How to Grow Small Farm Profits

Grow Your Small Farm Profits with These Simple Strategies

Farming is no doubt one of the most fulfilling careers out there. For some folks, owning a small farm is a dream come true - a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of city life. However, owning a small farm is not all about planting and harvesting, it’s also about making enough money to sustain the farm and make a profit. In this article, we’ll discuss some tips that will help you start and monetize your small farm. In this article shared by Montana Farm Life, we’ll walk you through some important steps, such as developing a business plan, researching your market, networking with local vendors, and marketing your brand.

Developing a Business Plan

Embarking on a farm venture can be a thrilling and rewarding experience. However, before you take the plunge, there are critical factors to consider. Among these is having a concrete understanding of what crop or goods you want to produce, the desired quantity, and how you intend to market your product.

A business plan is a necessity that can steer you in the direction of success. It serves as a roadmap for achieving your goals and keeping you on track. To create a solid business plan for your farming operation, you'll need to provide detailed descriptions of your business, target market, marketing strategy, financial projections, and a SWOT analysis. With a robust business plan in place, you'll be well-equipped to deal with the challenges and reap the rewards of your farming venture.

Protect your Assets by Forming Your Business as an LLC

Protecting your assets is essential when forming a business to ensure that the personal assets of the business owner are not at risk from any liability that the business may incur. One way to mitigate this risk is by forming your business as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). An LLC is a hybrid business entity that combines the legal protections of a corporation with the tax benefits of a partnership, and it provides personal liability protection for the business owner.

If you are wondering how to start an LLC in Montana, the process is relatively straightforward. First, you need to choose a name for your LLC and ensure that it is not similar to any other registered business name in Montana. Then, you must file articles of organization with the Montana Secretary of State, which establishes your LLC as a legal business entity.

Another crucial step is to create an operating agreement, which sets forth the rules and regulations that govern your LLC's operations, including management and decision-making. By following these steps to form your LLC, you can protect your assets while operating your business in Montana.

Research Which Crops or Goods Are in-Demand

You can do this by visiting farmers markets or local shops to see what products are in high demand. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to vendors or customers. Another useful resource is the USDA’s seasonal farmer’s market availability tool, which illustrates the best times to plant and harvest certain crops. However, it's important to keep your climate zone in mind when selecting which crops to plant.

Know and Avail of Government Grants and Tax Credits

Small farmers often face various challenges when it comes to financing their businesses. Luckily, the federal, state, and local governments offer a range of grants and tax credits that can help alleviate some of these difficulties. From land acquisition to equipment purchase and building infrastructure, these grants can cover a multitude of costs. By taking advantage of these opportunities, farmers can invest in their businesses and help it thrive. While it may take some research to determine which grants apply to your particular situation, taking the time to do so can potentially provide a significant financial boost. It's important to act fast and submit your application on time to ensure that you don't miss out on these beneficial resources. With the right support, small farmers can continue to contribute to their local communities and strengthen the agricultural industry.

Setting a Budget

Farming can be expensive, so it’s essential to be realistic about your budget. Your budget should include the cost of land, equipment, seeds, fertilizers, labor, and other necessary expenses. You should also include an emergency fund of at least 10% of your projected production costs. Monitoring your expenses and updating your budget regularly is a crucial step in running a successful farm.

Networking and Building Relationships with Local Vendors

By building relationships with other business owners in your local community, you increase the chances of gaining access to more customers and increasing your farm's visibility. This approach allows you to promote your goods at local markets, restaurants, and cafes that value sustainable and locally-sourced products. Overall, forming relationships with local businesses can be a great way to grow your farm's customer base and ultimately increase your revenue.

Determining the Best Pricing Strategy for Your Goods

When it comes to marketing your farm products, pricing strategy is a key component that shouldn't be overlooked. Researching and understanding the cost of production as well as the prices of similar products in the market enables you to find that sweet spot where you can earn a good profit without losing customers. With the right pricing strategy, you can make your farm products more attractive and competitive to consumers, while also ensuring profitability for your business. So, don't be afraid to experiment with your pricing strategy and find the perfect balance that works for you and your customers alike.

Marketing Your Farm by Distributing Business Cards

One effective way to market your farm is by distributing business cards. These small cards are convenient and can easily be handed out to potential customers or partners. By creating your business card design, you have control in ensuring that your brand is represented accurately. It is important to include key information on the card such as your farm's name, contact information, and a brief tagline that communicates your unique selling proposition. Handing out business cards is also a great way to establish personal connections with potential customers and partners, building a rapport that could lead to future business opportunities.

Starting and monetizing a small farm is both a fulfilling and challenging endeavor. It requires hard work, dedication, and patience, but with a well-thought-out business plan, targeted marketing efforts, and a supportive local community, you can turn your small-scale operation into a thriving business. Remember, it's important to put in the time and effort necessary to succeed.

Long Winters - Positives and Negatives

Here in Montana, we have had an especially long winter this year. This comes with many benefits, but also some negative effects.

Positives

1. One huge benefit of having a longer winter, is the additional moisture. In Montana, it hardly ever rains, meaning we get most of our moisture for the year from snowfall and snow melt. When we have a longer winter, we typically receive snow well into April, May, and sometimes June. This ensures that we have plenty of moisture and helps us have greener pastures during the summer. This is incredibly beneficial for our hay crop and helps us get higher yields per acre. It also helps get nutrients to the soil and can help our garden be more productive in a shorter amount of time, which is nice because when you have long winters like the one we are having now, you need to make the most of the shorter growing season.

