Honey Creek Farms

Solar Horse Farm And Pine Terpene Manufacturer

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Assembling an Off-Road Recovery Kit

Hey there, we are so glad to be back after all of this COVID craziness. Hopefully your farm has made it through all the ups and downs of the past few years. We are back in action, with employees working here locally at our shop. We are super excited to be back in business working with the locals, and sharing awesome content about managing your farm and working through the day to day struggles that we all face. In this post, we are going to talk about assembling an off-road recovery kit. This is important for anyone traveling outside their fence lines looking for cattle or livestock that may have wandered deep into the brush.

There are a lot of challenges you can face while off-roading. So even if you buy the best possible car for off-roading, issues can still arise. So it’s important that you assemble the right off-road recovery kit. This kit can help you ensure that you have direct access to the tools you need whenever there are any issues. Here are some ideas to keep in mind.

What items do you need in your off-road recovery kit?

The off-road recovery kit can be customized based on your needs and what type of off-roading you are doing. With that being said, the list below is one that will cover most of the things you need, and the experience can be very great, since you have all the control you need.

Why do you need to have a good off-road recovery kit?

An off-road recovery kit is designed from the ground up to offer you all the efficiency and help you need, and it conveys some great results. The experience is an amazing one here, since you get to focus on safety while off-road. A basic tool kit will help you with some of the most common vehicle operations, so that’s always great to have. 

Then you have the tire repair kit, which is crucial whenever your tire gets damaged in the middle of an off-road session. The same can be said about the fire extinguisher, this is a crucial piece that will indeed keep you safe while on the road all the time. Even the flashlight with mount can be a good pick. And yes, the tow strap and a shovel can also come in handy, especially during the winter and if you get stuck!

Each one of these items has its own role, and you need to address it as quickly as possible. Yes, it’s definitely not easy to handle all these things, but if you do it properly and you know what you are handling, the outcome can be a great one every time. It’s always a bit of a challenge to assemble an off-road recovery kit, since you never know what type of challenges can appear. These items listed above will help you because you can face a variety of potential problems fast and easy.

Conclusion

We recommend you to give the off-road recovery kit a shot and create one for your own vehicle. The reality is that prevention is crucial, so making sure that you stay safe and away from danger is extremely important. It’s a great opportunity and it will help you ensure that you stay safe while on the road. Use this off-road recovery kit list as a starting point, and you can add to it or customize things based on your needs!



How To Start Your Own Produce Garden

Growing your garden produce can be a challenge for those who have no gardening experience. Today, I will provide you with some tips and guidelines to help get you started in gardening so that you can grow your own healthy produce.

To start gardening, all you need is a small area of land or even pots on the property to begin. If you are starting a small farm, space will not be an issue; however, you will need pots and planting tiers if you are starting your garden in an apartment.

Gardening Tools You Will Need

You will need gardening tools to get started. Here are some things that you will need:

1. Shovel- for taking care of and planting your produce.

2. Watering can or pump – for providing water to the plants in your garden.

3. Pruners/ Shears – for trimming your plants.

Feeding Your Plants

Just like a healthy lawn needs regular attention, plants require plant food to grow and stay healthy. To keep your plants healthy throughout the gardening season, you will want to provide a little fertilizer every now and then. Fertilizers are usually composed of N-P-K, which stands for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The ratio of these nutrients will determine whether or not your plants are fertilized enough.

Varieties Of Fresh Produce

If you don’t know what to plant, you can visit a local gardening supply store. They should know which plants grow best during the season. However, if you live in an area where gardening is possible year-round, then try looking up gardening charts online.

What To Plant First?

First off, decide what time of the year it is. If fall has just begun, plant your warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers. Then, in mid-summer, you can grow corn and cucumbers.

How To Keep Pests Off Of Your Plants

Pest management is a crucial element of gardening. Fungi can spread through your crops if you do not take preventative action. For example, if you have more than one row of plants, keep them at least two feet apart from each other so that the pests don’t spread and infest every plant in that row.

There are natural and chemical-based pesticides that you can use. Select what works best for your garden but try to use the least amount of chemicals as possible. Pay close attention to your plants, and do your best to identify dangerous insects on your plants. Finding mites and destructive plant eaters early on will save you time and money. If you don’t see any pests, just water your plants regularly and make sure they are planted in well-drained soil. Drip irrigation is recommended over overhead sprinklers since it uses less water and keeps the leaves dry so that they don’t become saturated with water.

Harvesting Your Fresh Produce

With a small gardening space, it will be essential to check on the plants every day. You can pick produce when it is ready to harvest or when you think that the fruits of vegetables and herbs have matured enough for harvesting. Harvesting at just the right time maximizes freshness and flavor but also minimizes waste. Depending on when you plan on eating your crops, you may choose to pick them early or at precisely the perfect time. Pulling produce off of the vine when they are perfectly ripe is the ideal scenario. However, some vegetables, like tomatoes, will ripen and produce more if they are left on the vine longer. Peppers should be picked when coloring is well along, and fruits have a glossy appearance. Vegetables that are harvested too early still have their gardening space. Wait until beans begin to turn yellow before picking them for the best flavor.

Check With The Locals

If you are new to gardening or just bought some land that you intend to farm on, talk with the locals about the soil, and weather conditions to determine which are the best crops for you to plant. Are you having trouble making up your mind about what produce to grow? Ask the community gardening experts around you for their suggestions.

Get Educated And Start Planting 

Get yourself a gardening book and check out gardening blogs online to learn more about your new craft. Then, find the local nursery; it’s going to have everything you need for planting, fertilizing, pest control, and growing your unique garden!



How to Pick the Right Storage Unit When Moving

We closed down a sister farm and had to pack up the farm house and the barn until we could relocate. We found ourselves in a pinch after our horse trainer left without notice and took her horses. She was also caring for some client horses, but managed to notify them before she left. I won’t get into detail, but the departure left a bad taste in our mouths. Understandably, she left for another opportunity in Tulsa that paid her more money. We would have been fine with this, except it left us in such a bind we had to break the lease on the property.

Though it can be exciting, moving is generally a stressful journey to endure, especially considering the circumstances. There is an incredible amount of work that needs to be done, which includes storing items during the process. If you are pressed for time like we were, you might want to call a moving and storage company in OKC. If you are in the middle of moving from the outskirts of Oklahoma City, up to Edmond, OK, and the property isn’t ready for you, you might want to find a storage facility in Oklahoma City. You will need to store your things, or perhaps you are downsizing and do not have adequate room anymore, a storage unit can solve those problems.

Though this is a great solution, keep in mind that not every storage unit facility is the same. It is critical to find one that is trustworthy and fulfills your storing needs. This holds true if you are keeping expensive horse equipment and supplies. Here are some ways that can help you in your decision making so you can mark this off your task list. 

Size of Storage Unit

First and foremost, you need to figure out what you are planning to store so you can get an idea of the size you need to rent. Of course, you do not want to rent from a company merely because they can fit all your things, but it will help narrow down your search. Keep in mind that the best set up would be a unit being spacious enough to fit your items as well as having enough room to walk around. Most of you won’t be moving a small farm, so I will try and keep this in perspective as I proceed.

Temperature Sensitive Items

Do you have anything that is sensitive to drastic temperature changes, such as music equipment? If so, you need to ensure that the unit you rent has climate control, preferably indoors, so you can have peace of mind knowing your belongings are appropriately stored and not at risk for damage. Family heirlooms are something you should keep in a well secured, temperature controlled, storage unit.

Security

No one wants their stuff stolen, which is why security measures are vital in your decision process. Units that have excellent security monitoring can give you much more confidence in your experience, especially if you have expensive and valuable items stored. This could be fencing, locks, cameras, and even security guards. We also recommend that you double lock your storage unit door and pack your items in such a way that makes it difficult for a thief to steel your valuables.

Check the Reviews

Every legitimate business has a review of some sort, somewhere. Even if you dialed in on a particular unit, make sure to do your due diligence and check the reviews from past and present customers. Reading both the positive and negatives will give you a decent idea of how the company operates, especially if the reviews have a common theme. If there are more unhappy customers than satisfied, then you may want to steer clear. Also, be sure to check where the reviews are coming from, local reviews from Oklahoma City and the surrounding area will carry more weight than an out of state review. Read through them all, most of the time you can see a fake review from a mile away.

Office Hours

Determine how accessible you need your items to be and then compare your requirements to what different unit companies have to offer. If you have a specific timeframe and the gate hours are not accommodating, then it could be a deal-breaking conflict.

Conclusion

There is a lot that goes into picking out the right storage unit when you are planning on a big move. Whatever your needs are, such as space constraints, before Googling and picking the first option you see in your area, step back and take the proper steps to ensure your items will be in the best care. Taking the necessary precautions now will maximize your opportunity to have your items stored in the best conditions.



Getting Into The Farming Business

Hey guys, I was talking with a friend this past week, and she is gearing up to start a small organic farm in Oregon. There are areas of Oregon that have been farming for hundreds of years, and it continues to grow. Smaller farms in the area have disappeared over the years as big development has pushed in to build houses. Her small boutique farm will have an emphasis on organic products, herbs, and vegetables mostly. As she begins this venture, she’s learning a lot about what it takes to get into the farming business. While she is definitely on the right track, there were some things that stood out during our conversation that led me to write this article.

• Know What Product You Want To Take To Market

If you are going to be growing and selling produce, you need to know a few things first. What is your product? Is there a local market for it? What is the barrier to entry? Knowing the answers to these questions will help prepare you to bring your product to market successfully.

•  Know The Seasons

Know the weather in your region and prepare to adjust your game. Climates in the North West are typically cold and wet. The summer months are short-lived, but beautiful for the few months they last. Having a greenhouse as an option to bring your produce indoors will give you a chance to keep your crops growing during the poor weather.

• Know Your Tools

Have the tools necessary to prepare your soil and plant your seeds properly. You will need gardening tools to care for your garden and trim your crops. Depending on what you grow, there are tools and gardening supplies that are specific to what you produce. Know your product, know what tools you need to grow, and enjoy the rewards.

• Treat It Like A Business

The farming business can tough, if you have a large crop and the seasons are erratic, you can find yourself without a product at the end of the season. Knowing the business side of this will help you to get through those tough times if the seasons bring drought or extreme heat. Any of these things could kill your crops and leave you empty-handed. Keeping your accounting in order, money set aside for employees, and a year’s worth of hard costs will keep your business running even when times are slow. Investing in accounting software that offers payroll for you to automate will keep the business running smoothly while you are focusing on what is essential.

• Get Your Distribution Network In Place

Once you grow a large enough crop of produce, you have a few options for distribution. It would be best if you thought about how you want to get your product out to the world. A local farm might distribute products locally at farmer’s markets and local restaurants. If you are growing more abundant crops with larger yields, you will need a distribution outlet like U.S. Foods or Sysco to get your product out to restaurants and grocery stores.

• Stay The Course

Keep your eyes on the prize! This goes for any business owner, but knowing how important focus is in business will help you make the right decisions when times get tough. You can even invest in a business coach if needed, as they will provide you with the necessary foundation required to handle your operations, market your business, and build a distribution network.

Of course, there are other important factors to consider when building your business, but these are some of the first things that came to mind when I was asked how to proceed with starting a farming business. This will be much different for larger farms, but for all your boutique farms, this is a great starting point for new farm startups.



All About Siding for Farm Homes

Farm house in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

In truth, there are lots of home improvements that can be done on the farm,  both on the inside and the outside of our property. However, very few have the impact of new siding. With the right choice, it can give your farm home a unique appearance. In terms of curb appeal, new siding can have a dramatic effect. In this short guide, we want to discuss the primary considerations when choosing a material before then looking at the main four options that seem to have passed the test of time!

Important Considerations

How is the climate where you live? If you get lots of rain, you will need a siding material that offers water resistance. By doing this, you can prevent decay and extend the life of the siding. For example, wood siding in Washington State might not be the best option for the long run. While on the note of the weather, those in warmer climates like Arizona may want to consider energy efficiency. When a siding offers thermal insulation and a proper R-value, heat should remain inside the home, and you can save money on energy bills (an attractive proposition for buyers!). You may also want to reach out to a siding installation contractor to discuss the best options siding options for your area. A siding contractor will know the outdoor elements in your local area and which siding types are best for you.

For some, the appearance will be the most critical factor. While stone and brick are limited in terms of color, you can almost choose from a full-color wheel with vinyl. Of course, you also need to remember the exterior and structure of your home. For example, a stone veneer siding may not suit a three-story Victorian house on a three-acre farm.

For others, they care more about the eco-friendly nature of siding. While wood is naturally green, fiber cement also contains cement, clay, sand, and wood-pulp fibers. Most farm properties would be well suited for this option.

Finally, two other considerations would be durability and cost. How much money do you have to spend on siding? How long do you want the siding to last before it requires maintenance, painting, or even replacing completely?

Types of Siding For Your Farm

In truth, there are four main types of siding. Although you will find others that aren’t on this list, these four tend to be the most popular siding types found on farm properties. You can also consult a

1. Metal Siding

metal siding on the barn.

Generally made of steel and aluminum, this option was first introduced because of the high maintenance required with other materials. Especially considering the ubiquitous nature of overseas steel at a low cost, it’s an affordable option for those who need it. Not only is metal inherently durable, but some homeowners are also choosing to finish with vinyl or plastic coatings, which adds resistance against weathering and fading. 

