Final Design Project for On The Road Again Farm

Nancy Buddington

On The Road Again Farm is a small, family run goat dairy located on leased land in the town of Wilbraham, Massachusetts. We have been breeding, showing and milking goats since 2009. Our farm began as a 4H project in 2007 when our daughter Kim leased an Oberhasli doe named Oodles from a 4H family. She was able to buy this doe in 2008. Oodles had a single kid in March of 2009. In 2010 Kim added another Oberhasli doe and buck to the herd and I bought an alpine doeling. In the summer of 2010, we began making and selling goat milk soap. Since 2007, our herd has grown to its present size of 28 goats ( 3 bucks, 14 does and 11 kids). Our family resides in a suburban neighborhood in which zoning and space prohibit keeping goats so our herd has been housed on rented space, first at Green Acres Fruit Farm in Wilbraham. We moved our operation to the present location at 288 Main Street in Wilbraham in 2013. We decided to call our farm “ On The Road Again Farm “ because we commute at least twice a day to our goats and are always, on the road.Our move to the present location was an answer to prayer. The previous site offered very limited space for the goats to graze and there was no electric or water available. Our dream was to establish a micro goat dairy somewhere in the Pioneer Valley and provide quality, nutritious and locally produced goat milk products to our community. So in March of 2013 we moved our goats, livestock panels and one Leghorn rooster to this present site. Since that time, we have been able to set up some of the infrastructure needed to manage our goat herd. But we have yet to construct the milk house and parlor required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to be certified to sell raw goat milk. As we have come to know the owner of 288 Main St, become familiar with this property and have been introduced to the concept of permaculture through taking this course on practical homesteading, I am excited with the challenge to take the goals we had for our farm and incorporate them into a much more sustainable system. One that will not solely focus on the “end product” but rather the design of patterns in nature and their interactions and relationships. Permaculture is an alternative agricultural system that fosters sustainability through the accumulation and conservation of soil, biomass, water and genetic diversity. Peter Bane, in his book The Permaculture Handbook, describes gardening as the most sustainable form of agriculture. And as he says, “ at its simplest, garden farming is no more than the effort of people to provide for their own needs from their immediate surroundings” ( page 3 ). Bane terms this as self- reliance, or “taking responsibility for one’s own household needs as part of a resilient local economy.” In this economy, trade and barter are vital components. Thus permaculture can also describe a system of permanent culture that fosters community and cooperation.This self-reliant living can be seen in those who presently embrace homesteading as well as those in the past. The recent generations that have been part of the household at 288 Main St. have practiced, probably without knowing it, many of the principles of permaculture. In the 18th and 19th century, this site was the location of a large dairy farm. The backside of the farmhouse was the milk house. Fire destroyed the original barn. A natural spring supplied the farm’s water. Over the years, parts of the

property were sold including the area where the spring is located. Due to contamination, the farm is now hooked up to town water and sewer.Researching the human features and practices on this farm has given meaning to the placement of structures and vegetation. This new generation of homesteaders worked together to create an inspiring example of self-reliant living. The barn addition was built from a plan drawn on a napkin. The cycle of life and death has brought joy and sorrow to this farm and has taken a toll on its inhabitants and structures. But knowing this history has truly inspired me to continue the traditions that have been passed through the generations here.LocationOn The Road Again Farm is located on a 63 acre parcel at 288 Main Street, Wilbraham, Massachusetts. I will be using approximately 30 acres of this site as part of my homestead design. Description of PropertyThe site includes a large farmhouse, garage, barn, toolshed, three livestock shelters, a chicken coop and two hoop style greenhouses. A bank of rabbit cages sit between the garage and barn. The farm is home to 28 Alpine and Oberhasli goats, 35 chickens, 3 geese, 4 dogs, 2 cats, and a 26 year old llama.The property is located at the foot of the western side of Wilbraham Mountain. The property slopes easterly from an elevation of 548 feet above sea level at the western edge to 1369 feet at its northeast corner. Forested areas are oak/pine and maple/beech/birch (USDA Forest Service). Approximately 15 acres are in various stages of secondary succession ranging from annual grasses, perennial plants and grasses and shrubs to sapling hardwoods and conifers representing four previously mowed or grazed pastures. Soil types that define this property include Merrimac Sandy Loam (10 acres), Charlton-Hollis-Rock Outcrop (3.8 acres), Wareham Sandy Loam (2 acres) and Swansea and Freetown Muck (5 acres).Fencing, in varying degrees of repair or disrepair, marks segments of the perimeter on the west, north and south sides of the property. Only pasture 1 and 4 are totally fenced. Numerous gates provide access to fenced areas.The farmhouse is a large 14+ room dwelling. It has been home to many families through the years. The former milk house in the rear of the building is now an apartment. Gutters provide access to rain runoff which is collected in rain barrels.ClimateOn The Road Again Farm is classified in the 5b Hardiness Zone (USDA). The average first frost date is October 1 – 10 and the last frost date is April 21-31. This area is in the Connecticut Valley Ecoregion and rarely sees temps exceed 86 degrees F. The average high temp in summer (July) is 82 degrees F, and the average high in winter (January) is 35 degrees F. Annual precipitation was 47.62 for 2014. The highest rainfall amounts came in April and in May (4.17 in). Prevailing winds are from the Northwest from October until May and the Southwest from May until September (NOAA).

