre-drill the nail holes to get the nails into the boards. Recycling is great, with a good blacksmith shop, you can recast nails.

Our Fathers plan was to complete the barn before winter. However, by the time we stripped the lumber from the railroad cars, straightened nails, dug and poured the foundation, Months had passed. Just building the first floor walls was a chore with such hard wood.

Uncle to the rescue

Our uncle came over to help us, and watching the challenges we were having, offered to help us finish the barn and trade the cleaned railroad car lumber for new dimensional lumber and some new nails. I now know how valuable the solid oak boards were worth, however we were able to complete the barn before winter set in. The value added was getting the project completed on time. The horses were happy, and so were all of us kids.

I did learn how to drive nails and do basic framing and siding during this project, however, I bent my fair share of “New Nails” also. My Father use to call them gymnast nails, as they bent easy when we would “Missed it by that much” moments happened.

Sustainable and Self Sufficient

Being Sustainable means being able to sustain your life and lifestyle in an abundant way. My paraphrase and understanding. We all have the same amount of time everyday to accomplish projects and be productive.

Becoming Self Sufficient is what I use to think was the definition for sustainable. To be able to do everything yourself, relying upon no one else or others. I quickly learned that relying upon others was very important when I spent a few years in the US Navy on board a submarine. We all had to understand how the ship and its systems worked as well how to operate and manage them in an emergency. The entire ship was Sustainable as long as we all worked together during the patrols.

But we were never self-sufficient even as a crew. We had support from the rest of the fleet to keep us operational and out to sea to complete our mission.

Lessons learned

I am sharing this with you today, because of a comment that someone shared with me. They shared how the could save money by purchasing cheaper products to complete their project.

This is what I have learned:

  • Cheaper products do not always save you money, they can cost you everything if they fail.
  • Buying used can be good IF you purchase quality. (ever buy and expensive cheap car?)
  • Outsourcing some projects can save you months or years over the lifetime of your farm or business
  • Preparing a project plan and being adaptable is better than having no plan
  • Test new ideas, study the outcome of what you want, to see if you will have customers who will purchase what you produce.
  • Sometimes, plans have to be completely changed for the better as you learn more
  • Everything is an experiment when you are creating something that has never been done before
  • Just because it has always been done this way does not mean there can not be a better solution. Be open to changes
  • Do not become emotionally attached to the process, listen to others who come to help, good advice comes from unexpected sources sometimes
  • Measure at least twice and cut once
  • Keep your cutting tools sharp and prepared
  • Lay out a plan for the land or business you are building to optimize all of your activities
  • Invest in your Mind, Learn new skills and Teach others what you have learned.

There has been much more I have learned over the years. Be respectful to others who want to try something new. I know that I will still have challenges and “Do overs”, but I have become more adaptable to the circumstances.

Please leave your comments and suggestions here:

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Today is a Great day!

Chris Downs

HISfarm.org

Do You Still Use Bent Nails? is bought to you by hisfarm

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Do You Still Use Bent Nails?

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January 15, 2015

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Keeping Electrical Power at 30 Below Zero

30 below zero and the generator did not start

Living Off Grid at extremely low temperatures can be a challenge, Keeping Electrical Power is Critical when your house uses Propane forced air heat. When the Sun doesn’t shine, we need to charge the batteries with a generator.

How Cold did it Get?

The first day of cold weather, I woke up at 4 am to check the temperature and battery charge. The Outside thermometer was pegged to the negative side. It goes to – 21 degrees. Our neighbor, who lives 4 miles north of us is usually about 4 to 5 degrees warmer than our house due to the wind and landscape here. He had 28 degrees below zero.

The temperature in the house was toasty 52 degrees! Not the warmest for most people, but a lot warmer that being outside. I turned the heat up to 60 degrees. Unfortunately, the house and 40 acres we are leasing while we build our farm does not have wood heat. The owners insurance will not allow a wood stove either. It has a pellet stove, but it uses more power than the gas furnace and does not heat the house.

Starting the Generator

I waited until it was 20 below zero outside to start the generator. We have a diesel generator and we add an anti-gel additive to the fuel to keep it from freezing in severe weather. At least that was the theory. I had added 2 times the amount recommended for temperatures below 0 degrees.

Anti Gel Additive

The generator started and for 40 minutes ran great! At the 40 minute mark, the generator started running rough. I got dressed warmly, and went out and shut the generator down. It was actually a lot warmer, it was up to 15 below zero! Yeah! The batteries were well charged, so we had power for the day. The Fuel filters had less than 10 hours of use on them, so they should fine.

I had recently place a new exhaust pipe on the generator to keep the exhaust outside of the generator shed. I removed the exhaust to make sure it was not blocked, per the trouble shooting sheet. I checked the air filter, also new about 10 hours ago. It was very dirty. Probably from the shorter exhaust pipe we had previously had for the generator.

Generator

New exhaust installed on the Generator

After installing the new Air filter, the generator started, but still did not run smoothly once I increased the throttle to the proper setting for operation. Once I turned the circuit breaker on the generator, the generator ran good for about 5 minutes then once again started running poorly.