2. Another benefit to having a longer winter is that because there is so much more moisture, there are likely to be less forest fires during the summer. This is a game changer, because nothing is worse than when the air is full of smoke and the air quality is low. Although forest fires can be good and are a natural process in nature, minimizing the amount of these is vital to saving the critters and animals that habitat in those affected areas.

3. Finally, longer winters can be really good for your health. There are studies that say that long winters can help improve your immune system, improve brain function, and even slow down the aging process. This means that if you are living in a long winter, it actually may be helping you more than you know.

Negatives

1. The obvious negative to a long winter is that it takes longer for summer to arrive. If your anything like me, you love summer. Grilling in the backyard, mountain bike rides, long summer hikes, fishing - I could go on and on. When you are going through a long winter, these activities get put on the back burner until all the snow melts and if you are experiencing colder temps in the spring, this might delay this from happening.

2. Another negative part about long winters, is that it means you have a shorter growing season. We typically plant our seedlings in March with the hope to transplant them outside in late may/early June. When we have a long winter, sometimes the ground is not warm enough for the transplants and we risk having a cold spell come in and ruin the plants. With a short growing season it also becomes difficult to yield certain crops that take 90+ days to yield. This makes it especially difficult to get the best results from our garden due to these factors. However, since we get so much moisture during a long winter, we can often make up for this loss of time by having a more intense growing period where our vegetables will grow more rapidly in a shorter amount of time.

Conclusion

There are many advantages and disadvantages to having a long winter. It conclusion it can be great for additional moisture, helping things grow, and minimizing forest fires. However, its disadvantages can be that you have a shorter growing season, and less summer for fun leisure activities. For more farm and ag adventures, check out our friends at Minnesota Farm Living.

Montana's Iconic 3 Rivers

Montana is a special place. Here in Bozeman, our most iconic rivers are the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson rivers which form in Three Forks, MT about 30 mins West of Bozeman. Here is a brief overview of all the rivers.

The Gallatin River

The Gallatin River begins in Yellowstone National Park and ends when it helps form the Missouri River in Three Forks, MT.

The Gallatin River is home to some beautiful sceneries. It features world class fly fiishing, kayaking, and white water rafting. When it goes through the gallatin canyon, it is one of the most scenic sites you can see.

On the Gallatin River, fly fishing is among the most well-liked pastimes, and for good reason. Numerous fish species, such as cutthroat trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout, can be found in the river. The Gallatin River is renowned for its hatches, which take place all year long. Stoneflies, caddisflies, and blue-winged olives are a few of the most well-liked hatches.

Another well-liked pastime on the Gallatin River is whitewater rafting. The river has a range of Class I to IV rapids, making it suitable for both inexperienced and seasoned rafters. The Gallatin Canyon, which has a string of Class III and IV rapids, is one of the most well-liked sections of the river for rafting.

The Madison River

Beginning in Yellowstone National Park, the Madison River travels for about 140 miles west before joining the Jefferson River to form the Missouri River. James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, has the river bear his name.

Anglers from all over the world come to the Madison River to take advantage of the excellent fly fishing opportunities available there. Numerous fish species, such as mountain whitefish, brown trout, and rainbow trout, can be found in the river. The hatches that take place on the Madison River all through the year are also well-known. Caddisflies, stoneflies, and salmonflies are some of the most well-liked hatches.

One of the most popular sections of the Madison River for fly fishing is the "50-mile riffle," which is a stretch of river that runs from the Madison Dam to Ennis, Montana. This section of the river is known for its consistent hatches and large populations of trout.

The Madison River also provides fantastic opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and rafting in addition to fly fishing. The river offers a variety of Class I to IV rapids, making it accessible to both inexperienced and seasoned paddlers. Additionally, the Madison River is renowned for its breathtaking landscape, which features soaring mountain peaks, luxuriant forests, and vast meadows.

The Jefferson River

Beginning in the southwest of Montana, the Jefferson River travels for about 83 miles before joining the Madison and Gallatin rivers to form the Missouri River. The third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, is honored by having the river bear his name.

The Jefferson River is known for its excellent recreational opportunities, including fly fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. The river is home to a variety of fish species, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and mountain whitefish. The Jefferson River is also known for its hatches, which occur throughout the year.

How Much Hay Should I Feed My Horse?

Horses are magnificent creatures that need a healthy, balanced diet to stay in good condition. Hay, which offers fiber, energy, and crucial nutrients, is one of their diet's essential elements. Nevertheless, figuring out how much hay to give your horse can be difficult. The factors that affect hay consumption, how to determine how much hay your horse needs, and advice for feeding hay to your horse are all covered in this blog. Click this link to learn more about tips for feeding your horse in the winter.

Factors That Influence Hay Consumption:

The quantity of hay a horse requires is influenced by a number of variables, such as the hay's quality, age, weight, and level of activity. More hay is needed by young horses, lactating mares, and those in light work than by adult horses. Compared to horses that spend most of their time in stalls, horses that are turned out to graze all day may require less hay. The quantity of hay a horse needs to eat is also influenced by the quality of the hay. A horse may need to consume more of the poor-quality hay in order to get the necessary nutrients.

