Small farm digest

10 Pages·2002·0.69 MB·English

by  United States. Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

.
VOLUME6, NO. 1 -FALL/WINTER2002/2003
The Thought Process
in Selecting Equipment
for the Small Farm
Theguestauthorofthis issue's feature
article isRonaldE. Macher, Farmer/
PublisherofSmall Farm Today Magazine.
fagriculture is to become
profitable again,sustainable
agriculture,which is based on
low-input technology,offers an alterna-
tive to the current myth of"bigger is
—
better,” a concept as evidenced by
—
recurring farm crisissituations that is
notsustainable.
Makingwise decisions and purchases
for the farm enterprise,such as using
equipment designed for the smaller
UniversityofKentuckyExtensionAssociate LarrySwartzdemonstrates theminihaybaler, using
farm operation rather than standard
large-scale equipment, may prove to be the2-wheeltractor, aspartofa USDA/CSREESSAREtraininggrant—PhotobyBettyS.King, Univer-
sityofKentucky.
costeffective.
To be successful in farming today DisappearingMiddle. E.FSchumacher, retire, therewill be massive land areas for
depends on manyfactors — most impor- author ofthe book Smallis Beautiful. sale. Largerfarmerswill buysome land,
—
tantlya carefullythought-out plan of talks about the “lawofthe disappearing corporationssome although onlywhat
—
action. Farmers need to carefullyconsid- middle" as technology increases,we is necessaryforfacilities, because their
er the size farm they have and what kind are leftwith primitive,simplistic tools on profit is in processingand marketing. But
ofcrops or livestock they intend to raise one hand and complex,sophisticated therewill be lots ofland available for
before making purchases, including technologyon the other. small farmers.
equipment. Small-scale growers require The same thing is happening in Howwill beginningfarmerswhose
the right mixoflabor-saving equipment agriculture. Our dualistic agricultural fathers did notfarm learn basic farming
to help make them competitivewith economy is dividing up into small farms skills? Wherewill these beginningfarm-
bigger growers. and large farms,with midsizefarms ers acquire this knowledge? Theycan
American farm equipment is mostly beingsqueezed out because ofeconom- start learningfrom books,doing lots of
geared to bigger production units,sowe ics and technology. reading:visiting ongoingfarmingopera-
do notsee small-scale farm equipment Midsize farmers are too large towork tions in their area:and workingforfarm-
being made in the U.S. Awide range of both in town and on the farm,and too ers doingwhat the beginning farmer
small-scale farm machinery isavailable small to be competitive in the commodi- wants to do.
to the small producer mostlyfrom over- ties marketsofcorn,wheat,and Attending trade shows and con-
seas manufacturers. U.S.suppliers carry soybeans. The answer to this problem is ferences givesyou exposure to equip-
this equipment aswell as parts. two-fold: economics and technology. ment choices, products,and services,and
Modified equipment,such as tools You cannot avoid change, but farmers do a chance to meetwith successful small
scaled to the hand size ofwomen,as not have to participate in change in the farmers. Anothereffectivewayto learn
morewomen enterfarming, is also avail- current direction. is toget a mentor from yourarea offarm-
able. There are manyways to convert Small farmers are the future. The ing interest.
farm machineryto the particular needs average age ofa farmer today is 55. In talkingabout tools for the small
ofyour farmingor ranch operation. Sometime over the next 10years as they CONTINUEDONPG. 2..
farm in a sustainableway,we must obsolete, however,andjust because it is
consider"the big picture"or thewhole, newdoes not make it better. How many SComoaplelrFaatirvmeDSitgaetsetRisespeuabrlcishh,edEdtuwciactieoan,yeaanrdbEyxttehnesion
the rhythm or peaks and valleys oflabor times have you seen an olderfarmer Service,UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA),
Washington,DC20250-2220.
needed,and buyonly that machinery accomplish morework in the same time
weabsolutely need foran efficient period as hisyounger counterpartswho TheSecretaryofAgriculturehasdeterminedthatthis
periodicalisnecessaryinthetransactionofpublicbusiness
operation. have more strength and youth on their requiredbylaw.
You need good quality tools,and you side? It is technique,whether it is on a AnnM.Veneman,Secretary
must knowwhen and howto use them, tractororwith a hoe. U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture
plus any limitations oradvantages ofone In manyways. European and develop-
JosephJ.Jen,UnderSecretary
tool or technique ofdoinga taskover ing nations are ahead ofthe U.S. in devel- Research,Education,andEconomics
another tool or technique. oping tools and machines thatare
ColienHefferan,Administrator
Everybodyassumesyou need to have appropriate to small farms. Manyof CooperativeStateResearch,Education,andExtensionService
a thousand acres,a million dollars,and these "new" toolsare merelya modern-
StephanieKoziskiEditor(202/401-6544)
lotsofmachineryto be a successful ized version ofolder machinerywith a DaveMcAllisterStaffWriter/Editor(202/720-7185)
farmer. None ofthis is true. The large new twist. Some are brand new, but ArabellaJuarezArtDirector(202/720-4338)
acreage and big machinerydo notguar- appropriate in size to small farms. ReaderswishingtocontributeitemstoSmallFarmDigest
anteeyoursuccess asa farmer. Afarm’s How much workcan you dowith mSmaayllseFnadrmthDeiirgessut,bmCiSsRsEiEoSns,tUoSSDtAe,phMaaniileSKtoozpis2k2i1,6,Edi1t4o0r0,
profitabilitycomes from the farmer’s existing older equipment? A30-hp IndependenceAve.,S.W.,Washington,DC20250-2216(orcall
202-401-6544;fax[phone];[email protected]).