Goals ArticulationOne of the major goals of On The Road Again Farm has always been to provide quality, nutritious and locally produced goat milk products not only for our family but for our local community as well. That being said, after being introduced to the principles of permaculture I am now ready to expand the goals for our farm to include those activities that will not only help us achieve our desire to share our bounty but also create a sustainable and balanced system of agriculture.To that end I have included those steps that we need to take to legally share our milk and the by- products of that milk as well as practices on the farm that will help create a sustainable system. To obtain these goals, I will be using the permaculture principles of catch and store energy; produce no waste; and integrate, don’t segregate.Our Goals include: 1) Designing a milking parlor and milk house/processing room that will comply with state regulation and utilize whenever possible energy saving and nutrient recycling systems that benefit the farms ecosystem. This includes grey water drainage system from milk structures. 2) Determine the carrying capacity for our goat herd that enhances the farms ecosystem rather than hinders it but also provides a harvest for our family and community. 3) Design and construct water catchment system for main barn and larger livestock shelters. Have backup plan for reticulated water or water storage for pastures. 4) Use rotational grazing to manage pastures to ensure a continued diversity of plants. Incorporate edible alley crops to also increase diversity and fertility. Use coppice (periodically cutting trees) to enhance their vigor and add fertility to the soil. These practices integrate various elements on the farm, especially our goats and reduce the need to go outside for nutrients (hay). 5) Design a management plan for manure and compost so that the nutrients are efficiently used and returned to the farm. This insures no waste. 6) Outreach to farmer’s markets and community groups sharing in bounty of harvest. We already do this with our soap via local markets and the internet. The infrastructure is already in place (website, name recognition) to be ready to share our milk products upon certification. 7) Design a garden on the west side of the barn to provide vegetables and grain for our family and community.

• Goal 1 – Design a milking parlor/milk/processing room that will comply with state regulations and utilize energy saving and nutrient recycling systems that benefit the farms ecosystem. Below is a diagram of our proposed milk house. We would like to renovate a portion of the existing barn. This would include installing drains, a concrete floor and seamless walls to floor and ceiling. A tank less water heater would conserve energy but supply the water temperature necessary to clean and sanitize the milking equipment. Grey water would be run through either a grass filter strip or an organic filter bed. These are both surface applied wastewater treatments.

• Goal 2 - Determine the carrying capacity for our goat herd that enhances the farms ecosystem rather than hinders but also provides a harvest for our family and community. This describes a truly integrated system.

• Carrying capacity is defined as the maximum stocking rate possible without damage to vegetation or related resources ( Bryant et al, 1978). The stocking rate is the number of animals on a given area at any given time.

• One acre of permanent pasture can support 1 Au through the grazing season. Goats are .2 AUE so that one acre could support 5 goats.

• Goats are true browser eating 60% browse, 20% grasses and 20% forbs. Maple, oak, willow, multi flora rose, poison

• Ivy , apple, service berry, alder, and• sumac are favorite goat foods.

• Goal 3 – Design and construct a water catchment system for the main barn and livestock shelters.. Have a backup plan for reticulated water or water storage for pastures.

• Below is a sketch of possible catchment systems for the main barn. It would be important to make sure that there is a filter in place so that the water is clean and that there is secure storage to keep it clean.

• Various plans for supplying water to goats on pasture include shelters equipped with catchment devices, a design of movable paddocks that join at a common watering site or an alleyway that brings the animals back closer to the barn and multiple watering sites.

• Goal 4 – Use rotational grazing to manage pastures to insure a continued diversity of plants. Incorporate edible alley crops to also increase diversity and fertility. Use coppice (periodically cutting trees) to enhance their vigor and add fertility to the soil. These practices integrate various elements of the farm, especially our goats and reduce the need to go outside for nutrients (hay).

• With approximately 15 acres of pasture in varying stages of secondary succession, and at a carrying capacity of 5 goats per acre, there should be ample types of grasses, forbs and browse available in these 4 pastures to allow good renewal of vegetation and sustainability over the grazing season.

• According to Penn State University publication, Pasture and Grazing Manual, “short periods of high grazing pressure can be useful for maintaining important nitrogen fixing legumes but utilizing forage that would have been wasted. In a rotational grazing system an optimal grazing pressure matches food to animal needs .”

