Right now, the near future and the distant future...

[Jim Boyd]

that is some of the nicest volunteer clover ive seen you have your soil ph just right

We have about 10 acres of volunteer clover - seemingly a gift from God.

All of these fields are 6.4 to 6.9 pH if I recall correctly. They were last limed in 2018.

The deer are heavy on the fields and I generally see some birds on each cam when I pull the cards.

 

[Jim Boyd]

Those trees should really benefit from all that nitrogen that clover is producing

They are doing great so far...

100 sawtooths are green and about halfway up a 60” tube.

We planted 50 pears a little late and they are starting to leaf out.

Takes patience I know, but I want to see some progress !

 

[buckmanmike]

Your hard work is paying off. Do I understand correctly that you lease this land? I hope you have a long term lease because thats a major investment. Looking good.

 

[Jim Boyd]

Your hard work is paying off. Do I understand correctly that you lease this land? I hope you have a long term lease because thats a major investment. Looking good.

Mike,

Thanks for the kind comments.

The farm is on a handshake. 10 years now.

We have discussed this before and yes, the land can be lost. In fact, history suggests that it WILL eventually be lost.

Here is where I am...

As a steward - we are faced with a good many decisions.

The plots have been in use for years now, so to me - they are a given. I have about 35 acres on 844.

So, now come the trees. Many folks have commented on the investment so I see the concern about loss.

Rather than focusing on what CAN be lost - why not focus on what CAN be gained?

We planted 100+ sawtooths and 52 pear trees. The total cost was about $1100 if I recall correctly.

There are 8 of us so it was $137.50 per member - and we supplied the labor.

I also purchased a used 3 pt auger and 12” blade for $475 IIRC. Made planting the trees easy and have been wanting one for years for gates and such.

The $137 per member - many folks would spend more than that for deer corn in a single year - some would spend a lot more than that.

To me, making the investment in the property - the possible gains far outweigh the losses.

Not one of my members balked at all about the project - money or work wise.

There is also the incremental good will that it generates with the landowner. I planted one of the pear trees in his yard and you would have thought I gave him a new truck.

I plan to do this - perhaps on a smaller scale - in future years.

Following @Kdog advice I am going to transition the oak process to locally gathered seed stock and all I would them need would be the tubes.

We will see how it goes!!!