MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES, PRACTICES AND CONSTRAINTS AT WAIKOHA SMALLFARM: PART THREE

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CONSTRAINTS ON OUR SMALLFARM MANAGEMENT

* Not enough money (nearly all of it's going on the mortgage!), leading to slow, piecemeal development.

* Not enough youthful enthusiasm and energy (we are getting older and our bodies are creaking, especially backs and knees) - this leads to simplification of operation, fallowing of the vegetable garden from time to time, and appreciation for the Wwoofers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms, also known as Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms), overseas travellers who come to stay and do some work in return for food and board.

* Not enough time (we both have jobs and other commitments/interests as well).

* Not enough knowledge or expertise (although we are slowly learning and reading more) - this meant we experimented with different animals before deciding on Dexters (hence the great amount of temporary fencing capacity we have - you try to keep goats and sheep under control!). And we are not world experts on Dexters, by any means!

* No machinery (we have no tractor, ATV, motorbike, so everything is done or hauled by hand) – but consideration is being given to some mechanical assistance with getting fencing materials and other heavy stuff up the hill.

* John’s predisposition to thinking, not acting ("paralysis by analysis"), to relaxation, and to procrastination (hence the odd incomplete project on the place).

* Heather’s predisposition to charge in where angels fear to tread (but she is much better at actually getting things done).

Back to 1) Principles of Our Smallfarm Management

Back to 2) Some Practical Expressions of Our Principles

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