With very little maintenance required, some manufacturers offer a 35-year warranty, and the average cost is around $6 per square foot for steel and $5 for aluminum.

2. Wood Siding

wood siding on tractor garage

Whether using planks, panels, or boards, wood is often considered the most beautiful siding. It can add character to a home, and there are several finishes and styles. On the other hand, there are two main problems with wood siding; the high cost and high maintenance. When installing wood, you will also need to add a stain or paint finish. Unfortunately, there’s also a risk of insect infestations, rotting, and damage when exposed to the sun.

3. Vinyl Siding

Next up, the industry continued to look for ways to overcome the problems with wood, and this led to vinyl. It’s available in all sorts of styles, it’s relatively affordable, and it doesn’t require much maintenance. In fact, the color goes right through the material, which makes painting unnecessary.

4. Fiber Cement Siding

fiber cement siding on guest house

Finally, this is the newest development in the market as a low-maintenance, durable product. Made from recycled materials, it’s installed in a similar way to wood and is available in different styles. Unfortunately, it costs an average of $10 per square foot.

Conclusion

With this, hopefully, you now know more about siding, the considerations to make, and the primary materials. Good luck when choosing for your home!



Roof Damage To The Farmhouse

damage to the roof of our Tulsa farm house

Winter storms are never fun on the farm, and when you are surrounded by trees and foliage, and the winds pick up, debris is bound to be blown down on to your roof, or even worse, through a window in your home.

We recently had a tree fall on our property and take out part of the roof on the farmhouse. This wasn’t an issue since we had insurance coverage to pay for the damage, it wasn’t until after the repair that we experienced a leak in the front living space. We called the roofing company since they guaranteed their work, yet, they claimed that the leak was caused by something other than the original image they repaired.

Well, that wasn’t the answer we were looking for! This leak happened after they repaired the shingles, and it was apparent there was a mistake made by them when they were fixing it. We contacted a Tulsa lawyer to dispute the claim and found that this wasn’t the first time a complaint had been filed against this roofing company.

inside Tulsa court room

We were hoping it would be a quick and painless process, but it actually ended up dragging out in court and costing us a ton of time. We had to hire a construction expert witness to inspect and document the complaint against the roofing company. It didn’t take long after that before the roofing company decided to settle out of court. There was proof that when they replace the roofing material, they didn’t secure the solar panels properly to the roof. The mounting brackets weren’t secured to the roof, and this allowed water to seep in through the mounting holes. Since the removal and reinstallation of our solar panels were part of the agreement, they agreed to cover the costs of repair.

Going to court is never fun, and it’s always expensive. Having a dependable lawyer in our corner to battle for us was helpful. Still, the person that really made this happen for us was the expert witness that found the flaw in the repair and was able to identify the mistake, and that is what won us our case in court.



Locked The Keys In The Ford Pickup

My husband came in this morning from doing some work on one of our Oklahoma properties, he was grouchy as a gremlin in the water! The screen door swung open, and he hollered out, “babe, I locked the keys in the Ford pickup truck. I was making breakfast and didn’t care much about what he was saying, but as he continued blabbering about his keys, I realized we didn’t have another way to get around the property without our F-150.

He settled, and we ate some bacon and farm fresh eggs, some comfort food to ease the tension always seems to work with him. We wrapped up eating, then had a cup of coffee, and by that time, he was ready to defeat this nagging inconvenience that had arisen. We walked about a half-mile down to where he was setting up some fencing, and sure enough, there were the keys inside the truck. Now, this old bucket of bolts doesn’t have any fancy auto-locking system, so not sure how the doors locked unless he manually pushed the driver side door one down. He refused to admit he did that and insisted that it somehow auto-locked, which wasn’t even a feature in that old bucket of bolts.

Time to Call a Locksmith

We tinkered for about an hour with a bent hanger and a slim Jim and couldn’t get the lock to pop. We walked back to the house and opened up the Yellowpages to look for a lock smith. That old book had been collecting dust for the past few years. I scrolled back to the “L” section like it was 1980 again, and I was searching for local service providers. I found a locksmith in Oklahoma City that was very responsive and polite on the phone. He said it was only going to take him forty-five minutes to be there and that he would have the door unlocked in a matter of minutes. Sure enough, he arrived and opened our door without any issues. Those older model Ford trucks don’t have fancy locking mechanisms, so the old school tools still work on them. Not sure why my husband couldn’t get it done, seems easy enough to me.

Making Spare Keys

Well, the truck was unlocked, and we are back in business. Trucking hay bales around the farm property is an absolute must if you want to keep the grazing horses and free-roaming animals like deer fed. Farm maintenance is a busy job, and having your keys locked in your truck or tractor can be a significant setback. Our solution for preventing this in the future is simple; we had the locksmith create a spare set of keys for the tuck and the tractor. This is something that should have been done a long time ago.

I wanted to get this written up shared with our community. It’s an easy lesson learned. If you have farm vehicles that you use regularly, make sure you keep a spare set of keys, or you will be calling a locksmith to your property too!



Common Illnesses for Large Farm Animals in Arizona

When your animals get sick, the symptoms they show will usually tell the story of their illness. We know because we’re farm-folk that have been doing this farm-living thing for many years. After dealing with a sick horse, cow, and other large farm animals, we decided to write up this quick post for our farm-family out there dealing with sick animals. Identifying and understanding what these symptoms indicate can save the lives of your farm animals and get them back to being healthy quickly. In the case of one of our horses, we were unable to identify the health issues ourselves, so we hired a large animal vet in Arizona near our Gilbert farm. They were able to bring her back to her old self, but we know that mobile equine vets aren’t always available when you need them. So here are some things to look out for when you find one of your farm animals sick.

Many illnesses can affect farm animals. Here are some of the most common illnesses for large farm animals that you will likely encounter at some point if you find yourself get’n dirty on some farm turf.

Milk Fever

Another name for milk fever is hypocalcemia. This is a condition that results in there being a low level of calcium in the blood. You will usually notice milk fever in recently calved cows. It is also, albeit less frequently, possible at any stage of lactation. Some of the common symptoms of milk fever include:

  • Weakness
  • Increased heart rate
  • Irregularities in the heartbeat
  • Low body temperature
  • Cold ears
  • Mental dullness
  • Large bladder
  • Shivering
  • Bloating

Ketosis

Also known as acetonemia, ketosis is a common condition affecting dairy cattle. This illness occurs when the amount of energy a cow is receiving is less than the amount of energy they are exerting. A cow producing a large amount of milk will potentially fall into ketosis. Fat from tissue stores gets sent to the liver to be converted into usable energy. The liver can fail if a cow is in ketosis for too long. Some of the symptoms of ketosis are:

  • Depression
  • Drop in milk production
  • Yellow mucous membranes
  • Sweet-smelling breath
  • Manually licking everywhere

Pneumonia

Any farm animal can catch pneumonia. This lung infection is also called shipping fever. It can occur at any point in an animal’s life, although it is usually seen in younger animals, particularly after a stressful event. Pneumonia usually begins with a bacterial infection, which weakens the immune system, opening the body up to a second infection. The common symptoms of pneumonia are:

  • Increased temperature
  • Increased respiratory rate
  • Discharge from nasal passages
  • Lethargy
  • Decrease in appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Persistent cough

Hardware Disease

Also known as traumatic reticulopericarditis, this is an illness affecting farm animals when they ingest a material such as metal. Nails, barbed wire, and electrical cables are all common. When a metal object gets to the reticulum, near the heart, bacteria can spread into the area surrounding the heart. This results in an infection that can negatively affect the heart. Some of the common symptoms of hardware disease are:

  • Decreased production
  • Reduction in weight gain
  • Difficulty in hearing a heartbeat
  • Irregular heartbeat

Here is a case study of reticulopericarditis in a goat.

Wrapping Up

Common illnesses in farm animals have tell-tale symptoms that can help you take action before it is too late. Now that you are aware of what the common diseases are, you can take preventative steps as well to ensure farm animals stay healthy. It is always better to prevent than to treat, so do what you can to ensure your farm animals avoid succumbing to these common illnesses.

Arizona Farm Resources:

Small Farming Resources:

Medium Sized Farming Resources:

Arizona Department of Agriculture:

Arizona Farm Bureau:

Arizona Department of Agriculture:



Pros and Cons of Concrete Staining

Last month we decided to stain the concrete floors in the barns garage, and we loved the results. Because of the amount of dirt and debris that makes it’s way into the house, we went ahead and took out the carpeting and had the foundation of the home stained. This was a learning experience, as is everything on the farm. We decided to put this together so other farmers looking to stain concrete on their properties can gain a better understanding of what we went through and and the pros and cons associated with having this done.

For businesses especially, concrete is something that has gained attention in recent years. As a durable and strong material, it’s perfect for those expecting lots of foot traffic. Also, the appearance of concrete has improved dramatically. Rather than the concrete we might find on the street, concrete floors now look so appealing that they’re utilized in some homes too. 

If you’re currently weighing up the pros and cons of stained concrete, allow us to help. Here’s why you should and shouldn’t choose stained! 

Pros

  • Beautiful Appearance – These days, there’s a wide selection of shades when it comes to concrete staining. With the very best contractors, they will delve into all sorts of shades, deep tones, neutrals, pastels, and more. In fact, some are even able to add waves, swirls, stenciled designs, and marbling. In a home or business, this adds character and can make a building seem more welcoming (perfect for all customers who enter!)
  • Flexibility – Often, people think they have to forgo a polished finish when they choose concrete, but this isn’t the case at all. Depending on what you need, you might apply a stain before polishing so you have a fantastic appearance but with a glossy finish. Alternatively, you can use a clear urethane coating and the flooring is suddenly protected from abrasions and spillages. 
  • Cost Effective – Let’s clear up another misconception because concrete staining can be a good investment. Yes, there are cheaper options with carpet and perhaps even laminate. However, it’s more of an investment and the durability of the concrete should protect this investment. 
  • Natural – Finally, why cover up the natural flooring of the home or building with laminate or carpet when you can let it shine instead? Make the most of the underlying concrete flooring and choose to have it stained with a design that suits you. 

Cons 

  • High Initial Cost – It will prove to be a good investment…but investments take some time to pay back. If you have the time to reap these rewards, this is great news. If you can’t afford the initial cost, or you’re planning to move office building in the near future, a cheaper solution might suit your situation better
  • Imperfections – Unfortunately, another issue with concrete staining is that discolored areas and cracks can still show. In fact, some experts will tell you that concrete staining actually draws attention to these problem areas. While some cracks and imperfections will tell a story and add character, others may ruin the appearance of the flooring. 
  • Requires an Experienced Hand – With something like carpet, we can actually do this ourselves. Although some choose professionals for installation, there’s no reason why we can’t put in a carpet with little help. On the other hand, concrete staining requires a talented hand with experience. Once the stain layer is down, there’s very little time to play around with special tools before it sets. Once it has set, there’s nothing we can do to change the appearance. 

Summary 

We believe that concrete staining is definitely something to explore. With the high level of customization, it’s possible to truly find a design that meets our needs. Whether in your home or a business building, the acids are versatile, and it allows for a level of personalization simply not possible with carpets, hardwood flooring, and laminates. What’s more, it’s also more durable than a coat of paint. Even if there’s a large number of people walking over the flooring on a daily basis, the fantastic look should last!



Financing Options For Your Farm

mortgage lenders, difference between banks and credit unions.

Getting into the farming business is no easy task! Depending on the type of farm you are wanting to buy, there are many expenses that will need to be taken into consideration before diving in. What type of farm are you looking for? A horse farm? Pig farm? Crops? Each and everyone of those options requires specific items to operate, all of that will need to be included in the investment of the farm property if you are getting after this for the first time. I’m writing this because a friend of our sons came to us and asked what it took to set up a farm. I didn’t have an answer for him because it’s such a broad answer that I didn’t even know where to begin. The first thing I asked him is what are you wanting to farm? We talked a bit about his passions and concluded that he wanted to be a horse and cattle rancher, have some chickens, and other livestock but didn’t have a vision for monetizing the farm. We talked further and we gave him some ideas on how to earn a living as a farmer, and then came the big questions that we all ask ourselves at some point. How in the heck do I pay for that? As we discussed lending options, he inquired about the difference between a bank and a credit union, and while I’m no expert, I came up with some notes that might help some other young folks out there searching for an answer to a similar question. So here we go!

Banks

Banks have started charging their members an unnecessary amount of fees from too many monthly transfers to not having a direct deposit in your account. Due to these increasing fees, many consumers are turning to the credit unions. When deciding between a bank and a credit union, it’s important to view the pros and cons before making a decision. Both banks and credit unions operate under similar laws and agencies such as loans, mortgages and safety, therefore the customer experience you get can be different. The overall difference is that banks are for profit institutions, while credit unions are nonprofit.

Credit Unions

Credit unions tend to have better customer service and lower fees, but higher interest rates. Credit provided average financial benefits equivalent to $85 per member and $178 per household in 12 months ending March of 2018. Banks generally have lower interest rates with higher fees. Both banks and credit unions provide similar services such as checking and savings accounts, loans and business accounts. Since credit unions are non-profits this means that they are owned by the customers.  You must qualify for a membership. There are horse farm mortgage lenders that offer competitive rates on small, medium, and large property loans. You are going to want to inquire with your local credit union about the available financing options they have for you.

In fact, a 2017 American Customer Satisfaction Report shows that customers rate credit unions with higher satisfaction than banks, scoring 82 out of 100. Additionally, banks generally have more branches, easier access, and better technological developments. This has become increasingly important for users who often depend on mobile banking services.