How Much Hay Does a Horse Eat:

You should take into account your horse's weight, level of activity, and the hay's quality when determining how much hay they require. Feeding a horse 1.5% to 2% of its body weight in hay each day is the general recommendation. For instance, your horse would require 15 to 20 pounds of hay per day if it weighed 1000 pounds.

How Much Hay Does a Horse Eat Calculator

Horse Hay Calculator

Enter the weight of the horse (in pounds):

To make sure you're feeding the appropriate amount, it's crucial to weigh your hay. For smaller amounts of hay, a bathroom scale will do, but a livestock scale will give you more precise results for larger amounts. If you don't have access to a scale, you can calculate a hay bale's weight by dividing its length, width, and height by 300 and multiplying the result.

Tips for Feeding Hay to Your Horse:

Horses are picky eaters and may reject hay that is dirty, dusty, or moldy. So, make sure to give them clean, fresh hay. In order to avoid mold and mildew growth, make sure to store your hay in a place that is dry, clean, and well-ventilated. To get rid of any leftover hay or debris, regularly clean your horse's hay feeder.

2. Provide hay throughout the day. Because horses have a small stomach and a delicate digestive system, it is preferable to provide hay in small amounts throughout the day as opposed to all at once. This strategy imitates their normal grazing behavior and guards against digestive problems like colic.

3. Take into account using a slow feeder when feeding hay to horses because they are made to graze for extended periods of time and eating too quickly can cause digestive issues. A slow feeder can encourage your horse to consume hay more gradually, preventing overeating and enhancing digestion.

4. Keep an eye on your horse's weight and overall health. Depending on their diet and activity level, horses can gain or lose weight. Make sure your horse is getting the proper amount of hay and other nutrients by regularly checking their weight and condition.

Hay is an essential part of a horse's diet because it offers fiber and vital nutrients. It's crucial to feed your horse the proper amount of hay to maintain his or her health and wellbeing. You can figure out how much hay to feed your horse by taking into account things like their weight, level of activity, and the quality of the hay. By feeding your horse hay according to these guidelines, you can help prevent digestive problems and make sure they get a healthy, balanced diet.

5 Things You Should Do to Keep Your Lawn Looking Great!

5 Things You Should Do to Keep Your Lawn Looking Great!

A lush and well-maintained lawn is a source of pride for many homeowners. Not only does it enhance the curb appeal of your property, but it also provides a comfortable space for outdoor activities and relaxation. However, achieving and maintaining a beautiful lawn requires effort, time, and a few essential techniques. In this blog post, we will discuss the key steps to maintaining your lawn to keep it healthy, green, and beautiful.

Fun Fact: Did you know the average riding lawn mower gets 4 miles per gallon?

1. Mowing

Mowing is one of the key practices in lawn maintenance. It helps to control the height of the grass, remove weed seeds, and encourage the development of a denser and healthier lawn. When mowing, it's important to keep the grass blades at a consistent height, depending on the type of grass you have. For instance, cool season grasses should be mowed higher than other types of grass.

In addition to height, the amount of times that you mow is also crucial. As a general rule, you should mow your lawn often enough so that you're not removing more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. This means that if your grass is 3 inches tall, you should mow it when it reaches 4.5 inches. Regular mowing not only helps to maintain a consistent height but also reduces stress on the grass and promotes better growth.

2. Watering

Watering is another critical aspect of lawn maintenance, especially during hot and dry periods. Grass needs water to thrive, but too much or too little water can cause problems. As a rule of thumb, you should water your lawn deeply and infrequently, rather than shallowly and frequently. This means giving your lawn at least one inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation.

To ensure that your lawn receives adequate water, it's important to water at the right time of day. Early morning is the best time to water your lawn, as it allows the grass to absorb moisture before the heat of the day evaporates it. Avoid watering your lawn in the evening or at night, as this can promote the growth of fungi and other diseases.

3. Fertilizing

Fertilizing your lawn provides the essential nutrients that grass needs to grow strong and healthy. When fertilizing, it's important to choose the right type of fertilizer for your grass type and apply it at the right time. For example, cool-season grasses should be fertilized in the spring and fall, while warm-season grasses should be fertilized in the summer.

When applying fertilizer, make sure to follow the instructions carefully, and avoid over-fertilizing, as this can damage the grass and harm the environment. You should also choose a slow-release fertilizer, which provides nutrients to the grass over an extended period, rather than a quick-release fertilizer, which can cause a surge of growth followed by a decline.

4. Aerating

Aerating your lawn involves creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the roots of the grass. Aerating is essential for compacted soils, which can prevent grass from receiving the necessary nutrients and water. It also helps to promote better drainage and reduce thatch buildup.

You can aerate your lawn either by using a manual aerator tool or by hiring a professional lawn care service. The best time to aerate your lawn is in the spring or fall, when the grass is actively growing.

5. Controlling weeds and pests

Weeds and pests can quickly take over your lawn and damage the grass, making it important to take action to control them. You can control weeds by using sprays, but this can damage the grass if you do it too often. It’s a balancing act trying to mitigate the weeds and pets, without over chemical saturating your lawn.

