[PreparingPatriot]

So we're starting a full homestead garden and livestock this year, we should be moved onto the property (5 acres) by the end of march and plan on starting to prime the land right away.

Found this site I'm using to plan the garden out and to figure out what we are growing and how much of it.

however there are some foods that just don't grow well in our area, for example here in Florida Apples just don't grow well. So my question is are there any groups on here or other wise that actively participate in trading crops? For example I plan on growing plenty of potatoes and tomatoes, where can I go and meets someone to trade them for apples and things of this sort?

 

[weldnfab]

way too far to consider it... but a good idea.

 

[PreparingPatriot]

My thought was if someone was interested in the Northern Area we could meet halfway, I know our goal as a family is to not buy any groceries within the next 2 years. Just trying to think outside the box for food that we can't really grow in our area.

I think once we've harvested and know exactly how much extra we have I might go on Craigslist or even on here and try to find someone.

I think as groceries become more expensive the people that don't want to be on the government's programs are going to have to trade crops or services over time.

 

[Rascals]

You are on a slippery slope. Be careful what you do with that. We wont let any of our produce, eggs, or meat go to anyone who is not family or friends. And then we put them in a container and let them take what they want. We also have big canning parties that everybody comes over for the weekend and we do mad canning. Everybody gets enough for almost everything they need for the year. This last harvest we had 22 canners going at once. Same with opening for Elk season. I think we canned something like 2200# of elk in 2 days. Everybody has a job.

 

[PreparingPatriot]

You are on a slippery slope. Be careful what you do with that. We wont let any of our produce, eggs, or meat go to anyone who is not family or friends. And then we put them in a container and let them take what they want. We also have big canning parties that everybody comes over for the weekend and we do mad canning. Everybody gets enough for almost everything they need for the year. This last harvest we had 22 canners going at once. Same with opening for Elk season. I think we canned something like 2200# of elk in 2 days. Everybody has a job.

Can you elaborate on the slippery slope? I'm new to this homesteading, we started out "prepping" and buying food, packing it storing it, water, ammo, medical supplies, all sorts of stuff 2-3 years ago. It dawned on me this last year the real key was to get onto a piece of property big enough we could also grow and raise our own food, then the goal became self sufficiency completely that's what I'm trying to work towards. If we have an abundance of one crop whats the danger with the trading for another crop we can't grow in our area? Has there been issues of people getting robbed doing this? Is there a problem crossing state lines with it?

thanks for any response.

 

[dealfinder500]

Can you elaborate on the slippery slope? I'm new to this homesteading, we started out "prepping" and buying food, packing it storing it, water, ammo, medical supplies, all sorts of stuff 2-3 years ago. It dawned on me this last year the real key was to get onto a piece of property big enough we could also grow and raise our own food, then the goal became self sufficiency completely that's what I'm trying to work towards. If we have an abundance of one crop whats the danger with the trading for another crop we can't grow in our area? Has there been issues of people getting robbed doing this? Is there a problem crossing state lines with it?

thanks for any response.

I'd be curious as to what the slippery slope would be, too.

Personally, I would not be interested in trading such heavy food so far away. It would be over 1000 miles one way for me. I would not be willing to do that, unless there were other reasons for the trip.

Here's some potential problems that I can see:

Let's just say you are offering oranges, and they are offering apples.

What if when you meet, the apples are not in very good shape. Or they are much different than you expected. Or maybe they didn't have nearly as many as promised. Or...

The trade idea is a great idea, but more feasible on a much more local scale. Like you grow tons of tomatoes, and your neighbor grows tons of oranges, and you trade. Something more along those lines.

 

[PreparingPatriot]

I'd be curious as to what the slippery slope would be, too.

Personally, I would not be interested in trading such heavy food so far away. It would be over 1000 miles one way for me. I would not be willing to do that, unless there were other reasons for the trip.

Here's some potential problems that I can see:

Let's just say you are offering oranges, and they are offering apples.

What if when you meet, the apples are not in very good shape. Or they are much different than you expected. Or maybe they didn't have nearly as many as promised. Or...

The trade idea is a great idea, but more feasible on a much more local scale. Like you grow tons of tomatoes, and your neighbor grows tons of oranges, and you trade. Something more along those lines.

Thanks for the reply!

As for the quality problem I think that's why I'm looking for some kind of active group, or if one doesn't exist maybe we can network and make one. Yea I'd be upset if I drove 1000 miles and didn't get what was expected, but if it was a trade group I would let other traders know and that person would be excluded from future trades.

