Are You Truly Cut-Out for This Life? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Honestly, ask yourself this. Farm life is not for the faint of heart. Likewise, “Intentional Community” is not for the ME individual.
Every day here at the Freedom Farm is an awesome opportunity for us to learn and grow. Often times the lessons learned are costly and painful, but a necessary component for positive growth. We have overcome many obstacles and will have many more to face. This is our reality, this is our choice.
We consider ourselves teachers in a world of lost sheep. We consider ourselves students in a universe that has so much to offer.
There are many types of people who make up a well balanced community. Considering the big picture, what do you have to offer?
Frank is very knowledgeable in animal husbandry. Yes, we are vegetarians, however a “sustainable” farm is almost unrealistic without farm animals.
We have chosen our animals carefully. The farm currently houses approximately 100 chickens. We enjoy egg production of one dozen eggs per day on average, (and yes we do eat a lot of eggs!).
In the spring when our younger chickens mature we estimate approximately seven dozen per day. At that time we will begin selling farm fresh eggs locally in order to help finance farm operation.
We have sold quite a lot of chickens over the last several months, and will resume in the spring. Not a day goes by without local inquiries as to when our chickens will again be available.
Chickens play a vital role in a Perma-Culture type farm. Chicken excrement is very high in nitrogen, and when added to our compost make a very rich highly fertile compost matter. In addition, chicken pens must be moved every other year for disease prevention. Thus, the soil left behind once the pen is removed is very fertile and humus like.
The farm also houses approximately 25 goats at a time. Although we raise a few different breeds, we do specialize in 2 types only.
The Pygmy Goats are raised with extra special attention and an exceeding amount of love.
The Pygmies are our pride and joy
Due to the nature of how they are reared here, they make the perfect pet. In the short amount of time we have offered them we have created quite a waiting list, and receive top dollar for our kids.
The income derived from the sale of each kid goes right back into the feed bill. Feed is quite an expense at this time. We do graze as many of our goats as we can. This is high grass land, and the grain is excellent quality for goats. However, goat herding is a job in and of itself. We are in need of someone who is a true animal lover to step up to the challenge of assisting in the care of our little treasures.
We also raise Dairy Goats, mainly Nubians, but a few other breeds as well. Like all the other animals here our dairy goats are treated with the utmost respect and love. We have been told that our raw goat milk is better than any other.
Most of our ladies are still too young to produce, but we are able to obtain enough for coffee and the occasional batch of butter or cheese. Once we have a fair amount of production we will be making much more butter, cheese, and yogurt for our own daily use. Raw goat milk will be sold to locals who have asked for it.
Our milkers are on a very strict diet of top quality pesticide free grain and hay. These lovely ladies too, provide a vital role in garden production. The stems are left behind, as goats prefer the grain and leafy portion. All pens are raked thoroughly twice daily, and the by product makes the finest mulch a garden could ever ask for.
Guinea Fowl roam freely here. We love the Guineas! Not only do they sound off at the slightest intruder (including snakes) they are carnivorous, and work at keeping the garden pest free.
We also raise ducks and geese, and will be adding peacocks and other exotic fowl in the near future. We also have 3 dogs for protection.
Frank also has a background in construction and has many projects in the works. We are in need of people interested in construction, We are in the building/creating stage.
No bath house exists at this time. Summer is easy, but the going is a little rough during the winter months. There is a truck stop down the road where you can shower for $6.00 if you feel the need.
A composting toilet needs building. At this time we are using buried walls for privacy, along with a nice deep hole in the ground.
We have a partially built cabin in need of completion. This cabin will serve as a pantry, a community kitchen, and housing for the right individual to oversee it's operation.
I do the best I can to tend to our 1 acre Perma-Culture style garden. However, this requires a great amount of labor, and a strong spiritualism. If you have not read "The Secret Life of Plants" (Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird) I would strongly recommend this as a foundation. We would love to have a few more spiritually sensitive people to help in this area. It is key that you have at least some experience with gardening prior to visiting, or at least a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
Most communities in the Southwest do close down during the winter months. Yes, it is Bitter Cold at times, but this is when we prep for spring planting. If you would like to learn gardening, prep work is a vital component. Do understand however, heating cost will be a responsibility on your part. Doubling up with another person is a great way to limit your fuel cost.
Lamp fuel during the winter months is required too. The sun goes down very early this time of year, and lamps are used more readily than in spring and summer months. We have plenty of oil lamps if you do not have one of your own, but fuel will be your responsibility.
We Process produce here as much as possible. I can and preserve regularly. I also make butter and cheese when we have a surplus of milk. The farm has a deep freezer and we freeze what we are able. Food dehydration is easy and usually done during the warmer summer months.
We are in the beginning stages here and seek those individuals who are of a serious community mind, and would appreciate the experience of building a community..
Please send us your letter of intent by using the form provided on our "Contact" page. Please also include a telephone number and best time and day to call.
Your Hosts, Frank and Cherri
This is not Club Med! This is a future society based on the foundation that we refuse to rape the Mother Earth of all her bountiful blessings. We are open to those individuals who share this most basic ideology.
We are already known locally as the “Chicken People” and or the “Goat People”.
When the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying, a new tribe of people shall come unto the earth from many colors, classes, creeds, and who by their actions and deeds shall make the earth green again. They will be known as the warriors of the Rainbow -- Old Native American Prophecy