Credit unions have the potential to have better percentages and more members who are driven to save their money with a good interest percentage. A big concern when choosing between a bank and a credit union is safety. Credit unions are federally insured and credited by the U.S. government. It is insured that your money will be safe. Research your options and check out quotes from banks, credit unions or online lenders to ensure you get your financial needs met.

Overall, credit unions are owned by the government, meaning they are more reliable and the safer way to save your money. The customer care is more of a family environment and the interest rates are more ideal. Banks have great customer care too and good savings and checking plans for your account. Credit unions and banks have their pros and cons and it all boils down to your financial situation and what bank or credit union prefer. Many people use both as well for credit and or debit cards. Also, some may use a credit union for a business and a bank for personal finances. It all depends on your financial lifestyle.



Farm Lawn Services Oklahoma

We had a maintenance member quit one of our Farms in August, and we were without landscape and barn maintenance. It’s a real wake up call when someone leaves, and all of a sudden, you realize how much they do for your business.

We don’t live in Oklahoma City on a full-time basis, so when one of our farms loses a valuable asset like an employee, we don’t immediately notice the impact of the loss. However, when we paid a visit after three weeks, it became evident that we were short a team member. The grass had grown to lengths that were not acceptable for a commercial property. We have clients that come and go all week, our grounds need to be kept and tidy.

We all jumped in and tag-teamed the property until we could hire someone. The interview process took longer than anticipated, and we ended up contracting a lawn service company in OKC that was able to manage the lawn and garden care for a few months.

After two months of paying for the maintenance, we concluded that hiring a lawn care company to keep the property maintained was the better option. I’m curious how other horse properties deal with this dilemma. Landscaping services are expensive, but so is hiring an employee and keeping them happy. There are other things to take into consideration like insurance, time off, and end of year bonuses.

Some other benefits came along with contracting this work. For instance, we had wanted to lay irrigation pipes for the past few years, but our maintenance guy didn’t have the knowledge to accomplish that. Hiring a professional landscape service has allowed us to exercise new ideas on gardening and irrigation that we weren’t able to before. We have since installed the irrigation, made updates to the fencing, planted new shrubs, and gave the entry area a cosmetic overhaul.

Oklahoma City is an area where plant-life grows really well, so having a lawn and garden caretaker is a necessary must if you have a commercial property that receives foot traffic. Our clients come and go all month long and the landscaping needs to be maintained, our recommendation for our sister farms is that you hire a lawn and garden maintenance team to care for your property.



Fibromyalgia On The Farm

elderly farmer seeking chiropractic treatment

Working for years on the farm can leave you with lower back pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Tossing bales of hay all my life has also left me with some shoulder pain. Recently, a good friend was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and sought out chiropractic care to ease some of the pain. The chiropractic adjustments he received from Dr. Mark Taylor really helped him recover. So on behalf of him and every other rancher, farmer, and laborer out there, here is an in-depth perspective on chiropractic care for Fibromyalgia.

How Can Chiropractic Help With Fibromyalgia?

Also known as FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome), fibromyalgia is a condition that comes with a number of different symptoms. Generally speaking, the condition causes pain in different areas of the body. However, fibromyalgia sufferers will tell you that the following are also common; 

  • Muscle stiffness 
  • Sensitivity to pain 
  • Fatigue 
  • Lack of concentration 
  • Problems with memory 
  • IBS (irritable bowel syndrome
  • Migraines and headaches 

Even after this, sufferers may have difficulty getting off to sleep in the evenings. With poor-quality sleep, we wake up fatigued and with a lack of energy; this creates a nasty spiral of negative events. Since there’s no real treatment for the health concern, some people feel as though they need to live with the pain and many side effects…but this isn’t necessarily the case. 

Fibromyalgia and Chiropractic Care 

In years gone by, people would laugh and look elsewhere when chiropractic care was mentioned. Today, we’re starting to see the true value of the practice in several fields. For example, most NFL franchises now employ a chiropractor as part of the medical team. As more and more studies consider the effectiveness of chiropractic care, doctors are starting to suggest the practice as a complementary treatment to relieve pain and stress in the body. 

The Art of Chiropractic

If you haven’t learned about this field previously, chiropractors essentially believe that everything is connected in some way inside the body. With a particular focus on the musculoskeletal system, the treatments target joints, muscles, bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissue. If something is wrong with any of these, it can affect the whole body. 

With this in mind, the goal for chiropractors is to restore some form of balance. With a strong skeletal structure, the body remains stable and ready to take on the world. For example, one of the most common treatments is called an ‘adjustment’. Through a series of manipulations and movements, the spine is aligned, and pain is removed. 

Helping with Fibromyalgia

treating fibromyalgia with chiropractic

If you suffer with fibromyalgia, you’ve probably done all sorts of research as to treatments that may or may not help (perhaps this is how you found our short guide!). Although this isn’t the magical cure that we all need, it is quickly gaining attention from this particular community. Why? Because it can alleviate the pain that comes with fibromyalgia. 

More and more, people are starting to see a difference in back, neck, and leg pain after chiropractic appointments. By adjusting the neck and spine, you’re encouraging a healthier structure in the body and this reduces the risk of chronic pain

Sadly, upper cervical spinal stenosis is another common problem that comes with fibromyalgia. When this happens, the upper spine coverings (known as meninges) compress. Even while sitting down, this causes pain and it’s incredibly difficult to get comfortable. Fortunately, there are a growing number of chiropractors familiar with the condition and this particular side effect. After adjusting the neck and head, the spine is no longer compressed, and this puts an end to the pain. 

Should I Contact a Chiropractor?

As time goes on, more and more studies draw the connection between fibromyalgia relief and chiropractic care. In truth, there’s a double effect. Not only do you reduce pain, you give yourself an opportunity to sleep well. With stronger sleep at night, you aren’t quite so tired the next day and the negative spiral we mentioned earlier is finally broken. 

We recommend talking to your doctor about the possibility of chiropractic care. From here, find a reliable and experienced chiropractor who will listen to your concerns and help relieve the fibromyalgia pain!



Tips to Find the Best Commercial Roofing Contractor

Whether you want to have the roof on your farm house maintained or the roof on your barn replaced, you need someone you can trust. Just like your own clients and customers trust you with their horses or farming needs, there are certain qualities every good commercial roofing contractor should have when working on a residential or commercial property. Today, we’ve compiled some tips that should help you find the best roofing contractor for your building! 

Ask the Community 

The internet is a wonderful resource for finding local services like this, but we also believe in choosing a company that has a great reputation within the community. With a local business that has been helping the area for many decades, it’s a nice idea that you’re helping the community to continue to thrive. You’re putting food on the table for local families while also getting great results with your roof. Even if there is a slight problem, you know the company isn’t going to up and leave any moment. 

Look for Insurance 

Once you have a handful of potential candidates, there are certain requirements these companies need to fulfil. First and foremost, insurance isn’t negotiable. Ideally, the service should have liability insurance and workers’ compensation. This way, they’re liable for any damage they cause. Though it’s not something we like to think about, choosing a company without insurance could just leave you with a hefty bill when something goes wrong. 

Always Get Written Quotes 

It’s all well and good talking to companies and getting estimates, but nothing is certain until it’s written down. The last thing you want at the end of the project is a bill significantly different to the one suggested. Before any work is completed, ask for a quote that displays the work they’re going to perform and the price. The more detail, the better. 

Check the License of Registration 

Much like insurance, this is a necessity with commercial roofing contractors. If your background research hasn’t brought anything up, ask the company directly. With reliable and genuine contractors, they should want you to see their license of registration. Therefore, we recommend walking away if they start to get aggressive or are finding reasons not to show this document. 

Since all commercial roofers need registration, you can actually get into trouble yourself after hiring an unlicensed roofer, so it’s in your best interest to check. 

Request a Warranty 

Next, what happens if a commercial roofing contractor comes to fix a problem, they leave, and the problem is still present? Without a roofing warranty, you might end up paying for a service that didn’t actually do what it originally promised. With a warranty, they should come back and fix the issue properly for no extra fee. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why this protection is so important. 

Check Online Reviews

Earlier, we said that the internet was a wonderful resource, and this is especially true when looking for reviews of a company. With Facebook and Google, we can see the reviews a company has within seconds. On something like Twitter, we can even see what people are saying about a particular service. If a commercial roofing company has terrible reviews online, you’ll know to steer clear. 

Have a Conversation 

As our final tip for finding the best commercial roofing contractor, we’re big believers in having conversations with potential companies. If they don’t pick up the phone, are rude, or find ways to avoid your questions, you’ll know to leave them alone. Let’s not forget, you’re the customer here and they should be doing everything they can to accommodate YOU. 

With all these tips, you should have a reliable and professional commercial roofing service in no time! 



Best Guns For Farm Living

If you live on a farm or a property that has livestock and common farm predators, you need you some firearms that will reach everything from wolves to mountain lion. Cattle, chickens, and other farm animals become easy prey if the property isn’t protected properly. Having farm dogs, motion lights, and audible alarms to startle potential predators from feasting on your farm life is going to be crucial to their survival and yours.

So what gun is right for your farm? This depends on where you live and what the predator is that’s killing off your livestock. If you have cattle and there are mountain lion killing them off, you should consider a high powered rifle like a POF that can catch these suckers in the act from 100 yards or more. If you have chickens, and you are dealing with birds of prey, then a shotgun is a great choice. Personally, I love the Stoger brand of shotguns, I’ve been shooting them since I was a child and have had nothing but great experiences with them. There are other great shotguns on the market though, Remington, Mossberg, and Benelli are premier shotguns for hunting anything that you need to catch in mid-flight. Find yourself an online gun shop where you can virtually scout inventory and then show up in person to get a feel for the size and weight of the gun. Finding local gun shops that have inventory online that you can touch and feel in person is a great way to find the right gun for you. As dangerous as guns are, make sure you have keep your firearms locked up and away from children and potential criminals.

Everyone on a farm should own a side-arm. Having a long-range rifle for removing predatory animals is a must, a shotgun for catching birds of prey is a must, but what about those moments when you find yourself out in the pasture and suddenly you get approached by a wild pig? If you have never stood face to face with a wild bore you have no idea how big and scary these creatures can be. Having a monster sidearm that will stop on an angry pig is an essential part of your own survival. When you live on a farm with wild animals, other wild animals will be attracted to the property and anything is possible at that point.

All farm dwellers need at least 3 guns. A long-range rifle, shotgun, and a handgun. This is essential for farm living and should be the norm for any of you wanting to secure your property, your farm animals, and your family.

We realize this has been some pretty general advice, so let’s get gun specific here with this next part. Here are the 3 guns I would purchase and own to manage my farm.

  • Long Range Rifle
    Bergara HMR chambered in 6.5 Creedmore. This gone has a long reach and will take out just about anything that might be hunting your livestock. If you live deep in the woods of Alaska, the 6.5 Creedmore should be able to handle a Grizzly if you can drop a large round in its chest or thinking spot.
  • Benelli Shotgun
    I like Benelli because I have had nothing but great experiences shooting them. A 28-30 inch barrel for an extended reach will make this purchase worth every penny you pay. 12 gauge is definitely the round of choice, it’s gonna get more critters, and provide enough punch to layout anything that needs a good ol’ fashioned ass whoop’n.
  • Smith & Wesson 44 Mag
    You may not expect to hunt with a handgun, and usually, it isn’t a planned experience. But when nature shows up to your door looking for something to eat and you’re the best-looking thing on the menu, you need to make sure you are packing enough to back down the meanest mountain lion the hills send your way. A 44 mag is gonna give a mountain lion a dirt nap, but you better make sure your aim is good, if you graze it, your only gonna piss it off, and then you better be accurate with shot number 2.

That’s it, folks. Those are the best 3 guns to own if you live on a farm, or even if you just operate a farm for another property owner. Be safe, keep your guns safe, but be sure to protect yourself, your property, and your livestock.



Replacing The Farmhouse Windows

broken windows on farm in Oklahoma

Some heavy summer rains in Oklahoma blew through our sister farm in Oklahoma and blew out the windows in one of the cottages and some glass that had been installed in one of the horse barns in the back of the property. Windows can be delicate during storm season in Oklahoma, especially if your property is surrounded by trees. With hail and high winds, tree branches become a major concern for property owners all across the red dirt state.

We received a call that a branch had fallen and crashed through the window of the cottage that we also use as an Air BnB property in Oklahoma. So there were multiple issues with this scenario. First, the safety of the tenants renting the property and caring for the horses, and second, the rentability of any of the small cottages we have on the property.

Air BnB has strict regulations on the state of the rental property and broken windows definitely make the property un-rentable. So we had to take care of this issue fast before the cottage got booked, or the onsite tenant became upset. Plus its summer in Oklahoma and a broken window means the A/C unit could be working overtime so we had to get this fixed fast.

We called a glass repair company in OKC to get out to the property and fix the windows. They were damaged beyond repair, so full window replacement was the only option for us. We opted in for an upgrade with some “storm-proof” windows that were better insulated, dual pane, and were made from high quality tempered glass.

Within a day the glass company came out and replace the old window frames with some solid energy-efficient windows that are supposed to be more durable, more energy-efficient, but also had a lifetime guarantee. We have been attempting to convert all of our farms and sister farms into energy-efficient properties that included solar electricity for some of the property. These windows are the next step in the conversion of this property.



