Our Simplified Long Range Plans

Jan 2004

Have 8 head of Highland Cattle, and 3 Dorset Sheep.

Have 2 shelters made for the sheep and 300 bales of hay in storage.

Apply for all permits and licenses to become a farm as established by Federal and State laws.

Feb 2004

Tap 25 maple trees and make maple syrup.

March 2004

Have 1/3 of the Ox Pasture ready for cows, as well as the remaining 1/2 of the 5-acre Lot.

Replace 4x4s in the veggie garden.

Order Red Dorking chicks.

May 2004

Order 3 Tamworth Hogs: 1 boar, 2 sows.

Plant garden and prepare for first Farmer's Market.

Sell maple syrup and horse radish.

Have the House Lot fully cleared and seeded.

Have at least 2 lean-to type structures in each lot for sheep and hogs.

Jan 2005:

Be selling pork and turkeys.

The Ox Pasture is divided into 3 lots and cleared.

The 4-acre Lot is cleared and part of the rotation grazing plan.

A tractor is purchased and used mainly for hauling cord wood to sell.

Be able to plant and maintain different grasses for the particular seasons in each lot.

Purchase a professional BBQ/Smoker and be prepared by July to offer pig roasts.

Make public debut of roast pork at The Taste of Mystic in September 2005, and have sufficient product on hand to handle sales of grass fed pork.

Prepare for showing at fairs and breeding.

Consider purchasing cows and or bulls from other farms.

Consider building a Sugar house and purchasing an evaporator.

Jan 2006

Have a base herd/flock of 9 Cows, 1 Bull; 10 Ewes, 1 Ram; 10 Sows , 1 Boar; 2 Toms, 6 Hens. 40 Chickens.

The Ox Pasture (10 acres), 4-acre Lot, 5-acre Lot, House Lot, and 15 acres of jointly owned land are all part of the rotational grazing plan.

Consider a new garden crop, just what kind is yet to be determined. Expect to gather input from farmer's markets.

Jan 2007

Have a base herd/flock of 20 cows, 1 bull; 20 ewes, 1 ram; 20 sows, 2 boars; turkeys and chicken remain constant.

A full sales program is in place and be able to retire from the Postal Service to farm full time.

Breeding plans are in place and activated.

Possibly using Bruce's barn for a sales area.

Have the last of 25 acres of jointly owned land cleared and introduced as part of the rotational grazing system.

Total of approximately 45 acres in this system, the rest in managed forest.

Consider purchasing a saw mill.

Jan 2008

Pastures are rich and fertile to regularly produce a daily weight gain of 2 ½ to 3 pounds in our cattle.

Have a base of good customers, who we take good care of. Projected income to be in excess of $25,000.00.

Be a well known and highly respected provider of quality grass fed meats and fowl products.

Be best known for our humane and spiritual treatment of our 4-legged and winged brothers and sisters.