managementand marketingabilities. tractorwill handlea 2-bottom plow,8- Unlessotherwisestated,informationinthispublicationis
Thiswriterdefines a small farm as one foot disk,2-rowcultivator,and a pull-type publicpropertyandmaybereprintedwithoutpermission.
that is of179acres or less in size orearns 5-foot headercombine. You could plow Referencetoanycommercialproductorserviceismade
$50,000 or less in gross income peryear. 5 to 8 acres per 10-hour day,an 8-foot withtheunderstandingthatnodiscriminationisintendedand
noendorsementbytheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureis
Most ofAmerica's nearly two million diskwould work15 to 23 acres per day,or implied.
farms meet this definition of"small,’’with you could cultivate20-25 acres a dayor
SmallFarmDigest\savailableontheCSREEShomepage
7outof10 grossing less than $50,000 combine 8 to 13acres per 10-hourday. (http://www.reeusda.gov/smallfarm/).SubscriptionstoSmall
peryear. (Editor's note:The National In more modern, midsize farm terms, FarmDigestareavailabletothepublicatnocharge. To
subscribe,discontinueasubscription,orchangeanaddress,
Commission on Small Farms in A Time oldercombineswith 15-foot headers can contactSmallFarmProgram,EconomicandCommunity
ToAcr:A Reporrofche USDA Nacional be purchased for$5,000 to $7500, Systems,U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,MailStop2215,
1400IndependenceAve.,S.W.,Washington,DC20250-2215
Commission onSmallTarms combining 500 to 600 bushels/hour. (orcall202-401-6544or800-583-3071;fax[phone]). For
recommends as a definition forsmall Two ofthe combines could be anaddresschange,pleaseincludeyourSmallFarmDigest
mailinglabel.
farms those farmswith sales ofless than purchased forabout $15,000 and could
$250,000 in gross sales,which comprise handle 1,000 acres, halfcorn and half cSomnatlalinFianrgmaDimgiensitmiusmproifnt5e0dpweirtchenstoyw-absatseedpaipnekr.onSpmaaplelr
92 percent,or 1.9 million, ofall farms in beans,versus today’s modern combine FarmDigestisrecyclable.
the U.S.). costingabout $240,000. CSREES,SmallFarmProgramStaff
Sustainable agriculture evolves from Small farms need toolsand DenisEbodagheNationalProgramLeader!202/401-4385or
— [email protected])
those two thoughts managementand equipment that are appropriate for the StephanieKoziskiEditor,SmallFarmDigest(202/401-6544or
marketing. Sustainableagriculture isa sizeand scale atwhich theyare operat- [email protected])
— GenevaBlytherOfficeAutomationAssistant(202-720-7948or
thinking man’sagriculture involving ing. Almostas importantly,small farmers [email protected])
thewhole picture ofwhat the farm is need instruction in the techniques of
and what it produces and why Machin- using these toolsand equipment to TinhaetiUo.nS.inDaellpaitrstpmreongtroafmAsgraincdulatcutriveit(iUesSDoAn)tphreohbiabsiitssodfisrcarciem,-
eryand toolsare part ofthe thinking accomplish the mostamount ofwork in color,nationalorigin,sex,religion,age,disability,political
beliefs,sexualorientation,ormaritalorfamilystatus. (Not
process,which asks,"What do 1 need to the least possible time,without depleting allprohibitedbasesapplytoallprograms.)Personswith
gmeet tthoeojwonb,dloeansee?,"oranrden“tIsthitisprtoofoiltaobrle for ftahremmss.elves,their pocket books,or their dosifhsoapubrlioldigtrcioaensmtwaihncftooUrrmSeaDqtAuii'orsneT(aBAlrtRaeiGlrlEneaT,tilCvaeerngtmeeerparnaintst,2f0oa2ru-d7ci2oo0mt-ma2up6en0,i0ce(atvcto.i)iocne
piece ofequipment?" The bigquestion for beginningand andTDD).
