Repurposing is a essential part of raising animals and having a farm no matter the size.  Money doesn't grow on trees and animals cost a lot of money to raise.  We are firm believers that one mans trash is another mans treasure.  We will repurpose just about anything from wood to fencing to buildings and more. We weren't always this way I will be the first to admit the ten years we lived in the city we tossed everything.  When perfectly good things were taken from our garbage we thought well why would someone want that? Let me just add we were in our early twenties, financially stupid, and knew everything.     After moving back to the country where there is no quick trip to a big box store, we learned to be inventive out of necessity at first. We've learned many things over the past few years but I must say we have a few favorites.  One duct tape can fix almost anything, it has become our best friend. If by chance duct tape can't fix try zip ties or JB weld if none of these work it might be time to throw it away. The most reused items around here seems to be lumber, fencing, and hardware.  We seem to repurpose animal housing a lot depending on what we need housing for at the time.  We also repurpose the little stuff feed bags become totes, Ice cream containers make great waterproof storage for animal treats, and why buy new jars for canning?  When you can use mayo, pickle, pepper rings, or relish jars. Ninety percent of all lumber we use on the farm has been repurposed from somewhere.  No matter if it was a friends deck that was torn down or a strangers ad on online. If it was free or we could barter we kindly accepted.  We have even gotten a free shed that was in need of major repair given to us. 
    For us repurposing isn't a choice it's a way of life.  When you are able to start seeing things not for what they are but for what they could be you have it mastered.   Why spend thousands of dollars when you can simply reuse items?  With a little work and creativity almost anything can be as beautiful as its first day on the show room floor.  When you take the time to repurpose you often find that when your done your project turned out better, stronger, and prettier than had you bought it new.   Now with that being said you must be careful not to bring to much stuff home or you end up with stuff laying everywhere.  That's against the rules here all materials must be kept nice, neat, and put away.


Author: Carrie Miller

             Well this year we tried something very different.  We put a garden in each year and each year something goes wrong.  To wet, to dry, soil not good enough, blight, there is always something.  This spring we put drainage in the yard, but was still unsure if it was enough.  So Scott come up with a plan to install a raised bed.  I must admit I kind of rolled my eyes at the idea.  But Scott being Scott did what he wanted anyhow, there is no talking this man out of anything.  He went back to the lumber pile,  pulled his materials, and in a half hours time he was done.  I went to look at his finished product, I had one simple question where you getting the dirt to fill that?  He looked at me with his evil little grin and stated he had a plan.  Of course he wouldn't let me in on the plan.  So later that day we loaded up in the truck and headed for town to get a few plants to get started.  I was still trying to figure out what he was going to plant them in.  So as we approached our destination he stops and pulls into a landscape place.  OOOO I thought he's just going to buy the dirt.  Nope I was wrong he bought Mushroom Compost.  Having no idea about this stuff I was having a whatever moment.  We then stopped at the little plant store grabbed our stuff and headed home.  He got the garden all finished up that evening including planting.  Within a few weeks our garden was bigger than any of our past attempts.  I have picked more tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, sweet peas, and mint in one year then all other years put together.  Fall is now upon us and I am truly not ready to let the fresh veggies go.  I asked my husband if we could put the little greenhouse we use for the meat chickens house up on the garden.  He rolled his eyes and stated fine, I knew he was really thinking ugghhh.  As always he likes to make me happy so we pulled the greenhouse across the property and put it in place.  With all this being said its now almost November, and I am still picking two dozen tomatoes and peppers each week. 

Best Garden we have ever had!

Author: Carrie Miller

The babies enjoying the feeding station hubby built for them this weekend.
All the materials were reclaimed. An old deck a friend tore down built most of it. My parents had a piece of metal left from their barn roof job.

Cost? The screws used to put it together


Author: Carrie Miller

A wonderful example or repurposing and using reclaimed materials. All the pasture fencing was reused. What was once decoration to someone is now a working fence. The small barn was an amazing project from rags to riches truly. The small house in the back was also made from free materials. Why buy new? When my husband can make anything look great!

Author: Carrie Miller

Step 1.  Get everything you need 2liter bottle, chicken nipple, plumping tape, and wire/rope.
Step 2. Get the following tools needed Drill, 3/4 drill bit, 21/64 drill bit, and a bit just bigger than your wire or rope.
Step 3. Drill 3/4 in hole in bottom of 2liter for filling.
Step 4. Drill 2 small holes across from each other about 2 inches down from bottom to place wire or rope threw for hanging later.
Step 5. Drill 21/64 hole in the cap.
Step 6. Wrap chicken nipple with a little pipe tape and screw into hole.

Dirt free cheap water for peeps.