I shut it down. and removed the water/fuel separator and the 2 fuel filters. I had just removed the fuel filters 3 weeks prior to check the condition of them, they were clean. This time, there was a brown sludge/gel in every one. Not so much on the final fuel filter, but enough to stop proper fuel flow.

It was getting dark and the temperature was close to 15 below zero. We cleaned the canisters, added more anti-gel to the fuel tank. and also added an additive I had not used previously. It is called 9-1-1.

9-1-1 for diesel fuel

The local auto parts store was out of this product. The only place that had any was walmart. in the nearest big city, about 35 miles away. I had never used this but I really needed to have power to heat the house. I placed 25% 9-1-1 in each fuel filter canister and the fuel/water separator then poured the rest into the fuel tank. It was now 20 below zero again, but we did have a propane heater running in the generator shed. Yeah for Propane Space heaters!

Will it Run?

We went through the starting process:

  • Prime the fuel system
  • Glow plugs on for 60 seconds
  • Turn the switch to Start.

The Generator started, but it was coughing and running a bit rough. Dale, our neighbor who was helping me recommended to let it run, and within 2 minutes started running smooth and clean.

Success and the lessons learned

So the Generator was running great. We had succeeded in getting the power we needed and heat the house. What we discovered is that even though we had more than enough additive in the fuel, that we will need to remove the tank and check it also. The goop that we removed we believe came from the tank, and after so many cold days in a row was able to break loose.

The Tank strainer has been cleaned and re-installed and the generator is working great. Lesson learned is that in extreme cold weather, change out the fuel filters and water/fuel separators more often. We will be more alert to the cold temperatures as well as removing the fuel tank yearly to check for contaminants.

We will also build a rocket stove with lots of thermal storage for our home as we build it, right after the greenhouse is growing our food!

It is good to have power when you live off Grid! We are very aware of our power usage and conserve all that we can.

Have a question? Ask here: http://hisfarm.org/contact-us/

Today is a Great Day

Chris Downs

HISfarm.org

Keeping Electrical Power at 30 Below Zero is bought to you by hisfarm

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Keeping Electrical Power at 30 Below Zero

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December 14, 2014

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Winter Arrives on the Greenhouse

[[[1]]]

Winter is Coming

We have been doing our best to get the roof on the greenhouse before the snow arrived. Cold weather and high winds have taken a toll on our ability to get it completed.

Just a couple of weeks ago, we did get the very west wall cemented into place. It took another week to get the last post for the drive in door cemented into place due to cold weather.

Last post on left cemented into place

Two weeks ago, we were able to cement the last upright post in place for the Greenhouse.

Cold weather, high winds and time restraints have appeared to be winning the battle in getting the roof on and complete before the first big snow.

We just could not get the last 2 rows of the roof pulled into place due to the wind. The temperature must be at least 50 degrees farenheit to set these 66 foot long panels into place. Too cold or too hot, and the tension will not be correct once it is completed.

Part of taking on a project of this size is keeping focused on the end result. We know that once the roof is completed, we can finish the sides, install the vents and get the water system and completed.

We have placed the top soil, compost, and Llama manure in the greenhouse already. We just got a “New to us” Troy Built horse rototiller to level the floor of the greenhouse also.

greenhouse-pics

A 2 Day “Heat Wave” makes it possible to finish the roof!

Just this last Sunday and Monday, we were blessed to have warm enough weather to pull the last 2 panels! Finally, the roof is on and the weather was up to the low 50’s. We have had a couple of small snow storms, but the snow is all gone.

Here is a couple of pictures of the completed roof for the greenhouse!!!

Last items to Finish the Greenhouse

Now we can get the floor level and finish the side windows and vents.

Here is what we have left to do:

  • Build and install the 8 vents in the side walls
  • Close the other sections of the walls to keep the greenhouse warm and growing
  • Change the well pump from 240vac to a Solar powered well pump
  • Finish the cover for the water reservoir tank
  • Install the drain gutter on the south end of the greenhouse to get water to flow away from the greenhouse as rain falls or snow melts
  • Install the roll up garage door in the driveway ramp
  • This may sound like a lot of work, but compared to where we started, it is a short list.

We were hoping to get this completed before the first big snow, however, it came. The great news is that the roof is on and there is lots to do inside under the roof!

Roy says it is cold!

We have completed the majority of the tasks needed to start growing. We are hoping to start planting in 2 weeks.

How is your farm or garden coming along? Can you grow in the winter?

We will continue to give you updates as we finish the greenhouse. Our hope is that winter will allow us to finish the tasks needed to finish soon.

Staying out of debt while you build your dream home/farm

Whether you are nurturing your family, your business or your mindset or your land, it is all part of a healthy life.

What do you do to fund your dream? We do train others how to fund their farm or professional garden without going into debt. Is it easy? Not always, but if you are ready to get some help, you can contact me HERE

Are you a fit to work with us? Leave us a message and we will interview you to see if it is a fit for you and us.

Build your dream, keep your vision in focus and keep moving forward. Have the Grit to “Get R Done”! Remember to keep reading Grit magazine online for tips and reviews, Invest in your skills and knowledge and train others to do the same.

