Monster Mulcher visits MossflowerWoods

[MossflowerWoods]

Yeah, well we don't even have the farm yet, hopefully mid Nov. And then there is the issue of sales tax. If I get myself a business plan and start a 'for real' farm, I can avoid the tax. No time to do that this year.
Still working on the "how do I clear all the snow without buying something too expensive" problem.

Bruce,

I have a legit "S" corp and 42 acres of mature trees I could harvest today (but I want them bigger so I am not). I am adding Egg subscriptions, and possibly fire wood, and maybe horse rides, but I paid the sales tax. The State comes out gunning for that and you MUST show certain levels of revenue from AG THAT YEAR (had some last year)... And the fines are TOO HIGH, so I plan to just write off the tax.

I'd love to see your biz plan for the farm. I've helped write those for computer companies, but never for a farm...

God Bless you and your efforts. I think there is a calling to get back to the land and that there is HUGE value to family life living and working farm/ranch type lifestyle. I hope you are amazingly successful sir.

Be well.
David

[bruceha2000]

I have a legit "S" corp and 42 acres of mature trees I could harvest today (but I want them bigger so I am not). I am adding Egg subscriptions, and possibly fire wood, and maybe horse rides, but I paid the sales tax.

Yep, I am all for being on the up and up. Couldn't live with myself if I filled out the 'farm equipment' form without having a REAL intention of doing agricultural stuff with the land. I will make sure I have it right, but from reading the Vermont tax rules, they don't have a 'must make money' clause. They do have that (1 of the last 2 or 3 of the last 5) to put acreage in the Current Use program (property taxes down a bit). It is OK if you plant an orchard and don't make money for a few years, they understand trees don't grow THAT fast!

I'd love to see your biz plan for the farm.

Yeah, me TOO! But until I can actually spend some time checking things out, getting soil samples, etc, I can't really start. I'm thinking I can put some fruit trees west of the fields for an orchard. Being surrounded by trees, and being on a hill that faces east, they should get some protection from the cold north wind and get the morning sun to warm early. At least I HOPE that would be a good thing! Have to talk to the Extension people about what I can do that is reasonable.

I do have a small leg up on the biz plan. The mother of my older daughter's best friend (since 1st grade, i.e. 12 years) teaches small business admin at the university. Plus, she's gotten some big grant and has been out visiting vineyards so besides knowing small business, she might have picked up a LITTLE about Ag as well. Given how many times her daughter stays with us while she is out at conferences and such, I'm sure she will be happy to give me some guidance.

I think there is a calling to get back to the land and that there is HUGE value to family life living and working farm/ranch type lifestyle.

Yeah, it is in the blood I guess. My Dad's father farmed his whole working life. Dad did for a few years but then went into manufacturing rubber products. Had a good business but me, I couldn't stand the stench of hot rubber. But then, he and my step-mom moved to Oregon when my younger sister graduated HS and started raising/breeding sheep and beef cattle plus some rabbits. BIG surprise. Not so much my dad but my step-mom. City girl ALL The way before that but she got right into it. Kind of had to, he still had the business in So. Cal and went down for a week every other week ... for TWENTY YEARS!

I hope you are amazingly successful sir.

And you too! Sounds like you are on well your way.

Be well.
David[/QUOTE]

[Bison]

a good operator can make tooth picks out of the mulch, not big chunks or long slabs

What i was thinking too

Should be able to plant potatoes

[MossflowerWoods]

What i was thinking too

Should be able to plant potatoes

Not really, the stumps are still alll there just mostly ground down to ground level.

I suspect it would tear up a plow of any kind....

David

[jonnyc1999]

I have seen these machines at the state fair for the last few years and was really impressed with their video. I'm glad to see they worked well for you, and the end result is impressive!!!

Mossflowerwoods, I would love to help you out sometime on one of your projects if you need a spare set of hands or a second tractor, since we're practically neighbors! And, if you are ever trying to get rid of some of that black walnut, let me know!

[MossflowerWoods]

I have seen these machines at the state fair for the last few years and was really impressed with their video. I'm glad to see they worked well for you, and the end result is impressive!!!

Mossflowerwoods, I would love to help you out sometime on one of your projects if you need a spare set of hands or a second tractor, since we're practically neighbors! And, if you are ever trying to get rid of some of that black walnut, let me know!

JohnnyC,

COME ON DOWN! Howdy my Fellow Virginian! Welcome to TBN!

Only a fool refuses help! Besides I think it would be AWESOME to have multiple tractors all woring a project together.

And I have SO MANY projects, I'm happy to share!

I'm literally ~2 miles off RTE 1 between exits 110 and 118 on I-95.

Now I have promised some of the Black Walnut to another fellow here on TBN, but I was looking and I have 4 or 5 trees, I bet there is plenty to share.

My problem is I can't run my chainsaw AT ALL for probably more than a MONTH. My right hand is healing in a funny way (from inside out) and I, respecting some limits there, and my left hand operation is the 14th.

I CAN'T cut them down. I must beg for help. PM me and we can work out the details.

Be well,
David

[MossflowerWoods]

ALCON,

My neighbor has offered to loan me a 6' or 7' chain harrow to drag the debris.

I was thinking that should work, but I was worried about snagging it on a stump fragment, or???

It will also clog up pretty badly, pretty quickly in some spots.

So... All of you experts, will a chain harrow work for picking up the mulcher debris?

Thanks in advance,
David

[97hokie]

Moss,
Glad to hear you got Mark out there working. I am sure you are happy to have it to a managable level. I can not wait to see the springtime pics of the pastues when you get some grass on it. A good does of Nitrogen may help you with some of the rot down of the chips as well. I know a good bit is still around in my rough fields 18 months later.

[Fasttalker]

I would also suggest that you pull some soil samples and have them tested. Land that has been overgrown with wild "trash" for a long period will most likely need to have some nutrients added back to it to get a healthy stand of grass for pasture. At a minimum you will need lime. And also retest in a year or so, as the wood mulch decomposes it will change the acidity of your soil. Good Luck, it looks like your on the right track to expanding your farm.

[KYDan]

ALCON,

My neighbor has offered to loan me a 6' or 7' chain harrow to drag the debris.

I was thinking that should work, but I was worried about snagging it on a stump fragment, or???

It will also clog up pretty badly, pretty quickly in some spots.

So... All of you experts, will a chain harrow work for picking up the mulcher debris?

Thanks in advance,
David

I have one and the answer is probably not too well. They will clog with debris as well and if (when) you hit a stump or a snag they may bend the bar and that is expensive to replace (voice of experience). I use them as a pasture and runway drag as they work well for that.