Farm Goals for 2013.

I'm a terrible procrastinator. I mean, absolutely horrible about waiting til the last minute. So, to help with that I've decided to write down our goals for the farm for this coming year. After all, if they're in writing they're much harder to ignore. So, here goes:

1) More fencing. In particular, I'd love to have all of the land at the bottom of the hill fenced in for the goats and donkeys.

This picture was taken on top of the hill looking down into the doe pen and beyond - Beyond is 

what needs to be fenced in.

2) A barn. I'm not picky (about barns, that is; food, men, books, and clothes, I definitely am lol), it doesn't have to look like the classic red barn. In fact, I've seen great barns made out of those portable carports.

3) Expand our garden. Although last year, my black thumb actually started to turn a little green as far as flower gardening goes - vegetable gardening is a-whole-nother story. The only thing in our veggie garden that did well was okra (which was okay with me since I love okra and ate more than my share last summer lol). Part of the problem, I think, is our soil. It's always been so difficult to grow anything, even grass, on top of the hill.

4) Add more fruit and citrus trees. Last year, I added Brown Turkey Fig and Flordaqueen Peach trees to our little orchard, as well as, blueberry and strawberry plants. This year, I'd love to add pecan, apple, pear, plum, pomegranate, avocado, pawpaw, lime, and/or persimmon trees. I know I most likely won't get all of those planted, but eventually I'm sure we'll get there. There's also something else I would love to add to the list one day. A couple of years ago, I read about farmers starting olive orchards groves in Georgia since the climate is ideal for their production. And if they can do it in Georgia, why can't it be done in Alabama? ;)

5) Add new breeds and/or colors. I'm hoping to add Cotton Patch Geese to our flock this year. They're a wonderful variety of geese that is currently listed as Critical on the ALBC's Conservation Priority List. Plus, they're a breed that was developed in the South, and just like our Pilgrim geese and Rhodebars, they're auto sexed (and you know how much I love auto sexing breeds). I also want to add a new color of peafowl to our flock and one more breed of turkeys (I'm leaning towards Norfolk Black, Narragansett, Midget White, or Beltsville White, although my mom wants Chocolate turkeys).

6) Add a couple more registered goats. This one we're sort of on the way to completing. We're on a waiting list for at least one, most likely two, Miniature Nubians. My mom, who has been wanting Nubians for a while, is super excited about them. Me, I'm still thrilled about the addition of Milo (who has turned out to be an absolute doll and one of the sweetest goats we have).

7) Bees. Adding a beehive has been on my list for a couple of years now, and hopefully this year, I'll finally tackle it or at least research it a little more ;)

8) A dairy cow. This one is mainly for my mom, who apparently misses milking everyday.

A cow, goats, bees, and lots of gardening. Looks like this year is going to be super busy. But I know we can do it :)

Shared at: 
Tilly's Nest and Farm Fun Friday