Also if we had or if there is already a group thing out there, I don't think you'd be able to meet multiple people at a given point and time. Let's say Farmer A has apples from North Carolina, Farmer B has Peaches from Georgia and Farmer C has oranges from Florida, they all meet in South Carolina and make exchanges.

If someone shows up with low quality they'd be on the out in future trades.

I'm just thinking long term here, I see food prices getting crazy high to the point people are either 100% self sufficient or you have to take the government food stamps programs and all the baggage that goes along, that is until the system goes under.

 

[TxHannah]

I would suggest checking to see what, if any, regulations exist on transporting fruit and vegetables across state lines. I know a while back there were restrictions on hay being transported to certain states from other states due to issues with fire ants. I also understand restrictions are either in place now or will be in the future to require more inspection of wholesale citrus crops for Citrus Greening disease, which is a fairly new and very serious citrus disease threat. It would suck to have a truckload of something and cross into another state and get ticketed or something for not observing regulations.

Might be worth checking in to.

There are a few varieties of apples that will grow in Florida--mostly green or green/yellow apples. No real 'red' ones to speak of, but there are a few varieties that don't require a high number of chill hours. Some like Golden Dorestt, Anna, Ein Shemer, Gordon, Pettingill, Pink Lady, Winter Banana, etc. Figure out what your chill hours are and find a few apples that match the chill hour requirement, plant some, and then wait several years to get good crops.

 

[Chatelaine]

http://search.ufl.edu/web/#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=Apples

University of Florida website contains all the info you need for crops in your specific area of Florida.

In addition, every county in Florida has an agricultural extension office. There you will find knowledgeable people who will help you network with others who share your interests. County fairs, livestock shows, gardening clubs, church groups, etc. are all excellent venues to help you find what you're looking for.

Good luck and welcome to the Sunshine State. Go Gators

Chatelaine

 

[Castor]

wouldnt gas costs eat up any benefits for trading for food?

 

[dealfinder500]

wouldnt gas costs eat up any benefits for trading for food?

That's what I was thinking. If you had the money to do that, you'd probably have the money to be buying all the fancy organic labeled stuff you wanted.

 

[PreparingPatriot]

wouldnt gas costs eat up any benefits for trading for food?

certainly something to factor in, again it's why i was looking for some kind of network. Driving from Florida to Georgia isn't that bad pending where in either state your going.

 

[PreparingPatriot]

That's what I was thinking. If you had the money to do that, you'd probably have the money to be buying all the fancy organic labeled stuff you wanted.

that's assuming we can keep buying food down the road. I'm working towards self sufficiency, the way I see it to be self sufficient you have to be able to grow or trade all of your own food and also have access to your own water supply or at least the ability to purify water.

 

[rebnavy1862]

I have a small farm in rural Virginia. We all share what we have extra. It just comes naturally. It isn't really trading, just sharing your excess. I just picked up 15 gallons of peanuts for free. This growing season, maybe I'll have something he could use.

 

[weldnfab]

the idea is good, trade off the excess... but distance with these gas prices will be the real factor...

 

[dealfinder500]

the idea is good, trade off the excess... but distance with these gas prices will be the real factor...

That's why your best bet is to do it how it's been done in the past... keep it local.

 

[two bits]

I think this is a good idea. Worked years ago, our ancestors survived this way, but today? I raise an abundant amount of tomatoes and other crops, but every body wants hand outs! I take lots of stuff to work and have brought it back home because I didn't want it thrown away. Its free cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers? Nobody I know raise enough to give away or even trade for other vegetables. If they do, they sell them at the farmers market. $$$$$$$$$$$$$

I have a friend that works for a food bank (xxxxxxxxx), he says that the people are hungry, but will not take blemished tomatoes, bananas with spots on the skins, and the list goes on & on. The people they cater to, want the best or they don't want any. Its owed it to them !!!!!!!! Do you understand that mentality? I have mixed feeling about it. They throw food away cause they can't find takers?
The slippery slope I believe is the idea, who is taking advantage of you and who realize there is a sugar daddy when the times get rough.

 

[two bits]

If you have neighbors or friends that raise a garden & even livestock, count yourself very lucky!

 

[catfeet]

I don't think it's an entitlement issue so much as it is an issue of having been taught what's acceptable by the grocery stores. Most folks are so far away, generationally, from the farm that no-one remembers that the foods which are grown are not all perfect, because all those in the store are. Here's a great example of that. This is a post which I love and frequently re-post places because it's right. http://survivalfarm.wordpress.com/2...d-vegetables-rot-in-farm-fields-and-orchards/ A different perspective.

 

[helland bach]

Spots, sun-scald, blemishes!!!! That's what kitchen knives are for.