TBF 140 :: Applying Farm Knowledge, Farm News, and a Hard Lesson Learned
Release Date: 08/29/2016
TBF 158 :: Things Needed to Change
The Beginning Farmer Show
The first episode in two years needs no introduction. Basically this is an episode of me sharing what I've found out I needed to do differently over the last two years. Or, to be more correct ... it is an episode of me sharing a couple of the many things I found out I needed to do differently over the last two years! It is going to be a long journey that will take time (and money, which means more time), but I think it is going to be an amazing journey. Follow along on the , , , and of course ! I'd love to hear your thoughts! Don't forget you can find us in all of the places, most of all on...
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TBF 157 :: Crooked Gap Farm v2.0
The Beginning Farmer Show
I have come to the realization that it is time to reboot the farm! Not that everything that we have been doing for the past twelve years has been bad, but rather there are some changes that I realize need to be made and in making them I think we are going to end up with Crooked Gap Farm v2.0. It's sort of like a Grand Re-Opening, or Church Re-Plant, or Version 2.0 of the farm. The core of the farm is going to be the same. We are still going to be all about raising great pasture raised meats, but there will be changes on the farm. Changes with efficiencies. Changes with marketing. Changes with...
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TBF 156 :: Three Needed Changes and a Hard Lesson Learned
The Beginning Farmer Show
Crooked Gap Farm has come a long ways in the roughly 12 years of it's existence! Sometimes I forget how far we have come from an empty 40 acre parcel in the middle of Iowa, but when I stop and take a look at it all I am very thankful! That doesn't mean that I have everything where it needs to be or that I'm ready to sit back and watch the farm roll along. There are a lot of projects that are needed on the farm these days. Repair projects, building projects, upgrading projects, and plenty of cleaning projects! But, I have come up with three that have been at the forefront of my mind lately ...
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TBF 155 :: Let's Talk About Meat Chickens
The Beginning Farmer Show
Let's talk about chickens! We've raised meat chickens off and on for about 10 years now, and it has never really been our strong suit. But, the demand is there and I would really like to increase our meat chicken production ... like really increase it! There is one problem though, well actually three problems. First of all we have settled on the Freedom Ranger breed for our meat chickens (although I'm open for suggestions because it still isn't my favorite ever). Secondly, I am totally committed to the "day range" system of raising the birds, but I'm not committed to a structure. And...
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TBF 154 :: Pandemic Farm Marketing and a Hard Lesson Learned
The Beginning Farmer Show
Hello Beginning Farmer Friends! We are back and better than ever. Well I'm not sure about better than ever, but we are back and I am getting pretty excited about being back (even though it is one episode)! I am excited to be able to "chat" about farming again, and share the happenings of Crooked Gap Farm and our plans for the future. In this episode I end up talking about what our farm marketing world has looked at during the current pandemic of 2020. Sales have been good (I think for many protein farmers that has been true), but along with increased sales and demand there have been plenty of...
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TBF 153 :: Family, Fun, and a Hard Lesson Learned
The Beginning Farmer Show
In a time of unknown, I sit down and do what is needed: I have fun. Today I talk with my oldest son, Caleb, about his interests on the farm and where he goes and is wanting to go with them. He shares what his biggest interest on the farm is and what he does with it. With plenty of fun and laughter, tractors, a Hard Lesson Learned, and even rockets, this is sure to be a fun episode that you can't miss!
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TBF 152 :: Back Again and More Farm Updates
The Beginning Farmer Show
I am going to ignore the elephant in the room (this episode is being released during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic) and attempt to pick-up where I left off about one year ago! On the last episode of The Beginning Farmer Show, that sounds like something you would hear at the beginning of a soap opera, I had outlined the equipment and infrastructure that we had accumulated on the farm. What I was realizing was that maybe the equipment I had wasn't "right-sized" to where our farm was at the moment. The big question that was discussed though was, what are we going to do in terms of the hay operation....
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TBF 151 :: Changing the Inventory of a Farm
The Beginning Farmer Show
Now that you know the large collection of things that we have on the farm I want to share some of my thoughts on what needs to head down the road, what needs to be added, and where I am the most confused! It has become obvious to me that one of the tractors needs to go, and in a perfect world it needs to be replaced by a skid loader that would be able to perform quite a few important tasks on the farm. Also, an addition to the shed is something that is at the top of the list once we can get the money together and the details figured out. The biggest question facing the farm at this moment...
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TBF 150 :: Taking Stock and Deciding What to Do
The Beginning Farmer Show
I'm just going to be completely honest here. I have forgotten most of what it takes to post a podcast episode since it has been such a long time since I have regularly released episodes! With that in mind these "show notes" are really just going to be a link to the show if you'd like to listen on-line or share your thoughts on the Crooked Gap Farm Inventory that I detailed in this episode. If you do make your way over to this post though I would love to hear what you think about the equipment and infrastructure our farm has accumulated over the past ten years. Do you have any advice on...
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TBF 149 :: This is Sort of a Test, Farm Updates, and a Hard Lesson Learned
The Beginning Farmer Show
Hey there! This is a BRAND NEW EPISODE of "The Beginning Farmer Show"!!! I'm not sure when the next one will be, but for now this one is here and I'm looking for direction when it comes to the show. If you have any good leads or ideas of farmers that you would like to hear on the show please let me know by clicking the link below and reaching out through the Facebook page. As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I'm thankful for all of the listeners...
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Earlier this month I was able to take a long drive to northwestern Iowa and visit Seven W Farm during their Practical Farmers of Iowa Field Day. This was the second field day at the Wilson's farm that I have been able to attend (along with watching their Niche Pork Webinar from 2009) and I am very thankful they are willing to open their farm, and share their experiences! Seven W Farm consists of 660 acres, seven Wilsons (plus kids), organic grains, hogs, organic dairy, pastured poultry, grassfed beef, and grassfed lamb. To say that there is a lot going on would be an understatement for sure. Behind the diversity of enterprises though is a great wealth of knowledge that comes from multi-generational family farm. In fact Dan has been pasture farrowing hogs for 50 years now!
What I'm trying to say with all of that background information is that I learned a lot. I mean I really learned A LOT!!! And, the great thing about some of the knowledge I picked up from their experiences is that it is stuff I think that I can still apply to this growing season. Here are four things that I hope to apply in the coming weeks and of course a bunch of links that I mention in the episode:
What I learned and will be (hopefully applying soon) ...
- Burst Proof Water Line for Pastured Pigs
- A-Fram Farrowing Sheds are the Bomb
- Premier1 Pig Fence is Worth a Try
- Three Words ... Apple. Cider. Vinegar.
The pile of links mentioned in this episode ...
- Seven W Farm PFI Field Day Recap
- Seven W Farm Website
- High Density Polyethylene from Powerflex
- A-Frame Farrowing Hut Design (and other pasture farrowing info)
- Premier1 Pig Fence
- Apple Cider Vinegar Research from Frantzen Farm
- Apple Cider Vinegar Stories (Will Winter)
- ACV for Pigs from The Vinegar Guys (you can buy vinegar from them too)
- Grass Farmer Supply (ACV for sale along with other minerals, vitamins, healthy stuff)
:: Practical Farmers of Iowa Recap of 2016 Field Day ::
If you are interested in having a grassfed Dexter Cattle Herd of your own shoot me an e-mail because we have cows, heifers, and cow/calf pairs available right now!
Check out The Beginning Farmer Show on Facebook!
As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I'm thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn.
If you do enjoy the show, don't forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!
I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with "The Beginning Farmer" and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links ...