Together, we can make the world a better place, one great meal, homestead and farm at a time.

Chris Downs

hisfarm.org

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Winter Arrives on the Greenhouse

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November 12, 2014

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Comfort and Organic Sustainability, Can You Have Both?

Is comfort and organic sustainability achievable? Yes, but first of all, what does sustainability mean?

Sustainable Home

Sustainable Development Info. Com has put together some great resources taken from Wikipedia and other sources.

The need for a sustainable development became more apparent as cities began to grow and resources began to diminish in quantity and value. In the early 1800s, some people began to develop personal lifestyles that were conservative and took into account environmental issues.

It was at this time, when the industrial revolution was taking place, when many observed the advancements in technology were coming at a great price to the environment. American Henry David Thoreau is considered the first person to write about sustainable development circa 1854.

An eco friendly way of life does not mean that people must live without any comforts or have any less fulfilling existences. In most cases, it means to use only what is necessary instead of wasting valuable resources, but it does come at a cost. This can be viewed as payback for all the times that limited resources were wasted for no good reason

However, not all of us have wasted resources for no good reason. The Native Americans were and are good stewards of the land where “The Sacred Journey of the Medicine Wheel” is still practiced. Other countries and societies call this way of life permaculture or homesteading. It is not all about being completely self-sufficient, but Inter-dependent upon the members of a community.

What does comfort mean to you?

We each have our own “comfort” that we want, but most people believe that indoor plumbing, electric lights as well as heating and cooling. Good healthy food, buildings for living and working on projects and equipment make life more comfortable.

Financial sustainability is also comfort for most of us. Living debt free is one of the best things to bring sustainability and comfort. We may all have to borrow money for Land and large projects once in a while, however, keeping debt at bay makes every day more comfortable.

Learning New Skills

You will learn new skills as you build your home or homestead. There is a real good book for basic skills called Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills. But remember the more you learn the better it is for you and your family.

Remember that becoming part of a good community makes life easier! You can Barter or trade for items need or want.

You also do not have to have 100’s of acres to be sustainable. Here is a great book on how to live sustainably on just ¼ acre: Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre by Brett L. Markham.

I have learned from people who are living debt free on 1/10th of an acre in the city of Los Angeles. They grow herbs, raise chickens, ducks as well as microgreens for sale to local restaurants and homes.

Saving and Storing Food

Canning, freezing and drying your food for storage is another great skill to have. We have had many “Canning Parties” in our life. It is a great way to get together with your neighbors at home or the local community center. Have a feast and get ready for winter while saving lots of money.

We have decided to add a resource section in hisfarm.org, These resources will be available soon. I will only give you resources that I have researched or use myself. Here are 2 resources that can help you, but as a recent vegetarian, I no longer use myself:

Chris Downs
Hisfarm.org
Today is a great day!

Comfort and Organic Sustainability, Can You Have Both? is bought to you by hisfarm

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Comfort and Organic Sustainability, Can You Have Both?

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September 13, 2014

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Trapped in Your Own Business?

The dream of owning your own business brings to mind time and financial freedom. Built properly, your business fulfills that dream. But your business could also become a nightmare of being “owned” by a self-purchased job.

I know the nightmare. I have created a Just Over Broke (JOB) when I purchased an existing business before. The results were not healthy for me or pretty for my finances. Working too many hours, getting into debt and living a stress filled life.
I will be sharing some of the major mistakes that myself and others have made and how to avoid them.

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Building a business can be stressful. With planning and knowing that what you are about to build is your passion. You dream about farming, gardening and creating the life you want. You wake up in the middle of the night with Great Solutions for the business you want to build.
Reading, researching and talking to everyone who will listen about your business goals. Meeting others who desire to, or are living the lifestyle you are working towards. As an avid “Organic Food aficionado” you reject the chemicals, poisons and shortcuts that can damage the land and your families health. Knowing that you will continue to work toward the sustainable life until you have reached your goal.

You have the “grit” to continue your plan until your dream is fulfilled. Are you passionate about living the homesteading, farming or sustainable estate lifestyle? Let me share about the mistakes and solutions that I discovered on my journey so far.

The Dream to Build a Business

Over the years, I discovered I wanted to build a business rather than work a job or buy one for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I have had some amazing jobs. I learned many skills and talents from them. However, there is no Real time freedom in a job.
I have started businesses that turned out that I just “Owned a Job” to take care of that business. Overtime, I searched many “Opportunities” that I thought could be the Perfect business to give me time freedom. But I had a huge challenge ahead of me. That challenge was discovering for myself, how to separate Business or work from family life.

When I had a job, they could easily be separated. I had time that I worked and time that I spent with my Life! But a business, how does that work? They seem to be intertwined to such a point, that life, the business and work was one big blur, Yikes!!! No time for myself.

My First Large Business

Growing up, I started lawn mowing businesses, irrigation pipe changing, bucking bales in fields, cleaning up construction sites and then cleaning stalls, feeding horses, buying-training and selling horses. I learned many of my skills from the people I worked for.

