The Farm Project

Family reunions are wonderful, but do you want a closer connection to your roots on the farm?

Feeding the calves August 2021

The Farm Project

So many people love going to the farm after the reunion to roam the fields, watch the cows being milked and help feed the calves and is it any wonder that folks enjoy it so much?

When I was 14 or 15, my mother Betty Elliott, told me that my cousin Teddy Johnson was going to come and spend the summer on the farm with us. I didn’t even know who he was or how he was related! Even though we didn’t see each other much after that summer we both agree it was the best summer we ever had, filled with work, play, good farm cooking, fellowship and a connection to the homestead! We have so many fond memories!

My parents Bill and Betty Elliott always welcomed family back to the farm. For years Jim and Andrea have dreamed about sharing the farm with other kids and their families and I have wanted to do that too and now that I am retired, I can finally do something about it by keeping the family connected!

Sally Elliott Scrimshaw

Here’s The Deal!

There are so many projects that need to be done on the farm. Some require a lot of capital, like the roofing project pictured here that so many folks generously donated to. Some require a lot of elbow grease, like rebuilding stonewalls, clearing land that has grown up to brush, fixing fence, general farm chores like feeding the calves or making a picnic area so family can gather together for food and fellowship.

To be honest, although farm life is rewarding, doing it by yourselves day after day and year after year can become drudgery. So Jim, Andrea, Brian and Brittany are inviting family to help out the farm where possible and make it a great experience for all.

Folks can have a farm working vacation where kids can learn about where their food comes from and the whole family can have a connection back to their roots. These memories will last a lifetime! If there is no room to stay on the farm, folks can stay with Sally in Delhi and “commute” to the farm.

Capital Projects

 

Part of the crew of 14 that worked on the barn roof.

Barn Roof Shingling -complete

The last time the barn roof was shingled was around 1970.

The shingles were in bad shape and a hole was developing near the barn bridge on the main part of the barn.

Ally Rooming from Schenectady stripped off 3 layers of shingles, put down plywood, ice dam and shingled the main part of the barn on December 29 & 30, 2021.Wow! right in the snow!

Total cost was $ 40,000

Donations by family $ 21,000! Thank you so much for your donations! Every cent was appreciated and couldn’t be done without you!

There is a loan with Farm Credit East for $20,000 plus interest.

Brittany stands on the new bridge

Barnyard Bridge - complete

The wooden barnyard bridge was in dire need of repair and heavy vehicles like the milk truck were in danger of falling through.

After 2 years from the beginning of the request The Catskill Watershed finally replaced it with this concrete structure.

Total cost $62,000

Catskill Watershed paid for all of this.

Brian Elliott teaches Alex Dilley how to milk a cow.

Reclaiming the Heifer Pasture - Future Project

Years ago, the heifers spent the summer in a pasture between the driveway and the road. There wasn’t much grass so they were fed extra hay, but they had a chance to roam around and grow strong to make better milk cows. The fence grew old and lots of brush grew up along the fence line and the folks just didn’t have time to clear and repair it.

Moving the heifers up to the pasture will keep them out of the stream and also allow easy access to the “day pasture” which is now blocked off by the heifers.

Andrea looked into having someone clear the fence mechanically and replace it several years ago and was given a quote of $5000 but they just didn’t have the money for it.

They are currently looking for quotes and the best way to accomplish the task.

 

Elbow Grease Projects

  • General Farm Chores

    Feeding calves and cows, cleaning the stables and haying.

  • Gardening

    Beautifying the farm with flowers, caring for the garden that provides fresh veggies all summer and preserving them for winter for all to enjoy!

  • Special Projects

    Repairs are always needed to keep the buildings in good repair like painting, light carpentry, plumbing and electrical work if you are savvy! Other projects include fixing fence so the cows don’t get out, rebuilding stone walls which is a real art, and clearing much needed pasture for the stock.