The Future of this Blog (and some new recommended farm blogs)

As you can see, I haven't been able to keep this blog up to date, despite receiving a number of requests to be listed, and recommendations.

The reason for this is, and no surprise here.....time!

As an author I am working hard on a new novel and this blog has, as a result fallen by the wayside.

What I am wondering is this:

Is there somebody out there who would be interested in helping me run this blog as an editor? I hope to return to it myself when I have more time, or share the editing process.

The process is very simple.

If a blog is recommended to me by a blogger already listed on the Blog Roll, I add them to the blog roll, under the relevant country.

I then write to the blogger, tell them I have linked to them, explain the thinking behind Farm Blogs from Around the World, and ask that they send me the following:

• Five pictures, or permission to use five pictures from their blog
• Some text explaining their farm and blog - not much, just a brief intro
• Their top five recommendations of farm blogs that they like.

When I receive this information, I make two posts:

1. A post about the new blog on the blog roll
2. A posting about their recommendations.
3. Add them and their recommendations to the blog roll.

Having added the new blog and their recommendations to the Blog Roll, I then write to the five bloggers they have recommended and repeat the above process.

And so, organically, it grows. The thinking is that good blogs will recommend even better ones, and so the quality and range will always be growing.

The key to growth is that bloggers who want to be listed really make an effort to let me know about five other good blogs that are not already listed.

Geographical diversity is also important. Is there really only one farm blogger in Africa for example? What about Asia and South America?



If a blogger hasn't been recommended to me, but would like to be listed, I would normally do the following:

1. I check out the blog;
2. If I think it's up to standard I then ask them for the pictures, text and their recommendations and contact their recommended bloggers, just as I would do with a blog recommended by someone already on Farm Blogs from Around the World.

If you would be interested in being an editor, then it's a straightforward matter of me setting you up as an editor, giving you permission to follow this process.

If you'd like to discuss more being a volunteer blogger for Farm Blogs (it's a non-profit making blog - I don't even take advertising, despite requests) then please write to me at info AT ianwalthew.com

I hope to hear from you.

In the meantime, here are some blogs that have been recently been brought to my attention, which I haven't had the time to check out or contact in the way described above, make posts about or add to my blog roll.

If you are one of them please do send me (and I will try to find the time to do the process as described above):

a) five pictures or permission to use pictures taken from your blog
b) some text about your blog
c) your top five recommendations of farm blogs not already listed.

PLEASE ACCEPT MY APOLOGIES FOR HANDLING YOUR CORRESPONDENCE IN THIS MANNER - AND NOT AS I USED TO DO AS ABOVE - BUT BLOGGING KINDA OVERWHELMED ME IN 2008.

(My definition of farming is anyone producing food or fibre on any scale in any situation in any place in the world.)


From Jojo:

http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/ Sugarmountain farm. Vermont.awesome blog. Walter is so well read and i like going there for tips and what his family is up to. Plus, a huge fighter of our NAIS program that the USDA are trying to pass. His other site is Nonais.org. He is a hog farmer and always questions the status quo I really like that. Always thinking how to do it better. Extremely knowledgeable hog farmer.

http://www.agriwoman.com/blog.html Adventures of the Farmers wife. (not sure location)This is a new blog I’m following. I think she is onto something and I really enjoy following both my passions at once. She is starting up a magazine for “rural women” and also is a farmer/farmer’s wife. I think she mentions 5th generation on the same land. Unheard of nowadays. So, I’m looking forward to her blogs in the future.

http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com/ Alpaca farmgirl. First blog I’ve found that raise alpacas. And I just started to watch her blog. Like it a lot. Goats and Alpacas are a lot alike so I plan to learn a lot from her.

http://omelays.blogspot.com/ Pile of O’Melays. Just plain ole down home country fun. And their antics with children and raising them around farm animals.You can tell by his writings he’s just a really smart guy. And his posts are interesting.

