I don't know why I suddenly feel compelled to try everything I've always wanted to do in one shot? Possibly because I now sort of have the means to... or do I?
All I do know is that Jenni is growing up so quickly and keeping me VERY busy. At times I am convinced that she is even more taxing than raising a child - but I suspect I stand to be corrected and that one day I will return to my philosophy that it would be easier raising 5 dogs than one child. I suppose I make her more effort than she has to be: I insist on cooking her puppy stew to supplement her already balanced meal of Royal Canin pellets, but it makes me happy. It always takes be back to my "Oumagrootjie's" (great grandmother's) kitchen when she cooked stew for her dogs (in the days before Epol). But anyway, while Jenni is chewing up more of my plants I have been dreaming up another plan to try and satisfy my desire to have my own farm... :)
After realising that a proper, big farm that is 2 hours away form home would not fit into our current lifestyle and would most likely jeopardise our relationship a lot I devised a new solution: leasing farm land close to town and setting up a small farm business with an organic vegetable patch, horses, chickens, peas etc. Besides the financial strain and demands on our time from a proper farm there is a lot of uncertainty about land ownership and demanding labour laws in our country, so a long-term lease will most likely be the best solution and would decrease our financial commitment substantially. Or so I hope! At least a smaller enterprise closer to the city would be a less risky trial of my determination and capabilities to run my own small farm. I am also not ignorant of my weaknesses and I realise that the biggest risk is perhaps my fluctuating interest in things I start doing, so this business would at least hold better prospects for resale should I later realise that I am not farm-girl material.
Of course I have many doubts about my skills and experience, having only started organic farming in our own backyard last December. However, I know that I want to try this and there is no better way to find out if it will work than to just do it! I don't think I am going to have the opportunity to learn how to make it work or to gain more experience if I don't change careers, because I currently just don't have the time to really challenge myself and test my gardening skills, so I will have to start it on a small scale, with the possibility to expand the business in future, otherwise I won't have the opportunity to learn what I have to. Right?
So, my business proposal has been drafted and I think I will be contacting the prospective landowners soon. I just hope that the perfect one I have in mind will be keen to help me start this next adventure! And that I will be able to provide the opportunity to others to pick their own fresh peas from the garden, like I did with my Oumagrootjie. <3
Meanwhile, back at the house my back garden is looking rather sad (and there's nothing I can really do to perk it up till the Jenn is older). The few peas I planted last month are also being munched by something and disappearing one for one...? It makes me wonder... am I really capable of getting this new dream on its legs? IF the other key players are willing to go along, will I be able to go the distance, will I be able to manage a successful business? Hmmm? I honestly just don't know. :( Even if I had all the confidence in the world - life is just so unpredictable and you never know what factors will play in your favour or sink you.
Jenn barking up the wrong tree ;)
I don't know if my idea will work, but I really just feel compelled to try it! It might not be a massive success, but it would be a fantastic life project: I just have to make sure I improve my business and organic gardening skills enough to make it fly! :)
My dream is to grow more (organic) peas on earth :D
Don't give up! I know how you feel. It's so hard to judge if you're actually cut out for it or not without giving it a shot. It sounds like you're realistic in your expectations and trying to temper your romantic visions of a farm with reminding yourself of the importance of the business side and manual labor involved. Scrapple and I have found that visiting farms that do what we want to do has helped us get a better grasp on what we can expect and how we can best prepare ourselves to make the leap! We will be focusing on pastured meat (beef and pork) as well as grass fed dairy cows to create farmstead artisan cheeses. The problem with that is that you can't really practice if you don't have land! Take advantage of your garden, as you've been doing, and keep pushing yourself to try different methods and systems. You can experiment on a small scale in your garden and not have to worry about risking a crop in your enterprise! Try to think of now as a time to "gear up", experiment, and make mistakes without the stress of hurting your business.
ReplyDeleteAlso, do you have any organic farms near by? I'm sure you've already thought of this if you do, but volunteering or working on the weekends would be an excellent way to get a better feel for what you're getting into and give yourself the confidence to make the leap.
It sounds like we're on similar paths and in similar places in our lives (I'm turning 30 at the beginning of Aug. and also have a propensity for starting and never finishing wayyyy to many projects) and I hope we keep in touch! If you're ever planning on a New York visit let us know - we have some great organic farming friends you could visit and chat with and we'd love to meet up!
- Sweetbreads
Thanx Sweatbreads! I appreciate the invite and words of advice. I doubt if we'll be seeing NY soon, but will keep u in mind if we ever do :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to apprentice on an organic farm, but the only ones I've come across that are truly aligned with my idea of "naturally organic" are rather far away from home. I also suspect that I might not have any garden left if I leave the Jenni for more than a weekend alone with Hunny ;)
I also have a horse to train and 100s of other little excuses ;) but I should try to visit at least 2 places before I start anything! South Africa is not so big on the organic thing yet... so will have to make a plan!
All the best of luck with your apprenticeship. Hope it goes well!