First off I would like to wish everyone a marry Christmas. As we look back on 2011 how stress full of a year we all had with weather. Its a good time to remember how thankful we all should be. This most likely will be my last post for 2011. One of my new years resolutions will be to keep this blog more up to date. I appreciate all those who read the blog in 2011, and I hope you continue in 2012.
We have had a few changes on the farm the last month. We have decided to branch out in to custom hay production. Last week I purchased a John Deere 510 hay baler. I will have some time this winter to replace a few belts and chains. I look forward to using it in 2012. At this point we are shopping for a hay mower. We are leaning toward getting a self propelled haybine. With my limited about of time in the summer, I think it should speed up the cutting. I have a little hay ground that I will bale to sell the hay. I have also talked to a few friends and neighbors about doing some custom baling for them. With how hard it is for a young farmer to find farm ground, I think this will be a good way to "get my foot in the door" and get my name out there.
Also on the farm, we have been getting the shop organized for the winter. We are just moving equipment out off the way that won't be used till fall. We have some work that need to be done on the spring equipment, but for the most part its ready to go.
I have been working on getting more seed sales for Channel seed the last month. I even ran an ad on a local radio station. I have sold some to a a few friends and neighbors, but I am looking to improve my sales next year. Along with seed sales, I am in the beginning stage of possibly selling some equipment also at my shop. I have always wanted to sell used equipment, so I think selling for a few farm implement manufactures would also be a fun opportunity for me. I will be finding out in the next week more details. I will make a special post on here if I get to sell for the companies.
I will be be building a few workbenches for the shop in the next week. It has been long overdue, hopefully I won't have to work on stuff on the ground anymore. I also will be building a few storage shelfs so we can keep all the odds and ends (paint, oil, bolts, cleaners, etc.) off the ground and easy to find. As of now we will be pouring concrete for the shop after planting next spring. At that time I will finish off the shop area by putting in insulation and finishing the wall. I will also be putting in a small office which will be nice for seed and equipment sales.
I also would like to announce that in 2012 we plan to launch a website for Jarzen Farms. I plan to use this as a way to keep people more up to date on the farms activities. I will post pictures and videos of the farm on it. I don't have a set date to get the website launched, but it will be in 2012.
Again, thanks for reading
Marry Christmas!
Peter Jarzen
