Improving West Wind Acres
Donation protected
Winter will be upon us very soon. There are a few projects at West Wind Acres that we would like to complete to make the winter easier. This past winter was very harsh, especially the end of February, into the middle of March.
As many of you know, my life changed radically in March when the local police – acting on information provided by anonymous informer - raided my farm, accused me of animal cruelty and impounded my three horses.
Many people banded together to raise more than $58,000 for to help us stay in business during this case. I am ever grateful. Now, the next chapter for the struggle to save my farm.
My farm is called West Wind Acres, and I raise cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens. My dream is to sell healthy food locally, I am a lifelong animal lover and am serious about running a farm that respects the lives and welfare of animals, and also helps the earth.
I am committed a sustainable farm that produces healthy food and offers my animals the best possible care. All of my animals range freely and are pasture fed.
I want to go above and beyond in preparing West Wind Acres for the coming winter. I am asking for $16,000 to build energy free water tire tanks that will provide water in even the harshest conditions. I want to build a Greenhouse to provide our animals with an additional shelter.
I believe in transparency, I have posted a detailed cost list below.
I ask for help reluctantly, it is important that my farm succeed and takes care of itself.
As everyone who knows me knows, I am committed to caring well for my animals, to raising healthy, locally grown food and selling it to people in my community. I am committed to a natural approach to farming. And I am determined to fight these accusations – they are unfair and unjust – until I am vindicated and my animals are returned.
I am proud of the care I offer and want to make it even better as the winter approaches.
It has been a challenging year. The arrest and legal proceedings have been a major distraction for me, so many meetings and hearings and things to consider. I don’t want to lose focus on my farm.
The Greenhouse Shelter and Tire Water tanks will take a bite out of the winter and make caring for the animals more pleasurable. I am studying and learning all the time, these changes will be a great boon to the future of West Wind Acres.
I want West Wind Acres to survive and succeed. I want to stand up for farms and farmers. I pledge to use the money wisely and well, and in exactly the way I say I will use it.
I have no intention of giving up my farm or my dreams. I thank you for any support you can give me, it is appreciated more than I can say.
A $5 contribution is a precious to me as a $100 contribution.
Install 4 Energy free tire tanks: There are 4 locations on the farm that I would like to install energy free water tanks. These tanks will enable the animals to have access to thawed water 24/7.
Many ranchers use old combine or excavator tires to make water tanks. The thick black rubber warms quickly in the sun and holds the heat to keep the water, and to thaw it quickly once the sun hits if it does freeze. Burying the tank partially underground, and covering the center with thick insulation and rubber will also aid in keeping the water fluid. A few other methods to keep the water from freezing, keep the water moving, with either air bubbles or a small water pump, build the tire tank over a 12" culvert that is buried vertically 4-6' in the ground to bring up the earths heat.
Cost of a tire tank and installation(I hope to install 4 throughout the farm): $590 each $2,360
Tire: Free-$100
Plumbing: $250
Culvert: $40
Fabric and Stone(not required but will keep the area around the tank dry): $200
Greenhouse Shelter: Last year winter we built a wood chip compost pile and then put the pigs shelters on top. The compost heated up, and gave the pigs a nice warm bed. I would like to do this on a larger scale this year.
I would like to build a 38' x 96' greenhouse, on 4' posts. The pigs, cattle and horses will each have access to a section of the greenhouse, and we can also store hay inside. I spoke with a company that is clearing 140 miles of powerlines this fall, and plans to bring us plenty of wood chips for our compost pile.
The above greenhouse is at Kilpatrick Family Farm
Cost of Greenhouse $20,000
Greenhouse Kit: $17,000
Wood Posts: $700
Wood walls: $800
Excavator: $1,500
As many of you know, my life changed radically in March when the local police – acting on information provided by anonymous informer - raided my farm, accused me of animal cruelty and impounded my three horses.
Many people banded together to raise more than $58,000 for to help us stay in business during this case. I am ever grateful. Now, the next chapter for the struggle to save my farm.
My farm is called West Wind Acres, and I raise cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens. My dream is to sell healthy food locally, I am a lifelong animal lover and am serious about running a farm that respects the lives and welfare of animals, and also helps the earth.
I am committed a sustainable farm that produces healthy food and offers my animals the best possible care. All of my animals range freely and are pasture fed.
I want to go above and beyond in preparing West Wind Acres for the coming winter. I am asking for $16,000 to build energy free water tire tanks that will provide water in even the harshest conditions. I want to build a Greenhouse to provide our animals with an additional shelter.
I believe in transparency, I have posted a detailed cost list below.
I ask for help reluctantly, it is important that my farm succeed and takes care of itself.
As everyone who knows me knows, I am committed to caring well for my animals, to raising healthy, locally grown food and selling it to people in my community. I am committed to a natural approach to farming. And I am determined to fight these accusations – they are unfair and unjust – until I am vindicated and my animals are returned.
I am proud of the care I offer and want to make it even better as the winter approaches.
It has been a challenging year. The arrest and legal proceedings have been a major distraction for me, so many meetings and hearings and things to consider. I don’t want to lose focus on my farm.
The Greenhouse Shelter and Tire Water tanks will take a bite out of the winter and make caring for the animals more pleasurable. I am studying and learning all the time, these changes will be a great boon to the future of West Wind Acres.
I want West Wind Acres to survive and succeed. I want to stand up for farms and farmers. I pledge to use the money wisely and well, and in exactly the way I say I will use it.
I have no intention of giving up my farm or my dreams. I thank you for any support you can give me, it is appreciated more than I can say.
A $5 contribution is a precious to me as a $100 contribution.
Install 4 Energy free tire tanks: There are 4 locations on the farm that I would like to install energy free water tanks. These tanks will enable the animals to have access to thawed water 24/7.
Many ranchers use old combine or excavator tires to make water tanks. The thick black rubber warms quickly in the sun and holds the heat to keep the water, and to thaw it quickly once the sun hits if it does freeze. Burying the tank partially underground, and covering the center with thick insulation and rubber will also aid in keeping the water fluid. A few other methods to keep the water from freezing, keep the water moving, with either air bubbles or a small water pump, build the tire tank over a 12" culvert that is buried vertically 4-6' in the ground to bring up the earths heat.
Cost of a tire tank and installation(I hope to install 4 throughout the farm): $590 each $2,360
Tire: Free-$100
Plumbing: $250
Culvert: $40
Fabric and Stone(not required but will keep the area around the tank dry): $200
Greenhouse Shelter: Last year winter we built a wood chip compost pile and then put the pigs shelters on top. The compost heated up, and gave the pigs a nice warm bed. I would like to do this on a larger scale this year.
I would like to build a 38' x 96' greenhouse, on 4' posts. The pigs, cattle and horses will each have access to a section of the greenhouse, and we can also store hay inside. I spoke with a company that is clearing 140 miles of powerlines this fall, and plans to bring us plenty of wood chips for our compost pile.
The above greenhouse is at Kilpatrick Family Farm
Cost of Greenhouse $20,000
Greenhouse Kit: $17,000
Wood Posts: $700
Wood walls: $800
Excavator: $1,500
Organizer
Joshua Rockwood
Organizer
Amsterdam, NY