Tree House Farms Livestock Fund

Hi there!

My name is Katy, I am the founder, manager, and sole crew member of Tree House Farms. Luckily, I'm not entirely alone in this venture, I am lucky to be a part of a farm community full of folks who have pitched in and helped me with getting this operation started by lending me tools, advice, and occasionally a hand moving mushroom logs. I'm hopeful that you, gracious donor, will be able to help too!


With Tree House Farms I am on a mission. I want to look for and work towards filling gaps in local food production. I believe that wherever and whenever it is possible to locally meet a community's needs, all efforts should be made to do so. I hope to encourage, through direct action and by example, a new economy whose focus is on regional independence, creating an environment that values community over individual profit, and recognition that "humane", "sustainable", "organic", and "local" can be and should be available to all.  I also really just love working outside and have a lot of fun doing it.


I will be raising small scale livestock and working them in a rotational grazing/tilling cycle with veggies, fruit, and medicinal and culinary herbs. Oh, and mushrooms in the wood lot, too! I also collect wool and fiber from the sheep and rabbits and working with a friend, will sell fiber kits containing our own wool and dye made from plants on the farm.


But to get started, I need to buy in livestock. Due to unfortunate and unforeseen vet bills, I need help replenishing the funds to buy my lambs, rabbits, and ducks. And this, hopefully, is where you come in!


For your generous contribution, I will make sure that you receive something in return. Since I consider all contributions to be extremely generous, everyone who participates will receive something for their efforts.

I hope you are able to help out financially, but if you're not, your well wishes and good luck would also be appreciated!


A budget breakdown for those that would like to know where there donation is going:

Livestock

-3 certified ewes - $700
-3 meat rabbits (2 more does and a buck) - $75
-2 Angora does - $120
-30 heritage breed ducks - $190
- Ram rental (yeah, that's a thing, the charge is "per head") - $140
        
Subtotal - 1225

Feed

-Organic pasture seed - $200
-Hay for winter and bedding - $600
-Organic supplemental grain - $600

Subtotal - $1400

Vet

-Emergency vet stash - $2200

Conservative estimate for total expenses:
$4825

I am lucky to have mostly pre-existing infrastructure and am particularly thrifty when it comes to building duck and rabbit tractors (If you can't donate money but have scrap lumber or chicken wire you'd like to contribute, I'll gladly accept that as well), so my main expenses are in acquiring animals, repairing neglected pasture, and feeding them during lambing and winter. So again, that's where I need your help. Your contributions combined with my elbow grease will get this farm up and running and start putting good meat and produce on more local tables and well produced fiber in the hands of local crafters and makers.


A note about the prizes: if you choose a prize such as a rabbit, eggs, or herbs, they will be mailed out when available during the season. In the meantime you will be mailed a card indicating your prize and I will contact you again when I have the product available and can arrange delivery then. Thanks!

You can find me and the animals on Instagram @GrasshopperKaty