8 Easy Steps - How to Clean a Chicken Coop

8 Easy Steps - How To Clean a Chicken Coop

Raising healthy, content chickens requires keeping your chicken coop clean. In addition to keeping your birds safe and healthy, a clean coop also reduces bad odors and creates a more comfortable environment for you and your birds. To keep your chickens healthy and happy, we'll go over step-by-step instructions for cleaning a chicken coop in this blog post.

Step 1: Compile Your Materials

It's crucial to gather all the required supplies before starting to clean the coop. A broom, a dustpan, gloves, a face mask, a bucket, a scrub brush, a hose or pressure washer, and a disinfectant solution are required.

Step 2: Get rid of every chicken

The removal of all the chickens is the first step in cleaning a chicken coop. While you clean, the chickens should be kept in a safe area away from the coop. It's crucial to make sure the location where the chickens are relocated is secure and safe.

Step 3: Get rid of all the bedding and trash

It's time to clean out all the bedding and debris after the chickens have been removed from the coop. Straw, shavings, and any other items on the coop floor fall under this category. Scoop up all trash with a shovel or rake and put it in a bucket or compost pile.

Step 4: Sweep and Scrub the Coop

After removing all debris, it's time to sweep and scrub the coop. Begin by using a broom or brush to sweep the walls and floor of the coop to remove any remaining debris. Next, use a scrub brush and water to clean the walls and floors of the coop. Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies where dirt and debris can accumulate.

5. Clean up the coop.

It's crucial to disinfect the coop after cleaning it to get rid of any leftover bacteria or parasites. Bleach, vinegar, and specific disinfectants for poultry are just a few of the cleaning agents you can use. Utilizing a sprayer or watering can, apply the disinfectant solution to all of the coop's surfaces as directed by the manufacturer. When using disinfectants, be sure to follow the directions precisely and to put on gloves and a mask.

Step 6: Dry and Rinse

The chicken coop needs to be thoroughly rinsed with water after being disinfected. Rinse the coop's entire exterior with a hose or pressure washer to get rid of any remaining disinfectant solution. Allow the coop to air dry after thoroughly rinsing it.

Step 7: Change the bedding and insulation

It's time to replace the bedding and nesting material after the coop has been cleaned and dried. The coop's floor should be covered with a fresh layer of shavings or straw, and the nesting boxes should be filled with new straw or other nesting materials. In order to promote proper airflow and prevent moisture buildup, make sure the coop is well ventilated.

Step 8: Bring the hens back to the coop

It's finally time to put the chickens back in the coop. Make sure they have access to food, water, and nesting boxes while letting them roam the tidy, new coop. In the upcoming days and weeks, be sure to keep an eye on the coop to make sure it stays tidy and debris-free.

In conclusion, maintaining a clean chicken coop is important for keeping your flock of chickens healthy and content. You can maintain a clean, parasite- and bacteria-free coop by carefully following these directions. Always give your chickens a secure and comfortable environment to thrive in, and wear gloves and a mask when handling disinfectants and chicken droppings. Your chickens will have a lovely clean home with a little work and regular upkeep.

For more information on how much to feed your chickens, check out this Layer Chicken Feed Calculator.

Soil Texture: Advantages and Disadvantages of Farm Production

Soil Texture: Advantages and Disadvantages of Farm Production

The texture of the soil is one of the most important issues that must be considered when defining the use and management that we are going to give to that soil. Surely you have ever heard that this soil is loose, drying, burning, heavy or strong.

Precisely, these are colloquial definitions that describe the texture of the soil. Rather, they describe the effect that the soil texture has on the crop or on the plants that grow on it.

In this article, you will find the definition of Soil Texture, what are the characteristics and disadvantages of each type of Soil Texture and how can soil erosion affect your farm’s productivity.

Soil texture

In order to fully understand how soil texture can affect you, we have to define precisely what soil texture is.

As you can imagine, in the soil there are mineral particles that are coarser, others of medium size, and others that are finer. Soil texture is the percentage of coarse, medium, and fine particles in the soil.

Specifically, coarse particles are called sand, medium particles are called silt, and fine particles are called clay.

Soil texture is one of the parameters I look at first. This value gives me a lot of information to be able to understand what is happening in the soil and on my farm.

Soil Textural Triangle

Once we know that the texture of the soil depends on the amount of coarse, medium and fine particles that we have in that soil, we are going to see how soils are classified according to the percentage of each of these particles in the soil.

Depending on the content of clay, silt and sand that the soil has, the soil texture can be classified into mainly:

●     Clay soil: when the clay content exceeds 35%.

●     Silty soil: when the silt content exceeds 85%.

●     Sandy soil: when the sand content exceeds 85%.

●     Loam soil: when there is a balance between the different soil particles.

These are the 4 main textural classes of soils. However, there are many other intermediates between them. For example Sandy Loam, Silt Loam, Clay Loam, Clay Sand Loam, Clay Silt Loam, Sandy Clay or Silty Clay.

Soil Texture Types

As you can imagine, each type of texture has its advantages and disadvantages.

So that your doubts about the colloquial description of a floor are blurred, I explain what each of these terms means:

●     Burning, strong or heavy soils: they are clayey soils that in times of lack of rain generate strong water stress in crop plants by retaining water so strongly that the plant cannot take it. In addition, they are soils that when wet are heavy for carrying out work such as tillage.