Small FarmTechnology. While it may small farmers is"What equipment do I Tofileacomplaintofdiscrimination,writeUSDA,Director,
not be easilyobtained, there is technolo- need?" Machi—nery isany piece ofequ—ip- OIfnfdiecpeeonfdCeinvicleRiAgvhet.s,,SRWo,oWmas3h2i6n-gWt,oWnh,itDtCen20B2u5i0l-d9i4n1g0,,1o4r00call
gy that exists or has existed in the past ment or tool including hand tools 202-720-5964(voiceorTDD). USDAisanequalopportunity
that isveryappropriateforsmall farms, that makes thejob easier,faster,and providerandemployer.
and many new itemsare becomingavail- better,saving time or laboror both.
able as the small farm movement Hoes,wheel hoes, two-wheel tractors,or CSREES Small Farm InfoLine
increases. four-wheel tractors areall machinery,
Just because it is old does not make it each with advantages and disadvantages. 1 -800-583-3071
The firstdecision to make about Hand tools, $500 or poultry or use existing building
machineryis the levelofuse forit. Self-education: tools, books, mag- Plow, 1 or 2 bottom, $150 to $200
Listedbeloware rough guidelines for azines, guides, $250 6-foottandem disk, $400
five differentscenarios to help guide Totalcost: $3,300. 2-row cultivator, 3 pt. hitch, $150
yourplanning. These do notinclude Netis$3,000to$15,000. Rotary hoe, 2-row, 3 pt. hitch, $150
all costs, orlabor, seed, feed, orinter- Blade, $100
est; theyare simplytools forthought. Sgcaerndaernio(53t.oS1m0alalcrfeasrmanmdarhkoeutse) 40-inch tractor tiller, 3 pt. hitch,
$1,000
Scenario 1. Grow yourown food (1 to Rear tine tiller, 8 to 10 hp, $1,000 to Brush hog, $500
2acres andhouse) $1,700
7-foot sickle bar, $300
Need little to no machinery Small greenhouse, $500 Hay rakes, $600
Good hand tools (hoe, shovel, Hoop house, $500
Small round baler, $200
pitchfork, wheelbarrow, high- 2- or 4-wheel wagons, $200
1-row corn picker, $100
wheel or low-wheel hoe), $200, Planters, push-type and tiller- Pull-type combine, 5-foot header,
and rear tine tiller, 5 hp,—$500 mounted, $75 to $200 $600
Self-education is a tool educa- Wheel hoes, $75 Self-education tools, $250
tion about raised bed and bio- Hand tools, $500 Machine shed, $9,600 to $16,475
intensive mini-farming Self-education, tools, books, maga-
Totalcost: $26,375.
Read all you can about growing, zines, $250 Net: $25,000to$100,000.
harvesting, and preserving your Totalcost: $3,925.
food Net: $8,000to$40,000. Scenario 5. Grazer's outfit: cattle,
Seed starting rack for growing sheep orgoats (40 acres and house)
transplants, $200 Scenario 4. Small farm market 50 cattle panels for corrals, pens,
Totalcost: $900. garden andlivestockproduct(10 to etc., $750
80 acres andhouse)
Total value offoodproduced: $4,500. Electric fence posts, wire, etc.
20-50 hp used tractor, $9,000 Assorted hand tools, $500
Scenario 2. Growyourfood andsell Reartine tiller, 8-10 hp, $1,000 to Water (ponds or above-ground
some surplusproduce orplants (1 to $1,700 water systems)
5acres andhouse) Small green house, $500
Self-education (tools, books,
Reartine tiller, 8 hp to 10 hp, $1,000 Hoop house, $500 guides, etc.)
to $1,700 2- or 4-wheel wagons, $200
Perimeter fence, 8 paddocks, and
Small greenhouse, $500 Planters or 2 row, 3 pt. hitch for water system
2- or 4-w—heel wagons, $200 tractor, $50 to $200
Totalcost: $6,494.
Planter push type, $75 Push planter, $75
Net: $3,000to$8,000.
Wheel hoes, $75 Portable building for hogs, cattle,
Inaddition to usingthescenariosabove, companiesforonlytwo reasons: the per- GardenEquipmentCatalog. Itwill provide
you cananalyzeyourfarmsizeand centcalfcropsold and thedollarstheyhad descriptionsofnewand existing,older
planned usageversusyour machinery invested in machinery. equipment,alongwith photographsand
—
costs. Sayyou have40acres 20acresof SustainablePrinciple. Thissustainable contactinformationaboutalternative
woods.10acresofpastureorhayground, principle holds trueforeverytypeofagri- equipmentthatistheappropriatesizefor
and 10acrestillableforrowcropsorveg- culture. Production efficiencymustbe small farmsandgardens.
etables. Thewoodsarea might be used for highand all costs,especially machinery Itwill also includeequipmentfor plan-
fence posts,firewood,orbuildingfrom costs,mustbe low. Fora small farmerto ning,harvesting,processing,composting,
rough-sawn lumber. You mightevengrow besuccessful,heorshe mustbea produc- livestock,treefarming,orchards,vineyards,
shiitake mushrooms,goldenseal, May er,salesman,and marketer,and mustsell and aquaculture. TheSmallFarmand
apples,orginseng. all thefarm production at retail prices. GardenEquipmentCatalogw\\\ focuson
So basically,almostall ofyour machin- Hereisaglimpseofwhatnewmachin- equipmentthat isavailableforpurchase in
erycosts mustbecharged againstthe20 eryisnowavailableforsmallfarms: a2-row the US.and Canada.
