How To Create Profitable Farm Business?

Posted by & filed under Animals, Business, Composting, Organic Gardening.

How do we create a Profitable Small Scale Farm and Garden is the most popular question that we are asked.  From Chickens, Eggs, Ghost Peppers and Garlic,  Every one, including me is how to ensure that what we are doing will be profitable.
While you are looking for an answer, can it be that the opportunity you are searching for is knocking on your back door?
How Do You Discover How to Become Profitable?

Ask!

Leonie shared this information, here is the definition of Agist first:
Agistment originally referred specifically to the proceeds of pasturage in the king’s forests in England, but now means either: the contract for taking in and feeding horses or other cattle on pasture land, for the consideration of a periodic payment of money; the profit derived from such pasturing.

Agistment – Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agistment
Leonie shared that they Agist half of their small farm, and it pays our rates and taxes, and that’s about it.  We have no other income.
Her  soil is buckshot (iron nodules), underlain with clay.  Leonie laughingly  says that not even the mining companies are interested!   Not the best habitat, but it used to be an alpaca farm.  The first shearing proved to be dangerous due the animal kicking and the chance of injury.
They looked at lots of different alternatives – B&B, various crops such as olives, succulents and saffron, but we can neither afford the start up nor the physical effort involved.
 

Read more »

Riding in the mountains of Colorado

3 Tips for Your Wealth

Posted by & filed under Animals, Business, Farm Equipment, Land, Permaculture.

What does Wealth mean to you?

This may seem like a loaded question and there are a large number of thoughts of what Wealth means. We each have our own definition of Weatlh. We will be sharing the steps we are taking and the planning that goes into our  project along the way.

Our Goal is  to build a Sustainable Retreat Estate.  The purpose of this estate is to help widows, orphans, single mothers and fathers as well as veterans and others.   We work on ourselves and meet amazing people who also have a desire to live life financially independent.  Along the way, I have met and continue to meet others who are choosing to live Healthy:  Physically, Financially, Emotionally and Spiritually.  We are all connected in one form or another. Together, we can share our knowledge and skills while lifting each other up.  Let’s start this journey now!

Darren Hardy shares his thoughts about wealth.

Darren Hardy is an American author, keynote speaker, advisor, and former publisher of SUCCESS magazine. Hardy is a New York Times best-selling author, who wrote The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster and The Compound Effect.  He shared this definition of Financial Independence by Jim Rohn on his Darren Daily morning posts to help others invest in themselves.      “Financial Independence:  The ability to live from the income of your own investments alone.”

Riding in the mountains of Colorado

I have come to understand that Wealth and Abundance is in our mindset and attitude.  How do you want to live?  Modestly or Extravagantly?  There is no wrong or right answer in your decision, it is your decision.  All you have to do is have a plan!

Fish out front, produce out backSustainable Estate

The three tips to attain your desired lifestyle

 

 

 

 

Darren Hardy shared three tips to help you build your chosen lifestyle.

  1.  Increase your income with out increasing your lifestyle in equal proportion.   In other words, once you choose your lifestyle, increase your income to pay for what you chose.  Live to build and grow your income to become financially independent while enjoying what you are building.
  2. Pay yourself first.  However, to be financially independent, you need to recover from having credit card debt and other financial burdens that do not lead to your lifestyle goals.  Then you can invest at least 10% of your income into your financial goal.
  3. Reinvest in yourself.  Make a decision to become wealthy to provide for your financial independence.  You will be able to reach your goals and make a difference in other peoples lives also.

 

Success is in the plan and systems that you create

 

When traveling on a journey, you want to have a plan and systems to help you reach your destination.  Make sure you know where you are and where you want to end up.  To reach your destination, build your plan to include key items and resources that will help you reach your destination or goal.

I will be sharing those key items in the next blog post and email.  Please leave a comment if there is any specific area that you want help in. Such as

the areas of running your sustainable home/business/farm.  The questions, comments that get the most requests will be answered  over the next 6 months.