●     Loose or drying soils: they are sandy soils that have a high capacity for water infiltration and drainage, which facilitates their work in relation to clayey soils. They are drying because they quickly drain the water and, therefore, the soil dries faster than in the case of clayey soils.

●     Albero soils: they are silty soils that are normally yellow in colour and have a high capacity to compact and puddle. They are medium-low fertility soils.

The effect of soil erosion on your farm productivity

While in times of drought, the concern for the farmer is when it will rain again, in the rainy season the concern is that it rains gently enough to avoid soil erosion problems.

Therefore, Agriculture Mortgages is going to make you understand what soil erosion is, and what are the consequences of soil erosion.

What is Soil Erosion?

Soil erosion is the wear and tear of the earth's surface by external agents, such as water or wind.

In other Internet web pages, you can find that erosion is a denudation of soils and rocks that produces different processes on the Earth's surface.

However, from my point of view, these definitions of erosion fall short because of their meaning and the repercussions they can have.

I believe, soil erosion is a natural process and also induced by human beings under certain circumstances that generate the loss in the first place of the fertile layer of the soil, being able to reach the complete loss of the soil, whose main consequence is the destruction of the conditions present and future production of said soil.

What are the Consequences of Soil Erosion?

There are many consequences that derive from soil erosion, however, in this article, we are going to focus on the most important ones.

Loss of Fertile Soil

Fertile soil is what allows the farmer to produce. In addition, in the process of soil erosion, the fertile soil, which is the first layer of the soil, is the first to erode and is lost.

The more fertile soil is lost on a farm, the greater the farm's fertilization needs will be, and the higher the farm's production costs will be.

Water stress due to low infiltration

Soil erosion causes a worsening of the soil structure, which results in low infiltration and water retention. This fact results in an increase in the water stress of the plants during the dry season, which leads to a need to increase the irrigation applied, thus increasing the environmental impact and the costs for the farmer.

Floods

The difficulty that the soil has to allow the infiltration of water causes an increase in surface runoff that leads to a very significant increase in the flow of rivers and streams, which end up generating significant flooding.

Observe one thing: floods are not water, they are mud. This mud is what is transported from the farms where erosion occurs.

If we get well-managed soil where the infiltration capacity is very high, we will be avoiding the floods that have caused so much damage in recent years.

Desertification

Desertification is the process of soil degradation that transforms fertile and productive soil into the soil without productive capacity, that is, it turns it into a desert.

This desertification process is directly proportional to soil erosion. In addition, the desertification process that a farm has is inversely proportional to the profitability that can be obtained from the farm, that is, the greater the degree of desertification, the less benefit the farmer can obtain from that farm.

It is obvious in view of this article that good quality of soil and its conservation is essential to achieve good profitability of a farm in a sustainable way. Because what will we do with the farm when it is no longer capable of producing anything?

We are in time to avoid the problem, we have possible solutions on the table to achieve better and more profitable production. It is only necessary to change our mentality and get down to work.

Best Places to Eat in Bozeman on a Budget

Best Places to Eat in Bozeman on a Budget

Bozeman is home to some really great restaurants. Bozeman isn’t the biggest town, but it has a lineup of some really great restaurants. A lot of them are expensive restaurants, but this list is a list of a few restaurants that are really good, that don’t break the bank.

Pakeezah

Pakeezah is probably my favorite restaurant in Bozeman. This is partly because I love Indian food, and partly because this place has some really good food. I normally order the Lamb Vindaloo with a side of Garlic Naan bread, and truthfully this is enough food to feed two people, but I usually eat it all myself. This place has a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and most importantly delicious food. You can also Doordash them and order food for pickup. If you haven’t tried Pakeezah yet, do it.

Price: $20-$30

Revelry

Revelry is another of my favorite restaurants. It has american casual food and each portion is huge. You could easily split a meal between two people here. My favorite things to order are the Tavern Burger and the Reuben. The reuben is one of the best reubens I have ever had and if you are a fan of reuben’s, you will not be dissapointed.

Price: $20

Cholms Burger

This is by far the best burger spot in town. You can order a single, a double, or even a quad. The burger is a smash burger and produces maximum juiciness. It’s a food truck in the food truck park off 7th and it is so good. I get in arguments with friends about what the best burger is in Bozeman, but Cholms burger is the clear winner in my opinion.

Price: $10

Bar 3 BBQ (Belgrade)

This one is in Belgrade, but I think it is some of the best BBQ going…and that’s coming from someone from Texas. The old location in Bozeman shut down, but the Belgrade location is relatively new and very nice. The food is great and you get large portions. I actually ate this tonight right before writing this. It is definitely worth checking out.

Price: $15-$20

Everything You Need to Know about Hay Fertilizer

Everything You Need to Know about Hay Fertilizer

So you have a hay pasture and you are considering fertilizer. You’ve come to the right place.

Hay Crop

Soil Testing

You want to first understand the quality of your soil and where you are lacking minerals. You can do a soil test pretty easily by collecting some soil and bringing it to your local ag extension office and they will test the soil for you. This process ensures that you don’t over fertilize your hay crop and damage the soil and the crop in the process. It is likely that you soil is lacking in Nitrogen, which is the main reason for fertilizer.

How much Fertilizer?

Depending on the condition of your soil, this will determine how much you want to fertilize. If your soil is lacking in a lot of nutrients, you will need to fertilize more. If your soil is healthy, you will need to fertilize less.

