As I mentioned in my last post, the only major items left to purchase for Pony Tail Acres were a tractor and a farm. Well, we decided that we wanted to meet our goal of buying all of the vehicles and equipment we needed in 2009, so that we could leave just finding a farm for our major 2010 purchase. We’ve traded our personal vehicles for farm trucks. We bought the horse trailer and various tools. And the biggest tool yet we gave ourselves for Christmas while Kubota was still offering 0 percent financing – a Kubota Grand L 3240 tractor (that we’ll be running on biodiesel). We also picked up a bush hog and tiller attachment so as to make our gardening efforts and cleanup for whatever farm we purchase much more do-able.
Speaking of finding a farm, we think we’ve finally found one! We’re very close to making an offer on a 38 acre tract that we found that we believe should go for somewhere under $10,000 an acre. Since some of you have asked for ways to help, we’ve also created a donations page where you can help push the organic and sustainable farming movement to more peoples’ dinner tables.
http://www.ponytailacres.org/donate.php
Ashley (left) and Brandy (right) on the Kubota
Bio-diesel! I’ve been wanting to do this myself, I guess I just haven’t pursued it hard enough. Are making it yourself or do you buy it from some where? I’m a big fan of Joel Salatin (Polyface Farm)& Tim and Liz Young (Nature’s Harmony Farm). I’d love to see some of the techniques you’re using.
Daniel – actually, we purchase our biodiesel already made. We either get SA White Oil Company in Marietta to deliver it to us 400 gallons at a time (we have a 500 gallon tank here) or we buy it at the Citgo (B-20 only) if it’s winter time. When we move to Powder Springs (assuming this property deal goes through) we’ll even have the B-20 delivered. We figure this lets us focus on working the farm instead of brewing biodiesel. The problem with biodiesel is that some of the individual ingredients can be hazardous to work with – causing fires, burns, etc. It also produces a lot of glycerin as a byproduct. So instead of deal with the ins and outs of biodiesel production, we gladly support our local biodiesel brewer… encouraging continued production.
Powder Springs? I live in Powder Springs. My mother had a small equine operation on my grandparents’ property and has since moved onto larger acreage in Paulding County. I grew up on the back of a horse in every discipline. Please let me know if your deal goes through, I’d love to meet ya’ll (even if it doesn’t).
Daniel – where in Powder Springs was your mother’s equine operation? Just keep an eye out here for more information on the Powder Springs property we’re buying. We’re hoping it doesn’t take any longer than a month to get a closing date, but we’re at the mercy of our lender. Hopefully we’ll have more to share soon!
Hello! Nice farm and website!
Question…I’m looking at buying a new Kubota tractor, their L series diesel. Given the recent rise in fuel costs, I’d like to be able to use biodiesel in a manner similar to what you’ve done…as high of a “bio” content in warmer months, then realizing in colder months it’d be closer to B20.
How high of a “bio” content are you using in warm months? At some point I’d love to be able to produce it ourselves, but like you it’s not practical at this point and we have enough to worry about with a new farm. Any issues with your Kubota on biodiesel? How have you liked the tractor overall?
Thanks!
Joshua
Joshua – we haven’t had any issues with biodiesel in either B20 or B100 formulations and still absolutely love our Kubota!