Storage Auction In Layton Utah

Auctioning Storage Unit In Layton Utah

storage auction Layton Utah

I’m sad to announce that a close friend in Layton, Utah will be closing her farm for good. She had a good run producing farm fresh products in the local community, caring for horses, chickens, and other farm animals. She will be auctioning off many of her farm tools, supplies, and tractors. Here Mercedes WF Trac will be one of the biggest pieces of farm equipment she will have to auction. The property is a sprawling 5 acres with fresh water sources for grazing cattle and horses. There are two homes on the property, a main house and a guest house that will be sold with the property. The furnishings of those homes will be moved to a self storage unit in Layton where they will also be auctioned off with other equipment. We have yet to confirm a time of the auction, so if you are on our email list keep an eye out for an email this month regarding time of the auction, a list of items available for auction, the storage unit number the auction will be held at, and contact information for the owner. There will be an opportunity to email her direct with private bids prior to the auction, so again we stress the importance of watching out for that email.

Location Of The Auction In Layton Utah

Major Auction Items

• Tractor Trailer

• Horse Trailer

• Mercedes WF Trac

Solar Panels

You can also inquire about items not listed in the email, there will be supplies and tools that are being sold with the property that can be purchased before the property hits the market. It will be important to either email her when the news letter goes out, or show up to the storage unit and talk to her and her people there.



Mercedes Benz WF Trac

Mercedes Benz WF Tractor

Mercedes Benz MF TractorAt Honey Creek Farms we know the importance of a good working tractor on the farm. Whеn уоu’rе lооkіng for thе bеѕt ѕmаll fаrm trасtоr fоr уоur fаrm or homestead, уоu mау gravitate tоwаrd thе trасtоrѕ оf уоrе; Fоrd 9Nѕ, Farmall Cubѕ, Fоrdѕоnѕ, аnd our favorite the Mercedes Benz WF tractor that was previously known as the MB Trac. Thе аttrасtіоn іѕ understandable ѕіnсе these аrе true сlаѕѕісѕ оf fаrmіng, оffеrіng аn аllurе оf аn iconic nature and аn аttrасtіvе рrісе роіnt. You саn find gооd deals on thеѕе, аvаіlаblе іn various stages of neglect strewn асrоѕѕ thе раgеѕ оf thоѕе trасtоr fіndеr mаgаzіnеѕ, but іf уоu’rе huntіng fоr a functional tооl fоr thе farm, уоu may be bаrkіng uр thе wrong trее.

The WF Trас From Mercedes Benz

Thе WF trас is the сurrеnt vеrѕіоn оf a trасtоr оrіgіnаllу knоwn аѕ MB trac and developed bу Mеrсеdеѕ-Bеnz which wаѕ bаѕеd оn their Unіmоg рlаtfоrm. It wаѕ buіlt bу Mеrсеdеѕ-Bеnz bеtwееn the years 1973 аnd 1991. At іtѕ tіmе іtѕ dеѕіgn and concept wаѕ revolutionary, fеаturіng fоur іdеntісаl wheels, hіgh rоаd speeds аnd роwеrful еngіnеѕ. If you go the Mercedes route you need to understand that their engines are a bit more sophisticated and may require a certified Mercedes mechanic to service the tractor on the property.

Sоmе оffѕhооtѕ hаvе been mаnufасturеd ѕіnсе Mеrсеdеѕ-Bеnz left the аgrісulturаl business – several соmраnіеѕ іnсоrроrаtеd thе technology іn thеіr оwn рrоduсtѕ. Prоduсtіоn and dеvеlорmеnt оf thе whоlе рrоduсt соntіnuеѕ as WF Trас аt Wеrnеr Forst- und Industrietechnik (Wеrnеr fоrеѕtіng аnd іnduѕtrіаl tесhnоlоgу) in Trіеr, Germany.

Thе Unimog wаѕ ԛuіtе ѕuссеѕѕful, еxсерt as оrіgіnаllу іntеndеd аѕ аn аgrісulturаl рlаtfоrm. Daimler-Benz рrоduсеd a new vеhісlе іn 1972, thе MB-trac, tо bе mоrе oriented tо lаrgеr ѕсаlе mechanical farming. Thе nеw trасtоr сrоѕѕеd thе Unimog tесhnоlоgу оf all-wheel drive and a power transmission tо fоur lаrgе еԛuаl-ѕіzеd wheels, wіth thе appearance оf a trасtоr: ѕlіm hood, behind іt аn аngulаr, highly rіѕіng drіvеr саb. In соntrаѕt tо conventional tractors, thе саb іѕ situated bеtwееn the аxlеѕ, ѕіmіlаr to large “fоur whееl drіvе” wheel lоаdеr – however, thе ѕtееrіng іѕ rеаlіzеd nоt bу an аrtісulаtеd front аnd rеаr, but wіth a nоrmаl steerable front аxlе.

From thе іnіtіаl MB-trас 65 and MB-trас 70 (later MB-trас 700), a brоаd platform dеvеlореd tо thе heavy dutу MB-trас 1500 wіthіn a fеw уеаrѕ, сulmіnаtіng in thе MB-trас 1800 іntеrсооlеr shortly bеfоrе рrоduсtіоn сеаѕеd. Thе MB-trac wаѕ rеаѕоnаblу successful on thе market, thоugh it dіd not meet the hіgh еxресtаtіоnѕ Mеrсеdеѕ-Bеnz hаd set оn іt. Dаіmlеr-Bеnz lаtеr merged thе MB-trac wіth the agricultural mасhіnеrу activities оf Dеutz AG. The mаnufасturіng оf the MB-trас ѕеrіеѕ еndеd іn 1991, whеn thе production line wаѕ tаkеn over bу the Wеrnеr company. 41,000 vеhісlеѕ were рrоduсеd оf thе оrіgіnаl MB-trас, 30,000 оf whісh are ѕtіll іn service today.

Trасtоrѕ are nоt on thе сuttіng еdgе of ѕсіеnсе, but you mау bе unaware оf hоw fаr thеу’vе соmе and juѕt hоw оutdаtеd those аntіԛuеѕ аrе. Manufacturers hаvе developed nеw systems аnd unіfіеd mаnу interfaces ѕіnсе thе аgе оf thе Farmall, сrеаtіng bеѕt ѕmаll fаrm tractors thаt аrе robust, agile, dереndаblе, аnd еаѕіlу mоdіfіеd to fit thе tаѕk at hand. Bасk іn thе dау, a trасtоr wаѕ a tractor, but today thеrе is a wide аrrау оf орtіоnѕ available, аnd thаt can be оvеrwhеlmіng. Fоllоw аlоng аѕ I сlаrіfу a fеw things аbоut today’s mоdеrn lіnеuр, аnd hеlр уоu decide whаt sort оf tractor wіll fіt you best.

farming tractor plowing

Whаt’ѕ With The Tractor Hіtсh?

A three-point hіtсh is the іntеrfасе we uѕе tо аttасh іmрlеmеntѕ tо thе bасk оf a trасtоr. Fоr оur purpose, we nееd tо undеrѕtаnd thе dіffеrеnсе between Cаt-0 (саtеgоrу zеrо), Cаt-1, and Cat-2. Thеrе are mоrе саtеgоrіеѕ but thеѕе аrе thе sizes thаt реrtаіn tо thе ѕmаll fаrmеr аnd hоmеѕtеаdеr. All thеѕе hitches hаvе different ріn, hitch аrm, and tор lіnk dimensions. Cat tractors are leading the industry and can be found on farms all across the country.

Cаt-0 іmрlеmеntѕ are mіnіаturе versions оf Cаt-1 іmрlеmеntѕ аnd аrе meant tо wоrk оn the ѕmаllеѕt оf trасtоrѕ. Cat-0 іѕ a rеlаtіvеlу new size. These іmрlеmеntѕ tend to bе expensive, limited іn аbіlіtу, аnd scarce in thе used mаrkеt. I don’t advise thе рurсhаѕе of a Cаt-0 trасtоr fоr many rеаѕоnѕ, аvаіlаbіlіtу of іmрlеmеntѕ іѕ оnе оf thеm. Cat-0 trасtоrѕ can only use Cat-0 implements bесаuѕе of ѕіzе, wеіght rеѕtrісtіоnѕ, and the mіnіmаl power аѕѕосіаtеd with Cаt-0 trасtоrѕ. Cat-0 іmрlеmеntѕ аrе еаѕіlу identified bу their mіnіаturе appearance and uѕе оf 5/8” lower аrm pins.

Cat-1 implements аrе what mаnу consider tо bе a “ѕtаndаrd” implement. Cat-1 is thе most соmmоn size of hitch, аnd Cаt-1 implements аrе offered іn dіffеrеnt wіdthѕ tо mаtсh your bеѕt small fаrm trасtоr. Cаt-1 implements аrе plentiful, rеаdіlу аvаіlаblе, еаѕу tо fіnd, and оffеr уоu thе best сhаnсе tо fіnd a grеаt dеаl, еѕресіаllу in thе used mаrkеt. Cаt-1 hіtсhеѕ uѕе a 7/8” lower аrm pin аnd mаnу Cаt-0 іmрlеmеntѕ can bе аdарtеd tо fіt a Cаt-1 hіtсh. Cat-1 is thе mоѕt common hіtсh found оn thе bеѕt ѕmаll farm trасtоrѕ.

Cat-2 іѕ a larger, less common hіtсh ѕіzе uѕuаllу rеѕеrvеd fоr hаrd uѕе or high hоrѕероwеr implements. Cаt-2 іmрlеmеntѕ tеnd tо bе far mоrе rоbuѕt іn thеіr соnѕtruсtіоn, hence they use thе lаrgеr 1-1/8” lоwеr аrm ріn ѕіzе. My tractor іѕ a Cаt-2 trасtоr, so wіth thе еxсерtіоn оf my backhoe оr scraper bоx, I nееd to uѕе sleeves tо аdарt mу Cаt-1 іmрlеmеntѕ tо mу Cаt-2 hitch. It саn bе аnnоуіng whеn you misplace thеѕе stupid little sleeves, but hаvіng a Cаt-2 hitch opens uр mу орtіоnѕ when buying іmрlеmеntѕ аnd аllоwѕ mе to use a lаrgеr bасkhое.

Tractor Trаnѕmіѕѕіоnѕ

best compact tractorsTransmission can differ from tractor to tractor, understanding the needs for your farm will help you identify the tractor that best suits your needs. Trасtоrѕ have bееn using gear аnd сlutсh-ѕtуlе transmissions fоr a very lоng tіmе, and many experienced ореrаtоrѕ are more comfortable with this trіеd аnd truе dеѕіgn. Today, hоwеvеr, thе lion’s ѕhаrе оf trасtоrѕ sold hаvе hуdrоѕtаtіс transmissions, which ѕіmрlіfу аnd соmрlісаtе thе асt of mоtіvаtіng a trасtоr аll at thе ѕаmе tіmе, еѕресіаllу іf уоu’rе uѕеd tо a clutch. Instead оf releasing a сlutсh and hаvіng уоur trасtоr lurсh fоrwаrd, уоu саn nоw ѕеlесt уоur gear or speed range, then рuѕh the forward оr rеvеrѕе реdаl tо modulate thе ѕрееd аnd direction уоu wаnt tо gо. Thіѕ tуре оf trаnѕmіѕѕіоn іѕ a рrоvеn design and tends to lаѕt lоngеr than trаdіtіоnаl manual trаnѕmіѕѕіоn clutches. Wіth a hуdrоѕtаtіс transmission, you can creep аlоng without burnіng uр a сlutсh, whісh іѕ vеrу uѕеful. If уоu fіnd yourself fеаthеrіng a trасtоr’ѕ clutch often, hуdrоѕtаtіс will ѕеrvе you well. Trу bоth ѕtуlеѕ out bеfоrе уоu buy to dесіdе which ѕtуlе уоu’rе more соmfоrtаblе wіth.

Expensive Trасtоrѕ

Trасtоr mаnufасturеrѕ now оffеr mаnу sizes оf trасtоrѕ, typically grоuреd bу “сlаѕѕ.” Thеѕе сlаѕѕеѕ are dеѕіgnеd with a tаrgеt сuѕtоmеr іn mind so аbіlіtу, роwеr, орtіоnѕ, аnd рrісе points vаrу accordingly. Gеnеrаllу ѕреаkіng, all trасtоr mаnufасturеrѕ оffеr a ѕub-соmрасt, compact, mіd-ѕіzе, аnd full-size сlаѕѕ rаngе. Nоt аll tractor dеаlеrѕhірѕ in Texas offer all thе сlаѕѕеѕ, ѕо undеrѕtаndіng whаt сlаѕѕ уоu’rе shopping fоr wіll hеlр when deciding whеrе to ѕhор.

Sub Cоmрасt Tractors

Sub-compact trасtоrѕ аrе the bоttоm оf the power сurvе аnd аrе (gеnеrаllу ѕреаkіng) a lаwn tractor оn ѕtеrоіdѕ. Tractors in thіѕ class аrе lіmіtеd tо a Cat-0 hіtсh bесаuѕе оf thеіr size. Mоѕt оf thе sub-compact tractors of tоdау аrе соmраtіblе wіth frоnt-еnd lоаdеrѕ, but wіth lоаd limits оf 500 lbѕ or less аt thе buсkеt, thеу qualify аѕ self-propelled whееlbаrrоwѕ.

