Home on the Grange
Our Journey Begins
After my husband retired from Active Duty military, we began to count the houses our family had lived in since being married. When the exercise produced a number that exceeded my fingers and toes, I made a decision. We were NEVER going to move again. I wanted a HOME, a bit of LAND, and GOATS. My husband delivered, and The ForeEdge Grange was born!
Every experience with this homestead has been a learning curve, and there is still SO much we need to know and do. We are a work in progress, but I hope our story can help inspire you to live your dreams...as long as those dreams include mucking stalls, hauling water, and jeans that will never be clean.
After my husband retired from Active Duty military, we began to count the houses our family had lived in since being married. When the exercise produced a number that exceeded my fingers and toes, I made a decision. We were NEVER going to move again. I wanted a HOME, a bit of LAND, and GOATS. My husband delivered, and The ForeEdge Grange was born!
Every experience with this homestead has been a learning curve, and there is still SO much we need to know and do. We are a work in progress, but I hope our story can help inspire you to live your dreams...as long as those dreams include mucking stalls, hauling water, and jeans that will never be clean.
IT'S ALL IN THE NAME
At our house, we love to read! When we were given our first three goats, we wanted to name them something fun. We decided to call them after our favorite book characters Goldberry the River Daughter, Pippi Longstocking, and Matilda Wormwood. So, the storybook theme began. We bought two registered goats that the kids named Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley. When it came time to decide on a herd name, we wanted to continue with the literary theme, so we chose a little play on words. Fore Edge! Goats like to forage for leaves, bark, grass, weeds, and other woody plant parts. The fore edge is the side of the book that opens, opposite to the spine. The ForeEdge Grange is our family story.
At our house, we love to read! When we were given our first three goats, we wanted to name them something fun. We decided to call them after our favorite book characters Goldberry the River Daughter, Pippi Longstocking, and Matilda Wormwood. So, the storybook theme began. We bought two registered goats that the kids named Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley. When it came time to decide on a herd name, we wanted to continue with the literary theme, so we chose a little play on words. Fore Edge! Goats like to forage for leaves, bark, grass, weeds, and other woody plant parts. The fore edge is the side of the book that opens, opposite to the spine. The ForeEdge Grange is our family story.
MEET THE GRANGE FAMILY
LEARNING AS WE GROW
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I grew up in a small town where many people raised sheep, cattle, and turkeys. We did not. We had cats, dogs, birds, and other critters, but I saw farm animals every day. I always loved the idea of being more self-sufficient. I liked to hear stories of my pioneer ancestors who braved the wild west with nothing but family, knowledge, and what could fit in a wagon. I wanted to have skills that could support my family in a non-monetary way. My husband was a city boy who's only pet was a hermit crab. He also had family stories of trials and struggles, but I had to convince him that country life was desirable.
And it only took me 15 years to do it!
Mike's Army career did not cater to owning dairy goats, so I spent years reading, learning, and dreaming. When it came time for him to retire from the military, I knew what I wanted. We were able to find the perfect property in a neighborhood zoned for agriculture that was near enough to his new job but had space to homestead. The property had mature fruit trees, garden space, grapevines, raspberries, and a barn that had been used for chickens. Within one month of moving in, I had found us three free Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats. And so our journey began.
We have learned it all through trial, error, and YouTube!
ForeEdge Grange Homestead Ingredients
- Not Quite an Acre
- A Few Sweet Nigerian Dwarf Goats
- A Few Mini LaManchas
- Some Loud Laying Hens
- Two Dirty Great Pyrenees Dogs
- A Beehive or Two
- The Mouse Trap Barn Cats
- The Inside Animals
- Seasonal Meat Birds
- A Garden Plot
- Fruit Trees
- Grapes and Berries
- Outbuildings in Varying States of Repair
- Random Inherited and Acquired Canning Supplies
- A Cold, Basement Food Storage Room
- Money to Throw Away, a Desire to Learn, and a Love of Being BUSY!