acresofhaypastureand cropland. Machin- walk-behindcombinethatwillfitintheback Thecatalogwill containshortstories
eryforwoods projects mightbebetter ofacompactpickup:asquarebalerfora20- that incorporatesustainableagriculture
rented,leased,ordoneascustom hirefor hptractororasmall round balerthatfitson practices. Asan example,theGrain Drills
specific projectsasthewindowsofoppor- thefrontofa2-wheel tractor. sectionwill includeastoryaboutcover
tunitytogetthesejobsdone is much Inorderto helpfarmerstrackdown this cropsand croprotations. Thestorieswill
longerthanwith crops. hard-to-findequipmentforsustainable describetheexperiencesofactual small
AstudyofSouth Dakotaand Nebraska farming,theauthorofthisarticle iscurrent- farmersandwill includehow-to information
ranchesshowed thatthe top20%ofthese lywritinga bookfunded byUSDAsSustain- toencouragefarmersandgardenerswith
ranches madea return on investment ableAgriculture Researchand Education smallacreageand tohelpthemsucceed.
equal toor betterthan the Fortune500 (SARE) programcalled TheSmallFarmand Farmerscanworktheirfarmforabout
5
mmHHa
ns
halfthecostiftheyarewillingtowalk used infrequentlyisan expense thatsmall increasetheir profitability,therebyencour-
behind theirequipment,ratherthan riding farmersdo not need and cannotafford if agingeconomicallysound,sociallyrespon-
on it. However,thissmallerequipmentcan theiroperationsare to beeconomically siblefarming.
beveryhardforthesmall farmowneror viableand thussustainable. Byusingthiscatalog,farmersand exten-
gardenertofind. Asmall farmerwho needs Sothequestion farmers mustaskis not sion educatorswill beableto pointsmall
afour-wheel tractorcansaveasubstantial “Whatdo want?" but, instead,“Whatdo farmerstoa resourceaboutwherealterna-
I I
amountofmoneybyusinga20 hp,four- actuallyneed?" tiveequipmentcan be purchased. The
wheel tractor,ratherthana 50 hptractor. Byreading TheSmallFarmandGarden catalogshould be published bytheend of
Thesmall farmer's mostlimitingfactors EquipmentCatalog,farmers maybeable 2003. In the meantime,listed beloware
forsuccessaretimeand capital. Machin- to keepfarmingand discoverlesscostly somecompaniesthat handlethe new
eryfrequentlyrequires largeamountsof and moreefficientwaystofarm sustainably. toolsdescribed aboveand manymore
both. Fixed costson equipmentthat is Itshould helpthemavoid debtand products. I
SmallFarmandGarden AFIVEPLUS, Inc. Deere& Company TransTech International, Ltd.
Equipment — Rt. 2, Box 297 One John Deere Place PO. Box7275
Manufacturers Thefirst Torrington, WY 82240 Moline, IL61265-8098 Canton, OH 44705
eightlistedspecializeinsmallfarm Phone [phone] Phone [phone] Phone [phone]
equipment. Therestoffersmall Manufacturerofpotatoseedcut- http://www.johndeere.com http://www.speedex.com
and/ormedium-sizedequipment. ters, 1-&2-rowpotatoplanters John Deeretractors SupplierofSpeedextractorparts
Overseasequipmentdealersalso and 1-rowrootvegetablediggers andequipment
supplyreadilyavailableparts. KubotaTractor Corporation
Stephens Sales Co. 3401 Del Amo Blvd. ZetorTractorDivision,
FerrariTractorCIE 3061 S. 12th Rd. Torrence, CA 90503 American Jawa Ltd.
P.0. Box 1045 Humansville, M0 65674 Phone 888-4KUB0TA 7301 Allentown Blvd.
Gridley, CA 95948 Phone [phone] http://www.kubota.com Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone [phone] Saukvilletractor, equipmentfor Kubota tractorsandimplements Phone [phone]
http://www.ferrari- smallfarms http://www.amjawa.com
tractors/com Landini USA, Inc.
Importsandsellsfarmmachinery Earth Power Equipment 3675 Crestwood Parkway, Zetortractorimporter;Century
fromsmallestscaletolargescale; PO. Box 8396 Suite 505 brandsmallertractor
walkingtractors9hpto 13hpand Columbus, OH 43201 Duluth, GA30096 Beaver Mfg. Co.
