Please recommend sites that you like

[kybota]

TBN offers an incredible amount of information for people like me who have moved to a larger piece of property, bought their first tractor, and need to get a lot of things done. Perhaps the best thing of all about this site is that is very active, with quick and well intentioned comments about most any subject brought up. I hope I get up to speed and experienced enough to soon be able to contribute back to the community here someday instead of just asking questions.

I don't really feel a need to look elsewhere for tractor owner and operating advice, as this site seems to be able to cover this really well. TBN also has a lot of other information that people in my situation can use, as I've learned a lot about welding and barn building from reading this forum.

But I could use some good, subjective advice about any websites or forums you folks might consider useful for helping me and others in my situation. Not just a list of links you've seen, but sites you find particularly useful; like TBN. There is only one other forum I have ever particpated in like this one, and it is about a rock and roll band I am quite fond of, so I just don't have much experience using online forums.

What I don't know about fixing and growing things could fill the big pond I dream about having. I know I could google it and get list after list of various sites that sound interesting, but in all honesty I'm interested in saving a lot of time by not having to browse forums that are not all that active or useful.

Can you good people recommend some sites you have had good personal experience with that may help me with the following laundry list of stuff I need to learn about, mostly agricultural things I guess:

Preparing ground and planting trees (seedlings)
Growing large vegetable plots
Irrigating
Fencing
Spraying and fertilizing
horses, cattle, goats, chickens (wife wants some, I'm not too enthused)

That should give you the gist of what I am curious about. I've seen an ad for Countrybynet on this site but haven't really perused it yet. Is that a good starting point and would there be a lot of cross membership with this forum (probably a good thing if there is).

Thank you for your assistance. I don't know which TBN category this would fall under, but this is about owning and operating 20 acres we call Wheels Turning Farm. There's a reason we call it that.

 

[Gunfighter]

Here's a excellent discussion group, it's talor made for the small farmer/rancher...

http://www.countrybynet.com/

Richard
West Michigan

 

[California]

Are you familiar with Usenet?

Once upon a time the Internet was text-only. Usenet newsgroups started then and still exist.

Google is the simplest access point into the newsgroups - just click on 'groups' instead of 'web search'. Google has the historic archives that used to be dejanews so their content goes back years. On something timeless like farming it is irrelevant when the discussion took place.

Unfortunately Google's web interface into this treasure of data is awful. Separate Usenet reader software will list and thread the articles far better. Forte Free Agent is what many people start with. I like NewsRover. Start by downloading the master list of groups then chose a few relevant ones.

Example: alt.marketing.online.ebay is where sellers discuss their special concerns.
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.marketing.online.ebay

There is a higher proportion of clueless posters in Usenet compared to here, so one way to find useful content is to only read threads that have some replies.

Following are some groups I presently have set to download message headers automatically. If a thread looks interesting then one click in NewsRover will download all its posts.

rec.photo.digital (the field changes rapidly and I like to keep up with it)
alt.autos.ford.focus (just bought one)
comp.graphics.apps.photoshop (I'm learning a little)
misc.taxes.moderated (tax law plus TurboTax bugs and workarounds. I join this seasonally.)

There must be several farming newsgroups but I've never looked.

Still though, TBN has the most interesting and helpful participants I have found anywhere.

 

[Noodlearm]

The best sight for ponds that I have found is web page (this is the first time I have tried to add a link so i don't know if it will work properly). Anyway, they have forums like TBN and the people are really helpful.

 

[RayH]

Heres a lawn care site that I go to sometimes. Its more geared to professional landscapers and mowers but it covers it all and they are willing to help.
http://www.lawnsite.com

 

[rpeter]

Your profile talks about planting trees. Here is a good forestry forum.

Forestry Forum Homepage

 

[kybota]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Your profile talks about planting trees. Here is a good forestry forum.

Forestry Forum Homepage
)</font>

Thank you for pointing this one out. I have 650 seedlings arriving in March, and while I have researched this extensively, I had not come across that forum. Just now when I checked, they had more users online than TBN does right now, and I consider this to be a very usefully active site.

I remember last year when I googled Tractors, I found a bunch of barely functioning forums, with one post every three months and such. Frustrating getting into all those sites and finding out nobody visits anymore.

 

[fire72]

Yesterday's Tractors (www.ytmag.com) is aimed primarily at antique tractors, but has a good "Using Your Tractor" forum.

CountryByNet is a sister site to TractorByNet and has some good content, but is not nearly as active.

 

[leaddog]

here is a site that is aimed towards welding but has very good info on many shop subjects. http://shopfloortalk.com/forums/index.php
even has a joke topic that is very funny in the off topic section
leaddog

 

[sweettractors]

We would be glad to help with your enterprises. We sell new and used tractors and equipment. Buy and sell and used dozers and backhoes + Farm 300 acres in Ky. I have done, most all the projects that you mention within the last few years and would be glad to share knowledge I have gained from my past experiences. Call 270-528-3323-mon-fri-8-5-cst before the spring rush hits. Where is your 20 acres located in Ky?--Ken Sweet



Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *4100 John Deere,FWA ,JD FEL,R4's (98 hours) and 4 ft King Kutter Brush Hog $12700*