Types of Fertilizer

There are two main different types of hay fertilizer: granular and liquid. Granular are pellet like form and are great for absorption over longer periods of time. If you are looking for a fertilizer that provides a steady amount of nutrients to the plants and the soil. In contrast, liquid fertilizer is highly soluble and is rapid absorbing. This is great if you are looking to maximize growth during the spring growing season, but this rapid absorption means the fertilizer will be used up very quickly. A disadvantage of liquid fertilizer is if you apply is and it rains the next day, or if you have it under pivot, the fertilizer could wash away and not be evenly absorbed the way it was intended. So choosing between the two depends on your climate, your agriculture, and your preference. Both are great options.

Best time to Fertilize

The best time to fertilize is during the spring. This is because this is when your crop will have the most moisture and will be most successful when given the extra nutrients. You want to give your crop the nutrients it needs during the time that it needs it the most. Application during the spring will be the best time to fertilize and will yield the best results.

11 Steps to a Home Garden That Will Feed You All Year Round!

If you’re reading this article, it means that you are interested in growing your own food. Perhaps you’re an urban dweller who is struggling to find a patch of soil to call your own; perhaps you live in a tiny apartment with minimal natural light; or maybe you have a small backyard that isn’t suitable for planting anything more than a few herbs. The great news is that no matter where you live, there is potential for a home garden! Even if space is limited or the only sunlight available comes from artificial bulbs, everyone can grow their own food. Follow these tips and tricks to get started on making your home self-sufficient when it comes to fresh produce.

What does a home garden look like?

Your garden will vary greatly based on the plants you choose to grow, the climate you live in, and the amount of time and money you have available. For example, if you live in a warm, dry climate, you can grow tropical fruit such as avocados, bananas, and papaya. In temperate climates, you may be able to grow citrus fruits such as lemons and limes, as well as kiwis, passion fruit, and figs. People who live in colder climates may be able to grow citrus fruits, figs, kiwis, and some tropical fruits such as bananas, but most temperate fruits will need to be grown indoors. Depending on your space, you may need to choose crops that can be grown in containers. Leafy greens, such as lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, and spinach, are great for containers because they grow quickly and don’t need a lot of space. Root vegetables and herbs are also good choices for containers or pots. Potatoes, turnips, carrots, beets, and other root vegetables can be grown in larger pots or even buckets. Herbs, such as mint, thyme, and parsley, are also good choices for containers.

Gardening with artificial light

The most important thing to remember when gardening with artificial light is that plants use natural light to determine when to grow. This means that if your plants are exposed to artificial light, they will expect spring to come. Depending on the type of light you have, they may not produce fruit, and they may not get the nutrients they need from the soil. If your plants are exposed to artificial light, you will need to give them additional light in order for them to produce the correct amount of fruits and vegetables. This can be done with grow lights, which can be placed above the plants. Because every plant has different needs when it comes to light, you will need to do some research on the best way to grow each specific type of plant.

Grow your own sprouts and microgreens

If you love fresh, healthy foods, but don’t have a lot of room, sprouts and microgreens are perfect for you. Both can be grown in a small amount of space, and they take less than a week to germinate. Sprouts are great because they are high in vitamins and minerals, and they’re delicious added to salads or sandwiches. You can grow almost any type of seed or bean that you like, as long as they’re untreated. Beans and legumes are best if they’re sprouted and eaten before they’re mature because they contain lots of healthy enzymes and vitamins. One of the best things about sprouts is that you can use the same container to grow them for several weeks, provided you keep them moist. You can also grow microgreens if you want an easy way to add more greens to your diet. Microgreens are grown from young, baby greens that are harvested when they’re still tiny and tender.

Choose your staples, and grow them in bulk

If you want to make sure you have fresh produce throughout the year, you may want to try growing staples, such as tomatoes, potatoes, corn, and beans. These plants take up a lot of space, so it may be best to choose one or two to grow. When growing staples, make sure to select varieties that are meant for eating fresh, such as cherry tomatoes, small potatoes, and baby corn, so that you don’t need to plant a large amount of each to get enough produce.

Grow fresh herbs on windowsills

If you want to grow fresh herbs, the best place to start is on your windowsill. Most herbs are small enough to be grown in pots. If you want to grow a large variety of herbs, it may make sense to invest in a few different containers, so you can rotate them as each one comes to an end. For long-lived herbs such as oregano and rosemary, it may make sense to plant them in small pots. Other herbs, such as parsley, chives, and cilantro, will grow quickly and can be harvested before they become too big.

Grow leafy greens in small containers or flower pots

If you have a small space, or only have access to artificial light, growing leafy greens is a great idea. Leafy greens are great in sandwiches or salads, and they don’t require a lot of space. Once you decide what kind of greens you want to grow, you can look for containers in all shapes and sizes, from small pots to large buckets. If you have access to natural light, you can also try growing greens in hanging baskets or on a small balcony.

Conclusion

Home gardening can be a lot of fun and can provide you with a wealth of free food, but it does take a lot of effort and patience. Once you get the process down, though, you will feel like a real farmer! Make sure you choose plant types that work with your space, light availability, and your climate. If you’re interested in growing your own food, but don’t have a lot of space, these tips will help you decide what to plant and how to grow it. By doing a little research and thinking creatively, you’ll be growing fresh, delicious food in no time!