As farmers, we knew many people who had their own businesses, and I thought that would be the best way to do well in life. So when I got out of the military, I had the opportunity to purchase a business with my family. A Grocery Store mini-complex was for sale 10 mile from the Canadian border in Washington state. It needed a lot of work, but it was a small town and we would be the closest business near the border. Being a hard worker, we tend to look at work as an opportunity.

automobile-392751_640

Hunters, fishermen, travelers and local residents would “Flock” to our business! The dream was alive and well! We were on our way to business success!

The reality of “owning a Job”

Once we purchased the business, the reality of the workload hit hard and fast. Yes, we had customers from day one, well wishers and those who wanted to know if we would give credit like the old owner did. We said “no” to almost everyone, except for special circumstances.
Here is a list of the major challenges we had with this business:

  • Clean and organize the store
  • Clean up and remodel the “coffee shop” into a restaurant
  • Provide firewood for the building for winter
  • Set up and purchase products that sell for a fair profit
  • Maintaining the building, gas pumps, restaurant equipment and trailer park that came with the store.
  • Communicate with family members and do our best to stay on purpose for doing all of the:
    • Work
    • Taxes
    • Banking
    • Ordering of products
    • Cleaning
    • Marketing
    • Customer service
    • Special orders
    • Picking up supplies not delivered
    • Etc………

As a hard worker, those tasks were not that daunting. However, as a business owner there were concerns.

  • We had gone into debt to purchase the property and buildings. The local, state and federal taxes had just been increased which was not in our original calculations.
  • The income for the first month was a bit more than what we expected, but so were the cost of repair parts.
  • The hours of work had increased to an unsustainable 17 hour day. This included the “day of rest” that we had planned for.
  • Health became an issue working this many hours, so we did finally allow quite a bit of smaller items to “Just be” as they are. We placed those items on a “To Do” list.
  • Mental health also had taken a back seat for the first 6 months, thus health concerns, so once the major projects were completed, we each got one day off per month.

Even though we felt we were on the right track for success, it had become a “Job” where even our time off was filled with business related tasks. With a physical store there are specific hours we needed to be open. Due to the local customers “habits and time schedule”, we would open at 6 am and close at 9 pm. We also served the local sheriff and fire department who would need fuel or help sometimes in the middle of the night.

All in all, the people of the community were supportive, but just like any community, there are also certain customers who were a bit troublesome.

In conclusion as to why this business was a job.

  • Our time was dictated by our customers we served.
  • We did not research the business and expenses properly.
  • Our debt load was too high for the price we paid for the property
  • Our fuel pumps required replacement and continual maintenance
  • Credit for customers
  • Major repairs and renovation was needed to improve the restaurant
  • Our location limited our income potential

Solutions Learned:

  • Research the potential of the business
  • Keep your debt as small as possible
  • Become creative with time, projects and repairs
  • Take time off to enjoy life and family
  • Hire people who are enthusiastic about your passion
  • Do your best each day
  • Keep learning and adding more benefits to your customers and employees
  • Nurture your business to make a profit
  • Build relationships with other successful business owners
  • Hire a mentor

Building a Sustainable Farm Business

Now that we are building a farm in the high mountains of Colorado, we have taken our own advice.
We started out with the following:

  • The land was purchased for cash
  • We spent years researching what is wanted and needed by customer
  • We have met many successful farmers and business owners
  • We have mentors
  • We continue to research our environment and how to optimize our assets
  • We have a budget and pay cash for what we need
  • We trade labor
  • We help support other local businesses while promoting our own also

As we continue to improve our farm, we have added other income items to our business. All of what we do is in line with our passion: Complete healthy, Organic nutritional products. The products we sell we either grow ourselves, or are products that we use ourselves to improve and maintain our own health.

Conclusion:

  • Be debt free if possible while building your business
  • Take time for your health
  • Keep learning and adapting
  • Sell what your customers want
  • Make a good profit
  • Hire help as you can afford it
  • Live the passion and the dream you started with
  • Adapt your business as needed.

If you are interested in discovering how to build a profitable small scale farm business contact us for consultation.
http://hisfarm.org/complimentary-farming-consultation/

Trapped in Your Own Business? is bought to you by hisfarm

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July 27, 2014

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CSU Sustainable Cropping System Tour

Lysimeter explanation

Learning about Cover Crop Water Evaporation science

We recently went on a 2 day (Coloradao State University) CSU Sustainable Cropping System Tour . CSU has an extensive science community dedicated to helping farmers of all sizes optimize their land. Both for crop products as well as taking care of the land we, as caretakers of the environment, have chosen to undertake.

The CSU Extension Crop Management Systems team hosts a Soil Quality & Productivity Bus Tour

This tour included training in Sustainable Cropping Systems (large farms, small farms and specialty crops, crop pest management & sustainable food systems). Also covered during this great tour was this valuable information where Soil quality and productivity are the primary themes but water use, storage, retention, and quality protection are essential for well managed soils. Specifically, we’ll be taking a close look at using cover crops and high residue farming systems practices on dryland and irrigated farms and at research stations across eastern Colorado. We’ll also learne state-of-the-art vegetable and agronomic crop practices under irrigation at Rocky Ford.