http://apiferafarm.blogspot.com/ Apifera Farm. Oregon. Her moniker is “where animals, art and lavender collide”. How could I not follow this blog. ;) art and animals. My two favorite things. She is a wonderful artist. And she writes books and stories about her donkeys. And they are precious. If I could afford her paintings I would decorate the whole house in them. It’s her fault I have a miniature horse. And thinking of getting a miniature donkey.

http://www.prairielandherbs.blogspot.com/ Prairieland Herbs. Iowa. I first found them looking for all organic soaps and oils and lotions. Became a customer. Then realized they had a blog too> :) And became a fan and follow regularly. I now make my own soaps and I like to visit for inspiration and to see what they are doing on their farm and store.


From Martyn Noakes at http://bredbovalleyviewfarm.blogspot.com/ in Australia

http://theduckherder.blogspot.com These guys are close to wher I live, not really a farm but they are having a go. The Blog is entertaining and mirrors alot of our life adventures, just on a smaller scale.

http://madbushfarm.blogspot.com I would love to visit this part of New Zealand. The commentary of their daily life is absorbing and humorous - In that Kiwi sort of way.

http://drywell119.blogspot.com/ Australia. Ours is a country of contrasts, except for drought. I like this Blog for it's family focus

http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/ This one is about living the simple life - not big time farming, but you can still learn a lot from the tiny/micro farmers

From Melissa: East Tennessee, U.S.A.


I blog from my small co-op farm in East Tennessee. The name of the Farm is ThistleDew. You can find us at http://thistledewfarm.blogspot.com/

We have a few horses, some free range chickens, herbs and vegetables…lots of flowers and tons of giggles.

My husband and I are building a house and developing the farm along with his brother and family next door. Our long term goal is to raise enough products to get close to organic self-sufficiency. We are mostly organic now but must be constantly vigilant to ensure chemicals don’t invade our property through introduction by outside means. My mother has some sheep I would like to introduce next year – just have to practice good farm management to ensure the land can support the different critters and gardens.


From Robin: New York, U.S.A.

My blogs address is www.mommymommyland.com and we do sustainable organic farming the old fashioned way on 60 acres in upstate New York. We have a variety of chickens, turkeys, Dexter cattle, and Jacob sheep along with 4 human kids!! We grow vegetables to sell via CSA, farm stand and area farmers markets as well.

Many of the other farm blogs I read ( and would recommend) are already listed on your site, Northview dairy, Natures harmony, pile o'maleys, raising country kids, and sugar creek farm just to name a few.


From Walter: U.S.A.

I am the author of two books and a well-know writer on local agriculture and vineyards. My farm blog is about my goat and wine grape farm.

Rosewood Hill Farm
http://www.rosewoodhillfarm.com

Another blog I can recommend is http://boergoatblog.com/



From Annie: Canada

My husband and I live in Canada and we started a blog about our first try at homesteading (after living in the city) in March 08.

http://countrylivinginacariboovalley.blogspot.com/


From Sheryl: Ontario, Canada

My blog is at
www.providence-acres.blogspot.com

We are a new farm, located in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, just started up last fall. We love it and have big plans!
You already know my favourite blog. It's the Deliberate Agrarian.

Thank you,
Lloyd and Sheryl Gallant
www.artbysheryl.com
www.providence-acres.blogspot.com


From Lisa:

Thanks for your help with my "How to Start a Farm Blog" article for Hobby Farm Home. Here's the link to the on-line piece:
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/marketing-and-management/farm-blog-tips.aspx


From Emily:

I have just starting officially blogging after keeping a farm website for years. I'd appreciate you considering adding me to your list and I'm linking to your fine blog.
http://briarcroft.wordpress.com


From Bernadette: (Slovakia)

I've just started my Farm Blog - since we just moved to our own small Farmstead in central Slovakia. At present our blog is mainly a photo blog since setting up farm activities will have to wait till spring (it is cold out here!). I would really appreciate it if you can add our blog to yours. I have posted a link to yours on ours. this is the URL:
http://farm-in-slovakia.blogspot.com/

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