Big Multi Year Project About to Begin...help!

[Sulla]

Having lived and worked in the North we are well equipped for the winter. Snowshoes, skis, ice axes climbing ropes, emergency rescue beacons you know all that normal stuff.

I'm looking for snowmobiles now as the main North-South trail passes our residence and miles later passes our new farm land. I plan on commuting by sled.

The biggest challenge so far is money. No one wants to lend to a farm let alone one being built. So far everything has been cash.

Good luck with your nine.

 

[bubbas45]

WRT pigs and electric fences, unlike most animals that retreat from an electric fence, pigs tend to move forward and try to go through it. It's often a good idea to introduce animals to electric fencing in a controlled environment, like a paddock, so that they learn what it feels like while they are safely contained and won't tear off through the woods when the get that first good zap or two. Then they are most likely to avoid it in the future.

If you know everything about electric fences, then never mind. If you don't, you might give Dave Kennard at Wellscroft a call or visit. He really does know everything about fencing, electric and otherwise. He's also a long-time sheep farmer (and border collie trainer), so he uses his knowledge practically, not just as a sales tool. Good people. Welcome to Wellscroft.com!

bws

 

[DAY]

Sheep are herd (actually, "flock") animals, and stick together. Pigs are smart and adventurous, and quick learners. Hence, the nose ring advice.
Plus, wool is a terrific insulator- against cold AND electricity!

The old timer's advice about fences still holds true today: Horse high, bull strong, and hog tight.

 

[Sulla]

Good advice on the fences, though if the rain doesn't stop I'll be needing an ark.

Speaking of rain, we finished the road and she passed her first test. Hurricane Irene came through here as a tropical storm and flood roads and highways along every point of the compass. To notch roads were completely closed and a famous scenic highway, the Kancgamangus was closed due to mud slides. My little one mile stretch through forest and swamp, dry! Culverts did their job and the 2000 yards of six inch gravel held solid everywhere. I was one happy camper.

All in the road cost $30,000 give or take. That doesn't include the cost of the excavator, bulldozer and tractor. I figure those are long term capital investments. I'll post some pictures, but frankly pictures of a road where nothing went wrong are boring, delightfully boring, but boring nonetheless.

Now to start selling fire wood or building an ark...

 

[scoutcub]

Good advice on the fences, though if the rain doesn't stop I'll be needing an ark.

Speaking of rain, we finished the road and she passed her first test. Hurricane Irene came through here as a tropical storm and flood roads and highways along every point of the compass. To notch roads were completely closed and a famous scenic highway, the Kancgamangus was closed due to mud slides. My little one mile stretch through forest and swamp, dry! Culverts did their job and the 2000 yards of six inch gravel held solid everywhere. I was one happy camper.

All in the road cost $30,000 give or take. That doesn't include the cost of the excavator, bulldozer and tractor. I figure those are long term capital investments. I'll post some pictures, but frankly pictures of a road where nothing went wrong are boring, delightfully boring, but boring nonetheless.

Now to start selling fire wood or building an ark...

Glad to hear it, you musta done it rite!

 

[Sulla]

I'm finally getting a moment to update. The farm project has been going well. After finishing the road got serious about clearing the land. As of now we cut and sell lumber, cut and sell fire wood, cut and sell chip wood, chip smaller stuff and sell it to the biomass plant. We have also been selling pallets of field stone to masonry supply companies.

The equipment list is getting long, log truck, chipper, excavator, bull dozer, feller buncher, skidder and wheel loader. I brought in a 500 gallon diesel tank and pump to save a few bucks. We also needed to buy a small trailer and a variety of chain saws and other hand tools. I have also hired two more people, a laborer and a part time mechanic to maintain the equipment.

Lessons learned: if you are clearing land you are logging. Buy good used equipment, maintain and improve it. There are lots of ways to make money if you keep looking. If you have a lot of equipment hire a mechanic to maintain it, down tim cost a lot more what it costs to pay the mechanic. Rain equals mud! Wear good boots! Diesel fuel and oil ruin clothes get a uniform company and save your washing machine. Build a good road and you'll have the respect of the locals. Get a port-a-potty. If your off the grid buy a good generator. Skidders get stuck too. Have a plan for where to put everything, space runs out fast. Get up early and plan on working very hard.

So far this has been the greatest adventure of my life. I believe money can be made aggregating forest and farm land and working both with one team of people. I am still working out the kinks, but with land selling at such low prices I'm confident farm and forestry can make money for investors. I plan on launching a fund to do just that shortly.

If I get this right here are a few pictures.












































Winter is coming, getting all the machines ready for the cold. Should be interesting. More lessons to be learned I'm sure.

Sorry for the delay in updating, hopefully it won't be so long next time.

 

[DAY]

Congratulations; you've gotten a lot done since the last report:thumbsup:
You have quite a bit invested in all that equipment. What is Step Two, after all the timber is harvested?

 

[USNative]

Great thread here. Good progress thus far and you sir are going to have a little piece of heaven when all is done. I admire your persistence and positive attitude towards this project and I can also see why you are willing to go to the expense and time to take on such a difficult project. The road work alone is a heck of an accomplishment! That is a very nice piece of land with so much potential. Definitely going to be worth the hard work when all is said and done.

Can't wait to see the finished project. It's going to be a beautiful place that's for sure! I will be checking back from time to time to see all of the latest progress. I hope the winter weather doesn't make things to rough on you guys and keep up the great work. You are going to have something there to truly be proud of Sulla! :thumbsup:

 

[Sulla]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. The project really is a labor of love for me. When the land is cleared we will farm it and live there full time. I will most likley also put up some rustic hunting, snowmobiling and hicking cabins. We want to provide slay rides with a Belgian horse or two. We also like to get a dog sled team to Kennel their dogs and provide a sledding experice from our land. The national forest surrounding us covers tens of thousands of acres crisscrossedmby hiking trails, mountain ponds, snowmobile trails, camping and hunting grounds. We really hope to provide a way station to people who want to experience the White Mountain Forest but need a jumping off point. We don't plan on allowing any cars but our own on the property. We will pick people up, most likley by carriage at the beginning of the road. Or they can snowmobile, hike or bike there way in.

We also want to allow disadvantaged children to spend week or two on the farm working and recreating on a real working farm away from the city.

From wht I have learned so far I believe we can replicate this on other parcels of land, not exactly, each would be unique in its own way, and make money for investors. With in the next month I am launching a company for individuals to invest in that's will do just that.

It is truely a joy so far. Expensive, but a joy.

 

[scoutcub]

Sulla -

Great project upgrade! You've really made some progress. I have similar intentions for 2 pieces of property, but my regular job takes me far away and keeps interfering with my big plans:laughing:

Be interested to hear more on the new ideas. Looking forward to more updates!