BECOMING A FARMER, Or Trying to Graduate From Being a Greenhorn

I have missed blogging, so here goes with some catch up.

After

I got some raised eyebrows when I named the 2.4 acre old farm we purchased last September "Rainbow Ranch. " Somewhere Over The Rainbow" has been my personal theme song for years (my grand daughter Naomi's version along with Iz's are high on my list of favorite renditions). My LLC is named "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," so Rainbow Ranch seemed natural with its views of the mountains and clean fresh air We haven't seen a rainbow yet, but just think it is a matter of time.

Irrigation dam and a Field of Dreams

Pepper Helps Irrigate

Flood irrigation Dam in place

Sunday morning before breakfast, a neighbor offered to show me how to flood irrigate. I threw on my sun-protective clothing, strapped on my knee brace, laced up my water proof boots, slapped on my sun hat  and walked over to his field. Most of the neighbors are very helpful to us "greenhorns," sharing all kinds of tips on anything to do with managing land in the Ogden Valley. Some, who have been in the Valley for generations, are very unwelcoming, unless it puts money in their pockets. They have the NIMBY (not in my backyard syndrome), feet firmly planted against change, even though, by improving this neglected piece of property, we are adding to the property values of those around us.

Where water is concerned, it is still the Wild West and as owner of 2 shares (and leasing two more) in the Huntsville Irrigation District, I am on a huge learning curve. Yesterday I let my neighbor use my irrigation shares for the balance of the season, as we have a lot to do before, what I refer to the "South 40," can be made productive. In exchange he offered use of equipment, once we are ready to rehab the 2+acres of weeds. It has a long way to go to be a "field of dreams" like my neighbor works so hard at to supplement feed his horses. We are still exploring different options for production and have looked at goats, sheep and grain, both dry and web farming. Most farmers with equipment want large acreage, as modern equipment is too large for small acreage like ours.

Feuds are started over water turns and shares and it becomes the Hatfield's and McCoy's for generations. Now that the Huntsville Irrigation District has voted to pressurise the system, relationships have intensified, and it is difficult and time consuming for a newcomer like me to get all the facts. I always ask a lot of questions. Sometimes this makes people uncomfortable.

Former site of old missile silo.

After my irrigation lesson, we worked hard moving topsoil and planting grass where the old silo stood before it was moved. We were puzzled about this strange building until a neighbor told us that it was an old missile silo from the 1950s. The former owner worked at a local military base and scrounged many items which he recycled into useful objects - the silo, the three-sided barn, and cement block for the garage and stable. The garage has a stove made out of a 50 gallon drum. The legs look like they are from an old treadle sewing machine.

New site of missile silo

Junk now gone

Last week a crew got rid of piles of junk. Collie figured out how to set hoses and timers so lawns, new on planted where the silo stood would stay wet. The water pressure is excellent since we replaced the well tank. What a pleasure to have a hot shower after hours of labor and be suddenly shocked by a blast of cold.

The goal is to have as much done prior to hosting our family reunion June 21-24. Still remaining are garage painted, new garage doors and new windows installed and more old fencing removed. It helps to have a deadline and keep saying, "Damn the budget."

Barn is now gone

We had an old charming white barn that I wanted to preserve. Collie said, "You're pouring good money after bad." I finally conceded he was right after spending $400 and it was still standing because of being proped up by pipes. A family tore down the barn and removed it and will rebuild on their land.