So that big announcement? We launched our app this past Saturday at a homesteading conference in Virginia! It was an amazing experience and so far so good…we have over 400 people playing with our app! It’s a bit surreal and what’s even more surreal is that since I volunteered to tackle a lot of the business side of things (Neil obviously is the developing genius who is swamped with all the new features we want to add in), I get to re-learn accounting and economics stuff. And yes I do actually love that and am having fun! Our partners (the amazing people behind Reformation Acres ) are heading up social media and marketing (hallelujah) and it’s been so cool to watch it slowly spread. I’m working on refining our investor presentation and business plan so that hopefully in the next few weeks we can start talking with possible investors. When we get funding we can do everything bigger and faster. It’s pretty unique to be able to start a business like this and know that since we funded it ourselves we have no pressure or debt or anything, and we can make this work regardless of if we can get outside funding. It would just be really helpful. The website is www.smartsteader.com if you want to see the promotional video that we put together, featuring the only actors I had at my disposal…the kids and cows and chickens and one handsome farmer man. We are so excited!
[This is Arty. The face of SmartSteader]
I also promised a farm update. Whew! What a season. Here’s a smattering of my favorite pictures then I’ll give you some numbers at the end. Enjoy!
Still can’t really get over the fact that stuff actually grows here…so naturally I completely over-planted. Again.
Before the numbers though some fun things:
I grew peanuts and then made peanut butter! Someday when I have lots of time, I won’t eat any other kind, it’s that good. In the mean time, it’s nice to know that it’s possible and waiting for me.
We put in an orchard and our Asian pear tree just put out blossoms…in the middle of October! (pic is up above)
We have at least 1 female turkey and turkey eggs are tasty…just like chicken eggs only bigger.
I started making soap again with Mei’s milk and lard from our pigs. It’s awesome and I forgot how much I missed making soap.
Some garden/farm stats as of right this minute:
We produced:
- 2,143 lbs of milk (252 gallons) this year
- 1,608 eggs (134 dozen) this year
- 440 lbs of pork loveliness
- 292 lbs cucumbers
- 282 lbs tomatoes (didn’t get to at least 50 more lbs…those went to chickens)
- 70.75 lbs Summer Squash
- 40.5 lbs misc. peppers
We have 11 blueberry bushes, 15 fruit trees, 2 elderberry bushes, 4 turkeys, 3 rabbits, 2 cows, 30-ish chickens, 2 cats, 2 gerbils, and 1 green anole.
Now I just need a partridge to put in my pear tree.
Comfy Posy 