The Tour Guide

Bruce in Field

Bruce Bosley, our amazing tour guide, has had an amazing career as an extension agent for multiple counties here in Colorado.

He shared this quote April 8, 2013 in the “Today @ Colorado State” newsletter produced by Colorado State University. He was being honored for reaching the 25 year of service milestone.

“Profitability, sustainability and quality of life are the most important things,” he said. “I want to enrich people’s lives through education. It’s all about meeting their goals while still being able to see life’s big picture.”

Bruce gives up Preparation Homework

Being a lifelong Learner and Teacher, Bruce gave us some homework to do prior to us arriving. Bruce asked each of us to prepare to get the most out of this tour to plan on some informal discussion of using cover crops and other cropping systems and farming techniques for enhancing soil health & productivity while we travel on the van between tour stops. He also invited us to ” feel free to prepare and lead one of these discussions. If you do and wish it, bring handouts for 16 for anything you wish to share with others on the tour.”

This request made me more excited, as we would be sharing ideas and learning from everyone on the tour. We met more than 15 Soil Scientists, Extension Agents and Researchers from CSU. We met even more researchers and scientists from at the USDA research center in Akron, Colorado.

Bus Ride Conversations

As promised by Bruce, the bus ride conversations were lively and very informative. We learned about each other as well as each one shared their passion for growing healthy food as well as doing their best to keep farms profitable and sustainable. We talked about Soil science, entomology, Organic versus chemistry enhanced food. Sometimes, we had to ask definitions of some of the words being used during the conversation due to the scientific names and nomenclature I had not heard before.

The lessons were continual and useful for me and our farm as we listened and asked questions while also sharing our experiences. We also were able to visit 2 farms, one research farm at Rocky Ford CSU farm. Mike share his passion for Onions, as well as Bruce’s passion as well as his passion for growing great food.

Experiencing some of the Fruits of their labor

Bruce had set up a dinner that first night at a restaurant called Christine’s in Rocky Ford, Colorado. It is located at 209 N 2nd St
Rocky Ford, CO 81067. If you ever want to be served some of the best food, This is the place! If you are in the area, their phone number is: (719) 254-3833. Mike, the leader of the CSU farm provided the produce for the dinner. Bruce, brought some wine the he produces from his own grapes to share a glass. The conversations continued with the people on the tour with us. That was with the exception of a few who got delayed by rattle snakes and an army helicopter on a “short” bicycle tour of Picketwire Canyon – Dinosaur tracks & Petroglyphs .

Dinner was saved for them, so they did get to eat some of the great food!

Overview and Conclusion

It is a common goal for all on the people we met to work together and allow our differences in how we believe to best manage our land and our farms. It was 2 full days of exchanging ideas, practices and results. There is no way to convey in this article all of what I learned or was shared. I have so many notes and pictures that it would be a book all on its own.

CSU and everyone involved shared some basic information. There are large farms, homestead farms and hobby farms. The CSU extension agent Jennifer Cook shared with me her defined scope for smaller farms:

  • Hobby Farm: A farm that is not necessarily for profit. It is usually managed and owned by someone who is retired or still working. The purpose is to produce the lifestyle that they desire. Grow their own food, raise horses, cattle or other crops or animals for enjoyment and some profit. Profit is helpful, but their livelihood is not on the line. The owners are financially able to absorb extra costs that come with their farm.
  • Homestead Farm: This is the farm that needs to pay for itself, the owners have committed their time effort and finances in an “All IN” journey. Their life is 100% committed to success of their labor of love. The farm MUST make a profit to pay for the entire business of living this lifestyle.

My Conclusion is that there is a large number of scientists and farmers who desire to provide great food at a great price. Profitability is critical to help keep good healthy food available. If you are in Colorado and are farming or thinking about farming, I highly recommend contacting your local county extension agent.

They are dedicated and passionate about helping you reach your goals of sustainable small scale or large scale farming. Whether you choose chemistry to help you manage your farm, growing organic or permaculture principles, the great people we met are there to serve and help.

For me, we are building a Homesteading farm, my perspective is that everything we do must bring us success in the long run. All of our decisions must take into account not only the immediate future, but also 10, 20, 50 years into the future and beyond. I worked on both types of farms growing up at the Washington and Idaho border. Some of those farms are still going, but many are not. Housing developments have replace the fields of alfalfa, grass seed and grazing dairy cows, horses and beef cattle. The wolves, coyotes, deer, porcupines as well as a myriad of other wild animals have moved to other less populated areas.

Smaller family farms had been disappearing in this country, but they are on the rise again. I highly recommend tapping into the resources available to you. Life is for you, and by asking for help, you are increasing the opportunities to live the life that you dream of living.

Thank you Bruce and everyone on this tour. I appreciate your friendship and look forward to seeing you again! You have made an everlasting memory that will sustain my Hope, Joy and Passion for growing food and serving others.End of the Tour at Akron group photo

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Turning Your Dreams into the Life of Your Dreams

Chris Downs, the Caretaker

Founder hisfarm.org and Ambassador of Natural News and Sustainable Living on How to Live on Purpose.com

CSU Sustainable Cropping System Tour is bought to you by hisfarm

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CSU Sustainable Cropping System Tour

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June 12, 2014

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Meeting Neighbors Auctions

Have you gone to a local farm or equipment auction lately? We were at my first auction on over 2 decades. An auction in a rural area is completely different than what I remembered during my younger days. We ended up meeting neighbors and saving money.

