Great Small Farm Story (Orono: houses, transfer, income)

[Maine Writer]

Partnership between farmers, consumers growing. I'm sure Forest and RHB know this man. I have greenhouse envy - he has six and I have only two. The lines about the smell of spring are absolutely on cue. When Molly and Elaine were here last month they said the same thing. The soil in the gh's doesn't freeze so it always smells like spring in the winter. Tom was a big help to me when I first started researching farming for profit. He wouldn't know me if he tripped over me but he didn't mind answering my questions, telling me things I didn't know I needed to know, and asking if there was anything else I wanted to ask. Mainers are good folks!

[mollysmiles]

I really, really believe that so much of our futures are in the smaller farms. There's a lot to be said for not getting too big for your britches and not going into debt on farm equipment that in the end may not lead to an increased quality of the product. The CSAs will only help in those regards. It's nice to see that more people are getting back to their local farmers for their food!

[tcrackly]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

I really, really believe that so much of our futures are in the smaller farms. There's a lot to be said for not getting too big for your britches and not going into debt on farm equipment that in the end may not lead to an increased quality of the product. The CSAs will only help in those regards. It's nice to see that more people are getting back to their local farmers for their food!

I agree, MollyS, I think it's a great trend for the future.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

I really, really believe that so much of our futures are in the smaller farms. There's a lot to be said for not getting too big for your britches and not going into debt on farm equipment that in the end may not lead to an increased quality of the product. The CSAs will only help in those regards. It's nice to see that more people are getting back to their local farmers for their food!

Right now we don't own a tractor. I don't need one. I can spend a few payments hiring a local man to do the work or use a tractor for a few hours a year and make 12 payments. My most expensive piece of equipment is the larger of the greenhouses. It was $3,5-3,600 and paid for itself in a year. My net net income is higher now than if I had to make payments, repairs, etc.

There are numerous benefits to local food. I hope supply can meet demand this year.

[tankratt]

What a neat story, I agree the small farms are so important right now and for our future. I saw a story on the local news stating alot of the mail order seed companies are selling out this year early, more people growing at home.

[bignhfamily]

Great link, Maine Writer, I have been interested in CSA and greenhouses for several years now. I keep waiting until we get to Maine but given the current economic state of the nation I'm not sure if we have a chance of making it there this year. So I'm thinking about setting up 1 greenhouse here in NH this spring just to get my feet wet. Any suggestions on what kind to get? Is it something that I can break back down when it's time to finally move?
Oh and by the way, I envy you! You are living the dream while I think about it.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer;

Partnership between farmers, consumers growing. I'm sure Forest and RHB know this man. I have greenhouse envy - he has six and I have only two. The lines about the smell of spring are absolutely on cue. When Molly and Elaine were here last month they said the same thing. The soil in the gh's doesn't freeze so it always smells like spring in the winter. Tom was a big help to me when I first started researching farming for profit. He wouldn't know me if he tripped over me but he didn't mind answering my questions, telling me things I didn't know I needed to know, and asking if there was anything else I wanted to ask. Mainers are good folks!

Tom Roberts is a great guy!

I have his book!

A wonderful friend of mine. I made his tent anchors [concrete weights to hold down his vendors' stall made to look like pumpkins.] Tom shows them on his website.

He did a workshop last fall on transferring farms from one generation onto the next generation.

Much of the scions and seeds listed in FEDCO come from Snakeroot farm.

He does his operation using surface water too! which really surprised me. I am of the deep-well mind-set.

[forest beekeeper]

When I was a new vendor at the Orono FM, tom was the most helpful person.

Every week he managed to get away from his stall once to walk a circuit around the FM and he would give me a comment about my stall. His advice was always helpful and well thought through.

Tom, Jack and Coco are the 'Salt of the Earth' kind of people. They are wonderful.

They introduced me to carrot wine too!

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Hey Forest, I thought you had a surplus of surface water. ;-)

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

Hey Forest, I thought you had a surplus of surface water. ;-)

I do.

Most of it now is frozen.

An abundance of surface water is better than a drought. I grew up with drought conditions, so I know that wet is better than dry.

Tom and Jack were telling me that they use surface water for gardening. Whereas I use well water. I expend a lot more energy for my water.