Resources
The following are resources we have found useful in starting and operating our farm. We hope this might be useful to others wanting more information.
The Holistic Orchard
Book by Michael Phillips
I can't count the number of times I've heard people comment that because something is "natural" that it is better, and often this is from strong proponents of organic farming. I sometimes remind them that digitalis, arsenic, and other poisons are naturally occurring. It's more than just buying into the organic products supply chain, which I admit I find to be a marketing scam. It's about creating a healthy product from a sustainably healthy environment. It's about using your head and thinking things through while considering not only how it affects you immediately, but also in ten or fifty or more years. Orchards have been an area where I have read or been told you have to use pesticides or you'll have maggoty fruit. This book provides another way that is in line with my desire to improve the health and sustainability of the whole to produce a reasonable return. My orchard is still too young to give a strong review as to it's success in my application, but I am excited to see how it works and am applying the principles he shares.
I can't count the number of times I've heard people comment that because something is "natural" that it is better, and often this is from strong proponents of organic farming. I sometimes remind them that digitalis, arsenic, and other poisons are naturally occurring. It's more than just buying into the organic products supply chain, which I admit I find to be a marketing scam. It's about creating a healthy product from a sustainably healthy environment. It's about using your head and thinking things through while considering not only how it affects you immediately, but also in ten or fifty or more years. Orchards have been an area where I have read or been told you have to use pesticides or you'll have maggoty fruit. This book provides another way that is in line with my desire to improve the health and sustainability of the whole to produce a reasonable return. My orchard is still too young to give a strong review as to it's success in my application, but I am excited to see how it works and am applying the principles he shares.
Idaho State Department of Agriculture - Dairy Bureau
Raw Milk
Idaho's Small Herd Exemption program is introduced through the ISDA's website. Many questions are answered there, or you can contact them directly. We have found them to be very helpful and interested in supporting safe legal dairies in Idaho - large and small.
Idaho's Small Herd Exemption program is introduced through the ISDA's website. Many questions are answered there, or you can contact them directly. We have found them to be very helpful and interested in supporting safe legal dairies in Idaho - large and small.
Livestock Protection Dogs
Book by Orysia Dawydiak and David E. Sims
After acquiring two guardian dog puppies and following the breeder's instructions, I noticed the pups seemed to have unmet needs. They seemed restless and destructive. Within a very short period of time, I was able to read through this book and implement many of the training techniques they have. I did not go into owning dogs with the expectation that I would just turn them out with the sheep and goats and they'd know what do to, but they are different to train than our other dogs (and we have well-trained dogs). This book helped me to understand the inner workings of this different type of dog and has made working with them more enjoyable.
After acquiring two guardian dog puppies and following the breeder's instructions, I noticed the pups seemed to have unmet needs. They seemed restless and destructive. Within a very short period of time, I was able to read through this book and implement many of the training techniques they have. I did not go into owning dogs with the expectation that I would just turn them out with the sheep and goats and they'd know what do to, but they are different to train than our other dogs (and we have well-trained dogs). This book helped me to understand the inner workings of this different type of dog and has made working with them more enjoyable.
Sepp Holzer's Permaculture
Book by Sepp Holzer
I have quite the collection of books on permaculture, small-scale farming, and sustainability. This is one of the few I would highly recommend. With permaculture, there is no one-answer-fits all, but there are many approaches for many different situations. I found a lot of good ideas that he presented with years of practice behind them. We are implementing many of the practices and adapting them to our specific setting and use.
I have quite the collection of books on permaculture, small-scale farming, and sustainability. This is one of the few I would highly recommend. With permaculture, there is no one-answer-fits all, but there are many approaches for many different situations. I found a lot of good ideas that he presented with years of practice behind them. We are implementing many of the practices and adapting them to our specific setting and use.
The Small-Scale Dairy & The Farmstead Creamery Advisor
Two Books by Gianaclis Caldwell
I appreciated that these books do not cover the subject in vague generalities, but gives specific practical instructions. It is so nice and helpful to have a good insight into the workings of a successful business (actually, spotlights others, too) that is similar to what you are doing. She writes well, her organization good, and it's a very useful informative book. I highly recommend to those wanting to produce milk - even for home consumption.
I appreciated that these books do not cover the subject in vague generalities, but gives specific practical instructions. It is so nice and helpful to have a good insight into the workings of a successful business (actually, spotlights others, too) that is similar to what you are doing. She writes well, her organization good, and it's a very useful informative book. I highly recommend to those wanting to produce milk - even for home consumption.
WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Pullman WA
We have found the Ag department at WSU's teaching hospital to be one of our favorite resources for non-emergency livestock care. Instructors are current on best veterinary practices, supervise veterinary students well, and are teaching-focused for clients, too. They are gentle with the animals, take their time to explain things, and the prices are deeply discounted making it well worth the drive. We use our regular veterinarian for routine care (such as annual TB testing, brucellosis vaccines) or accidents or illnesses when we can't move the animal or can't get away from the farm. WSU's Veterinary Hospital is not just for when all other resources are exhausted. (CLARIFICATION: This is referring to livestock care. I don't know how pet care compares and I've found equine care much more expensive than my local vet charges for the same procedures.)
We have found the Ag department at WSU's teaching hospital to be one of our favorite resources for non-emergency livestock care. Instructors are current on best veterinary practices, supervise veterinary students well, and are teaching-focused for clients, too. They are gentle with the animals, take their time to explain things, and the prices are deeply discounted making it well worth the drive. We use our regular veterinarian for routine care (such as annual TB testing, brucellosis vaccines) or accidents or illnesses when we can't move the animal or can't get away from the farm. WSU's Veterinary Hospital is not just for when all other resources are exhausted. (CLARIFICATION: This is referring to livestock care. I don't know how pet care compares and I've found equine care much more expensive than my local vet charges for the same procedures.)
