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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Inquiring Minds Want To Know

I have a question for y'all that I'm wondering if you could help me with.

Would you be at all interested in a book that told how you could have a successful farm with only ONE acre of land? A book that told how you could have two cows (well, let's say one cow + a calf), goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, 300 - 500 broilers (meat chickens), 100 - 200 turkeys, bees, and a garden? Again, all that on one acre of land. Perhaps this book would even have some detailed how-to's on sprouting and fermenting grain, building a pallet fence, a $60 chicken tractor (that will hold up to pretty much anything except goats), a $100 greenhouse, and would explain intensive, rotational grazing for livestock, winter animal care, and who knows... There might even be a chapter on training and using draft goats. 

Would such a book interest you? And moreover, would you buy a book like that? This inquiring mind would like to know. 

17 comments:

SarahG said...

:raises hand: I would buy a book like that! Could you include rabbit works in there too? :)

His Majesty King Mob said...

Indeed I would buy and read a book like that, especially if it were available at a reasonable price point (i.e., not a $30 hardcover - I'm broke as a joke). :D

Lexi said...

I would! I agree with Sarah about adding rabbitry things as well. I just wish I could do farm-y things on one acre. Where I live the law requires 10 acres (!) to even have a small flock of chickens. :-/

farmgal said...

I would and have, I own 3 different books already that are homestead in your backyard that all have plans for how to do it.

One book goes down to as little as 1/4 acre and up to 1 acre, the other two start at the 1 acre and go up to either 3 or 5 acre..

Given that these books are selling well, I would say there is a market for such a book.

Lily said...

Yes, yes and yes!

Wendy said...

I absolutely would.

Anonymous said...

Duh yes!!! Would you please write the book? Cause I love how you write. ;)
I also know at least two other friends who would love such a book. Probably more like five.
Tasha

Anonymous said...

P.S. Could you take pics of your place? That might make the book too expensive...maybe you could post them? I really would like to see your layout.
Tasha

Sherry said...

I would definitely buy it. I am inspired by all of your hardwork..and it would feel like reading advice from a friend. GO for it.

Goat Song said...

Thank you guys! :)

@ Sarah and Lexi, YES there would definitely be a chapter on rabbits and all the details with them! (and Lexi, you can't have chickens unless you live on 10 acres or more!?!? Gracious me!)

Tasha, my mind is envisioning a book with lots of pictures and layout ideas! If you have a certain number of pictures, that are of a certain size, it doesn't increase book price too much. But it's possible that I could take some pictures here and now and post them on the blog for everyone. :)

Anonymous said...

ABSOLUTELY!

Anonymous said...

I would. But you don't actually do it on just one acre. You have mentioned using your neighbors land many times and not all of us have a neighbor that generous.

Goat Song said...

Actually, I DO just do it on one acre... I don't have anything on my neighbor's property, and lucked out on any further opportunities to do that due to some changes on their part. I never even had a chance to get started with using the neighbor's property.

Lily said...

The kinds of things I would love to see are: Different 1-acre layouts. For example, do you have suggestions on what's the best way to divide your 1 acre or maximize weirdly shaped lots or work around one's 30 year old landscaping? Also, suggestions for different animal combos and how to put them in rotation would be great - such as, what if someone just wanted to do chickens and goats, could you effectively do a rotational grazing system and how would that work? What if they just want to do pigs and chickens? Or chickens, ducks, turkeys? And while you do a great job of not complaining about the "work" in farmwork, for those of us who cringe at the thought of having to wrangle a stubborn (insert animal here) that weighs more than we do...some reality bites about what it really takes for one person to manage a small scale farm would be awesome! Also, any information about alternative and healthier feed, like your sprouting article, or growing herbs for your goats and chickens. I hope you do this!

Mike Hobbs said...

Would purchase it. Photos of actually small farms are a great selling point. Reading about it is fine but being able to read & also see actual farms is better.

Anonymous said...

Definitely yes! We love any help with small-scale farming. We'll watch for it :)

Linda said...

I would for sure!