The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Clairie on June 19, 2009, 11:02:24 am
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Hi there!
I'm Clairie and I'm from Perthshire.
We've been farmers for a long time, but have recently started to diversify and are developing a farm shop.
In March we bought two sows, a pure Tamworth and a Berkshire x Saddleback who gave us 10 healthy little TamworthX piglets. They'll be pork by September! :yum: Pigs are brilliant! I could watch them all day. :love: :love:
We've had chickens for our own use, but have been badgered by the local shops to give them eggs so have rehomed 20 exbattery hens (I've not fully explained their lower productivity to my husband!). We'll probably have to supplement the old hens with some newer POLs. We do like to rescue things... :-[
I've just bought some Marsh Daisy and Scots Dumpy fertilised eggs on Ebay. I'm quite keen on helping to keep up the numbers of some rare breeds, hence the Tamworth's too!
We've also just planted some carrots, neeps and leeks to sell with our local farm produce alongside the beef, lamb and tatties.
I've also got 6 horses - :horse: mostly Appaloosas, and there are several other old limpy's retired on the farm.
We're loving all our new projects! We've got a lot to learn are really enjoying ourselves.
I hope to learn a lot from you and hopefully chat to some like-minded people.
Anyway! Hi to you all!
Clairie x
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Goodness, you're a busy lady - welcome to the forum. How big is your farm and what area in Perthshire? I'm in Clackmannan - downsized to one acre from 10 in Aberdeenshire to be nearer my kids. I only have ducks and chickens, but starting to grow veg this year as that was my late husband's job in the past, so very much a newbie on that. I am horse daft but never seemed to have both the time and the money att eh same time for one of my own.
Enjoy the forum. Great folk on here - I've made loads of friends in just a year.
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hiya! let me know how scotch dumpys get on :chook:, im considering getting them for a friend!
welcome to the forums!
gem x
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Wow, so many projects. Be very interested to hear how they all go. Welcome aboard. ;D
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Thanks guys!
Goodness, that's nothing for busy! I also work full time and have part time jobs, am still involved in Young Farmers too. Fortunately my husband does most of the farming (and fencing, and fixing sick stuff! ;) ) Fortunately I love a project! I'd love to give up work and just pootle about with the horses though... ::)
Will certainly keep you updated on how everything does, including the Scots Dumpy's! This is my first set that I've incubated (off to look for an incubator now...) but my Grampa's beside himself with excitement as he used to do a bit of hobby chicken breeding so I've got an expert on hand!
Must get some photos up of everyone at some point! ;D
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hehe
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Hello, good evening and welcome!........now I've heard that somewhere!! had 3 Black Rock Hens ad now added to them with 7 ex Battery Hens and 2 Aylesbury Ducks, there fun to watch!!!! Hope your farm shop takes off, I love things like that....I
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Hello and welcome to the forum - WOW you really are busy! Whereabouts are you in Perthshire? I used to go to school near Dunkeld! Good Luck with everything!
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Oh and doganjo where abouts in Aberdeenshire were you? I was brought up just outside Dinnet and still go there every summer to see my Mum.
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Hi MiriMaran
I lived in Aberdeen till the kids were away to college, then out past Ellon, then after I met my second husband we moved to just outside Old Rayne. Dinnet is the posh side of Aberdeenshire ;D ;D ;D!
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We're in Errol, just between Perth and Dundee.
We're awaiting an exciting delivery today! Hubby is off to pick up a Tamworth boar to romance the girlies for a few weeks! x
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Welcome from a tamworth lover.
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Hi and welcome from now cloudy Alloa
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dead posh me doganjo!!! ;)
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Hi Clairie...welcome to the forum...my wife and I also have a small farm shop down here in Stafford; take a look at our website and if we can advise or help you with anything just let us know...best of luck
Farmer
:farmer:
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Hi Clairie...welcome to the forum...my wife and I also have a small farm shop down here in Stafford; take a look at our website and if we can advise or help you with anything just let us know...best of luck
Farmer
:farmer:
Wow - thanks Farmer, that's really kind of you! I'll definitely check out your site. It's hard to start small but be worthwhile! Thanks!
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I'd like to have my own wee "farm shop"
my problem is I don't have a farm - nor a shop.
I think i could get a shop built on my property no problem, and there are plenty of farmers nearby, so i'm sure i could find suppliers. But as you can see, i'm a LONG way from having my own wee shop
Maybe i'll pop up to perth to see your shop Claire - get some ideas (and if i'm passing by stafford!!!)
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No problem sellickbhoy, anytime you're in the area...
farmer
:farmer:
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Hi Claire, I just this minute registered and read your message. I'm in Perthshire too. Bankfoot to be precise. Up until this year we were members of Perth Farmers Market but found that due to increasing costs and insurance etc we're having a year off. We sold our plants at the market, mostly herbs, wildflowers,veg and trees. I'm missing it but what can you do?! We have to be realistic so we're now putting all our efforts into the gardening side of the business which is great. Anyway, my name is Kerry and I'd love to hear more about your farm shop plans. Good luck
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Hi Claire, I just this minute registered and read your message. I'm in Perthshire too. Bankfoot to be precise. Up until this year we were members of Perth Farmers Market but found that due to increasing costs and insurance etc we're having a year off. We sold our plants at the market, mostly herbs, wildflowers,veg and trees. I'm missing it but what can you do?! We have to be realistic so we're now putting all our efforts into the gardening side of the business which is great. Anyway, my name is Kerry and I'd love to hear more about your farm shop plans. Good luck
Ah! That's interesting! Will have a look at your introductions post.... ;D