Thanks tо thе ѕub-соmрасt сrаzе, manufacturers аrе nоw оffеrіng mіd-ѕhір PTOѕ іn mоѕt, іf nоt аll tractors. Mid-ship PTOѕ аrе “роwеr tаkе оff” роіntѕ, muсh like thе rеаr PTO spline that саn run your buѕh hog. Thеѕе mіd-ѕhір, оr bеllу PTOѕ аllоw a trасtоr to power a belly mоwеr, lіkе уоur typical ride-on lawn trасtоr, оnlу much bіggеr. Hаvіng a mіd-ѕhір PTO also opens uр thе орtіоn оf adding a frоnt mоuntеd, PTO-drіvеn ѕnоw blоwеr, which арреаlѕ tо thоѕе оf uѕ іn the nоrthеrn сlіmаtеѕ. Mаnу sub-compact tractors аrе now available wіth diesel engines аnd fоur-whееl drіvе, whісh is a mаjоr uрgrаdе in uѕаbіlіtу. You саn еxресt hоrѕероwеr rаtіngѕ tо bе in thе teens оr low 20’ѕ аt bеѕt, whісh lіmіtѕ what ѕоrt оf еԛuірmеnt you саn run.

If you want a bіg lаwn trасtоr wіth a buсkеt lоаdеr, thіѕ juѕt might уоur ticket, but I don’t advise buуіng a lilliputian tractor like thіѕ fоr farm use. If уоu’rе ѕеrіоuѕ аbоut farming оr homesteading tоdау, уоu аrе likely to be dіѕарроіntеd bу a ѕub-соmрасt tractor’s lасk of роwеr, ability, оr реrfоrmаnсе. If thе bіggеѕt lоаd уоu plan to lіft іѕ grаѕѕ сlірріngѕ and lеаvеѕ, thеn уоu can expect tо pay around $12,000 for thіѕ оvеr-ѕіzеd garden tractor.

Compact Tractors

small farm tractor with attachment Cоmрасt trасtоrѕ аrе a bump uр frоm sub-compact, albeit a small bumр. Compact trасtоrѕ аrе оffеrеd іn Cаt-0 оr Cаt-1 hіtсhеѕ. A 4×4 ѕееmѕ tо be ѕtаndаrd at thіѕ ѕіzе, аѕ dоеѕ a thrее-суlіndеr dіеѕеl engine, whісh іѕ gооd news. All соmрасt tractors I’ve ѕееn аrе соmраtіblе with reasonably rоbuѕt bucket loaders. Rоbuѕt оr nоt, thеѕе bucket loaders аrе ѕtіll rаtеd for undеr 900 роundѕ аt thе buсkеt, ѕо take thаt іntо соnѕіdеrаtіоn.

Thе соmрасt сlаѕѕ brіdgеѕ thе еmіѕѕіоnѕ gар, meaning mаnу оf thеѕе trасtоrѕ оffеr horsepower rаtіngѕ еіthеr ѕіdе оf 27 hр, whісh іѕ thе cutoff for nоn-еmіѕѕіоnѕ controlled engines. Why ѕhоuld уоu саrе? Emіѕѕіоnѕ systems on tractors аrе a rеlаtіvеlу nеw technology аnd hаvе уеt tо bе proven іn rеlіаbіlіtу and longevity. Years dоwn thе lіnе, уоu mау be lооkіng аt еxреnѕіvе еmіѕѕіоn system rераіrѕ, аnd thе іnсluѕіоn оf these ѕуѕtеmѕ drive uр thе purchase рrісе. If thrее оr four pony роwеrѕ dоn’t rеаllу mаkе a difference to you, and thе соmрасt сlаѕѕ іѕ whеrе уоu’rе shopping, thеn ѕhооt fоr a non-emissions tractor fоr now.

Cоmрасt trасtоrѕ sit in a рrесаrіоuѕ spot, bridging bоth thе еmіѕѕіоnѕ gар and hitch саtеgоrіеѕ, whісh mеаnѕ mаnу compact trасtоrѕ will bе a lіttlе too wіdе fоr a Cаt-0 implement, but underpowered fоr mаnу Cаt-1 implements. Dеѕріtе thіѕ, I wоuld аdvіѕе lеаnіng tоwаrd a Cаt-1 еԛuірреd trасtоr ѕіnсе I’d rаthеr have thе lаttеr рrоblеm.

Mаnу оf thеѕе compact tractors fіt оn a lаndѕсаре trailer, whісh makes them еаѕіеr to transport thаn thеіr larger brеthrеn. Because оf their size, thеу also tеnd tо be lеѕѕ intimidating tо thе fіrѕt time trасtоr оwnеr. They аlѕо offer a palatable price point, uѕuаllу ѕоmеwhеrе bеtwееn $15,000 аnd $23,000 depending on орtіоnѕ and model, mаkіng them аttаіnаblе fоr many реорlе. Fоr thеѕе rеаѕоnѕ, ѕоmе реорlе will find their best ѕmаll fаrm trасtоr іn thіѕ сlаѕѕ ѕіzе.

Mіd Sіzе Tractors

old mercedes benz tractor Yоu get what уоu рау for, gеnеrаllу ѕреаkіng, аnd thе mid-size trасtоr саtеgоrу іѕ a gооd еxаmрlе. Mid-size trасtоrѕ offer mоrе vеrѕаtіlіtу, flеxіbіlіtу, horsepower, аnd conveniences thаn thе smaller соmрасt аnd ѕub-соmрасt tractors, such as саb орtіоnѕ аnd remote hуdrаulіс соntrоlѕ. Mіd-ѕіzеd trасtоrѕ wіll come wіth a Cat-1 hіtсh аt a mіnіmum, wіth mаnу manufacturers offering a Cat-2 hitch with thеіr larger mid-size tractors.

Pоwеr rаtіngѕ аnd engines vаrу wіdеlу асrоѕѕ thіѕ category, but mоѕt wіll fеаturе a thrее-суlіndеr dіеѕеl engine bеtwееn 35hр аnd 65hр. If you’re looking fоr a good аll-аrоund farm tractor wіth the capacity tо run a lоt оf different іmрlеmеntѕ, ѕоmеthіng сlоѕе tо the 50hр mаrk should serve уоu well. Whеn you gо nоrth of 50hр, уоu wіll аlѕо fіnd ѕоmе mаnufасturеrѕ оffеr an “есоnоmу PTO” орtіоn, which is an overdrive for уоur PTO. Whеn еngаgеd, it аllоwѕ thе еngіnе tо ѕріn slower whіlе mаіntаіnіng proper PTO ѕhаft RPM’ѕ, rеduсіng fuеl соnѕumрtіоn whіlе running еԛuірmеnt such as farm generators.

Bucket lоаdеr сарасіtіеѕ vary wіdеlу in thіѕ саtеgоrу, аnуwhеrе bеtwееn 1,200 pounds tо оvеr a tоn аt thе bucket, whісh ѕоundѕ еxсеѕѕіvе tо ѕоmе реорlе but having a mасhіnе іn thіѕ lіft сарасіtу rаngе іѕ far mоrе рrасtісаl fоr сlеаrіng lаnd, lіftіng mаtеrіаlѕ аnd mоvіng раllеtѕ wіth a fоrk buсkеt. A standard ѕіzе ѕhірріng pallet саn hаndlе оvеr a ton оf wеіght, ѕо hаvіng a lоаdеr that саn hаndlе thаt safely wіll рrоvе vаluаblе tо mаnу fаrmеrѕ аnd hоmеѕtеаdеrѕ.

Mid-size trасtоrѕ offer a lot оf роwеr аnd орtіоnѕ as wеll аѕ value fоr уоur dоllаr, and оf course, thаt wіll bе rеflесtеd іn the рurсhаѕе price. Prices fоr these mоdеlѕ will be соmраrаblе tо the purchase рrісе of a wеll-арроіntеd 1-ton рісkuр truсk. I may be bіаѕеd, but when someone аѕkѕ me whаt сlаѕѕ to look іn fоr their best ѕmаll fаrm tractor purchase, I аlwауѕ ѕuggеѕt thіѕ class first.

During mу mоѕt rесеnt vіѕіt tо mу lосаl Kubоtа dealer, I priced out a 60hp mіd-ѕіzе trасtоr wіth аll thе fіxіngѕ; a bucket lоаdеr with аddіtіоnаl fоrwаrd соntrоlѕ for buсkеt thumbѕ, mіd-ѕhір PTO fоr a ѕnоw blоwеr, rеаr PTO wіth economy gear, аnd a fullу enclosed саb with аіr conditioning, hеаt, аnd rаdіо ѕреаkеrѕ. Ovеrkіll? Maybe, but fоr about $40,000 you tоо саn own a luxurious fаrm trасtоr that wіll ореrаtе еvеrуthіng оn уоur farm іmрlеmеntѕ lіѕt, kеер you сооl whіlе mowing fields in Julу, аnd kеер уоu warm while уоu push snow in Jаnuаrу wіth a сuр holder included.

Full Sіzе Tractors

Hаvе a large fаrm with lаrgе implements? If уоu dо, I doubt you’re rеаdіng mу аrtісlе, but if you are, you need a trасtоr frоm the gіt-еr-dоnе class оf full-size trасtоrѕ. Thеѕе behemoths start around the 80hр mаrk and gеt аbоut as bіg аѕ уоu can іmаgіnе, рluѕ some. If уоu nееd something іn thіѕ category, bе prepared tо pay muсhо dinero fоr thе rеаl dеаl. I’m ѕurе уоu саn buy ѕоmе оf these tractors wіthоut a саb, but thаt would bе a ѕресіаl оrdеr ѕіnсе саbѕ, аіr-rіdе ѕеаtѕ, аіr соndіtіоnіng, hеаt, аnd thе ѕuсh соmе standard wіth thіѕ ѕоrt of trасtоr. Homesteaders and small fаrmеrѕ who won thе lоttо wоuld lоvе tо own one, but unlеѕѕ you hаvе lоtѕ оf room tо рlау, thеу are simply tоо big to do a lоt of whаt wе dо. These аrе bіg pieces оf mасhіnеrу, аnd thеу wоn’t always fіt where wе wаnt thеm tо go.

A full-size tractor іѕ аbоvе and beyond thе nееdѕ оf mаnу оf uѕ, аnd the price роіntѕ ѕtаrt аrоund $60,000. The ѕkу ѕееmѕ to be thе limit оn thе lаrgеr mоdеlѕ, many costing more than thе аvеrаgе hоuѕе. I want оnе.

More Thіngѕ Tо Cоnѕіdеr About Tractors

Whеn уоu ѕеt оut tо buу your bеѕt ѕmаll farm trасtоr, thеrе are a few things уоu ѕhоuld соnѕіdеr before уоu spend your hаrd-еаrnеd саѕh. Hеrе аrе a fеw аbbrеvіаtеd notes tо thіnk аbоut.

• Whеn сhооѕіng a brаnd оr dеаlеrѕhір, thіnk bеуоnd thе trасtоr раіnt соlоrѕ. Cоnѕіdеr thе раrtѕ, ѕеrvісе, and mаіntеnаnсе availability fоr thаt brаnd. Getting a tractor frоm a brand thаt dоеѕn’t hаvе many dealerships in thе area, оr еvеn іn уоur country, саn саuѕе уоu lots оf рrоblеmѕ whеn іt brеаkѕ. Sоmе unknоwn оr unеѕtаblіѕhеd brаndѕ ѕоurсеd frоm оthеr соuntrіеѕ may be оffеrеd аt bаrgаіn prices, but еvеn ѕіmрlе things like oil fіltеrѕ can bе hаrd to соmе by. I ѕuggеѕt buуіng frоm a well-established brаnd and a dеаlеrѕhір that’s bееn іn business fоr a long tіmе.

• Fоur-whееl drіvе іѕ a given these dауѕ, but іf you hарреn асrоѕѕ a brаnd that оffеrѕ trасtоrѕ with оr wіthоut 4×4, dо yourself thе fаvоr аnd buу 4×4. Traction is kіng whеn ореrаtіng in thе dіrt, аnd I саn speak from еxреrіеnсе when I ѕау уоu nееd 4×4. All thе bеѕt ѕmаll fаrm trасtоrѕ hаvе 4×4, аnd yours ѕhоuld tоо.

• Identify hоw уоu wіll bе uѕіng уоur trасtоr, and pick thе tіrе style thаt bеѕt ѕuіtѕ уоur nееdѕ. For gеnеrаl fаrm uѕе, I suggest орtіng fоr аgrісulturаl cleat ѕtуlе tіrеѕ, or іnduѕtrіаl ѕtуlе if уоu nееd a соmрrоmіѕе thаt іѕ rоаd-frіеndlу. Turf tіrеѕ ѕеldоm serve a bеѕt small fаrm tractor well, unlеѕѕ уоu’rе mоwіng уоur lawn wіth іt. Alѕо, соnѕіdеr ѕеrvісеѕ lіkе bаllаѕt tractor tіrеѕ іf you nееd additional traction.

• Cаbѕ аrе a luxury, but if уоu рlаn to ореrаtе іn blоwіng ѕnоw, it could mean the difference bеtwееn misery аnd relative comfort. Unlеѕѕ уоu lіkе drеѕѕіng uр as the Mісhеlіn Man and bеіng hit full fоrсе wіth winter wеаthеr, seriously thіnk аbоut аddіng a cab tо уоur mid-sized trасtоr.