4-wheeltractors21hpto87hp; Phone [phone] Phone [phone] PO. Box297
appropriatelyscaledimplements
fortillage,planting, cultivation, Goldoni2-wheeltractors, walker http://www.landiniusa.com Marshville, NC 28103
andharvestofmostcropsare ridingmowers, custom/standard Landiniwheeltractors—and Phone [phone]
suppliedfromworldwidesources. sprayers agriculturalcrawlers Beaverhigh-wheelcultivators
EarthTools Agriquip 30to 160hp Denman & Company
660 Mt. Vernon Ridge P.0. Box250 Mahindra USA, Inc. 401 W. Chapman Avenue
Frankfort, KY40601 Lindale, GA30147 17723 FM 2920 Orange, CA 92866
Phone [phone] Phone [phone] Tomball,TX77375 Phone [phone]
http://www.bcssmallfarmequip. http://www.agriquip.com http://www.mahindrausa.com RedPig No. 1 low-wheelhoes,
com Minihaybalers, mowers, and Beaverhigh-wheelhoes,
BCS2-wheeltractorsandother rakesfor 15-30hptractors New Holland North America Tamarackrotarycultivators
applicableattachmentsforsmall- 500 DillerAve.
scalefarming: hayrakes, balers, TractorManufacturers/ New Holland, PA 17557-0903 Earthway Products, Inc.
etc. Importers: Phone [phone] Maple Street
PO. Box 547
Holland Transplanters BelarusTractor International, http://www.newholland.com/na
Bristol, IN 46507
510 E. 16th Street Inc. Panorama Inc. Phone [phone]
HPohlolnaend,61M6l-349924-235379 or 7M0i7l5waWu.kePea,rkWllan5d3C2t2.3 GPiOb.sBonoxCi4t1y, IL60936 fhatxtp8:0/0/-6w7w8w-.4e8a6r8thway.com
800-275-4482 Phone [phone] Phone [phone] Kentuckyhigh-wheelcultivators
hTtratnps:p/l/awnwtewr.straanndspmlualncther.com hLotwt-pc:o/s/twwBwe.lbareulsarturasc.tcoorsmfrom20 http://www.panoramafarm Lambert Products
equipment.com
equipment to 150hp 1117 S. 3rd, Box 278
BDI MachinerySales Co. Case IH Robison& GrissomTractorCo., Ansonia, OH 45303
4M3a0cuEn.gMiaei,nPSAt.18062-1713 7R0a0ciSntea,teWlSt.53404 I1n0c1.3 Hwy348West hPthtopn:e//9w3w7w-.3l3a7m-b3e6r4t1prEoxdtu.c1t0s1.com
Phone [phone] or Phone [phone] Guntown, MS 38849 Lamberthigh-wheelcultivatorsfor
800-808-0454 http://www.caseih.com Phone [phone] smallgarden consumers;many
Vegetable, smallfruit, orchards, Manufacturerofagricultural http://www.tafetractors.com othertypesofequipment
vineyardsandnurseryequipment equipment Tafetractors, U.S. distributor
H
HMHH
Your Small Farm Neighbors
'Low-tech' Farming
Jason andJolene Vanneste
Riley Michigan
;
Jason andJoleneVanneste, both Michi-
gan State Universitygraduates, have as
their 10-year business plan the goal of
farmingsustainablyfull-time. On their
—
47-acre “Hickory Corner Vanneste
Ecological Farm" in Riley, Ml, near Lans-
ing, theyfarm using as few inputs as
possible, relying on old ecological farm
practices rather than the use of high-
end pesticides and herbicides.
1 relyon Grandpa and Grandma's
knowledge ofold farm wisdom wherev-
er possible," saysJason Vanneste.
“Small operators have trouble finding Nadine BeardandJasonandJolene Vanneste usea varietyofequipmenton theirMichigan farm.
the right equipment." he says. “As a Beard(left)drivesagolfcarttogetto the orchardforwatering. The wheeledchicken traileris
—
youngfarmerjuststarting out, it's been usedaspartoftherotationalpasturesystem PhotobyKateJannebeth.
somewhat challenging developing a
networkoffarming people to consult for their services.” fencingwith plastic step-in posts used
for sustainable information. The hard- Asked about essential tools for the to divide the interior to fulfill our MIG
est items to find are answers to ques- small acreage owner,Jason Vanneste (managed intensive grazing) strategies.
tions regarding the traditional farming suggests that a golfcart can be a sur- Step-in fencing is a labor-friendlysolu-
techniques, materials,and knowledge prisingly useful tool to have on the farm. tion and can be affordablyset up with
that older farmers once practiced. “Nadine Beard,ourgrandmother wire electrified bya small, portable
“We've been fortunate in that people who also lives on the farm, drives a used solar charger."
are becoming aware of HickoryCorner battery-powered golfcart to water our Jason Vanneste laments that not
and slip us articles and old texts that newly planted orchard of heritage fruit many people under40 are taking up
contain traditional farming ideas that trees, using an on-board 35-gallon tank. farming because the trend is toward
have gone by the wayside — like “We have found that a generator large-scale operations.
designs and concepts for old chicken would also be an important tool for “Better than halfthe work in farming
coops and practical feed programs." maintaining the freshness of meats, is mental," he says. “Planning is the key
Vanneste adds that in his rural area eggs, and produce during electrical to being successful. In considering tools
of Michigan “small farmers are outages. for the small producer, thinking about
discussing the benefits offorming coop- “Aswe grow into the final facet of the long-term benefits of management
eratives in order to effectively distribute production, raising our own grains for practices, like pasture rotation, aids in
an on-farm feed program, several addi- the decision-making process about
their collective products. Retired farm-
ers,family,and neighbors who were/are tional tools will be useful. An economi- which tools to purchase. It is important
professionals in tradeswhere their skills cal self-propelled combine would be to continue the frugal practice of
complement agriculture have proven handy but difficult to locate regionally. designing our operations to make full
Small farmerswould benefit from man- use of practical tools that are readily
invaluable to us.
