Duh!!!!!

I love being outside enjoying the fresh air, puttering around my farm, wondering how I can actually make a living doing this.  I read books, search websites, listen to webinars.  I dream, I plan, I sell eggs which is enough income to feed the critters.  I wonder why my "business" is not successful.  I become horribly jealous of other local farmers who are actually making money from their farms.  Then it hit me yesterday while watching my, oh so fabulous LGD running down my driveway, having an I'm a farming failure pity party, that I am not successful because I'm not treating the farm as a business.  I'm not successful because I'm treating the farm like an expensive hobby.  I'm giving it 10% of my time and effort.  If it were truly my job I would treat at as such, give more energy to writing a business plan, more time to making farm improvements.  Instead, my days are spent doing what I think I should be doing to be a successful stay at home mom.  My farm is my job!  Mucking pens, improving fences, working on my goat breeding program, building pasture, adding more poultry, that should be my focus.  Duh!!!

Ever Evolving

Nature is ever changing, ever evolving, so is life.  My farming views have been changing as well.  Reading books about our food systems, farming, permaculture fill me with excitement.  There is nothing more enjoyable than cuddling a baby goat, burying my face into the fluff of a good LGD and seeing how excited the hens get when there is fresh bedding in their coop.  Heck, I even enjoy mucking pens and carrying hay bales.  

There is a new passion for farming bubbling deep within me.  I've been told my eggs are delicious.  This encouragement gives me drive to improve and increase my flock.  In the past few weeks, I've had families up to the Ranch to learn about the goats and chickens.  There was nothing more amazing than watching the joy on kid's faces as they got to snuggle a baby goat for the first time in a peaceful mountain setting.  All of this fuels the fire within.  I've contemplated giving everything up and becoming "normal" again.  But I can't, the fresh air, cool soil, fluffy critters are in my blood.  I see bountiful veggie gardens, plentiful eggs, and lots of milk. 

Time to get serious about my ranch, do my research, come up with a business plan, and turn my little dream into a money making enterprise.

The Little Engine That Couldn't

I think I can't, I think I can't, I think I can't!  I am filled with passions, dreams, desires.  They spin in my head filling my mind with endless possibilities and that's where they stay.  I'm gripped by a fear of failure, that the journey will be too difficult and I am too inadequate.  It's as if my dreams are bigger than my capabilities.  

A heart and a mind change are stirring deep within me.  I don't have to be perfect at everything, learning is one of my favorite parts of life.  This dream does not have to be realized overnight, it will take time and hard work.  Instead of thinking that things need to be done this very now, I need to develop a detailed plan to accomplish things as time, financial resources, and weather permits.  

I walk my land now looking at it through new eyes.  Incredibly positive feedback from friends and farm customers is spurring me on.  If I truly want to realize my crazy farm dream I need to remember the wise words of the Little Engine That Could, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!"