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When we arrived at the auction site, an open field beside the highway, this looked more like a carnival than an auction. Yes, there was lots of equipment, but there was also horse tack, Clothes, Case memorabilia, tools, generators, tools still in their packaging, grinders and so much more!

There was even a nice food vendor for those who needed to eat. Since we were 2 miles to the nearest town, leaving was not an option. We did not want to miss anything for our first auction in our new community.

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Equipment versus Animal Auctions

I went to animal auctions in high school as well as a farm manager. As a manager for a thoroughbred breeding farm, there was lots of hope and stress at the animal auctions. The entire years profit came from that one auction. Was my training and care good enough to bring in a fair value for the animals? Just like anything, it is supply and demand.

Equipment auctions were not something our family or neighbors went to. There were too many unknowns about the equipment and their condition. However, there is the hope of getting a great deal on a serviceable truck, tractor or other tool for the farm or business.

The Auction at Hartsel

The parking for the auction was in the field. When we walked past the barriers, we could see the well groomed rows of trucks, cars, trailers and more. The food venue was right by the portable outhouses. I do not know how many acres of equipment there was, but at least 20 by my guestimation.

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Let the Fun begin!

The Auctioneers started the auction right on time, and they had 2 auctioneers on 2 separate trailers. One for tack and western art, the other for tools, grills and “surprises”. A young boy was one of the auctioneers for the horse being auctioned off as well as the tack and artwork. He did a great job and even did some more auctioneering toward the end of the event.

This was truly a Family Event!

Arrived early to see the equipment

Small tools and food was abundant!

There was a Mobile Auctioneers booth

Lots of people looking for the “Right Item” for their needs. We met some great people.

People were friendly and openly sharing their lives and experiences with Auctions. While we were observing the process of how to bid properly, we met lots of new neighbors and made some friendships.

We needed a flatbed farm truck. Only two for sale. We decided to see if we could find a good price for a regular diesel powered truck and then change out the bed to a flat bed.

The Black Ford truck sold for only $2,500. It is very road worthy, good shape and a 7.0 Diesel engine. We missed the opportunity to bid on it by 2 seconds, literally. I learned to be better prepared. The Dodge was beat up, the engine had oil all over it. The Dodge sold for over $6,000. We could have purchased a nice flatbed for the Ford and had a great farm truck.

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There were some great deals on used as well as New Trailer! A very nice trailer donated to the local Fire Department sold for only $1,000. Flatbed and car haulers sold for less than I expected. Some items sold for more than what you could have purchased at the store, but you don’t get entertained at the store either.

The Auction was Truly a Great Day!

At the end of the auction, they had a raffle for those of us who stayed the entire time. They gave out a total of $200. There were 2 top prizes of $50. I won one of the $50 prizes!! That more than paid for the knee pads and tools I bought. I had to make sure my wife Heather got an anniversary present!

People living on farms tend to like to talk, usually the only ones that listen are the animals that they take care of. I know this from not seeing people for days. I end up talking to the Mountain Sheep, Crows, Mountain Bluebirds, Antelope and all of the other neighbors that fly, crawl, have 4 legs or tunnel underground.

I believe we are living an old Country song: “Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam and the Deer and the antelope play” What a great neighborhood we have!!!

To find out more about auctions and share your experiences, please share in the comment sections. We would love to answer questions, hear your stories and enjoy the time you remember about equipment and farm/ranch auctions.

Turning Your Dreams into the Life of Your Dreams

Chris Downs, the Caretaker

Founder hisfarm.org and Ambassador of Natural News and Sustainable Living on How to Live on Purpose.com

Meeting Neighbors Auctions is bought to you by hisfarm

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Meeting Neighbors Auctions

Natural News |

June 6, 2014

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Rebuilding A Farm Tractor One Repair at a Time

Rebuilding a Farm Tractor one repair at a time is a great way to save money and learn new skills. As a farmer, fixing the tractor seems to be a never ending chore. We were very fortunate to get a working backhoe for the farm and drive it home last year. It is a 1968 International 544 with a 3121 backhoe and a model 2000 front loader. Manufacturers only provide parts for their equipment for a limited time. Since it is an older model, we were on the edge of getting parts and support from the manufacturer. With research, we found that most everything would be available.

backhoe 500 Rebuilding A Farm Tractor One Repair at a Time

Our new tractor had been used extensively in its lifetime, showed the wear, and received only minimal repairs over its lifetime. We were able to find a very basic manual for the tractor, it included other models of International tractors. Most of them were strictly for row crop farming style, not the backhoe style tractor we had purchased. We would do our best and learn to be creative for repairs and maintenance.