“This group's generous time,efforts, ufacturers fabricating micro combines, maintained with age-old agricultural
and skills in helping to design and reapers,or binders at reasonable prices. skills, like sharpening, carpentry, and
repair small-end buildings and equip- “Low-tech tools like pitchforks and smithing."
ment is a testimony to the age-old the- European-style scythes are still impor- “The old-time small round Tootsie
ory that agriculture can be the tant assets for this generation's small Roll' hay balerwould roll haywithout
foundation ofa community. Jolene and farms.” saysVanneste. “Sturdy perime- deliveringan impact that knocks offa
whollyenjoy the satisfaction our team- ter fencing is an enormously important significant portion ofseeds the animals
I
mates displaywhen receiving our farm- tool fora small farm pasture-oriented are searching for. Amish farmers have
fresh eggs, poultry,vegetables, or crafts system. We supplement our perimeter purchased a majorityofthese machines
m
Hi:-Si??:
in our area. Since the technologyexists alternative construction methods and big factory-type settings.
for these small round balers,a U.S. materials, like straw-bale framing, that "Ultimately, sustainable practiceswill
manufacturer could take the sound are plentiful regionallyand could prove prove more profitable to the farmer and
technology that already exists and make to be practical solutions for the small his/her community,while fetching a fair
some modest improvements. farmer." price among a growing number of
“For example, improvements with While recognizing that developing a health-conscious consumers," he adds.
regard to live power take-offfeatures farm is a process ofbuilding skills and Vanneste says that diversification is
would address time considerations. experiences, theVannesteswould love important for the small grower. He
My philosophy is the fewer bells and to be at a point where horses play a talks about how important it is to pre-
whistles the better. People do not significant role in their operation. serve agricultural land from urban
always need high-tech,state-of-the-art “The key to raising healthyanimals," development, to keep corridors open to
equipment. saysJason Vanneste,“is to try to simu- wildlife, and for customers to buy fresh,
"Other essential tools are Rototillers, late their natural environment. For locallygrown food.
forsomebodyjuststarting out practic- example, chickens,which originated “Byaddingvalue (producing a
ing raised bed gardening,wheelbarrows, from feral fowl, can be healthfully raised complete good, eg., processed poultry,
hoes, trellises for gardening in small on open pasture or in chicken tractors jams, cider, bouquets, or honey) to their
—
places, a welder,sharp knives,and grind- a moveable small skid that could fit product,farmers can receive a living
—
ing stones." overgarden beds an idea credited to wage and erase the dependence the
Small barns are another tool for the Andy Lee. farmer and author ofbooks industry has placed on the federal
small producer thatVanneste endorses. on poultry production. subsidy program.
“Small buildings fulfill a specialized “We have built 4'x8’ coops over “Fewer dollars spent on high-tech
—
purpose while costing less to small utility trailers assembled here on equipment and more emphasis placed
construct in time, materials,and added our farm that ultimately house flocks of on the ‘God-given' tools will keep the
labor," he said. “Being able to utilize the poultry that are moved from pasture to spirit,fun,and culture, in agri-culture."'
vertical space for haystorage is an pasture. Chickens raised humanely This farm familyfinds farming a
added benefit thatsmall-scale livestock without chemicals or artificial stimula- rewarding lifestyle. I
—
producers can capitalize on within a tion are healthier themselves and for
—
small-scale budget. There are many the consumer than chickens raised in
Used Farm Equipment: AssessingQuality,
$afety,and Economics(NRAE5-25 Publica-
Print MEDiA tion). Written byJamesW.Carthe. DennisJ.
MurphyandWilliam K.Waters,this34-page
handbook, highlightedwith 90detailed illus-
trations.shows howto inspect machineryfor
Farm Machinery: Practical Hintsfor the reliabilityofitscomponentsand thequal-
Handy-Men by Brownlee Davidson and ityofitssafetyfeatures. Itcovers the
J.
LeonWilson Chase. Thiscomplete,no-non- economicsofowningand operatingused
senseguide,written attheturn ofthecentu- TheOperation,Care,and RepairofFarm machineryand the methodsofacquiring
ry,presents both the mechanical principles Machinery.Thisclassic,comprehensive text- equipment. $everal farm safetytipsare high-
and theoriginsoffarm machinerythat have book.originally published in theearly1900s lighted. Cost: $7.00 plus$3.75shipping. To
directly influenced thedevelopmentoffarm- and authored byJohn Deere,was intended to order,contact NRAE8.152 Riley-Robb Hall,
ing inAmerica. Cost: $12.95 plusshipping. assistfarm mechanics instructors in their Cornell University, Ithaca.NY14853-5701 or
Toorder,contact Lyons Press.246Goose courses. Thiswasthefirst bookon thesub- phone[phone]ore-mail nraes(3>
Lane.Guilford.CT064371 (see ject todeal exclusivelywith theoperation, cornell.edu.