Speaking of thе white ѕtuff, іf уоu іntеnd tо add a frоnt-mоuntеd, PTO-drіvеn ѕnоw blоwеr to уоur trасtоr, I ѕuggеѕt buying a tractor with a mіd-ѕhір PTO already іnѕtаllеd, оr аt least be sure you саn add оnе lаtеr. Lіkеwіѕе, іf уоu’rе lооkіng аt a соmрасt оr sub-compact trасtоr аnd іntеnd tо buу a bеllу mower for іt.

• Tractor brаndѕ ѕuсh as New Hоllаnd, Kubоtа, John Deere and the rесеntlу rеvіvеd Massy Fеrguѕоn аrе wеll-еѕtаblіѕhеd brаndѕ in thе Unіtеd Stаtеѕ and wіll lіkеlу bе уоur bеѕt ѕmаll fаrm trасtоr brand, but you will fіnd оthеrѕ ѕuсh аѕ Kyote, Mahindra, Yаnmаr, аnd оthеrѕ. Prасtісе duе dіlіgеnсе аnd rеѕеаrсh thе brаnd you intend tо buу ѕіnсе this wіll be a lоng-tеrm investment аnd уоu dоn’t wаnt to buу frоm a brand that has the potential to disappear (like Dаеwоо саrѕ, rеmеmbеr them?).

• Pау attention tо buсkеt attachment ѕуѕtеmѕ. Some brаndѕ are more compatible than оthеrѕ, ѕоmе hаvе рrорrіеtаrу аttасhmеnt dеѕіgnѕ аnd ѕоmе dоn’t еvеn dеtасh, whісh should be аvоіdеd. It’ѕ just оnе оf thоѕе thіngѕ worth соnѕіdеrіng. Lіkеwіѕе with thе lоаdеr аrmѕ themselves. Mоѕt brаndѕ allow уоu to ԛuісklу аnd еаѕіlу rеmоvе the еntіrе lоаdеr, whісh mаkеѕ maintenance easier.



CBD Oils For Animals

cbd oil for farm animalsHey, y’all! Hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather, it’s such a beautiful time of year to watch the leaves change color, prepare for the holidays, and watch some football. I wanted to get this article out there to see if any of you had some feedback on this. We have been wanting to try CBD oils with some of our horses and dogs for various ailments. We have enough old timers on the property that we think they could all benefit from some anti-inflammatory agents. I’ve been reading some amazing things about people and CBD oils, dogs and CBD oils, but I haven’t found anything of real value about CBD and horses. My initial thought is that it would be too expensive to use CBD oils as an anti-inflammatory for a horse, but I am curious if anyone has tried it and if they have noticed any obvious improvements in the horse. One of our older stallions just doesn’t move around the property as he used too, and we think there may be some arthritis in his joints. From what I have read online, CBD oils have been useful for humans suffering from arthritis, but I have seen very little regarding horses. I ordered some CBD oils from this website (https://medicinalessentials.com/collections/pet-products) and found the product provided me with a nice sense of relaxation and really seemed to help with some of the joint pain I suffer from. I can only imagine that my horse would need to take $100 dollars or more of CBD oils daily to find the relief I found. I would like to research this further and talk with anyone that has had experience administering CBD oils to their horse. There are so many health benefits for me that I will continue taking it, and I purchased the dog chews for our older shepherd. She used to follow me out every morning to the barn to feed and water the horses, walked with me around the property to tend to plants and the garden, and was always active with chasing wildlife around the farm. As all dog owners have witnessed, she began to slow in her old age and began to have hip problems. Some say that is common with shepherds, but I didn’t want to rush to that conclusion. After I started dosing her regularly with CBD oil, I noticed a change in her willingness to join me on some of the excursions around the property. While she can longer be troubled to chase birds and rabbit, she has made the walk with me to the garden more frequently and has shown an overall improvement in health and happiness. If I could get that same result for my horse at an affordable rate, I would highly consider giving my horse CBD oils.



Renting A 20 Yard Dumpster In Tampa

20 Yard Dumpster Rental

new barn One of our sister farms in Tampa, Florida had a full renovation of their barn and the results are beautiful. I spoke with my contact there about the process and she said that the renovation went pretty smooth and was on time for the most part. There were definitely some ups and downs about the project, but overall they are pleased with the results. The biggest thing she took away from the experience was the value of the 20-yard dumpster she had rented from a local company. Having the ability to dump debris as they tore down the barn really sped up the progress of the construction.

The barn structure itself had storm damage that made it unsafe for the horses to stay in there and the property was in need of a complete overhaul. The roof had been torn off by heavy winds, and there was some structural damage that happened to the property as well. They gutted the barn almost entirely and reinforced the frame with steel reinforcement beams, rebuilt the walls, and added a new metal roof. There was a ton of construction material from the project that needed to be hauled away and this is where the 20-yard dumpster became so useful.

They were able to load all of the scrap wood and metals from the renovation into the dumpster with a CAT rental they got in Tampa. The property also had some trees down from the storm that needed to be removed from the property and they used this as an opportunity to get that done. They used a tree removal service in Tampa that was able to cut the trees into manageable pieces, then with the CAT, they were able to load it all into the 20-yard dumpster. Construction debris, storm debris, trees, and various other items found on the property were loaded into the dumpster.

There was also a secondary storage unit on the property was gutted of old horseshoes and random farm supplies that were no longer being used by the property owners or the families that rented space there. tampa barnHaving a dumpster dropped off for a week made cleaning the property an event that got everyone involved. Neighboring farms came buy to unload trash build-up that had been littering their properties and they filled the entire 20-yard dumpster before it was hauled off. Sounds to me like they could have had a BBQ and trash haul day at the farm. Getting the neighbors involved to pitch in the rental of a 20-yard dumpster is also an option if you don’t think that the construction waste from the project will be enough to fill it.

Florida has some of the most beautiful horse farms in the country. Horse farms like In The Breeze Ranch is one of the best places for public horseback riding in Florida. People travel from out of state to ride horses in Florida, although Disney attractions and the Miami club scene are probably some of the first things people think about when visiting Florida. The horse community there is strong and there is plenty of money there to support it. So when one of these farms decides to renovate or build new structures on their property you know it will be done with an extreme attention to detail.

 

We renovated a small stable once and didn’t have access to a mobile dumpster. We broke up most of the wood and turned it into firewood, then we recycled the metal at a local steel recycling plant. Having a dumpster liner dropped off would have made that process so much easier, and more convenient. Tampa, Florida has plenty of recycling centers around town that allow local residents to drop off scrap metal, but we had to load our half-ton truck by hand which was a daunting task. Having a 20-yard dumpster dropped off on the property next time will definitely make things easier for us and our stable crew.

Renovations on any property can generate a lot of unwanted trash and debris, having a dumpster on the property to load it all into makes the cleanup process so much better. I had never really considered all that goes into a large barn renovation and I appreciate her sharing that with us. Next time we renovate any of our properties we will definitely be renting a dumpster.

 

 



Pine Needle Terpenes

Harvesting Pinene Terpenes

Pinene We had a very interesting inquiry recently about specific pine needles on some of the properties we manage. We have a stable up in Greer, Arizona that we co-manage with another couple and there is an abundance of pine in the area. The email we received was about a specific type of pine, and the emailing party inquired about making a trip out from California to walk the property and inspect the pine. After a few emails were exchanged they followed up with a phone call. Initially, I didn’t understand the nature of the call and took a defensive position during our discussions, it almost sounded like someone was trying to scam us out of something, although I didn’t know what that would have been either. I gave them the opportunity to talk and explain the purpose of the emails and the call in greater detail. It turns out they were looking for a very specific flavor terpene called Pinene. Apparently, there is something specific about the pine trees that grow in Greer that had interested the manufacturer and they wanted to come in and collect some data. It sounded like something out of the forestry class I took in High School, as we had spent time trekking through the woods collecting moss and fungus samples.

We opened our doors to them and allowed them to come to stay the weekend at the farm. There is a guest house in the back of the property where we allow guests and clients to stay on occasion and it happened to be available the weekend they wanted to come out.

beautiful Greer arizona

Pinene terpenes are currently a very common form of an organic terpene and can be found in many things besides pine needles like cannabis, basil, dill, rosemary, and parsley. Many that are in the marijuana business use terpenes in their edibles and CBD products. When THC and CBD are extracted from the cannabis plant it loses many of its flavor profiles, and reintroducing terpenes into edible products enhances the flavor of the products.

What they were looking for on the farm was a very unique flavor profile from a type of pine tree found in Northern Arizona. Every climate produces natural plant life that differs from state to state. The pine tree in Washington state is very different from the pine trees found in Arizona. The specific type of pine apparently is a hybrid of the Ponderosa Pine and the Englemann Spruce. I’m not sure what the science behind that is, or if it has naturally absorbed flavor profiles from the spruce after hundreds of years growing amongst each other, whatever the case, it’s interesting and a change of pace from the horse wrangling we’re used to doing on these properties.

It was interesting enough that I thought I would share it with those of you still on our email list and receive periodic updates about our projects. As always, thank you for the support, we look forward to seeing most of you at our annual holiday event his year.



Stable Drains Clog At Toronto Horse Farm

Hiring A Plumber To Unclog Stable Drains

unclogging drainsI received a call yesterday that one of our sister horse farms in Toronto was dealing with an extreme case of clogged stable drains. Their farm is located near Sunny Brook Stables in Toronto.  We all deal with clogged stable drains differently, depending on the resources available. I prefer to run the hose from my pressure washer down the drain pipe and turn it on full blast. If you have access to a water pump, it can be an effective way to pump water through the pipes to force the blockage out. If you are unsuccessful in that effort you can always rent a snake. But there are times when you can throw just about everything at these clogs and you just can’t unclog those drains. Stable drains can be difficult to unclog, as stable stalls are cleaned out, horse feed, and horse manuer can make it’s way into he drainage system and really clog up the pipes. Rocks and dirt will also find it’s way into the drainage pipes and together can really back it up.

After speaking to my associate about the clogged drains, she informed me that they decided to call in a Toronto plumber do snake the stalls and unclog the drains. Apparently this was one of the more sever cases of clogged drains she had seen. Between the horse feed, manure, hay, dirt, and horse hair it was clogged bad enough that they needed to send in a snake with a camera to identify the cause of the clog. It’s out of the question that a varmint crawled in there, got stuck, and died. This has happened on our farm before and not only does it clog the stable drains, it smells, and attracts roaches and other scavengers that may be looking to feed on the carcass. In this case, it wasn’t a dead animal, it was years worth of build up that clogged almost 6 feet worth of drain pipe. They were able to loosen it up with a motorized snake, some chemicals, water pressure, and some serious man hours. The stable drains are now clear and draining properly.

The biggest thing a stable owner / caretaker can do to prevent clogged stable drains is to shovel and dispose of feed using water pressure to unclog drainsand manure before the stall is rinsed. We rinse our stalls daily, horses pee and poop in there all day and for many reasons we clean daily. Shovel all of the debris on the floor into a wheel barrel, and discard of it prior to rinsing the stall out and prior to washing the horses. Preventative measures are always better than dealing with the expense of hiring a plumber to unclog the drains. There may be times every few years like this that you need to call in a professional plumber, but you can usually manage the small clogs on your own. Like I mentioned earlier, I prefer pressurized water to loosen our clogs. The dirt, feed, and manure typically break down pretty easily if the water pressure is high enough. You can always hire a stable cleaning service if you don’t have enough hands on the farm to properly clean the horse stables.

 



APS Rebates

Can We Get APS Rebates For Our Solar Stable In AZ?

barn rooftop

Hey guys, we have converted the stables on one of our Arizona farms to solar. The stables run a lot of electricity during the summer months with fans and misters for the horses. Winter months can get cold for the horses, so there are heating units in the stall that run in the evenings. The stables are also equipped with flood lights and cameras fo surveillance. The energy being generated from each stable was ridiculous. The power bills were far exceeding our budget for the stables on the property, we decided to cover all the stables on the property to solar power. The houses on the property are still running on city utilities, we may convert those to solar at some point if we see that the stables are truly saving us money on our utility bill.

So the question I have and should have asked the sales guy when we signed up for solar is, are APS rebates even a thing anymore? Do any of you guys know if they still offer some sort of incentive for going solar? I think that SRP still has something in place to entice people to convert to solar, but for some reason I was under the impression that APS rebates were no longer a thing.

horse farm in AZI called and left a message at Phoenix Green Team and have not heard back yet in regards tot he current APS rebates they have to offer. My hope is that we can save some money on the energy bill and put that money back into the horse trailers. They all need some work, new tires, some need electrical work, and others need new hitches. The horse trailers will all need to be refurbished before we transport any horses out of state. We hope to get the money together through fundraisers and saving money on various things like groceries and utility bills.

By the end of 2018 Honey Creek Farms will have transformed all of our horse stables into solar powered shelters. Our goal is to make our farms more environmentally friendly for the animals and the people that work on them. By 2019 the homes on the farms will also be converted to solar. All horse feed will be locally sourced organic feeds and we will have 100 gallon rain water collection bins  that will drip feed the horse trough and use rain waters for the drink.  All lighting on the property will be converted to solar by the year 2020.

Honey Creek Farms will continue it’s pursuit of organic, self sustained, horse farming communities across the country. As we expand we will be looking for more environmentally friendly ways to operate our farms, farm houses, stables, and crops. Stay tuned as we continue this green transformation into the the environmentally friendly Honey Creek Farms we always dreamed of being.



