Hi everyone, been reading your articles over the years and they have been very useful.
I may be a true accidental smallholder. I am basically a full time mechanic and for sad reasons (arson,long story) we bought some 9 acres of land to keep our horses.
It took 5 years to find a suitable site and a re-mortgage to purchase, plough and seed for grazing. I even sold my 1934 model Y V8 Hot Rod to finance it.
Seven years on and 50 chickens
later the neighbours plot was put up for sale and dubious characters were interested, so with my "future inheritance?" my dad helped me buy the other 9 acres to ensure my investment would not be devalued.
The next step was, since we had a boarder collie
, was to get some sheep so she didn't get bored.
Zwartble sheep
were chosen as they could be meat or milked and lack of horns. 5 ewes and 1 ram
The meat from these was very lean and tasty and the flock gradually grew especially after we a new ram.
Growing your own meat has a certain satisfaction and we had the space, so pigs were the next order
. initially old spot but they were slow in growing a bit fatty, so we moved onto saddle-back and large black.
The neighbours plot was an orchard
and we have started to not only to feed the pigs the windfalls but also make some cider which makes your legs go funny.
Another 7 years and I'm still doing 12 hour shifts at work and probably 4hours at the 'farm' everyday but loving the fresh air,countryside and animals.
Its a busy time at the moment we are currently lambing, have new piglets, boarder collie puppies oh and a baby boy of 4 months. Not much sleep to be had!.
Thanks for this forum
Martin