The beginning

First order of business once on the farm will be:

a. Soil tests b. Infrastructure - barn, pasture fencing, gates c. Irrigation well and sprinkler pod system d. Existing tree inventory

Currently the space is a horse arena, approximately 8,000 sqft, and covered in sand, possibly crushed gravel underneath. The boys are interested in what might be the largest private sandbox! So lots of shoveling to remove sand and fill in with soil suitable for annuals. Depending on timing of it all, planting a cover crop to get the soil biology kickstarted for sure; possibly some winter squash if we can get them harvested in time.

Definitely looking at over-wintering garlic, kale, chard, and others that do well in our typically mild winters. No hoop houses or greenhouse yet though so just the hardy stuff!

We'll most likely hold off on getting egg production started until the spring to avoid doing too much at the outset. However, I would like to prepare the stall(s) with laying boxes and chicken wire as appropriate.

The chickens will also be involved in the compost production operation. The raw garden/house/yard wastes will start nearest the stall and work their way west along the inner fence until finished and carted off to the garden (maybe sold eventually). Plans to grow feed for chickens (like millet, corn, sunflower, etc) along the compost flow to minimize inputs required.

Begin searching for sources of organic matter to start compost production and garden beds. These include wood chips, manure, yard and compost from neighbors.