NS Farm Investment Fund

Last night we went to a meeting on the this years Farm Investment Fund (FIF) program that is sponsored by the provincial and federal governments agriculture departments. The fund includes money for business development, training, farm health and safety, environmental protection, energy efficiency/sustainability and farm improvements that relate to these areas. Funding is everywhere from 25 to 75% of the cost to get the work or equipment done.

Last year we used the fund to help cover the costs of our protection from predator fencing, website development, and bringing water to the barn.

This year we hope to utilize some of the funding for training (internet marketing, fleece sorting course), manure handling and storage, runoff control from buildings, and a nutrient management plan.

Good news that we got last night was that new start up farms now how five years instead of three to reach the gross revenue goal of $10,000 per year.

For more information go to the following website:

http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/prm/programs/fifguide.shtml

Upcoming events

Things that are about to happen include:

Mayflower Alpaca show in Crapaud PEI on May 9/10
Shearing Day - May 16th

Last week of May is when we can start to expect our first cria for the year. Sedona is the mother.

Garden needs to be tilled and planted.
Pasture needs to be over-seeded.
Barn repairs/improvements need to be organized and started.

With the arrival of spring the farm becomes a busy place and going to work on Monday becomes a place to rest the aching muscles.

I hate Dialup

One of our biggest problems with living in rural Nova Scotia is ....Dial up internet. The connection moves so slow that it makes going on the computer a frustrating chore versus a quick search, update or pleasant time. For the past two months the situation has got worse. The connection is often failing, connection speeds are now 26KBs at best instead of 30-32KBs. Alaint our provider does not seem to care and they now charge highspeed at the same price as dialup but highspeed is not available in our area. None of the competition is in our area either. The Nova Scotia government has mandated and awarded contracts so that all of rural Nova Scotia will be have highspeed access by the end of 2009 but I will believe it when I see it.

Spring has arrived

Spring has arrived in the last few weeks. Only remnants of the 6 foot drifts of snow at the edge of the woods are still around. Temperatures are finally hitting double digits and the heavy winter coats are put away. Crocuses are flowering and other spring bulbs are at early shoots

Alpaca wise; the winter manure and bedding layer has been removed from the barn. All the animals are healthy and now scrounge the pasture for any greener that is starting to grow.

Clean up has also started on the flower gardens, apple trees are sprayed, some vegetables are started in the sun room for later planting.