Too much to learn not enough time

4 posts
Tue, 08/25/2020 - 23:41 #1

Member for

4 years 2 months
Tubs
Last seen: 08/25/2020 - 23:52
Joined: 08/25/2020 - 23:26

Too much to learn not enough time

Hi. Havent bought a farm/land yet!

Have seized control of the backyard in Sydney and experimenting growing potatoes via beds, mulch beds and other experiments. I am obsessed with sustainability and have so much to learn.

As a foundation I am studying Ag at TAFE on the side. Completely different to my full time work in tech.

Im asking lots of questions. Not aiming to make money or have lofty ambitions (yet). Goal is to evaluate the the most efficient and lowest risk methods for achieving some semblance of self sustainability. Start small. Inspired by people like Joel Salatin (Polyface farms; am reading his books)

Looking out for things to avoid (trees overhanging fencing, bad neighbours!). Farming seems to be all about risk mitigation.

Unfortunately i am more academic than practical.

Evaluating land options in the Hunter; anyone own land there?

Take it easy

Tubs

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Fri, 08/28/2020 - 09:37 #2
admin
Last seen: 11/13/2024 - 10:09
Joined: 02/28/2011 - 14:19

Hi Tubs,

Welcome to the hobby farming forum and thanks for the question.

It sounds like you are going about things in a measured and well thought through way. It's important when you are starting out to set realistic financial goals and decide if you are wanting to farm as a hobby, to make some supplementary income or to make a full income off it.

The Hunter Valley is a lovely but expensive part of the world, I'm based in the central west of NSW.

We also have a Facebook discussion group (which I will share your question to) which you might like to join, it can be found here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FarmStyle

All the best with your farming adventures.

Regards,
Charlie

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Wed, 09/02/2020 - 09:23 #3
Steve89
Last seen: 09/02/2020 - 11:40
Joined: 09/02/2020 - 09:11

Grow potatoes in raised beds with removable sides -there are heaps of DIY builds online for this. Raised beds are great in suburbia. Just remember if you stock it full of only edible plants, it will look delicious, for you and insects. I try to inter-plant food with aromatic plants to distract and confuse insects and attract predators.

As a fellow academic, get some hands on experience early, life does not fit rules, it is a steep learning curve for me.

As the admin said you will need to define what your after, you said not profit so... self sustainability? Piece of mind in the uncertain world we are in? Or just an extra fresh vege or 2 now and then? Hard to give advice when its unclear what you want.

Farmers definitely have a tendency to worry about risks - too much rain, not enough, too much sunlight, not enough. But its also about perspective. Does an overhanging tree make a bad neighbor? Not if they like the fruit on it, or if you give them some cider from it?

Hence my hands on suggestion - studying theory may show you what to do, but not what can be done.

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Wed, 09/02/2020 - 09:25 #4
Steve89
Last seen: 09/02/2020 - 11:40
Joined: 09/02/2020 - 09:11

Grow potatoes in raised beds with removable sides -there are heaps of DIY builds online for this. Raised beds are great in suburbia. Just remember if you stock it full of only edible plants, it will look delicious, for you and insects. I try to inter-plant food with aromatic plants to distract and confuse insects and attract predators.

As a fellow academic, get some hands on experience early, life does not fit rules, it is a steep learning curve for me.

As the admin said you will need to define what your after, you said not profit so... self sustainability? Piece of mind in the uncertain world we are in? Or just an extra fresh vege or 2 now and then? Hard to give advice when its unclear what you want.

Farmers definitely have a tendency to worry about risks - too much rain, not enough, too much sunlight, not enough. But its also about perspective. Does an overhanging tree make a bad neighbor? Not if they like the fruit on it, or if you give them some cider from it?

Hence my hands on suggestion - studying theory may show you what to do, but not what can be done.

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