New Barn Roof Collapses

Newly Constructed Barn Roof Collapses After Storm

damage to barn roofOne of the new horse barns on the farm collapsed recently after a storm blew through and caused damage across the property. There appears to have been some construction defects with the rooftop before the storm came through. The corner of the roof hadn’t been secured properly to the trusses and when the wind got underneath it, it peeled back and we lost the plywood, tar paper, and the wood shingles. We called out a local roofing company to assess the damage and they were able to identify the flaws in the roof were there prior to the wind damage occurring. They pointed out that the roof wasn’t properly anchored to the truss and they could identify that because there weren’t and nails or screws in the wood where the corner of the roof joined. This wasn’t something that we wanted to pay for, especially since we had just payed to have the barn built. After speaking with the roofing contractor about the defect, they suggested that we contact a Goodman Construction expert witness to assess the damage and give us guidance for repairing the damage. We reached out to the construction contractors that built the barn and they have been responsive to emails and phone calls but said they couldn’t confirm that there were construction defects prior to the storm now that the roof had been damaged. We are hoping that an expert witness can evaluate the damage and provide us with the proof we need to win this in the court of law. If this does go to court we will also use them for their export witness testimony, and hope that their findings are enough proof that the defects existed prior to the storm damage. We will keep updating this as this process moves forward into the court system. Our barnes are home to some of the most beautiful horses in the area and we take construction defects seriously when they jeopardize the life of the horses, or the horses caretaker. Our farms are a family friendly place where animals are well cared for and their owners are welcome to visit any time. The safety of these animals, the people caring for them, and the families that own them is our number one priority. Thank you all for your support.

 



Retired Jockey Enjoys Senior Living

Horse Jockey Joins Long Island Retirement Community

horse jockey Tony Romero

Local trainer and professional horse jockey Tony Romero settles down at The Amsterdam Senior Living Center on Long Island. The Harborside community is the perfect place to wrap up an amazing career at the horse track. Tony had his eyes on success since he was just a young man, dreaming of becoming a triple crown winner and working his whole life towards horse jockeying and caring for the animals.

In 2003 Tony began donating his time at Honeycreek Farms and helping out with the younger Jockeys and horses. Getting the new studs trained and prepared to be ridden is usually something that is left to the stable hand, but Tony insisted on contributing on a daily basis. Feeding and grooming were also part of the care taking process.

By 2006 Tony took two of our Jockeys from green behind the ears, to professional levels of competition in just two years. By 2008 the team had three Jockeys actively competing in Derby’s around the country including the Kentucky Derby and the much hyped Santa Anita Derby on multiple occasions. This level of success makes Tony one of the most decorated trainers in our community.

Tony is also an accomplished Chef, receiving his culinary degree from the CIA in New York, Tony had dreams of being a Chef long before his career as a Jockey began. He worked at the Wolfgang Puck restaurant in NY for a few years as Sioux Chef . His accomplishments as a Chef were local awards received for various culinary accomplishments.

Tony cooking at CIA in NY

Tony will be joining his wife in retirement after a long life of great accomplishments and raising a family of four. His kids are all involved in horse racing and are active in the local communities training and preparing other racers for a career in horse racing.



Horse Jockey Needs Bone Marrow Match

Pint Sized Jockey In Need Of Bone Marrow Transplant

horse jockey "Pint Sized Jerry"

Our dear friend “Pint Sized Jerry” is in need of a bone marrow match for a transplant. Jerry has been a successful horse jockey competing in local events and even competing in national tournaments. Jerry has been working with our training team to teach our up and coming competition team the ins and outs of Jockey life. As a life long competitor Jerry has been in great shape and never exceeded 130 pounds. Last year Jerry became ill and dropped down to 110 pounds and was visibly ill. After a lot of blood work and enough visits to the Doctors office it became known that Jerry had bone cancer. This saddened us all, Jerry has been a part of the Honey Creek Farms family for a long time and will continue to be a part of it in life and after death.

Finding A Bone Marrow Donor Match For Jerry

Prior to Jerry getting cancer we didn’t even know there was such a thing as donating bone marrow. When you are career driven, it’s easy to get your head buried in the sand and not see the word that is revolving around you. Having someone close to you discover they have cancer can be a real eye opener. Here on the farm we are family, and when there is a family member in need we all band together like brothers and sisters to help resolve whatever issue they may have. What Jerry needs is a bone marrow transplant, this is looking like a process that is far more complicated then I could ever have imagined. Like a blood transfusion, the bone marrow needs to be a match from donor to recipient. Jerry is very active in the Jewish community and has already had many brave men and women step up and register as donors. For anyone coming to this blog post from Jerrys email can learn more about the Jewish led Gift of Life bone marrow match registry where the community is as strong as ever. Please visit the website, register as a donor, and do your part to save a life.

Jerry And His Journey

We don’t know what this journey is going to be like for Jerry, we know it will be hard, and we know it will be costly. For the friends and family that read this post that want to donate to Jerrys recovery you can contact me directly. You all have my number and you all have my email address if you are reading this now. Please let me know how you know him and what you would like to do to help him out on this Journey. We will continue to employ Jerry on the farm even when he is hospitalized. If there is anyone that has a horse that needs to be stabled we have some stalls available for rent, that would help with employing Jerry while continuing to provide value to our community of horse owners. Thank you to everyone that has responded so far to the last email, your donations and comments have been warmly embraced by all of us here at Honey Creek Farms.



Horse Farms Huntersville North Carolina

Visiting The Horse Farms In Huntersville

horse trainer HuntersvilleWe took a trip out to Huntersville North Carolina to visit Gabel Acres and ride some horses that were for sale. We brought out one of our trainers from Evergate Stables that we use when purchasing show horses. Sayre Happy is a great trainer and a rider that we use to qualify our horses before purchasing them. Sayre are up in Redmond, Washington and spent lots of time in her youth working on family horses. When we came out to North Carolina we knew we wanted Sayre to fly up from Florida to help us make a buying decision. Buying a potential show horse is not cheap, and you better make sure that you thoroughly inspect it for health issues, both internally and physically. Horses are amazing animals and can grow attached to their owners/riders so in our opinion it’s best to get them while they are young before they develop any bad habits or grow too attached to the rider. The horses that were available for us to ride were young enough that we could break them in how we wanted and didn’t have to worry about them being trained by someone other than the training team we hired to care for our show horses. We had the option of a few horse farms before choosing Gabel Acres. I’ll list them below.

Best Horse Farms In Huntersville

Gabel Acres

Lenux Stables & Riding Academy

Horse Shadow Run

Fairy Tale Farms

High Standards Farm

T-Bar T Ranch

Woodring Farms

Boones Farms & Stables

 

Riding The Horse For The First Time

training horses in Huntersville

We ended up purchasing a horse from Gabel Acres that we thought was going to produce for us and our team. The horse was beautiful and came from a great pedigree. One of our new instructors Alisha decided she was going to try and bare back the stud before loading the horse into the trailer. At first I though that she was kidding, but she wasn’t. She should have know that you don’t mount a stud like that for the first time without a saddle. At the moment it took place the incident was scary, but looking back on it I can’t help but laugh even as I am writing this. Alisha introduced herself to the horse briefly and felt confident enough to make the jump and try and mount him. The horse immediately freaked out and bucked her off. It was a scary moment all the way until she jumped up laughing. Well, the laughing didn’t last long. Alisha had hurt her lower back and wanted to go see a Chiropractor while we were the in Huntersville. We got the horse loaded into the trailer and headed over to Doyle Chiropractic. Dr. Doyle checked out Alishas lower back and offered some acupuncture treatment which she excepted. After about an hour of treatment Alisha was cleared to go. We then began our journey back to Honey Creek Farms to get this horse settled and begin it’s training.

Championship Pedigree

Our main trainer Sayre flew in for a week to hang out on the farm and help us get the horse ready for a show. She also took some time to train Alisha so there were no other accidents. Horses are giant animals that are very strong and it would be very easy for a young girl that weighs 120 pounds to get hurt really bad. Part of our training on the farm includes instructor led trainings for the barn hands and up and coming trainers. We also have riders that frequent our property to train with their horses and also help our young team with any questions they may have regarding any of the processes that happen on the farm. As we continue to shop for championship pedigrees, we also continue to train our staff to have championship mind sets when preparing our horses for a competition. The need for everyone to be professional is imperative to our success.

Video Of Our Contracted Training Partner Sayre Happy Riding HC BELLINI

 

 



How Farm Bees Make Sweet Honey

The bees gather the nectar from flowers, storing it in a special stomach until they return to the hive. The bees add enzymes to the nectar to break down complex sugars into simpler ones which are easier for them to digest. When they’re back at the hive, the bees pass the honey between each other, fanning it with their wings to speed up the evaporation process. This evaporated honey is thick and sweet, just like the honey you find in a jar. The bees cap off each cell with a wax seal so that it will remain safe until they need it. The bees use honey as their main source of food throughout the winter season when other sources are scarce.  By producing honey, bees are able to survive periods of inactivity and cold temperatures. With bees relying on honey for sustenance, the sweet nectar is essential for their survival as well as ours – bees pollinate many of the crops that we rely on for food. Without bees, farms would struggle to produce enough food to feed our growing population. So when bees are able to make honey, they help ensure that we can continue to enjoy sweet treats and nutritious meals.  Honey is a delicacy found all over the world, thanks in large part to bees and their tireless work on farms. Without bees, there would be no honey – so next time you’re enjoying a sweet snack, remember to thank bees for their vital role in keeping our farms running and food on our tables.

It’s clear that bees have an important job when it comes to making honey sweet. By collecting nectar from flowering plants, bees are able to create a deliciously sweet treat, while also providing us with essential services like pollination and aiding in the production of other food items. On farms, bees work tirelessly to bring in nectar from a variety of sources and convert it into honey. This honey is then extracted and packaged for consumption, providing us with a sweet treat that’s packed full of nutritional value.

Not only do bees provide us with delicious honey, but they also help to create an environment that’s ideal for growing plants and vegetables. By pollinating these plants, bees are able to ensure that they get the best possible start in life – one that leads to healthier growth, larger yields, and better quality produce.

Overall, bees play an immensely important role in our lives by helping to produce honey, as well as providing invaluable pollination services. Without bees, our lives would not be nearly as sweet!

To learn how bees make honey and the importance of bees in our everyday life, it’s important to understand the process behind how bees transform nectar into honey. Bees collect nectar from flowers, which is then broken down into a simple sugar form. Then bees add enzymes to the nectar, which helps speed up the transformation process. The bees store this nectar in their honeycomb and use their wings to fan it, helping to evaporate any excess moisture. Once all of the water is gone, bees seal off each honeycomb with beeswax, which helps to preserve the honey.

Not only does bees’ hard work bring us sweet honey, but bees are integral for our ecosystems and food production. Bees are responsible for pollinating 80% of crops grown in the United States and providing us with delicious fruits, vegetables, nuts, and more. Without bees, we would not have honey, nor would we have abundance in our food supply.

When bees make their honey sweet, they are providing us with a valuable resource and not only the pleasure of its taste. Next time you reach for a jar of honey, remember to thank the bees!



Why Small Businesses Should Care About Digital Marketing

Digital marketing for small businesses can seem a bit intimidating, but there are a lot of great benefits to implementing a good digital marketing strategy. From building brand awareness to driving more leads and sales, a successful digital marketing campaign can open up a world of opportunities for your business. Here’s why small businesses should care about digital marketing:

1. Increased Visibility: Digital marketing can help your business get noticed a lot faster and more effectively than other forms of traditional advertising, such as billboards or TV commercials. With a good digital marketing strategy, you can significantly increase the visibility of your small business by appearing in search results for relevant keywords and optimizing content for a wider audience.

2. Increased Brand Recognition: A strong digital marketing strategy can help build a recognizable brand across a variety of platforms, including social media, content marketing, and search engine optimization. By creating a consistent message across a variety of channels, you can build a powerful and lasting impression in your target audience’s minds.

3. Cost-Effective: While marketing a small business can be a costly exercise, a successful digital strategy can often be implemented at a much lower cost than traditional advertising. Also, by leveraging technologies such as SEO, you can tap into a wider audience without needing to invest in expensive billboards or TV commercials.

4. Access to an Experienced Digital Provider: Many small businesses don’t have a full-time in-house marketing team, so a reliable and experienced digital marketing Arizona SEO company is a great way to get the ball rolling. With a contractor digital marketing partner, you can gain access to unique expertise without having to go it alone.

5. Access to a Global Audience: Digital marketing allows a company to reach a global audience, extending far beyond its local geographic boundaries. This means that a small business can not only increase its customer base but also gain a much better understanding of its target market and create campaigns tailored to them.

6. Cost-Effective Solutions: Digital marketing provides cost-effective solutions that a small business can take advantage of. Small businesses can use digital marketing to reach a larger audience without breaking the bank, compared with traditional forms of advertising.

7. Measurable Results: Digital marketing provides a great way for a small business to track and measure their results, allowing them to make data-driven decisions about their campaigns. This can help a business identify which channels are giving them the greatest return on investment and improve their results.

Digital marketing helps a small business reach a wider audience than it would be able to with traditional advertising methods. With digital marketing, a small business can use various channels such as a website, social media, and email to reach a large number of people without breaking the bank. By targeting a specific demographic and creating a quality content marketing strategy, a small business can grow its online presence exponentially.

With digital marketing, a small business also has access to a range of tools that allow them to measure the success of their campaigns. This includes a range of analytics tools that provide a comprehensive overview of their campaigns and help them adjust strategies to improve results.

