Heartland Farm: Farm Search Update

I have been wanting to update the news about our search for our homesteading farm. Our searches have brought us back to one of the first pieces of properties we had look at. Actually I never stopped thinking about this place while searching the country side for possibilities. Quite a lot has transpired since the last time I wrote about our dream.

Long story short ;) ~ after viewing a lot of acreage we realized that the brick house/land that we had found by accident on one of our journeys through Alabama was exactly what we had been praying for and a whole lot more. I was the first to be drawn to the place and Lon came to see it with all of it's possibilities in a favorable light as well. After several trips out to look at the place, walk the property and check out the house for needed repairs we made an offer on the place. Some financial adjustments between us and the owners were made back and forth. Then on the 26th of February we were informed that our offer to buy the place was accepted.

It has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions over the past few months of looking but nothing like we have experienced in the last week. Keeping our news quite was hard until we could let our family know of the farm we are buying and that we are to be moving soon. So much has happened in our family these past few week to over shadow the joy of newly acquired farm ownership. But each time we drive out to the place my spirit lifts at the views and the thought of having the chance to live out a dream.

The views though quite brown at present are so open and serene. We have seen pictures of the pastures in all of their "green glory" and I can't wait to see them first hand. With chickens, goats and a milk cow grazing across them to start off with. Starting at the front steps here are panoramic views moving clockwise around the house.

View from sitting on the front porch steps looking out the drive. (Looking South)

Looking down towards small cabin in the woods, site of future dairy barn.

The huge old oak has a massive canopy of bare limbs right now, but with new spring leaves it should provide the house with cooling shade this summer. A great place to put a yard swing don't you think? To enjoy those gentle breezes in the cool of the evenings and for star gazing on clear nights. Something I am looking forward to with being so far out in the countryside and away from city lights.

Looking Northward at end of house.

Check out the blue skies overhead.

We saw a large red-tail hawk circling on the air currents the last day we were out there. We will have to keep a close eye on it as I am sure the hawk will assume that we are bringing our chickens with us for it's grocery shopping needs.

Looking across the backyard from the other end of the house. (North)

Notice the old roadbed off to the right?

It is one of several that crosses over the 21+ acres. One rambles down off to the west of the property leading to a large creek with swift flowing water and a great place to set up a picnic area in the shade of the tree canopy, adorned with wildflowers and ferns. This one leads to the back of the property and has shown fresh signs of deer activity on the land. A great place for hunting vension without ever having to leave our backyard!

Future site of Chicken coop ~ looking east.

Coming full circle you are looking back out the drive.

There is much to be done to bring this land up to farm status, but I am sure with a mindset towards our dream and some energy output it can become a reality. We are only a few more steps away in order to make it legally ours. Hopefully in the next week or so we can claim it's address as our own. I would like to keep regular posts listed as we make the transition. But with all that needs to be done to freshen up the new house, packing and getting our present home ready to sell my time with be stretched, but I will try.