When we first got it home, we had a short list of items to fix:

  • replace one front wheel
  • 2 new front tires
  • oil change
  • oil pan gasket
  • hydraulic system filters
  • battery
  • alternator
  • change all of the fluids

Not really that many repairs to start for an old tractor that had been rode hard and in need of attention.

Now that we have a working tractor with backhoe and front loader attachments we are ready to start building our farm. To grow food, we need to have water available. Our first order of business was to dig a ditch from the well to the planned greenhouse area.

Digging the Waterline Ditch

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Water Line Ditch

The requirements for the water line included not only the ditch being 10 feet deep and 220 feet long, but also a place to put the water reservoir. Everything needed to be buried deep enough or insulated properly to prevent freezing in the winter. The tractor did the job without any major problems.

Once we dug the 10 foot deep waterline ditch and the hole for the water reservoir, the tractor was asked to dig the greenhouse hole.

Digging the Greenhouse base

We live at 8,800 feet in elevation with extreme high winds on an open plain. The winters can be severe with sub-zero temperatures being the norm. By building the greenhouse in the ground, we will have the added insulation from the cold and the wind.

Since the greenhouse has to be protected from the cold and the wind, it has to be mostly underground. A big job, but with a backhoe and front loader is should be easy right?

The rear wheel lug bolts broke

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Tractor Wheel Bolts Break

Within a week of starting to dig the greenhouse, the tractor had shown us that it needed some more attention. Starting with the lug bolts breaking on the back wheel while moving dirt. A loud crack was heard and the right rear wheel laid over to the side. Another opportunity to continue rebuilding the tractor!

We changed all of the bolts in the rear wheels as well as some on the front wheels. Life was good for the tractor, except for some minor fluid leaks.

Oil Leaks grow on front engine cover

We started losing about of 1 quart of oil per day. We discovered the problem and repaired the leaks from the front engine cover. To make a permanent repair, we were going to have to take the front panel off the engine. That meant that we would have to remove the majority of the front of the tractor:

  • Loader
  • Radiator
  • Pulley’s
  • Air Cleaner
  • Many small parts

This could mean losing a few weeks of work. Since it was cold and freezing off and on, we decided to just tighten the bolts a couple of times per day. That worked to stop the leaking temporarily.

We would repair the tractor later as the weather warmed up and we had the greenhouse dug.

Hydraulic leak on Attached Backhoe swing arm pump

We also had a small leak on the left swing arm pump for the backhoe. We were told by a dealer that we would have to take it apart and have the surfaces milled. When we first got the backhoe, there had been silicone sealant on the fitting which brought the hydraulic fluid to the pump.

We finally drove the 60 miles to the nearest Case/IH dealer in Pueblo and talked to the Service manager and lead technician. They took the time to look up the backhoe in their computer and found that there IS a small o-ring that should be on the connection to the swing arm pump! Even better, they had the parts in stock!

When we got back to the farm, we placed the o-ring onto the part and no more leaks!

Popping and a Crack?

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Once the leak was stopped, the tractor was ready to work, so we thought. The tractor had a small hairline crack on the right side of the main support for the front loader. We had planned to just pull out the rest of the dirt then get it welded. Sounds good right?

Three bucket loads into the new day, and behind the drivers seat we heard a Loud “Crack”! What the heck was that? A bracket and bolts that support the main frame for the front loader had broken. What was worse, is that the small crack that had been repaired before opened up under load. Ripped and pulled apart.

Taking the time to fix it right

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We decided to take the time to disassemble the tractor to pressure wash it, fix it right and get back to work.

After pressure washing the tractor, we identified all of the cracks and leaks on the hydraulic systems and engine.

We started by removing the bolts that allowed the front cover of the engine to leak. One bolt at a time was removed, threads cleaned up, added a thread locker and then reinstalled the bolt to proper torque settings. We then painted the areas where it had leaked to keep tabs on the “Fix”.

For the front loader support that attaches to the rear axle, we welded the plate back on and installed new case hardened bolts. We also painted the fix red to remind us to keep an eye on the repair.

The main support tower had to be welded on 5 sides. The only side that was not cracked was the back part of the support that you see painted red. A grinder was used to prepare the cracks to allow for a good weld. The cracks were welded to make sure that good penetration was accomplished and then the “Slag” was removed. Slag is the melted flux that sits on top of the weld when completed. The slag was chipped off and ground to remove sharp protrusions. Once again the cleaned welds were painted red (after stress testing the repair) to remind us to watch the area.

One hydraulic repair left to complete

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Control Valves

There is one area that we were unable to repair at this time. One more item left to do!

The hydraulic control valves that control all of the backhoe functions are in need of repair. The parts need to be purchased, and installed. With the delay of finishing of the greenhouse, the decision was made to leave the cover off of the valve assembly and start digging again.

One day, this tractor will have a complete paint job, but for now it is a work horse for us. It is enjoyable having the tractor work right with one very small leak. Each day is an opportunity to improve the tools, land, and the soil.

The tractor also got a new seat that has a shock absorption system on it! This a lot better than a metal plate.

Just because an older tractor has been used and abused, it can still be a great deal. Learning how to properly maintain and use a tractor can save you many repairs. As you can see small items can turn into big problems. The sooner you discover a problem, the less it will cost you to repair.

