Tag Archives: farm goals

The Top 5 Goals For The Farm In 2013

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The barnThe Plans For 2013…

As November rolled into December this past week – Mary and I began to think about our goals for the farm in 2013.  Even though we still have a month to finish our goals list – we already agree on our top 5 goals for next year. So, barring the collapse of the world as predicted by the Mayans…here they are:

This greenhouse made from recycled windows will be our model for building ours

This greenhouse made from recycled windows will be the model for building ours

1. The Recycled Window Greenhouse

All of the materials for this project are in the barn and ready to go!  Thanks to remodeling projects at my sister and mom’s house this past year, we have about 40 windows to work with. Hopefully, we can have this mini greenhouse up and functional by late spring.  We will use the greenhouse in the coming years to start our plants and hanging baskets in early spring – and then hopefully grow some lettuce and herb crops through the colder months.

2. Fencing The Garden

This may be more of a necessity than we originally thought.  We have been very fortunate the past few years with deer and other animals leaving our garden crops alone. However, it seems they are starting to notice a little more, especially with the addition of the fruit trees.  In fact, in the open field to the left of our garden – you can even see where the deer have recently bedded down – just 50 yards or so from the garden!  With that in mind – our plan is to finish wrapping the fence around the entire garden and installing a couple of gates on each side.

Did I Hear Right? We are getting a new home in the spring???

Did I Hear Right? We are getting a new home in the spring???

3. Building The New Chicken Coop

I think we underestimated the market for farm fresh eggs among family and friends!  Our original coop was built to house a maximum of 10 to 12 hens. Although it has served us well – we need a larger structure that can hold around 20 to 24 and give the hens even more room to roam.  If the weather cooperates – we hope to get the structure built by mid-March.  The plan is to use reclaimed lumber to build a 1/4 scale model of our barn as the coop – and yes, it will be complete with a mini pergola just like the barn to match.  After all – the chickens need a place to have shade and relax too!

SENSORY GARDEN4. Installation of the Sensory Garden

In addition to the sensory garden walkway we are building, Mary would really like to incorporate the entire farm into a Sensory Garden experience for Autistic and Special Needs Children.  We now have a large space cleared at the top of the hill to build the walkway garden. The plan is to begin planting and shaping in the surrounding bed and station spaces throughout the spring and summer. We would like to include a pergola pavilion area, swing area, sand box and other sensory stations on the pathway.   Our hope is to have the walkway portion completed by fall. (For more on the particulars of the Sensory Garden Project, you can click the picture to the right)

Bees provide so much more than honey - and hopefully we will have our own this year to help pollinate our crops

Bees provide so much more than honey – and hopefully we will have our own this year to help pollinate our crops

5. Bees & Honey

Hopefully in the spring, we will add our first honey bee hive to the farm. I have always wanted to be able to make our own honey – not to mention all of the added advantages of having our own honey bees to pollinate the garden, fruit trees and grapes and flowers.  We have a lot to learn in the coming months about the art of beekeeping!

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

Jim and Mary

The List –

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(October Update ( 10-15-2012 ) at the end of this post)

With the start of May just around the corner – and four months under our belt – we are 1/3 of the way through 2012.

Way back at the end of December,  (and hopefully every year in the future!) – we sat down and created a list of 30 goals to focus on and accomplish for the farm in 2012.  That works out to 2.5 goals per month -

How did we come up with them?  We simply followed a few simple rules.  First  - we wrote out our own lists of what we thought should be the 30 goals.  No talking, no peeking and no co-conspiring on the lists.  We then each ranked our 30 goals in order of our perceived importance.

The goals could fall under 3 categories.  1) Items we would like to purchase for the farm.  2) Things we need to build, install or create at the farm. 3)  Things we want to accomplish for the farm and or pergola business.

Then, we sat down and read them aloud to each other.  It was amazing to see how many items on the list we both had – and how close we were to the importance of the items.  Each of us had written down a few goals the other had not – and so we worked together to come up with the best combined 30 goals -and a plan to attack them together.

#7 on the list…the barn pergola.

Some might question the need to number – but I think it is a great way to be honest with yourself about what really needs to be done.  Everything becomes clearer when you have it in bold print in front of you.  We posted it on the fridge – right where we would both have to look at it every day – and be reminded of what we need to do.  It’s good to have goals – It’s good to have them in print.  It is amazing how much it helps keep your eyes and efforts focused on the future.   We both know if we can accomplish those 30 goals this year – that the farm is going to be on track and getting where we need it to be.

#1 Goal – Getting the Driveway In!!! We both were tired of muddy vehicles :)

So – how are we faring 1/3 of the way through?   So far so good.  We just crossed off #12 – so were 2 goals ahead of the 10 we need to be on pace at the end of April.  And we have about 4 more of the goal projects already in progress, and at varying stages of completion.  But we both know with prime gardening season approaching and pergola season in full swing – it will get tougher and tougher to complete.

It is amazing to both of us how much “The List” has helped – and it’s been great for the kids as well to see how important it is to set goals and work to achieve them.  It’s funny to see them look down at the list or ask if we are still on pace.

So happy 1/3 of the year!  And here is to hoping your on track to accomplishing all of your hopes, dreams and goals in 2012 as well!

OCTOBER UPDATE:

With 2 1/2 months to go…the we are 4 away from completing the list – here is the update:

Updated List…10/15/2012