We have been trying to get a fingernail under the edge of the sticky roll of bureaucracy that will allow us to get going on some farm projects, and I think we have now spoken to the right people.As a start, we need a Farm Registration number for which we submit forms (and a fee) to the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture. It seems that we have to do this whether the farm was previously registered or not. There are a few unknowable questions on the form to do with income and livestock held, but a very helpful lady at NSFA went through it with us.
We also put our names down for an Environmental Farm Plan, which is a prerequisite for other plans - however, they are advising that there is an 8 month wait for this to be carried out - will need to follow this up later.
Once we have the farm registration number, we can submit an application for a Nutrient Management Plan to be carried out. This involves GPS'ing the fields, taking soil samples and analysing them, then producing a report and suggested application rates. This work is done by consultants and we are hoping that we can attract funding for the cost. It is certain that the fields will need substantial addition of nutrients, we don't think anything has been applied for years - just grazed and cut for hay. One possibility for the Spring is wood ash from the biofuel station in Liverpool. The producer is paying for the first 100km of trucking, and the ash is free, so the only cost will be that of a contractor to spread around 3 tons to the acre. There will be around 25 acres to be treated.
We have a neighbours oxen and cattle on the field just now, grazing off some rough patches.
I have failed, so far, to find a supplier of hens at this time of year. There is a dearth of egg producers around here, at least for good quality, free-range eggs and we are missing our chooks.
We also put our names down for an Environmental Farm Plan, which is a prerequisite for other plans - however, they are advising that there is an 8 month wait for this to be carried out - will need to follow this up later.
Once we have the farm registration number, we can submit an application for a Nutrient Management Plan to be carried out. This involves GPS'ing the fields, taking soil samples and analysing them, then producing a report and suggested application rates. This work is done by consultants and we are hoping that we can attract funding for the cost. It is certain that the fields will need substantial addition of nutrients, we don't think anything has been applied for years - just grazed and cut for hay. One possibility for the Spring is wood ash from the biofuel station in Liverpool. The producer is paying for the first 100km of trucking, and the ash is free, so the only cost will be that of a contractor to spread around 3 tons to the acre. There will be around 25 acres to be treated.
We have a neighbours oxen and cattle on the field just now, grazing off some rough patches.
I have failed, so far, to find a supplier of hens at this time of year. There is a dearth of egg producers around here, at least for good quality, free-range eggs and we are missing our chooks.
