Tuesday, September 30, 2014

You Don't Have to Keep Growing


Mike and I got away over night Saturday to attend the Forestry weekend in Woodstock, Vermont.

This, by the way, was the first time just the two of us have had a night sans children for three and a half years.  

With regards to the forestry part, Mike and I both enjoyed a guided walk at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park about George Perkins Marsh and we bought his book Man and Nature which was written in 1861.  He is considered one of the first environmentalists by some, although known by very few.   I will, perhaps, share more of his writings here as I get through his book which is not very easy reading.

We also attended the woodworking show where woodworkers and forestry types showcased their goods.  There were several different organizations represented and Mike and I did talk to a couple of people about our business and where we are and where we would like to be with it.  I have written here before about where we are at a point of desiring a new homestead with land to selectively harvest for both our business and firewood and to increase our food production and also one with a suitable workshop and studio/office space.   One of the men we talked to was just amazed about what we do with so little and practically no overhead and very little expenses and that we did it all without going into debt.   

The hard part for us right now with our business is that we really don't want to grow it - we just want to make it more efficient.  And the thing is, all the organizations that give loans and grants want to hear is how we would expand, market, hire, increase, etc.  starting with a business plan detailing how all this would happen.   

I, on the other hand, want to share with people that you don't necessarily need to go into tons of debt, don't need to do things the way the world tells you you should do business-wise, and that there is nothing wrong with having a modest business that allows you to be at home with your family, gives you time to work on growing your food, get a year's supply of firewood cut, split and stacked, learn and discover with your children, help out in the community, and pursue creative outlets (need more time for this though!) - or whatever your own priorities are for you.  

This isn't to say we won't change how we do things with our business, or learn new ways of marketing, or even need to get a loan at some point, but it is really the thought process behind the typical business model in our country and probably elsewhere - that you have to keep growing, growing, growing.  For our family, that just doesn't fit.

13 comments:

  1. beautiful!!!! The trees look so colorful. I love your philosophy about the business. I like that you want to do your growing as individuals and as a family. On days when you are doubtful look at your lovely children and be affirmed that you are all on the right path.

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  2. Sounds like a neat time, and hooray for a night away :) I know just what you mean about the "growing growing growing" and business plans, etc... For a while Jim & I thought we'd try to have a farm business, to maybe get to the point of him being able to stop working away from home, and so we officially became a business. But after several years under those expectations (what new crops will you grow? how will we show that we're trying to make a profit? etc. etc.), we really came to realize that what we want is a homestead. And hopefully we can find a way by reducing expenses, and building up some simple "side" work that Jim can be home some day in the not too distant future. But you're right - it's hard to reconcile others' expectations with your simple ones! Take care ~ Annie

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  3. Very interesting Tonya! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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  4. We feel so similarly about our farm! We do have debt (our mortgage) but every little step we've made on the farm, we have done so without getting loans. The markets are there for us to grow certain areas of our farm, but we know it would mean compromising our family time or down time, or our values about how we raise things. From the outside, these decisions don't make sense (if we could sell the pork/eggs/piglets/etc...why not??), but as you know, from the inside growing isn't always the right decision for a small family business.

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  5. I have so very often had this same thought, but rarely hear anyone else echo it! Everyone thinks economic "growth" is the best thing, forever and ever. Surely this is completely contrary to developing sustainability and social justice across the world? Last Sunday our minister preached on this very topic and said, "Despite what we are told by the government and the media, in our hearts we know [constant growth] is wrong."

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  6. I understand everything you wrote....but so many others don't see our vision. We have a modest mortgage that will hopefully be paid off soon. We try to limit our debt. We are teaching our daughters to live debt free which means pay for everything with cash. My oldest doesn't have a car yet and we have many people very confused by this but she doesn't want to have a payment each month that means save for a car or go with out. It seems simple but its a buy now world.

    I have always been so inspired by your business and your ability to work from home and make a income for so many people. I have said it before our goal is to have my husband come home and work from home. I hope someday that I will be able to tell you this...but right now he has a full time job and also works from home : )

    Thank you so much Tonya for not only talking about being a debt free business but also living it!!! I have been watching you from afar since homesteadblogger....which was many years ago...and I have seen that you don't just talk the talk but walk the walk and I love that!!

    Hugs to you, Renee

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  7. I applaud your long term goals & lifestyle choice. Could you possibly buy or barter a small inexpensive RV trailer? Or perhaps purchase a shipping container? In some areas they are practically giving containers away. Either could be used for storage/office/shop/classroom/library/root cellar/greenhouse/even annexed living space. Two containers strategically placed could serve as windbreak structure enclosing an area for garden/greenhouse/animal pen etc. Also you could always take an RV with you when you move. A decent RV could be great classroom on wheels lowering the cost of any trip requiring hotel, Ex:You could park in a relatives driveway or nearby inexpensively. Use the RV for trade shows or craft fairs. We are exploring this option ourselves. It may be an idea worth considering & RV's can be pretty affordable at this time of year. Best wishes, keep up the good work your family is an inspiration.

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  8. Have you considered crowd funding? Lots of people are interested in lives like yours, and many of them like to take part in loaning funds or donating in exchange for some small gift.

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  9. I love this! We, too, enjoy a modest lifestyle... making the most of what we have now is more important to us than earning more, buying more, etc. We are doing our best (and trusting the Lord) to stay debt free!

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  10. Hang with it. It is nice to hear somebody doesn't want more more and more. Keep it up.

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  11. Wow! A night away for you and your husband without children? That hasn't happened for 3 1/2 years?

    Our oldest child is 17 and my husband and I have not had a night away from our children in 17 years.

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