Top 5 Gardening Trends We Love in 2022

If you are looking for inspiration to spruce up your garden (or lack thereof), then look no further! We've put together a list of five gardening trends making waves in 2022!

1. Urban gardening

Wake up! Urban gardens are all the rage, and you don't need a country estate to grow your own food! Touted as a way to create healthier communities, both physically and socially, urban gardening serves as a great way for city dwellers to slow down and get back in touch with nature.

Not only are people able to grow their own food without having access to a large yard or garden plot; the trend is also extending into much-needed community building, teaching kids how to grow foods from seedlings into plants, and nurturing healthy habits by familiarizing them with nutritious, whole foods!

2. Vertical gardens

We've seen vertical gardens trending over the past few years, and it's not slowing down anytime soon. After all, if you don't have enough space on the ground, why not go up?

Using vertical space for plants provides an excellent opportunity to grow food in small spaces, whether it's a few pots on the kitchen windowsill or a high-rise organic farm. There are several different types of vertical gardening systems available. Some incorporate hydroponic growing methods (which use water rather than soil), while others use soil and composting materials.

3. Living walls

Ok, hear us out. Living walls are a great way to add color and interest to your garden, whether you’re an avid gardener or just want something beautiful in your backyard. Like the name suggests, a living wall is a wall covered with plants instead of paint. They can be made from a variety of materials such as stone, brick and wood (to name just a few).

The Verge's new Netflix show "The Future Of" takes this idea a step further, exploring how houseplants will be taking care of us in the future!

4. Container gardening

Perhaps our favorite edition to the list, 2022 has seen an explosion of container gardening. Coming out of a post-covid era, there's been a common thread of people using their extensive time spent indoors as a catalyst for soul searching. The outcome? A new outlook on incorporating nature, even if you don't have a garden!

The good news is that a container garden is a great way to start gardening if you don't have a lot of space, especially if you live in an urban area where yard space may be limited or unavailable altogether (think high-rise apartments). It can also be used as an alternative to traditional gardens when there just isn’t enough soil available in your yard; or a great solution to those empty storage containers and mason jars!

5. Grow your own food (from scraps!)

We love the idea of growing your own food, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener. It’s a great way to unwind, enjoy fresh produce and save yourself some money.

If you’re just starting out, try re-growing some veggies on a windowsill indoors from your food scraps. This trend has recently taken over TikTok, and while we can't blame Gen-Z for being surprised at this process, we're happy to see users fostering their carrot tops, and other roots and bulbs, to minimize food waste and promote a more environmentally friendly approach to food production.

These are just some of the global gardening trends we're loving in 2022. We’re especially excited to see more people taking up gardening as a hobby and incorporating nature in seemingly urban setups. Follow along for more gardening tips, trends and tricks!

Chicken Coop Design Ideas

1. Chicken coops are great for chickens who need a place to live out their days. But what about those chickens who have already lived out their lives? What do you do with them? Well, if you’re looking for ideas for chicken coops, then look no further! Here are some great ideas for chicken coops.

2. A chicken coop should always be designed around the size of the chickens that will be housed inside. If you have a small flock of chickens, then they may only require a small space. However, if you have a larger flock, then you will want to make sure that you design a chicken coop that will accommodate them. You don’t want to end up having to buy a bigger house just because you decided to get more chickens.

3. When designing a chicken coop, you will want to keep in mind how much room each chicken will need. Chickens tend to be pretty active animals, so you will want to give them enough room to move around without getting in trouble.

4. Make sure that you design a sturdy chicken coop. There are many different materials that you can use to build a chicken coop. Wood is probably the best option since it is strong and durable. However, if you prefer something that is easier to clean, then you can opt for plastic instead.

5. Another thing to consider when building a chicken coop is ventilation. You will want to make sure you provide adequate air flow to ensure that your chickens stay comfortable.

6. Finally, you will want to make certain that your chicken coop provides protection from predators. Predators can easily sneak into a chicken coop and attack your chickens. Therefore, you will want to install a fence around your chicken coop to prevent any unwanted visitors.

Top Gardening Tips

1. Watering

Watering is probably the most important thing you do for your garden. You need to water regularly throughout the day, even if it's cloudy outside. If you don't water enough, your plants won't get the moisture they need. If you over-water, you'll end up with soggy roots and wilted foliage.

2. Mulching

Mulch keeps weeds down, conserves moisture, and helps prevent erosion. There are many different types of mulches out there, including straw, wood chips, bark, sawdust, newspaper, grass clippings, and composted manure.

3. Fertilizing

Fertilizer feeds your plants and promotes their growth. Use fertilizer according to label instructions. Don't use more than what's recommended; using too much fertilizer can lead to burn spots on leaves and flowers, yellowing of leaves, stunted growth, and poor fruit set.

4. Pest Control

Pests eat away at your plants' roots, stems, leaves, buds, and flowers. To keep them under control, spray your plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Neem oil is safe for humans and pets and works well for controlling aphids, mites, whiteflies, thrips, spider mites, mealybugs, and leafhoppers.

5. Harvesting

Harvesting is the last step in gardening. When your plants reach maturity, cut them back to promote new growth. Be sure to remove any dead or diseased parts before harvesting.