http://wvwv.lyonspress.com or phone800- care,and repairoffarm machines. The book
243-0495). offersdetailed information and instruction on $uccessful$mall-$caleFarming: An
howto useand carefordozensofdifferent OrganicApproach. Written by Karl
FundamentalsofMachineOperation: machines,including: plows, harrows,tillers, $chwenkeand edited byBenWatson,this
CombineHarvesting.AJohn Deere publica- spreaders,cultivators,sowers,diggers, handbookcontainseverythingsmall farm
tion thatdescribes howtooperate, maintain, harvesters,pickers,presses, mowers,binders, owners need to know,from buyingland to
and improvetheefficiencyofyourcombine. planters, pulverizers, loaders,drills,listers,and organicgrowing methodsand sellingcash
Cost: Textbook$27.95 FMOI5104NC: Instruc- rotary hoes. Cost: $12.95 plusshipping. To crops. The bookoffersclearand detailed
torGuide$39.95 FM0I5504T:$tudentGuide order,contact Lyons Press.246Goose Lane, descriptionsofcrops,equipment,soils,farm-
$16.95 FM-I5604W. Toorder,contact Deere& Guilford.CT064371 (see http://www.lyons- ing procedures,and more. Cost: $10.47
Company.Moline.ILat800-522-7448. press.com or phone[phone]). through http://wwwAmazon.com.
A numberofgrantloan,andtrainingpro- $izeAppropriateTechnologyforFarmers
gramsareavailabletosupportsmallfarmers ProjectatUniversityofKentucky. Because
andtheircommunities.Examplesofsuch manyfarmsare over-mechanized orequip-
programsaresummarizedbelow. Readers ment is inappropriatelysized for hill and
wishingadditionalinformationareaskedto small-scalefarmers,this project provides
hands-on trainingdirectly to farmers,exten-
contacttheindividualsorofficeslistedfor
sion agents,and small farm assistants in
eachitem.
identifying,adapting,and usingsize-appro-
CORRECTION: InthelastissueofSmallFarm priate technologythat matches theirspecif-
pDihgoenset(nVuolm.b5.erNof.or2.tShperNiantgio/nSaulmCmoeurn2c0i0l2o)f.Stthaete Professional DevelopmentGrants help ciconfsairdmeirnegdoapelroantgiowni.thEfqaurimpsmiezen,tsonile,eadnsdare
AgriculturalFinancePrograms,inSpringfield.IL. Cooperative Extension $erviceeducators terrain type. The two-wheel tractor,widely
whichofferstheAggieBondprogram,wasinerror. and otheragricultural professionals learn used on small farms in Europe,aswell as
Thecorrectnumberis217-782-5792. and transmit knowledge that helps farmers mini haybalers,portablesawmills,and solar-
move toward greatersustainability. Grants powered fencingand wateringsystemsare
typically run between $15,000and $120,000.
beingexplored forsmall farmers in
Grants, Loans, A preproposal is required in mid May. Kentuckyand applicabilityto other parts of
Training America. Questionsand feedbackon size-
U$DA’s Rural Business-CooperativeService appropriate technologies that haveworked
(RBS) providesfundingforAppropriateTech- well forotherfarmerscan bedirected to Dr.
nologyTransferfor Rural Area (ATTRA).a
USDA’sSustainableAgriculture Research Betty8. King. Project Director,ate-mail
and Education(SARE) Program offersgrants sustainable agriculture information service [email protected]; U.8. mail 507Garrigus Bldg..
etaosteN.loiNgriotbrhlteehaaspCtpelnRitecrgaainlot.nsSoi(nuStAfhRoeEurr)nr,PeragoingodrnsaWme(sN(toCerTrt,nh)-. opnirpzieaarttaietoTne.edcAbhynToTtlhRoeAgyNias(taNinCoAniaTnl)f,oCraemnnatotenirpornfoofgriaAttpeoprwrgaoay-- aUinnngidtvoeEnrc,sioKtnyYoom4fi0cK5e0Dn6te:uvcpekhlyoo,npEemxet8ne5nt9s-iP2or5no7g-Sr3ea4r0mv4si:,ceoLrex-
that helpsfarmersgain access toawide
DE. ME, MD, MA, NH. N). PA. Rl,WVVA,VT, rangeofsustainablefarmingtopics through fax[phone].
