tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post5220193100673706536..comments2024-02-10T18:50:01.193+10:00Comments on Gully Grove: Dodging bulletsChris http://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-62280957079159608622014-03-26T21:14:09.800+10:002014-03-26T21:14:09.800+10:00That's the inconvenient truth isn't it, wh...That's the inconvenient truth isn't it, where else would we all go? There is always somewhere else, but not necessarily a better somewhere. Just a different somewhere, requiring the same mental enginuity to navigate the challenges which arise.<br /><br />Niche market is perfect for small scale production, but I do have to test the market is there. One thing which isn't grown as readily, is Asian and African vegetables, and there is a growing portion of the population who would demand it. They're the type of vegetables that would grow well in our locale too.<br /><br />I hope you can find a niche market in your area, because as much as we both like to garden for fun, it wouldn't be so bad to garden for profit either. ;)Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-39778186305980036262014-03-26T20:35:36.707+10:002014-03-26T20:35:36.707+10:00A niche market sounds perfect for you and is proba...A niche market sounds perfect for you and is probably what I ought to focus on as well. Successful CSAs seem to require a lot of hands to keep them productive. I so agree that commitment is key! Whenever I get discouraged I ask myself where else is there to go? The answer is nowhere. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-33989523830991134732014-03-21T15:16:00.048+10:002014-03-21T15:16:00.048+10:00Dave is the same Leigh - loves to work in the yard...Dave is the same Leigh - loves to work in the yard, but has to divide his time up between work, family (extended family too) and trips into town for necessities. We all chip in where we can help but there's a lot to get done. Commitment is key. :)<br /><br />We do have CSA's, but I was thinking more of a niche market because we do live in a farming area. Even the organic niche has been taken care of by several up-market organic shops in town. I'd have to grow something other people weren't supplying. I've got a few ideas up my sleeve, but as always, research comes first. ;)<br /><br />I have narrowed down my business model to small scale niche market, which can be run by myself (with a young one in toe). That's what I'm aiming for anyway. Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-31695517914674456262014-03-20T21:02:56.752+10:002014-03-20T21:02:56.752+10:00Hand raised here! This very thing is a constant to...Hand raised here! This very thing is a constant topic at our house. Dan is an over the road truck driver and he hates leaving. He constantly laments how little time he has at home to get things done. I tend the garden and the animals and he does the building and repair but would love to have more time to get involved in larger scale planting and growing such as grain. <br /><br />Do you have anything like our CSAs (community supported agriculture) in Australia? If you could get to a point where you produce a nice abundance and could sell subscriptions, you might could do very nicely especially if your customers pick up their weekly food boxes. And subscriptions mean you'd have a fairly good idea of income expectations. We haven't done it because 1 - it would take the two of us and 2 - I've had too many plant disease, insect, and critter damage. So far. It does seem the perfect permaculture solution, however. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-92179435106684638102014-03-20T13:20:28.037+10:002014-03-20T13:20:28.037+10:00Thanks FnS. :)
Dave and I keep joking, the only ...Thanks FnS. :) <br /><br />Dave and I keep joking, the only way we will leave here, is in a box, lol. <br /><br />Having said that, incapacity is still a legitimate reason to leave. I know you will dodge the bullets for as long as you can too. ;)Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-83308252585644627762014-03-19T18:39:50.989+10:002014-03-19T18:39:50.989+10:00I hope you can find a way to stay there, Chris. It...I hope you can find a way to stay there, Chris. It looks such a lovely place and you've done so much work. <br /><br />The only way I will leave here is if I get too old to manage it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-9034159959619986952014-03-19T10:04:12.746+10:002014-03-19T10:04:12.746+10:00I know exactly the predicament you're sharing....I know exactly the predicament you're sharing. No-one wants to leave, but financially it sometimes makes the most sense. In the end you have to weigh-up what you can manage financially.<br /><br />Having said that, I hope the battery manufacturer will come good on their warranty. Have you been in contact with the ACCC regarding a complaint of what the manufacturer advertised as their warranty? In the past I've found the ACCC helpful in negotiating settlements between retailers and consumers. You may not get everything the warranty said it would cover, but you may get something towards compensation.<br /><br />I do wish you well on sorting that out, because 20k is a lot of money.Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-18485381073816428262014-03-19T09:35:01.947+10:002014-03-19T09:35:01.947+10:00Not sure if it's the same thing, but we have D...Not sure if it's the same thing, but we have Distance Education, which is basically school done via correspondence, with meetings at a school facility necessary only for exams. It's not free, you have to pay for it, but this was the option we were considering if Sarah did want to do Home Education for her high school years.