For those based in Arizona, a local Arizona SEO company can be a fantastic resource for small businesses looking to invest in digital marketing. An experienced contractor digital marketing team will have a wealth of knowledge and resources to help a small business get started and ensure a successful digital marketing campaign.

Read More – Tips to Find the Right SEO Service for Your Small Business


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Tips to Find the Right SEO Service for Your Small Business

Small businesses need a differentiated perspective on SEO because their objectives, problems, and strategies are very different from big sharks. Even though many service providers like SEO agency west palm beach guarantee you higher rankings, small businesses must constantly balance their budgets and expenses. 

Your profit must be protected by your efforts to improve Google friendliness and rank at the top of the search engine. Only large companies were devoting resources to maximizing their online presence. Digital marketing was regarded at the time as challenging to master and only valuable for a select few. But soon, the equation changed. Online businesses then developed into a necessity.

Six Tips for Finding The Right SEO Service for Small Businesses

Here are some considerations you should make if you are a small business owner looking for the best SEO service.

1. Leverage the power of google

Be bold and use Google’s power. A good service provider can assist you in getting the Google exposure you want. It entails signing up for local Google Business and improving customer reviews there. 

There must be something that will pique the interest of each new customer who searches for your company on Google. Consequently, little things like a Google presence, contact information, physical address, and favourable reviews go a long way in attracting customers.

2. Reviews and testimonials 

Avoid businesses that claim to be experts in SEO but need more reviews, references, and data to support their claims. The testimonials, reviews, and data of top-performing SEO companies will speak for themselves. You should include these SEO businesses on your shortlist.

3. Expertise in SEO

It would help if you always gave more preference to SEO providers who are knowledgeable about your industry. Every company is different, so finding someone who can comprehend the specifics of your location can help you improve your positioning. Social media has taken over the world, so finding partners who can effectively communicate your message to the intended audience will change the game for you.

4. Experience

As a small business, it is instinctual to choose SEO services that may offer cheap rates. But affordable services can be better, and vice versa. So, how do you know what is better? Pick partners with experience. Somebody who knows the game can help you boost results in a short span. When no time is wasted on trial and testing, you get results. So money spent there can multiply and offer you better optimization and even sales results. 

5. Personalized consultation

A personal consultation is the only thing that can honestly give you an understanding of an SEO firm. This offers the chance to truly understand how they conduct business and assess whether there is chemistry. 

6. Try different strategies 

You must choose the most current services to stay one step ahead of your rivals. But keep in mind that there are other options. Sometimes, even a few tried-and-true methods from the past are necessary to give you a firm foundation. 

Each piece of content you add to your website, whether it be blogs or product descriptions, ensures that it is original and free of errors. Additionally, a blog can be a great way to boost traffic, so the content you publish should be pertinent, precise, and appealing to draw in more readers.

Conclusion

SEO is not a one-day project. You will need to work to optimize as long as your business is open. It costs money to find the right partner, but they can be valuable assets to your company in the long run. 
Suppose you want to save time to invest in these operations and achieve future objectives. In that case, it is preferable to deploy external partners like SEO agency west palm beach for all your SEO requirements.


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Tips to Keep Horses Happy and Healthy

Horses are majestic creatures that deserve to be treated well. If you’re a horse owner, it’s important to know how to keep them happy and healthy. If you’ve not owned horses before, it’s easy to fall into common traps and make simple mistakes. With this guide, you become a more informed horse owner.

Get Into Routines

Above all else, horses appreciate routine. They are creatures of habit and like to know what to expect each day. This means that you should create a daily routine for them and stick to it as much as possible. Of course, there will be times when you have to deviate from the routine, but try to keep these to a minimum.

If you can perform all the necessary duties at the same time each day, your horse will thank you for it. Furthermore, the routine will also ensure that you do all the required jobs each day.

Make Sure They Have Enough Room

Horses are meant to roam free and have plenty of space to do so. In the wild, they would roam for miles each day. Unfortunately, most domesticated horses don’t have this luxury. If you have the space, however, make sure your horse has access to a large paddock or field.

If you have more than one horse, they must get along. If they don’t, they will start to fight and this can lead to serious injury. If you house more than one horse together, make sure they have enough room to move around and that there are no sharp objects or other hazards that could hurt them.

Of course, horses also need to be able to lie down and rest; although they are skilled sleepers while standing, they sometimes like to rest their legs. Your horses should have access to a clean, dry stall where they can rest when they need to. Ultimately, the stall should be large enough for them to lie down comfortably and turn around, but it doesn’t need to be huge.

Prevent Parasites

Next, you need to take steps to prevent parasites. While some horses are more susceptible to them than others, all horses can get them if they’re not properly cared for. The most common parasites that affect horses are:

  • Gastrointestinal roundworms
  • Tapeworms
  • Bots
  • Lice

To prevent parasites, you should:

  • Have your horse dewormed regularly
  • Pick up their manure daily
  • Keep their living area clean and dry
  • Avoid letting them graze in wet, marshy areas

Feed Them a Balanced Diet

Just like humans, horses need a balanced diet to stay healthy. A good diet for a horse includes:

  • Grains
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Hay or pasture
  • Vitamins and minerals

You should also make sure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times. If not, they could become dehydrated, which can lead to colic.

Exercise Them Regularly

Horses are meant to move, so it’s important to make sure they get enough exercise. A lack of exercise can lead to several health problems, including weight gain, joint and muscle problems, and behavioral issues. With the latter, horses can become destructive, which can be dangerous for both them and you.

To ensure your horse stays healthy, make sure they get at least 30 minutes to an hour of exercise every day. This can be in the form of riding, turnout time, or even just hand-walking them around the property.

Keep Their Stalls and Pastures Clean

A clean environment is important for all horses, but it’s especially important for those that are kept in stalls. A dirty stall can lead to many health problems, including respiratory issues and skin infections.

Follow these tips to keep your horse’s environment clean:

• Pick up manure and wet bedding daily.

• Keep the stall well-ventilated.

• Give the stall a deep clean at least once a week.

Read Also: How To Start Your Own Produce Garden



Things to Know Before Growing Marijuana

A common question asked by cannabis gardeners is whether or not they should grow their weed indoors or outdoors. There are many things to consider when making this decision, not the least of which is where you live and how much time you have available for growing. A little planning will go a long way when trying to make the best product.

Growing Your Weed Indoors

Growing your weed indoors is a great choice for growers. Indoors, you have control over everything from the climate to light exposure. In addition, you can choose strain specific organic terpenes that are bred specifically for indoor growing conditions and don’t need excessive space or sunlight for producing their harvest. However, there are a few drawbacks to growing indoors as well.

Growing Your Weed Outdoors

Growing your weed outdoors is another excellent choice for gardeners. You may have to choose one of the shorter, hardier strains that can thrive in outdoor conditions. The growing season is longer, and you don’t need much space to grow your product. However, with outdoor growing comes the potential for inclement weather and even theft by those who want what you’ve got!

Growing Medical Marijuana

There are different laws regarding medical marijuana in each state or country. There are also differences about legality between recreational (non-medical) use vs. medicinal (medical) uses of marijuana and how it is grown, distributed, etc. Nevertheless, if you want to grow your own weed for recreational or medical purposes, then you’ll have to check with your state and local laws first to see what is allowed.

Materials You May Need

To grow your own weed indoors, you must have many different supplies.

A Large Space for the Plants:

You’ll need a place that can be locked and blocked off from the view of prying eyes. A basement is an ideal place. If you don’t have a basement, make sure no one can look in from outside via windows or skylights. Make sure your electricity can be turned off so that light bulbs will not reveal their presence. Another option is to use LED lights; they are expensive, but they are far more efficient in energy usage and power consumption than incandescent or fluorescent lighting anyway.

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Humidifier for the Plants

The lining of the growing area should be well insulated and have no light leaks. The temperature will need to stay around 75 degrees with a humidity between 65% and 80%. You can buy a humidifier for your plants or rig something up yourself using an old fish tank, humidity trays, and wet/dry bulbs. The plants will also need plenty of fresh air, so a constant flow of about six air exchanges per hour is the ideal setup with passive vents.

Tips Before Growing Your Own Cannabis

Above were some tips listed on growing cannabis before you start the growing process. We know that most people will not have everything they need, but these are essentials to give a person the best chance of success in their grow room.



How CBD Can Help Your Dog

The benefits of CBD for people are widely advertised, but what you may not know is that it’s also incredibly useful for your canine friend too. Today, we’re going to learn more about CBD and exactly how it can help your dog!

What’s CBD?

Just in case you didn’t know, CBD is short for cannabidiol and it comes from the buds and flowers of the cannabis plant. Before you panic, there’s no ‘high’ associated with CBD because there’s no THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

CBD for Dogs

You might have seen marijuana and hemp, and these both contain THC. While hemp only contains around 0.3% THC and is therefore used in similar products to CBD, marijuana can contain around 30% THC. Currently, hemp-derived oil is legal across all states while marijuana-derived CBD oil is mostly illegal.

Benefits of CBD for Your Dog

  • Prevent Seizures – Firstly, the anticonvulsant properties of CBD mean that tremors, tics, seizures, and spasms are all controlled. If your dog struggles with these problems, this is a fantastic solution.
  • Control Pain – As we know for humans, CBD is also considered a strong painkiller. In truth, CBD can help with all sorts of health problems.
  • Help Nausea – Some dogs struggle with vomiting and nausea, and a growing number of owners are deploying CBD since it is antiemetic. Simultaneously, this will also boost the appetite of your pet. 
  • Encourage Homeostasis – For some vets, they have recommended CBD to treat some illnesses while also encouraging positive health. When used as a regular supplement, some owners say that the overall wellbeing of their dog improves.
  • Reduce Inflammation – Again, this is another reason so many people use CBD. Whether it’s the aches and pains of daily life or a particular health condition, CBD is known to reduce inflammation in your dog just as well as yourself.
  • Limit Stress and Anxiety – Thankfully, we now have access to several studies that have shown a link between CBD and various mental conditions. Sadly, dogs are prone to stress, anxiety, and they can even show signs of certain phobias. With regular CBD, the dog gets the help they need.
  • Slow Tumor Growth – In rats, there’s evidence that CBD provides protection against colon cancer. Not only does it slow the growth of existing tumors, it also prevents the spreading of other tumors. There’s a chance that it will do the same in our doggy friends.

Tips for Buying CBD Products

To finish this short guide, we want to provide advice for those considering CBD products for their dog. With this in mind, we’ve compiled some top tips below!

  • Don’t buy a poorer product just to save a little money. Generally speaking, the purer and higher quality products come with a more expensive price tag. Sadly, cheaper products have been known to contain additives such as pesticides, heavy metals, and herbicides. 
  • It’s hard to administer CBD to a dog, so we recommend buying a tincture or oil. Additionally, this will allow you to control exactly how much CBD you provide each time. 
  • If possible, choose an organic product; this is the best way to ensure that it’s free from fungicides, pesticides, and solvents. 
  • Assess the manufacturer’s certificate which explains the CBD content in the product. Some products advertised as special CBD oils will actually only contain a tiny percentage of CBD. Elsewhere, make sure it has little or no THC. 

CBD can certainly help your dog, and we hope this guide has helped you to get started today!



How To Take Care Of A Llama

Dogs, cats, goldfish, and maybe a hamster is what usually comes to one’s mind when they hear the word pet. Everyone has their own preference when it comes to keeping a pet. While most people would opt for a more conventional choice, others might want to keep a pet tiger, horse, or even a llama.

llama vet

Llamas are domesticated animals native to the moorlands of South America. Conventionally, they have been used to carry stuff around and are considered to be livestock, but many people cherish them for their friendly, social, calm nature and the fact that they can easily be trained.  

Llamas make great companions and pets because of their highly predictable low-key temperament, ease of maintenance, and intelligence. Llamas are now becoming popular pets due to their cleanliness and friendly dispositions. Their lifespan is estimated to be between 15 and 30 years.

Taking care of a llama is no joke as they are not small animals. They weigh around 250 to 450 lbs and can be about 5′ to 6 “5′ tall. So, if you get a llama as a pet or to raise as livestock, you will need to understand how to meet its basic needs, feed it, and provide it with adequate space and shelter. 

Once these needs are met, your llama will be a happy and healthy animal. Llamas are usually healthy, prosperous animals that require little upkeep beyond good primary care. Nevertheless, before you decide to keep a llama, you will need to have a basic understanding of this animal and its particular needs.

llama veterinarians
  • Health Needs

The first and foremost thing you need to do is take your llama to an experienced livestock vet. There are many 24-hour vets available worldwide, and only they can better guide any llama owner on how to take care of them properly. The large animal vet would guide you on everything from the llama’s vaccination to its diet.

It is imperative to get in touch with a 24-hour vet in case of any medical attention needed by your llama. Since these animals are always outside, its essential to get regular check-ups to make sure they are healthy. You will want to check their fleece to see if they have any wounds that need to be tended to. 

  • Food Requirements

All llamas tend to eat grass and hay. Ideally, they should be fed orchard grass and can also have alfalfa, but it should never constitute more than 20 percent of their diet as too much alfalfa can cause a mineral imbalance. They also need a good supply of water.

  • Creating a Healthy Environment

Llamas should be provided with an open space or pastureland to roam about in and a fenced shelter to stay and sleep in. There shouldn’t be any overcrowding as it can cause the spread of disease. Along with that, they shouldn’t roam around in an area with a running stream or water supply as they tend to lounge in it and ruin their fleece with fungus.




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