0SDB4uAC7rR)1lE.:i.negF-Htoimorlanlisi,lnVBfnuoTierlsm0daa5itrn4ieg0o,@5nzU,-on0coi4ov.8enu7rtvs;amic.tpteyhdNooufEn.VeRee8rg0mi2oo-nn6t5.6- stirtaeesiesenox“autbRrelecnesesoVilueivrsgetces.seteaGlFbeoulcrietsdimPoeranoltdoloufcfOptaruirgbomalnni,eic"qacuotiainonpnAdmsTeTSnauRtnsA,d-'s CAESq&RuTEi$EptSma-etFneutUnnSdiavefeedrtsyGirtIaynsnPttrroutvcotiNidooenrs.tfChoSrCRFaEarEorlSmina
ecfdpmrraeaesarv.pncFPmepttaaGleisrrrrocdteaempanssneeaneettdrdraass/r$nbshcC1dayhih0rvap,soaear0ygwGren0rsaredi0ttgarc.ehenudmeGlteastrsmrbuaoertoansnahrutulsretlstotpars$urtwag5eowsath,fitier2tosod0nhnsn0ee-iodsowaptinrnhtfacoeoedlrjrrsoeeapocxfwrsntpae,hse-rromi-- WYwA“CpeaooeeTlliuqbTllnutRmiaAssspAiaTtmtyeHTope,TuRnaacbMltvAuls"alLioitf.caliosaavrnetbaTdaaitlhroiephncoeuanshalswnltttedaohhuooeaepPltudsDAtoaaFcTtdoonhdTnndderRtore"rAiwsoRsmsnlepsplsieesltocoqeeeiaucumarfdtielocipirnaeozmtssneesdon.tn. wftfprtiiiornaueoogorrannnjmckd.ceehseNhcirhdaetnwsoiecodpanladirsubrlsks,de-oaicyiuaatnewnttnoagrrdNac.faonopatiDrurdtrnrotnam.johttcertMyhmca.Chitajcaaen..tcrgrgoorh“IrlisFiebicesranqnutaarelautfhmti.rieinu"ytpmgrSys,tamas,olfaeadfeenntfoetamdetteyiypars.sohtcE,ophadoTaesuutsrhticta-eaza---te
wcatipoacprpelRskp,ieeesdpddiearraaretrtceictsc$lhue1yla0aarw,rnci0ldhty0h0iEp.nrfdtoauojrcemaicetmtripssor.wnohvGGeerrrdaaennfttrassersamaerraeperrcafhocer-rs, T8ttmuoa0erlo0ankl-lsta3sba4spone6cucda-itl9aeEl1pdiq4rsu0oftijo,oreporcmwrtegsoanosmotktn"eofnbfoyrahftrTa$tmertprme:teev/osr/eoaswl.wsDMiwava.Penauhrtdr,oternaeragqe.rutiiocpu-l- stcnmaarialafcliacelnttIoytbqrersubnaeraahsonnitcdimchoeu(tnrrpsaeahncroidtesonlraseavatrfa3eeio3dtla6ya.t-dbo3lw3eaf4,ya-ar7dn9mr5di6ev)ifqnauwgrii.mtpehAmrestfneacctrahm-n
ncat.org.
farmers,and educatorsworkcooperatively.
Grantsare typicallyfunded for between
$30,000and $150,000. A pre-proposal is
required in mid May.
7
Upcgmlng
Events
Date Event Location Contact
—
February 3- 2003NorthAmerican Farmers'DirectMarketing Charlotte, NC Jonathan Bates 413-529-0386 or
10, 2003 Conference and Trade Show [email protected]
http://www.nafdma.com
—
February 4- The Colusa Farm Show2003 Colusa Fairgrounds Greg Hegwer 530-458-2641
6, 2003 Colusa, CA http://www.thefarmshow.com
February IQ- AgriculturalEquipment TechnologyConference Louisville, KY American S—ociety ofAgricultural
12, 2003 Engineers 269-429-0300
February 12- NationalFarm MachineryShow Louisville, KY National Farm Machinery Show Hotline
15, 2003 502-367-5004
http://www.farmmachineryshow.org
February 22- Western Farm Show: The Midwest's LargestIndoor Kansas City, M0 The Southwestern Association
24, 2003 Farm Equipment/AgriculturalProducts Exhibition 816-561-5323
March 19- MidwestAgExpo Madison, Wl MidwestEquipment DealersAssociation
20, 2003 608-240-4700
http://www.meda-online.com
—
March 24- North CarolinaA&TSmallFarm Week Greensboro, NC Dan Lyons 336-334-7734
28, 2003
SeeSmallFarmwebsite(http://www.reeusda.gov/smallfarm)forthemostup-to- Pleasesend submissionsto Stephanie Koziski, Editor, SmallFarmDigest, CSREES,
date listing ofevents.Wewelcomesubmissionsofeventsfromoursubscribers USDA,MailStop2216, 1400 IndependenceAve.,S.W.,Washington, DC20250-2216
thatwould beofinteresttothesmallfarm communitysothatourUpcoming (phone:[phone];fax:[phone];e-mail:[email protected]).
Eventslisting reflectsa diversityofeventsfrom all regionsofthe country.
PRSRTSTD
USDA U.S. Department ofAgriculture
l^fil 1400 IndependenceAve, SW Postageand Fees Paid
Washington, DC 20250-2220 U.S. DepartmentofAgriculture
PermitG-95
OFFICIALBUSINESS
PENALTYFORPRIVATEUSE.$JOO
S^O po^-1 ***************W0UplmO/olit on*
PAT1RI1CICE KRUG 1 <L.\Jl
AKS USDA
National Agricultural Library
10301 BaltimoreAve
MD
Beltsvie 20705-2351