{"id":35716,"date":"2013-07-04T20:53:03","date_gmt":"2013-07-05T00:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/miserybay.usanethosting.com\/wordpress\/?p=35716"},"modified":"2013-07-04T20:53:03","modified_gmt":"2013-07-05T00:53:03","slug":"tailspin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/archive1\/tailspin\/","title":{"rendered":"Tail Spin Farm"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Michigan Hobby Farm
\nCourtesy of Meg Silverthorn<\/p>\n

I’m kicking off my Michigan Hobby Farm Hop today with a visit to Tail Spin Farm.
\nFirst of all let me just explain that I jumped into this whole idea without a plan (as usual) so my first farm visit was a total “fly by the seat of my pants” kind of thing, but I think it went really well and I realize that I didn’t even need a plan to begin with. I had one goal – to visit with Renee and see how her little homestead is set up. Renee (and her family) made that so easy for me. They were beyond hospitable and very kind.
\nSo let’s start the tour!
\nWelcome to Tail Spin Farm. A unique little hobby farm nestled near the quaint little town of St.Johns, MI; once known for being the world’s largest producer of mint. I passed at least three mint farms on my way to Renee’s and the land where they call home was once a field of mint.
\nThe most unique aspect of Tail Spin Farm is that this whole system is set up on just one acre of land! One acre! But she has done such a fabulous job of arranging everything, that it doesn’t look or feel cramped in the least bit.
\nWe started by checking out the coop that has been fashioned as a lean to on the side of the barn. This is home to twenty chickens and three turkeys that are divided by a wire wall.
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\nRenee explained that her intentions with the turkeys was to raise them in hopes of maybe making a small profit from selling the poults. But mommy and daddy aren’t cooperating and have only produced one turkey so far. Their names may become Thanksgiving and Christmas.
\nGabe and I have thought about getting a couple turkeys for meat. I learned that they are good escape artists so I’ll have to remember that if we venture into keeping turkeys.
\nThe next stop on our tour was the greenhouse. Renee explained to that her original plans to build this were apparently not up to her hubs standards so he stepped in to the save the day and built her one that was made to last (longer than the one she was intending to build). We laughed about how as hobby farmers we ask for things like greenhouses and hobby farm equipment for Christmas and Anniversary’s. Who needs diamond earring? Although, I wouldn’t pass up a pair.
\nRenee and her daughter Makayla have been very successful in starting their plants and herbs in the greenhouse this year and being that it’s the first year they’ve had it up, they are very please with the results they’re getting with it.
\nHaving fruit trees and berries is a goal of mine and Renee has hers set up beautifully. Her Raspberry’s are cradled next to her apple tree’s which Renee says look better this year than they have in a long time.
\nThe vegetable garden was lovely and I got a great new idea for staking my tomato plants. Renee uses three bamboo sticks tied together at the top to make a tee pee. She tried this method for the first time last year with great results. You can purchase bags of bamboo sticks at your local farm & garden store for about three bucks a bag. I haven’t staked my tomato plants yet this year, and I’m happy I saw this idea. I’m also hoping to add some straw around them like Renee has done here.
\nThen there is the herb garden which is really Makayla’s baby. She is the “herbologist” of the family, and you can tell that she has a passion for her herb garden. She has a great eye for style too, as she picked these white chairs up just a week or so ago at an antique sale. I think they fit the space perfectly!
\n\"\"
\nAnd then there are the animals. Two alpacas, six pygora goats, and lots and lots of angora rabbits.
\nThese animals are the stars of this show because they provide Renee with the fiber she needs to do what she does best, spinning yarn and crafting the most wonderful items.
\nShe raises these animals with love, sheers them ALL herself, cleans, dyes, and spins their fiber into the softest yarn I’ve ever felt. I got an angora hat from Renee this past spring and I can’t wait to wear it next winter.
\nNot only does she spin and create things for her own shop, but she sells her spun yarn to a boutique in NY.
\n\"\"
\nBrodey LOVES bunnies. He told me his favorite part of the day was holding that baby bunny.
\n\"\"
\nAfter our farm tour we went inside to cool down with a glass of ice tea. Her house is so lovely.
\nFrom the antique aprons hanging in the windows as curtains on the front porch to the milk can filled with homemade soap in the bathroom, everything about her home was inviting. A place you could just sit and converse in for hours.
\nShe was kind enough to show us her spinning skills too.
\nI had such an great time at Tails Spin Farm and I hope to visit again some day.
\nI think I walked away from this experience with even more of an appreciation for hobby farmers and homesteaders. Having a farm, no matter how big or small, is a lot of work and as you can see, Renee has a lot of wheels in motion on her farm and every day brings it’s own challenge. If it’s not the heat, it’s the rain and mud, or the snow. Hobby farming is NOT for the sluggard. But the benefits that you reap from all the hard work are worth it.
\nYou can learn more about Renee and her family and see more pics of her one acre farm by visiting her blog. http:\/\/www.tail-spinfarm.com\/<\/a>
\nReprinted with permission.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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