We have had requests about equipment troubleshooting and repair. So much so, that we would like to know if it would be helpful for you to learn the tips and tricks of equipment maintenance.

I have over 45 years of maintenance and repair experience. Most of my experience is “In the Field” troubleshooting and repair. Contact me at http://hisfarm.org/contact if you would like some help with farm equipment.

Rebuilding A Farm Tractor One Repair at a Time is bought to you by hisfarm

Originally posted here:
Rebuilding A Farm Tractor One Repair at a Time

Natural News |

April 25, 2014

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Nutrition: One Part of Nurturing Life

What is my understanding of Nutrition?

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When most of us read or talk about nutrition, we just talk about our food diet. But nurturing is complete nutrition. The online Merrium-Webster dictionary shares this definition of nurture:

  1. Training, Upbringing
  2. Something that Nourishes
  3. The sum of the environmental factors influencing the behavior and traits expressed by an organism
  4. Help (something or someone) to grow, develop, or succeed
  5. To take care of (someone or something that is growing or developing) by providing food, protection, a place to live, etc.
  6. To hold (something, such as an idea or a strong feeling) in your mind for a long time
  7. To supply with nourishment
  8. Educate
  9. Foster to further the development

Our education is nutrition for our mind as well as our spirit. Understanding how the world works and how to nurture it is critical to a happy healthy life. What part of our world and everyone, everything is not part of our life? I wrote a poem many years ago, and it has driven me to want to understand “What is our world”?

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“The Earth is not just a piece of ground

It is all we see, all around

The air we breathe, the soil we till

Water of Life, Bugs and more

Living, breathing, Earth is our world

So complex, but simple too

We must understand that health is all up to you

We live and we tread and live our lives, not really knowing the mysteries

Of what is inside. Our neighbors who love far away and close by, we are all connected underneath the same sky.

So nurture your neighbor, whether 4 legged or 2. Crawlers, swimmers, fliers and those living inside of you too.

There is so much unseen that makes us complete, we live in abundance, no need to compete. More than enough for all to enjoy, Love one another and nurture each one. That is what life is, as taught by the Son and all of my mentors on this Journey as One. “

Chris Downs 2014©

How do we nurture ourselves and our each other

There is a story about busy Minnesota honey bees. These busy bees were moved to a warmer climate. The bees were accustomed to the challenging Minnesota winter and their internal body clocks operated in harmony for a peaceful life. The bees were bought by a man who transported them to a tropical island. WOW what a change. Their internal body clocks were set to four distinct seasons and all of a sudden the bees were sunning themselves in a non-stop tropical environment. The bees did not know how to act. They produced honey for a winter that never came. They became upset, agitated and downright unhappy. Eventually they became lazy in their duties and their production reduced until it was next to nothing. Void of their inherent drives, the bees in their frustration and irritation spent their time attacking the neighborhood and became a great nuisance.

What does this have to do with nutrition? Great question, we all have our own passion and purpose. We have talents that we are very good at and that nurture us.

But sometimes, we are told by others what we should do or become. But does this really nurture us or the world we live in?

Just as those bees had lived very productive lives where they were born and lived for generations, they did not adapt well to their new environment. They knew how to live where they were born, but struggled to live where life was too easy for them.

Native Aboriginal people share permaculture principles that show us how to live with nature as it has been created and evolved to live abundantly. Eating food grown locally allows us to adapt and live with the environment where we live.

The Aboriginal people on every continent have the knowledge of what plants are good for food and which ones are for medicine. Generations of that understanding comes from observing the animals and seasons. Taking the time to understand and learn about your local environment nurtures you also.

Homesteading successfully also comes from observing, learning from neighbors, mentors and nature in your area. Whenever I move to a new area, I always do my best to discover who can tell me the history of the area. Seasons, plants, animals, natural growing food and herbs are an abundant resource in nurturing a life that will bring our families optimum health and happiness.

What is your understanding of Nutrition

Now that I have shared by understanding of nutrition, I would like to hear what it is that nurtures you. How do you feed your Mind, Body and Soul? What foods do you eat? What do you create? Who do mentor and share your passion with?

What do you do with your “Extra Time”? Are you learning new skills, playing music, teaching others what you have learned about growing a garden, working on equipment and what wonders exist where you live?

What have you observed about the plants and animals on your land or in your area? Each day is a new adventure, a new present to open up and enjoy the gift of our nurturing world.

I hope that today you take the time to consider what nurtures your body, your mind and your spirit. I would love for you to share with us your passion. Please leave a comment below.

We have been asked to share our experiences with others, and have decided to consult on a limited basis those who are Homesteading or starting a small scale farm. If you are one of the people who have asked for this help, send me an email and we can see if it would be a good fit.

Today is a Great Day

Turning Your Dreams into the Life of Your Dreams

Chris Downs, the Caretaker

Founder hisfarm.org and Ambassador of Natural News and Sustainable Living on How to Live on Purpose.com

Nutrition: One part of Nurturing Life is bought to you by hisfarm

See original here:
Nutrition: One part of Nurturing Life