Our Setup
High acres ranch used to be the name of the large ranch, which was divided and sold many many years ago. We are the latest, and 3rd owners of one of the parcels, almost 10 acres, up on the hill.
We moved in a year ago, in November. Not too big, not too small, it is everything we were looking for and more. We love what it offers, and are excited about the potential it holds.
The hill is important to us, as most of the area is flat and subject to flooding. The few rolling hills and the views that come with it appeal to us. Sunsets are amazing!
Our land is a large rectangle. The house is up in the highest point of the property, on the South-East corner. There is an aquaponics-hydroponic greenhouse, a small vegetable garden, an old barn and chicken coop, a couple of ponds (tanks as we say in Texas), a large field, a smaller goat pasture, and an important storm shelter. A small creek runs through the North-West corner. At some point in time, most of the trees were cleared and ornamental ones were added.
Our Plan
Eventually, we would love to be as self-sufficient as possible. We would like to grow a beautiful vegetable garden, run the greenhouse efficiently, and maybe add a few goats and a couple of milk cows, free-ranging chickens, and ducks. Horses would be the cherry on top.
As a family, our goal is to learn how to live a more respectful life towards our environment and the people that we share it with.
We would like our kids to understand how things work and interconnect so hopefully, they can grow to be more aware, and appreciative and enjoy what we all work for.
For now, we started with making the house, a home. Then we focused on fixing the barn so we could bring back livestock, and use it as a temporary workshop.
With spring, we rehabbed the chicken coop and brought in chicks and ducklings. We added a bee yard in the field, planted a few vegetables, learn to run the greenhouse, and then most recently, we had a new hangar-workshop built.
As we discover and learn our plan evolves. The to-do lists adjust and grow. Every day is a new learning adventure. At times, I wish, I had paid closer attention to how my grandparents did things on their small farm, back in France where I grew up.
Well, if you are curious about how we manage everyday challenges, just tag along. I will do my best to introduce everyone, and keep you updated on our efforts to restore, and bring our little Farm/Ranch to life.
Soon to be posted: some of our projects, some done and some waiting for a weather window 😉