Farm life

Dedicated to the challenges and good things about farm life. Living and working on your own homestead is a dream for many, but it comes with its own set of struggles.

We candidly discuss the demanding aspects of self-sufficiency, from the relentless physical labor and the unpredictability of weather to the perpetual battle against pests and the challenges of maintaining equipment. We’ll explore topics like time management, isolation, and the need for resourcefulness, offering insights and strategies for overcoming these obstacles.

Join us as we navigate the highs and lows, sharing stories, tips, and experiences from fellow homesteaders. Whether you’re considering the homesteading lifestyle or are already knee-deep in your own adventure. Our posts at times a humorous resource for addressing the challenges and celebrating the rewards of homesteading.

Tag Archive for: Farm life

Should You Grow Ryegrass?

01/20/2024/in American Guinea Hogs, Farm Animals, Homesteading, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Nubian Goats, Poultry/by Tim

Beyond its role as a forage crop, rye grass plays a crucial role in environmental conservation. Its ability to prevent soil erosion, particularly on slopes or vulnerable terrain, has made it a preferred choice for cover cropping. As a cover crop, ryegrass forms a protective layer over the soil, reducing the risk of erosion and promoting soil health. Additionally, its quick growth makes it an effective ground cover in lawns and pastures, providing an aesthetically pleasing green carpet. Whether utilized for livestock feed, erosion control, or ornamental landscaping, ryegrass stands out as a resilient and adaptable grass species with multifaceted benefits.

Benefits of Barn Cats

01/18/2024/in Farm Animals, Homesteading/by Tim

When we moved into our current homestead and started TnF Farms, both of us were surprised by how common rodents were outside. We had some ground activity that seemed consistent with moles or voles near our house. The locations where we kept livestock automatically attracted rodents like field mice and rats. For the most part, I’m a live-and-let-live kind of person when it comes to wildlife. I usually try for the most natural approach or give nature a little time to find the balance. We do have our fair share of earth snakes, oak snakes, and black racers on our property. They certainly did their part to control the rodents. But cats turned out to be the game changer. Click to find out our story.

Tips for Hobby Farm Success

01/03/2024/in Homesteading/by Jill

Transforming your hobby farm into a profitable business involves diverse strategies like selling produce, offering farm stays, and conducting workshops, all of which can sustain your passion and provide income. Essential steps include upgrading your marketing efforts and registering as an LLC for liability protection. This journey from hobbyist to successful entrepreneur symbolizes the rewarding transformation of turning a personal passion into a thriving livelihood.

2024 Dairy Goat Guide

01/01/2024/in Farm Animals, Florida Living, Homesteading, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Nubian Goats/by Faith

Nubian goats are believed to be one of the oldest domesticated dairy breeds, and their history can be traced back thousands of years. Nubian goats trace their roots to North Africa, with historical significance in Nubia. The Nubia region is now part of Sudan and Egypt. Nubians are known for their distinctive characteristics and valuable contributions to the dairy and meat industries. The breed we know today as Nubian goats was from British does (female goats) being crossed with bucks (male goats) from Africa.

This is an extensive post, I will be covering:

Ranching in the Sunshine State

12/18/2023/in American Guinea Hogs, Florida Living, Homesteading/by Tim

Ranching in the state of Florida holds a unique and enduring place in the history and culture of the Sunshine State. Florida’s ranches have a rich heritage dating back centuries and continue to play a vital role in the state’s agricultural and economic landscape. Let’s look into the fascinating world of Florida ranching, from its historical roots to its modern practices, while also exploring its economic significance, cultural impact, and the challenges it faces.

Growing lemons in Florida

12/09/2023/in American Guinea Hogs, Farm Animals, Florida Living, Homesteading, Nigerian Dwarf Goats/by Faith

When we bought the property that is now TnF Farms, we saw that there were some mature fruit trees on the property. We thought they may have been pears. No, they were lemons. The first late fall harvest, we were pretty excited. The lemons were big and bright yellow. We cut into one and it was full of seeds. We tried a couple of others and they were very seedy. Then we tasted one and discovered it wasn’t pleasantly tart, but punishingly bitter. No amount of sugar added to this fruit would make lemonade, lemon curd, or lemon bars.

Building our Goat Tote

12/07/2023/in American Guinea Hogs, Farm Animals, Florida Living, Homesteading, Let's Do Something, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Nubian Goats/by Tim

It’s soon 2024. Perhaps you’ve been living under a rock. Let me prep you before you emerge from ignorant bliss. Everything costs more. Too much more. For some items the pricing is ridiculous. I have been on the lookout for a livestock trailer. For months, I have cruised Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and have concluded there are 2 kinds of used livestock trailers available in the open market right now:

5 Monetization Strategies for Your Hobby Farm

12/04/2023/in Homesteading/by Jill

You’ve always dreamed about running your very own hobby farm – and you’re finally in a financial position that will allow you to make your dream come true. But how can you generate income from your farm? TnF Farms outlines tips on surveying possible farmland, forming an LLC, planting your first crops, and marketing your farm.

A well-deserved ribeye

11/17/2023/in Foodies, Let's Do Something/by Tim

Today was a good day. We sold some livestock and we’ve been doing some improvements to our property and construction for some of the new livestock we are getting. All this work makes for long days and fast moving weekends that are over too quickly. Today was no exception. We wrapped up a project by the outside lights of our garage and came in for the evening meal. I was pretty excited for a steak dinner. Faith was done and decided to just turn in early. So tonight I’m going to do a modified version of a great meal for 2 for less than $30. Instead, it’s a well-deserved ribeye dinner for one for less than $15.

Piglets born at TnF Farms

11/11/2023/in American Guinea Hogs, Farm Animals, Florida Living, Homesteading/by Tim

To our surprise, early this morning, she released her hostages. “Minnie” is a very stout female named for very short legs and when she’s not being instinctually protective of her babies, she is a sweetheart. Her past piglets have been very healthy and grow into muscular linebackers that integrate well into our herd. If you are interested in getting registered or unregistered piglets to start your own pig farm or to grow out, piglets should be ready for purchase as soon as mid-January of 2024. Please contact us to start the conversation of how you want your pig(s).