Public Profile for 1concernedfarmer

The Other Side of the Fence is a small family farm. We have no outside employees, and do it all from seed to sale. We specialize in heirloom and open pollinated vegetables. Using only natural composts and organic fertilizers we are dedicated to enriching the health of the soil, to bring greater health to our products. We don't use conventional or organic pesticides or fungicides, but instead handpick large bugs, squish small ones and allow the companion plantings to discourage the undesireable bugs and attract the good ones. We also have several toad houses and watering holes as they are voracious bug eaters. Natural mulches of leaves and straw provide ample food for worms and is critical to moisture retention. Often organics use plastic mulches, but that practice tends to suffocate the soil and its occupants. Our animals too, are raised with the same care and devotion. They are friendly, have large pastures and spend their days doing what they love best. We believe, just as people are healthier when they are happy, livestock too produce the best when they are happy and unstressed. At night we provide very safe healthy accomodations.

This is our 4th growing season

Black cherry tomatoes

Actually my 10 year old daughter Jessica is my inspiration. She is everything to me. Her health of body is a primary goal and our farm reflects the lengths we are will to go to produce good food. And I am totally committed to giving her what I consider to be the best and most wholesome experiences I can. Farm life.

My mom and dad only planted one seed, in Cleveland, Ohio. So I am an only child who had a good but fairly uneventful life. But I was always a free spirit and a bit of a rebel. So graduating high school I had many jobs...none of them that were me though. So I joined the National Guard to become a Military Police person. Loved it! I learned artic survival in Alaska, went to machine gun school, participated in REFORGER in Germany and then spent 9 months in Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield/Storm. Not boring anymore! When I was discharged I opened a nail and tanning salon. And then I met my husband Pat. We were married 9 months later. Bought some land and built a house, I was the contractor! We were blessed with our daughter Jessica...sold the house, bought 12 acres and built this house ourselves, except for foundation, plumbing, heating and septic! After 1st grade I began to homeschool our daughter. I started to farm. Jessie joined 4H and the excitement has just begun.

The cow pictures Jessie draws for me.

Farmers never realy retire.

My mouth! And our newsletter, THE VIEW from the Other Side of the Fence

Everything dealing with our commercial food production methods of both plants and animals. Old time farming and feed methods. Anything green that is simple to implement that can be afforded by the average person. Natural healing. Politics. The Catholic faith and saints. NAIS. And finding time and good ways to relax and not fall asleep.

Finding Funding, Most farmers never make a whole lot of money. Going to a bank is pretty much out of the question when everything is reliant on nature. Presenting a good business plan is hopeful, except you can get wiped out in one storm. So my credit cards have to absorb the costs of my projects for the time being until I can establish a constant positive cashflow.

For the time being, my dear husband has been carrying the load that I can't pay. My mom also sells on ebay and amazon to help raise money for me.