Today is a good day!  Live on purpose, Create and choose the life you desire

Self Sufficiency Depends Upon the Relationships You Grow

Posted by & filed under Food Safety, Organic Gardening, Permaculture.

 

 

Old Donkey mows and fertilizesThis Last Year has Proven that Self sufficiency depends upon the relationships you Grow.   I have been blessed to travel to St. Croix, V.I.  twice this last year.  I have found an Island that many believe is poor without much hope.

However, I was met by many people who have called me brother and friend from the moment we met.   Going to the Farmers Market on Saturday was Awesome!   It was there that I found those who are not only learning about hydroponics, Aquaponics, Aeroponics and Permaculture that are providing fresh Local food.

 

Colorado Growing

Here in Colorado, we have always been researching and studying to add profitable items to greenhouse and our home.  In the house, Rick has added this tower Aeroponics system to start plants using organic heirloom seeds and compost tea.

 

Grow indoors in a window at home

I must apologize for being slack in posting and sharing as my wife had become ill and needed my undivided attention.  With the help of a Naturopathic, PA from a MD doctor as well as nutrition help from both of them she is regaining her health and has regained the majority of weight back that she has lost.

Profitable Small Scale Farming and Sustainability

I have found that the most profitable type of small scale farming, is that which provides nutrient dense food for the customers, neighbors and relatives that we serve.

Self-sustainability comes from serving others with what they need and want to obtain the health they want to achieve.   It is true for myself, my chosen family and those whom I serve.

Grit magazine has and continues to not only be a great resource for me, but so do different MD doctors whom I have met and believe in nutrition and exercise.

Listening and Hearing what your garden and farm plants need

Growing up and while managing different farms, I have found that Veterinarians have the best focus and ability to be in the present moment to “listen” to their patients.   Speaking with people about their health and desires for great organic food has brought me back to those skills I learned on how to listen with both my eyes, ears and feelings.  That is the way to grow the relationships with the customers that will allow you to become “Self Sufficient” in your farming business.

I have learned over the years that Honesty, Integrity and Value production is what brings and keeps customers coming back for more of what you produce, as well as recommending your products for healthy living.

What do I need to know about Growing Tomato Plants in Hot Weather?

Nothing has tasted better or created more joy and confidence in ourselves and our customers than sharing the food samples directly from the vine or garden bed.

We will be sharing more as we come into spring!   I also want to say thank you and tell you how grateful I am for all of your emails and replies from you as you grow your own food and start your journey to becoming a Profitable small scale farm.

Please let me know how I may be of help as you continue to grow and nurture your dream life!

Blessings

Chris Downs

HIS Farm.org

Fish out front, produce out back

Building Confidence One Project at a Time

Posted by & filed under Land, Permaculture.

Building Confidence happens one project, one job and one moment at a time.  Having a Mentor?  Priceless

 
Sometimes things do not always go the way you want

There have been times when I knew that the job may not be much fun at the time, but the lessons I learned and implemented in my life ended up becoming priceless.

When you have a dream and a passion for creating your dream life, you start the process of networking with others that have similar goals and dreams.

 

Building Confidence is a major part of growth

 

In the beginning of my Journey I was not always as confident in my ability to create the life I wanted. I am still working on that dream today, but I have more confidence in my dream becoming reality. The secret I have discovered is this: Confidence and Commitment to that dream.

Farmers can succeed

I have many dreams, but living a sustainable life surrounded by others who have the same desire to serve is what motivates and invigorates me. One of the challenges in the past has been the funding of some of our larger dreams. We started working with a marketing company that pays us well for helping others to become healthy, happy and financially stable. I have prayed and asked for help and many blessings have come our way. We continue to meet some Amazing people, who have helped us grow our confidence levels as we continue to work to help others build their sustainable farms, homes or estates.  We do not do this by ourselves, but we have many mentors, friends and chosen family members who help guide us to become who we desire to be and do.

