As I plan my year and look ahead at 2021 goals for CG Heartbeats Farm, I see unknowns, what ifs and a bit of, can I really do this or that. But I have learned in my life about breaking big goals down into doable bit sized tasks.
I am learning to pray over what feels impossible and wait on the Lord. I am a work in process in this area for sure. on the days my body is done, I celebrate the tiny steps I can take. Maybe aside from feeding and caring for animals, I make a few phone calls.
When I sit and dream, let my mind wonder and ponder the coming year the following ideas and goals came to mind. Many are on going and started with me in 2016 on my homesteading journey. Others are new or have shifted from an original goal.
Thank you for taking the time to be interested in what plans I am working towards this year. Be sure to leave a comment below telling me and others what your homestead goals are this year.
Table of Contents
Animals
I took a closer look at my goal of the last 4 to 5 years of wanting cattle. What I found? I wanted both a meat source and a milk source. Looking around the property at all the other projects I have going, knowing barn space needs to be improved before adding another large animal, and new information (I like the taste of Nigerian Dwarf milk), I have shifted my cow goal to adding Nigerian Dwarfs to CG Heartbeats Farm.
Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Nigerian Dwarf goats are smaller in size and require less space and food compared to a cow, even if talking mini cows. Now I have not given up on the idea of cow, but rather placed it on hold for the time being. Goats do still require fencing and protection from weather and predators.
I get pretty excited thinking about baby goats and drinking milk produced here.
With adding goats comes a need for fencing and housing. I am leaning towards a small pen, but purchasing a portable netting fence. A variation of this fence functions for both goats and poultry. As Aneta grows in maturity and training, she will be in charge of protection detail.
Aneta
If you are new to CG Heartbeats Farm, Aneta is a purebred Great Pyrenees and a livestock guard dog. She will continue her training. She is a playful puppy, and is learning what is ok and what is not. One example, was the first time this fall Brian fired up the chainsaw and began cutting up downed trees in the woods. She was barking up a storm and running around where she was tethered outside.
I took her for a walk to see what was happening. When he was close to finishing, I took her nearby again so she would realize it was a familiar person. I took her out on a walk the next time he was cutting wood, too. She no longer barks when he using the chain saw. She has learned this is normal. Aneta’s 2021 training goals will continue, often in practical ways as mentioned above.
Horses
As the weather improves in spring time, I truly desire to begin working with a horse again and eventually riding. I will choose either Bo or Cider to work with and ride. I feel excited at the idea of riding again. Perhaps it was the short ride I took on my niece’s new horse Holly in last December.
Chickens
Raising chickens was the first homesteading activity I started with in 2016. While I want to continue with these fantastic breeds, I also see a need for a shift, for progress and growth.
- Purchase additional Silver Gray Dorking chicks to add diversity
- Purchase additional Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiners (?)
- Faze out some Swedish Flower Hen chicken pens
- Produce a part of chicken feed to reduce costs.
Gardens for 2021
I am still organizing the seeds I saved from last year. I may not need to purchase many seeds this year. But seed shopping is fun for me, sooo…..
- Order seeds
- Add Strawberry Plants
- Heather Plants
- Blue berries
- Evergreen Trees
- Grow additional grape starts from trimming
- Finish grape support system for existing vines
- Plan 2021 garden space
- Design plant placement in gardens for 2021
Food Preservation
Listed below are foods I want to preserve in 2021. There are several new to me canning projects on the list, but I do like a good challenge.
- Dill Pickles
- Bread and Butter Pickles
- Tomato Juice
- Ketchup
- Applesauce
- Peas
- Green beans
- Black raspberries
- Crab apple jelly
- Pickled garlic scapes
Homestead Projects for 2021
Clean Up
We use no chemicals when dealing with unwanted growth on CG Heartbeats Farm. Brian is rather sensitive to poison ivy so it has become my job to remove ivy instead of spraying it with round up.
There is other unwanted growth too. Instead of a faster method, I use the slower one of cutting and digging out stuff needing eradicated.
- Pretty flowering bushes in the pasture and along the chicken barn
- Trees popped up near the house and barns
- Continue improving container garden area
- Other spots along the buildings
Building Project 2021 Goals
There are several projects I would like to see completed in 2021. Truthfully, they may not all be completed this year. Moving the old barn here is still in research stage so I may find out it is not a feasible project. Check out the list below.
- Construct a Goat Shed/Barn
- Construct a Chicken Coop
- Move an old 16 ft. by 20 ft. barn to my property
- Fix ‘horse’ barn and tear down hip roof barn. Use boards for additional construction.
- Remodel Entry Room with closet and sink, and new roof
- Plan/Research for property fence
- Clean up existing fence lines
Roadside Stand
I would like to add a roadside stand for selling produce and crafts, but it may not happen this year. Realistically there are several other things I believe which need to happen first. I may start work on the preliminary items to get ready to add it next year. This is on the fringes of my mind rather than front and center.
As I said in the previous post, CG Heartbeats Farm 2020 in Review, I hope to attend local farmer’s markets again this year.
Basement storage/cold room
I would like a root cellar. However, as I stick to my goal of using what I have, I am reminded of a portion of the basement. It may do the job, with less effort and cost than constructing a new one. Below is a list of the items needed to bring it up to date.
- Clean!
- Wash jars
- Take out old boxes
- Add additional storage shelves
- Fix basement leak
- Decrease mouse access
- Research drain fix
- Update electricity and begin using freezer in basement
- Fix leak
2021 Goals Online
In an effort to meet my goal to provide valuable information for visitors new and old here at www.dontclipmywings.com I complied the following project list for 2021
- Update Front page of website.
- Update breed pages
- Launch digital products
- Update digital products with new information and style
- Create 2 new products (possibly physical)
- Launch Podcast Heartbeats that Matter
Check out the Homestead Guide (thinkific.com) for a sneak peak
Wrap Up
Hey, now these are lofty goals for me. Shifts will occur throughout the year and my value as a person is not reliant on the progress on CG Heartbeats Farm in 2021.
Rather these lists function as a vision to be brought into clarity as the year progresses. Some items may not be feasible or shift into a new goal. Other may have to wait due to available resources of time and money. After all, the fun is the details of the journey not the destination.
What are your goals and dreams for 2021?
