Spring at the New Farm: Bush-Hogging and Digging Post Holes, Getting Power and Permits

the last of the daffodils

We welcomed the first day of spring at the new farm by trying to stay warm during unusual freezing
temperatures, strong wind and rain for a couple of days.  Thank goodness the motor-home was able to keep us warm and cozy while waiting for the weather to get back to a springtime norm.

We met a farmer as he was working an adjoining pasture when he came to see who the new owners of the old farm were.  As we learned, he knew the previous resident of the farm who had passed away about ten years ago.  He had been a share-cropper and both he and his wife and spent most of their lives on the farm.

 During the past ten years since the sharecropper's death the farm had been sold two or three times, but no one kept the site long before reselling.  The original owner of the farm had been one of the two primary farmers in the area, the Thames had constructed the house originally in 1915, and restored it in 1950. That restoration was the last information recorded at the county seat about the property.

Can you say "need a new well"?

The last owner, several years ago, began another restoration and gutted the home, replaced windows, add new siding, and began rebuilding the bath and kitchen..... without permits as we learned last week. Now we are learning the rules we must follow in order to build or rebuild our farm home.

We don't need anyone to tell us we need a new well and septic system.
This well was dug by hand more than 100 years ago and is at least thirty feet deep.

Bush Hogging the neglected pastures.

Meanwhile, there is plenty to do outside.  The pastures had been left to fallow for several years and we need to prepare homes for the livestock.

The farm neighbor came to the rescue with his tractor and bush hog to clear the land of the 18 acres of overgrown grass.

Now that the grass is cleared, he will be back to plow the area that will become my new garden, which won't be planted until next spring.

Location of Next Year's Garden and Orchard

These, newly cut, few acres will become garden and orchard next year.  Eventually we hope to build a barn to the right and behind those two trees at the right of the photograph.

Nick's first time on a tractor.

After the farmer left at the end of the day Nick climbed onto the tractor for his first day as a farmer.  Do you remember "Green Acres"?

Never in his life had he ever thought about operating a farm tractor, now he is spending time shopping for one of his own!

Power Company Planning Engineer 

At some time we will need to get electricity to the house.  So the design engineer from Old Dominion came out to get the information he needed to get it from the pole to the house.  To their credit, we were impressed to learn that for all new installations Old Dominion Power is putting the power lines underground at no additional charge!  Now we just need to get all the county officials to agree that we can restore the home.

Digging Post Holes for the Goat Yard

The biggest project of the week was getting started on building the goat yard.
Although the goats will be spending much of their days in pasture, they need a secure pen near their housing and to safe from night-time predators.  

I have seen footprints of bear and big cats, along with the deer prints.  We also saw two coyotes on one morning, and another the next morning, close to our livestock's future home.


We hope the new goat yard with it's sturdy fencing and additional electrical fence surrounding the yard will keep them safe.  For the chickens,  we have decided to build chicken tractors and set them in the pasture until we have time to build a new coop.  More electric fencing will help protect our hens and meat birds. 

There will also be additional security for the livestock and for the home.  We spent one day driving to a farm in the western mountains where we acquired Sophie, a six week old Great Pyranees pup.  It is hard to believe this little bundle of fluff will grow to become a 125 pound powerhouse.

We chose this breed because of it's natural trait of livestock protector and good nature.  She will have plenty to keep her busy once our Nubians begin kidding.  Time is running out if we are going to get babies this year.  Still looking for a service buck for my girls.

Meanwhile, at the Henny Penny, the ducks have begun brooding!  They have made a nest of hay inside their little house and have been amassing and hiding their eggs.   I wish my chickens would lay eggs daily, and brood like the ducks.  None of the hens seem to care about hatching any of their eggs.

Currently the long driveway is merely a well worn tire track.  When I look at this photo I can see the future:  a beautiful, long curving, well kept gravel drive lined along both side by flowering trees and a lovely landscaped front yard.  The front porch has been restored to it's original, open design and there are four rocking chairs perfect for visitors to sit and chat, and enjoy a cold, sweet tea.

The front porch had been enclosed by one of the previous owners.
Revealing the original front porch is top priority.
Of the four trees to the right, only one still thrives.  The others will be removed and replaced.
Eventually we envision a long, gravel drive-way, landscaping and a flower garden in the front yard.

Next trip will be the middle of April and we will complete the goat yard, and by that time Sophie will be old enough to come home with us.  Also planned for that period are meetings with the appropriate inspectors in order to get building permits and schedule the first meeting with the building inspector who will determine whether we can continue with the restoration or must change our plan to one that includes building a new home altogether.