• In this management system, animals are moved from one paddock or small pasture area to another consuming their most favored foods first. For goats, 60% of their diet should be browse, 20% forbs and 20% grasses. Because these paddocks are smaller less favored plants are also eaten and before overgrazing can occur, the animals are moved to another paddock. Thus a very important part of this pasture management system involves monitoring the vegetation so that renewability and sustainability is maintained. (Belanger, 83 – 85)

• The downside to rotational grazing is the need for movable fencing. According to Belanger, each 1 acre of land requires 825 feet of fencing . One option is to use portable mesh electric fence that is powered by a solar generator. This provides flexibility in deciding the rotation of pastures based on continued monitoring of grazing pressure.

• Goal 5 – Design a management plan for manure and compost so that the nutrients are efficiently used and returned to the farm. This insures no waste.

• Goats have a dry pellet like feces that decomposes well in the manure pile. There have been documented instances where goat compost/manure piles have caught on fire in hot/dry summers.

• According to Bane in his book The Permaculture Handbook, “the combining of manure and vegetable remains needs to be in a ratio of 20 – 30 parts brown/dead material of low fertility to 1 part green or highly nitrogenous matter such as manure. “ These need to be moistened and mixed with soil. The pile can’t be too small or too large .

• Bane also suggests placing the piles in shaded areas to avoid overheating and piles placed in numerous spots around the farm makes it convenient to spread microbes and nutrients around the farm( pages 208 – 211).

• Goal 6 - Outreach to farmer’s markets and community groups sharing in the bounty of harvest. We already do this with our soap via local markets and the internet. The infrastructure is already in place (website, name recognition) to be ready to share our goat milk products upon certification.

• Design a garden on the west side of the barn to provide vegetables and grain for our family and community.

• As part of the microclimate analysis , the west pasture was observed to be in full sun for most of the day. Combined with the presence of sandy loam soil, I chose this site for a family garden.

• The site is 40 feet by 20 feet and I divided it into 8, 5 feet x 20 feet beds.• Considering the food needs and yields analysis, I chose 2 beds of corn, 1 bed of

green peppers, 2 beds of tomatoes, 1 bed of winter squash, 1 bed of carrots and 1 bed of lettuce that will be replanted later in the season. The placement of this garden is in Zone 2 close to a water source near the barn.

• A green house already stands near the garden and could be used this next spring.

• Nutrient Cycling – to build and then maintain soil fertility we will make an inventory of existing cover crops and also do an in depth soil analysis of key locations on the farm.

• White and red clover are abundant in the various pastures. Burdock covers large areas nearest the animal barns. The goats love the burdock and it is a source of added nutrients i n the form of fallen leaves and seed. Vetch is abundant as well.

• Site Analysis

This site has been protected from development or intensive management for many years. Animals have grazed on the various pastures and parts of these grasslands have been harvested for hay to be used on the farm. There is no evidence of intensive pesticide use except for the use of monthly Ivermectin injections for the llamas to prevent infection by the meningeal worm.Another positive aspect is that we are welcomed by the owner and she encourages us to farm on her property.Challenges that we face as renters include not being able to implement all the changes we would like to see happen. The owner is very agreeable in most cases but does have the final say in the management of her property.Another challenge we face is not living on the property, not being there all the time. Travel back and forth and other off farm obligations make it difficult to do everything we need to do.Many of the livestock structures and fence lines are in need of repair. The barn needs painting.The financial aspect of managing a dairy herd without the income source from fluid milk makes it difficult to repair what needs to be repaired and improve or change what needs to be improved or changed.

• Zone Analysis

• The elements of this design are interconnected in various ways. The presence of goats on this homestead not only provide a source of food but are integrated into the system via the addition of manure and a natural source of pruning for the vegetation on this site.

• The addition of manure to the environment provides a nutrient cycle that interconnects with all levels of the ecosystem

• Especially during the winter, hay brought in from the outside brings a added layer of genetic diversity.

• On a social level, goats provide a source of joy ( and sometime frustration) and are a pathway bringing those in the community to the farm to enjoy and learn. Youth from our local church and 4H group have come to help with barn clean out and fence repair. Local school groups have come to explore the farm and learn about agriculture. Our farm has also participated in an internship/mentoring program, matching high school seniors with local businesses.

• The importance of community and spirit of cooperation is most evident in the owner of this property. She has allowed us to use her truck and other equipment and has financed our newer livestock shelter. Most recently she has decided to buy a milking machine for the farm.

• Literature Cited• Bane, Peter. The Permaculture Handbook, New Society

Publishing, 2012• Belanger, Jerry. Storey’s Guide To Raising Dairy Goats. Storey

Publishing, 2001• Bryant et al. Range Management: Terms and Definitions,

Arizona Cooperative Extension, Pub Q176, 1978• NOAA, climate Data for 01095• Penn State University Publication, Pasture and Grazing

Management, PSU.edu• USDA Plant Hardiness Guide