Dollars

So of course, starting a small farm is no small feat.  Careful financing is very important.  Ronny and I worked very hard to be debt-free before we made this leap.  We are what we fondly call "Dave Ramsey Disciples."  We took his Financial Peace University workshop about five years ago.  With discipline, obedience, and God's provision we were completely debt free when we bought the farm.  We made such great deals on the sale of our previous home and on the purchase of the farm that we financed a very minimal amount.  Due to great credit, large down payment, and no debt we were the first people our lender had ever written this type of loan for under 3%.  We had an wonderful realtor who carefully guided us through the entire sale and purchase process.  It is definitely important to have a good realtor who teaches you and who has your best interest at heart.

The moral of the story is:

• Be patient
• Get rid of debt
• Save
• Have a plan
• Find a good realtor

Other financial considerations that we have learned and taken advantage of include filing for an Ag Exemption and for the Ag/Timber Sales Tax Exemption.  Every county will be different in regards to application criteria for an Ag Exemption.  Our county required documentation.  I wrote a Business Plan that included an Executive Summary, Descriptions, SWOT Analysis, Planning, Implentation, Photos, and Invoices.  We were approved in less than a week.   I have used two books as resources for the business side of farming.  They are listed at the side of the blog.  The authors are Wiswall and Aubrey.

Each state will have a different process for applying for the sales tax exemption.  The state of Texas exemption application process is found Here.  Click on Texas Taxes tab at the top of the page and then on the link to Apply for Ag and Timber Registration Number at the left of the page.  After you get your registration number, you can set up accounts at farm supply stores and will be tax exempt on qualifying items that you may purchase for your farm.

I also found a really neat web site called the New England Small Farm Institute (NESFI).  This is a wonderful website NESFI  and you will find the Farm Start-up Checklist is very useful.  Here are some other websites that might be helpful Ag Grants and Beginning Farmers.

We have had great flooding rains that have definitely replenished north Texas lakes, ponds, rivers, and creeks after the awful drought of 2011.  It does present a challenge, though, when it comes to getting a garden in.  The second set of 75 blackberry bushes and 50 strawberry plants will be planted tomorrow and work on planting veggies will definitely be done this weekend.  We have sunny, warm weather forecasted.  Stay tuned for Pick Your Own Days.  Of course, they will be harvest-dependent.

I spent 10 days chicken sitting for my chicken guru neighbor and fell in love with the critters.  Never thought I would say that.  Feeding, watering, rescuing the old biddy from her shelf, cutting feed sack string off chicken feet, scraping poop, and collecting eggs aannnndd  feedin old Moe, the ferrel hog, was such a great learning experience.  My neighbor gave me the most beautiful glass chicken for doing barn duty.  I really earned that little chicken, though, when I had to put her big bull back in the pasture!  I headed out the door to go to work yesterday and look who was standing in my driveway!

Thank goodness for some men who drove by and helped me!

I know I gave the wisteria a bad rep on my last post but we did let one bush survive in the backyard and it was beautiful.  I will close out with some pictures from it.  Happy Farming!