Minnesota, Here We Come (after we sell our house) and "the Chip"

We are ready. We have downsized and gotten rid of a bunch of stuff in order to prepare for our move to Minnesota. We have written business plan after business plan to prepare for our new farm business in the land up north. We know that we know that we know that we are supposed to move and have received confirmation after confirmation. Homesteading my husband's family farm is our calling. Our 8 acre homestead in Indiana is up for sale and we've had a few folks stop by and some interest, but no formal offer yet. Once it is sold we are going to move!

We know we have much work to be done in Minnesota. The old house is missing part of a roof and the beautiful old barn has a leaky roof as well. Fixing those two up as well as preparing the place for grassfed beef and making more portable chicken pens for pastured poultry, preparing a place for our egg layers and our milk goats, preparing a new garden biointensively, preparing and planting an orchard, expanding our homestead ebusiness, enjoying living near my husband's folks and grandmother,etc. etc. will be keeping us very busy for a long, long time. Homesteading is NOT for the faint-of-heart! We are soooo looking forward to it, though!

Currently, we are a bit concerned about the "chip" the government wants all farmers to place in their animals. It will be mandatory in a few years. We are in the midst of writing congressmen, etc, in protest. It is another effort to restrict and blot out the little guy. Some folks are wondering it this is a precursor to the mark of the beast. We've decided we can't sit by and be silent as more and more of our freedoms are being stripped away. What would have happened in 1962 if the church would have spoken up when prayer was being taken out of schools? I think our country would be in a much different place. The USDA says the chip is for the purpose of food security, however, we all know pasture raised livestock is much more healthy compared to the feedlot industries. And plus, if something were to happen, we sell to such a small number of folks, it would be easy to trace. Please, please research this and speak up. If the USDA is successful in pushing this through, some small farmers will be forced to go out of business due to this added expense. What about those who for religious reasons refuse to accept the chip? Will they fine us to such an extent as to force us out of business? Please get involved and let folks know. Write your congressmen, write letters to the editor about NAIS. Here's the gov't link about this:

http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/newsroom/factsheets/nais_overview_factsheet.shtml

My husband has worked for the government. This will eventually be mandatory. Eventually, we will not be able to buy or sell our livestock without the chip on our beasts. Please, speak up and get the word out.

Sincerely,

The farmer's wife

09:50 - 2006-Jan-18 - post comment

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Blessings to you and your new adventure. I would have loved to do what you are doing. I always read about homesteading etc. in my younger years but it wasn't to be for me. I am Abiga51 at the homeschooling blog site. I will be reading your blogs and enjoying it all with you.

Anonymous - 11:33 - 2006-Jan-18

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Thank you

for your comments. We are thankful this group is aware of the goings-on. I'm still trying to figure out how to search the blogs here to follow what everyone is saying :) In all honesty, I'd rather be sewing or helping the goats give birth than to sit in front of a computer:).
Anonymous, we are not getting any younger which is one of many reasons we decided to do it now! Thank you for your suppor tand encouragement!

Lighthouse - 12:03 - 2006-Jan-19

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I hope you have a safe move to MN! To cold for me, I have a brother who lives there. Boo to the NAIS! Keep sharing with people, its amazing how few people know about this.

kayinpa - 04:07 - 2006-Jan-25

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