We are offering a 20 minute conversation with you for free,we will not be trying to sell you anything,  If you would like some help refining your dreams and goals, click here. Scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the request for a strategy session.   As mentors who desire to help you see your dream life unfold, we want to have a conversation with you to see if we would be a fit to help you on your Journey.  Building Confidence together, we all grow toward our goals.

As my Native Elders share with me continually: ” Everyone is connected to each other and to God it’s when one opens their Heart to this unconditional love that they begin to serve everyone, it is your Birthright and Mine”

This service is my way of opening my Heart to you.    Today is a Good Day!

Living on a private Island

Thank you for being a blessing, it brings me joy to do the same.

Chris Downs

The Caretaker

hisfarm.org

Battery Maintenance and Reconditioning

Posted by & filed under Business, Farm Equipment.

Battery Maintenance and reconditioning is one of the best ways to save money for both vehicles and Solar Power systems.

 

As I have shared about Solar Power batteries before, they can be expensive to purchase and if neglected, can be destroyed with dead cells, if not properly maintained.   We had 3 frozen batteries in the system we inherited when we first moved to the farm.

We eventually purchased 3 new batteries, but did find a way to recondition the 2 batteries that did not have a dead cell.

The Batteries we have are 6 volt deep cycle batteries.

 

putting the power cables back on after cleaning the connections-660

 

New, the batteries are between $230 and $399 each, depending upon the company, quality and the store where you purchase them from.

We had decided to try recondition the batteries we had that were dead or near dead.

 

Not all batteries can be reconditioned due to internal problems, but most can.   I have been looking for a way to share with you my experiences with this journey, but not all materials or courses and training I purchased worked.  So to share with you what can work, if you follow the directions, is the most current source for battery reconditioning and maintenance I have found.

 

The name of the course is: How To Recondition Batteries At Home + Bonus.  You can click on the link if you want to watch the video and decide for yourself if it is something that you would like to learn and implement.

 

There is a learning curve if you choose to get the training.  If you do, I will make a small commission from the sale.  I do know that if you take the time and effort to learn and follow the directions, that it will work for you.

 

With Winter coming, now is the best time to make sure your batteries are ready for the colder weather.  If you are not ready to do it yourself,  have your local auto parts store of service station check your car and battery to be prepared.

 

Today is a good day!

 

Chris Downs

Hisfarm.org

 

 

Battery Maintenance and Reconditioning

Posted by & filed under Business, Farm Equipment.

Battery Maintenance and reconditioning is one of the best ways to save money for both vehicles and Solar Power systems.

 

As I have shared about Solar Power batteries before, they can be expensive to purchase and if neglected, can be destroyed with dead cells, if not properly maintained.   We had 3 frozen batteries in the system we inherited when we first moved to the farm.

We eventually purchased 3 new batteries, but did find a way to recondition the 2 batteries that did not have a dead cell.

The Batteries we have are 6 volt deep cycle batteries.

 

putting the power cables back on after cleaning the connections-660

 

New, the batteries are between $230 and $399 each, depending upon the company, quality and the store where you purchase them from.

We had decided to try recondition the batteries we had that were dead or near dead.

 

Not all batteries can be reconditioned due to internal problems, but most can.   I have been looking for a way to share with you my experiences with this journey, but not all materials or courses and training I purchased worked.  So to share with you what can work, if you follow the directions, is the most current source for battery reconditioning and maintenance I have found.

 

The name of the course is: How To Recondition Batteries At Home + Bonus.  You can click on the link if you want to watch the video and decide for yourself if it is something that you would like to learn and implement.

 

There is a learning curve if you choose to get the training.  If you do, I will make a small commission from the sale.  I do know that if you take the time and effort to learn and follow the directions, that it will work for you.

 

With Winter coming, now is the best time to make sure your batteries are ready for the colder weather.  If you are not ready to do it yourself,  have your local auto parts store of service station check your car and battery to be prepared.

 

Today is a good day!

 

Chris Downs

Hisfarm.org