Baby Horses!

I have an announcement to make…we officially own two baby horses! These horses have been something that we have been planning to buy for quite some time. We prepared the corrals for them and got everything ready for these fillies months before buying them. They are our two new babies and there names are Haze and Rebel. Rebel has a very fitting name because she has quite the personality. She is a little skiddish around us and can be quite mean, but she means well. Haze is the complete opposite. She is very sweet and lets you pet her and is easy to halter and get to do what you want her to do. These two together make the perfect blend of personalities for our farm. We are excited to train these fillies, ride them and eventually breed them. This is all very exciting news for us on the farm and we can’t wait to share with you the progress of these two animals.

Our other two horses have adapted to the newcomers quite well. They are being very nice to the young fillies and showing great maturity in their old age. It will be interesting to see how things go between these two horses this summer when we let them graze in our fields. We are planning on training them with food and a cowbell to call them back in this summer and are eager to try this method out and see if it works. Stay tuned for updates on these two new additions to our family and farm!

Incoming Pheasant!

So I have had a long day today… A couple of days ago my check engine light came on and I was planning on bringing my car in to get checked today. As I was driving into town, I saw two pheasants starting to take off in the grass to the right of the road. I kept thinking the birds were going to get out of the way, but as I got closer I realized I was going to hit the second pheasant. I tapped on the brakes and immediately hit the bird. There was a loud shunt heard throughout the car. My window was completely shattered. I couldn’t see anything. I slowed down and put my flashers on to let the cars behind me past. I was devastated. How could everything go wrong all at once? I was just going to get my check engine light checked. Below is a picture of the windshield.

Shattered Windshield

There was even glass inside the car. I’m lucky the windshield didn’t completely break and crash into me. But it’s not all bad. I was able to get my car to the windshield place and was able to run a diagnostic on my check engine light and found out it’s only a minor part failure and should be a cheap fix. So the day is turning around, I just keep replaying that moment in my head and what I could have done differently. If I could do anything over again, I would have slowed down the second I saw the two pheasants instead of just assuming they would get out of the way. Next time I will do that. Just another day driving in Montana!

Garden Growth

I thought I would give y’all an update on our garden this year. We made a lot of changes to the garden this season and added a lot to it. One of the things we added was bark pathways and cover around the rows. This has really trimmed up the garden and has greatly improved the way that the garden looks. We also added some additional crops this summer, with one of those being corn. I’m really excited about biting into my first corn on the cob this year and the crops are doing phenomenally well so far! We also made some improvements to our grow boxes and filled them in with high quality soil. This has really made a huge impact on the vegetables growth in these boxes and is performing much better than our straw/potting soil mixture last year. We have already harvested some lettuce and radishes from the garden and are waiting until our other vegetables are ready. We have both greenhouse tomato plants and outdoor tomato plants, and although we don’t have any tomatoes right now, we should be getting some in the next month or so. I wanted to share some pictures of the garden and if you have any thoughts or suggestions feel free to comment in the comment section!

Happy growing!

James

Building Fence

We are constantly taking on new projects here on the farm and our most recent project has been building some peel-on rail fencing around the property. This rail fencing will be used to create a couple new pastures for our horses and perhaps other animals too 👀. I mention that we might be getting some new animals because I hope that we do. Some ideas are to get some cows, while I am wanting to get some alpacas. I think Alpacas are absolutely adorable and their fur can be used to make some really fantastic pieces of clothing. Cows on the other hand are probably more profitable and I love cows too. Whichever animals we decide to get I will be happy to make some new additions to the farm.

The fencing itself has been quite a task to complete. We first drive post with our bobcat and then begin attaching the rails to the fence. We use construction screws to screw in the fencing rails to the post. We also created a water gap to one of our springs for the animals to utilize. This water gap will prevent us from having to water the animals a majority of the year.

Check out the photos below of our fencing and let me know if you have any questions!

Tips for growing in Montana

Montana is a beautiful state with a lot to offer, but unfortunately for those who like to grow a garden, we have a relatively short growing season. This means you must prepare during the spring and maximize your growing season during the fall. Here are a few tips to help you grow a better garden this summer in Montana.

1. Grow your seedlings indoors to start. One of the key things to maximize your growing season is to start your seedlings indoors before the last freeze. Timing is everything when growing your seedlings. If you plant them too early and the last freeze runs into June, you are risking stunting the plants growth and causing death. If you plant the seedlings too late you limit the amount of growth you can get from each plant. My recommendation is to use a chart of when to plant each seed in relative to the last frost day. Use these times to count backwards from when your predicted last frost is and begin growing then.

2. Use heating pads. The use of heat pads will greatly impact your germination rates. If you find yourself getting a less than predicted germination rate for a specific plant, you might need to use heating pads underneath the seedlings to improve germination rates. We use heating pads and have seen our seedlings germinate faster and at a greater percentage.

3. Grow a variety of different plants and vegetables. Diversity is key to survival in the gardening world. Mistakes happen and you don’t want to have all your eggs in one basket when growing your garden. Try to limit the amount of seedlings per type of species. This way if disease, or other tragedies occur you are hedging your garden and protecting your other crops.

So there you have it, 3 tips for growing a better garden this summer in Montana. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section and happy gardening! For more tips follow our blog for more tips on how to grow in Montana!