<br /><br />The curriculum is too extensive for me to set up for her, while also having to manage her younger brother and a potential small business. It's good to have options. :)Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-72389395570598307482014-03-19T09:31:53.531+10:002014-03-19T09:31:53.531+10:00Thanks for that reminder! They say what will make ...Thanks for that reminder! They say what will make or break a small business is the first year. Having a sound business plan is important. So glad to hear you have a happy forecast for the third year. :)Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-39213319217920076422014-03-19T07:48:49.383+10:002014-03-19T07:48:49.383+10:00Chris, I really feel for you and your family facin...Chris, I really feel for you and your family facing this dilemma - and admire your resourcefulness and courage in facing challenges.<br /><br />Yes, it can be tough living on affordable acreage (i.e. land far enough away from suburbia to be affordable). The decision to buy our place was made using heart, and the head only came into it to confirm that the price was well within means. No one tells you at that stage that there are so many costs associated with this lifestyle, both on-property and off. But the lifestyle is well worth it if one can find ways to minimise or eliminate the costs.<br /><br />We have just found out that our six-year old solar power battery bank will need replacing very soon, and so far the manufacturer seems to be stonewalling on meeting their warranty obligations. So we could be up for something approaching 20k - not a cost that we anticipated at this stage, but rather in another 5-10 years. Being partly self-funded retirees means that we probably have to bite the bullet and shell out the money, knowing that this brings the point when we will be entirely dependent on the pension (and probably forced to move as a result) that much closer.<br /><br />I wish you lots of success in finding a workable solution that keeps you on your property and providing a fulfilling life for the whole family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-41178396877825757282014-03-19T07:14:56.174+10:002014-03-19T07:14:56.174+10:00Chris, have the online high schools started up in ...Chris, have the online high schools started up in Australia? They are part homeschooling, part public schooling. Students have to go to the campus every week for tests, gym class, music, tutoring or whatever but overall the classroom time is spent at home. linda marthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14201901762476827737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-24351764638155020582014-03-19T07:13:10.960+10:002014-03-19T07:13:10.960+10:00I actually have a business plan and it was very di...I actually have a business plan and it was very discouraging to see how much goes out the window towards things like insurance and liscences. On top of which you have to usually invest in supplies and advertising. HOwever, by the time we projected into the third year, we were making a happier profit. The first year is the hardest. linda marthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14201901762476827737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-71497899693864430352014-03-17T14:03:07.262+10:002014-03-17T14:03:07.262+10:00We did try home school a few years back, but the i...We did try home school a few years back, but the impromptu flood changed everything. At the time I knew I couldn't keep up with her learning, and put our yard back together, so she returned to school.<br /><br />We have discussed home school for high school as well. It may evolve as a solution, but only if that's what she wants. At the moment she wants to try high school because all her friends are going. ;)<br /><br />Always a will here, lol, now we just have to find the way. :)Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-87060114743955110912014-03-17T13:45:06.996+10:002014-03-17T13:45:06.996+10:00A baby stream of income is still a start. Doing re...A baby stream of income is still a start. Doing research is scary at the moment, because all the compliance fees with government regulatory bodies in order to sell stuff, is adding up. If its hard producing food for ones own family, it's tougher attempting to provide food for others.<br /><br />But I'll still keep looking for a way. ;)<br /><br />I can't believe Sarah is entering high school either. It just seems like yesterday we moved here, and she hadn't even started school! It's an old cliche, but how time flies.Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-78805976320018731702014-03-17T11:52:15.640+10:002014-03-17T11:52:15.640+10:00Home schooling?
I certainly would not want to lea...Home schooling? <br />I certainly would not want to leave either and have always felt where there is a will, there is a way.Rubye Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02511953177053448513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-25140841064257351412014-03-16T22:32:23.767+10:002014-03-16T22:32:23.767+10:00I can't believe that Sarah is already entering...I can't believe that Sarah is already entering high school! Wow. <br />I like the solutions you have come up with and think that you are making wise choices which is hard to do when you have spent so much time dodging bullets. <br />At the same time, I also know that there are lots of ways to get the land to produce an income and each one of us is going to have our own ways. Rather than talking about my baby stream of income I await more information on yours:)linda marthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14201901762476827737noreply@blogger.com