On this winter solstice eve, snug in my tiny bungalow, I think of the coming growing season.  I am just beginning my journey into farming and there is so much to think about.  I haven't decided on which crops I will grow, although I have a few ideas.  I have already planted a few nut and fruit trees on my "farm."  At this point, I use that term loosely since there is not much there but an old soybean field and horse pasture.  It is "there" because there is not any sort of house there so I don't live there yet -- "there" being in Sterling, NY.  I have spent the last couple of years getting to know what is already growing there.  And if anyone can tell me to what purpose Sepp Holzer in Austria grew giant hogweed, I would be much obliged!  Sure, it's an insectary but so is Queen Anne's lace and I have plenty of that.  And that doesn't cause skin burns.  Maybe Sepp doesn't have Queen Anne's lace.

I just found a website on Nigerian Pygmy Goats and think they look just adorable!  http://www.rosasharnfarm.com/  Goats smaller than my dog.  I might be able to handle that.  She also raises Livestock Guard Dogs.  A very good idea when your goats are smaller than your dog.  I also find the idea of a guard donkey intriguing.  My dog has quite the adventure in store for him.   

In this quest of farming, I happened to get an email announcing the start of a new program - Beginning Women Farmers sponsored by the USDA and focusing on Holistic Management.  I applied and got accepted!  The more I learn about that, the more it seems like it is a blend of Permaculture and bookkeeping with a few tools on decision making thrown in.  I have only been to two "classes" but the dominant theme seems to be rangeland management.  I am not interested in dealing with an animal as large as a cow but I have a "wait and see" attitude about this because there seems to be so much more involved than cattle wrangling here.

Starting tonight, there is a confluence of cosmic events occurring.  The winter solstice coinciding with a full moon along with a total lunar eclipse.  Hope you get to see even a little bit of it.  Hasn't happened in 372 years...

I have also started my own blog at lavenderdawn.wordpress.com.  Join me there as I continue the adventure.  Hopefully, I can be a bit more conscientious about posting there.

I would also like to share of few links with you.  Here's one about greenhorns finding their space - and writing about it.  http://thegreenhorns.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/seeking-greenhorns-essayists/

Permaculture class online!  North Carolina State has a lecture series published.  http://iuniv.tv/top/detailPlaylist/pid/3062

Midwest Permaculture also has a series of talks on YouTube.  Starting here - Intro to Permaculture 0 - Overview.  http://www.youtube.com/user/MidwestPermaculture

There is a lot out there to learn.  Soak it up!