Been home with a bladder infection ugh and drinking lots of juice ugh cranberry juice but at least they have it in different flavors now got a bunch on sale for 25 cents a bottle single servings. Yesturday I was really tired and thinking of laying down to take a nap but the dogs kept barking and barking even though I yelled at them to come up on the front porch and scolded them for being so noisy but after I close the door off they go again out by the tree row at the end of the drive. I was getting pretty upset with them Later I looked out the window still trying to see what the hell they was barking about and an emu came out and ran across the feild. lol I laugh so hard and the poor girls didn't give chase after it I guess thats the biggest chicken they ever saw. and for a couple hours after wards they was still upset and barking at the field. Too bad it didn't kick them (just a little kick) then MAYBE they will leave my chickens alone when they get big enough to let out for awhile. We had 130 of them but now down to 128 of them. 98 fryers and 30 of them are buff orpintons hens. One got trappled and one (I think died of blocked bowels) So of course after that I was on wiping crusty bottoms ugh. But what goes in has to go out right. Today they FINALLY made it out of the house. DH built me a garden shed that we are using for a chicken house intill we can get the barn built. Of course the urmp BARN with one side chicken house. Oh how I wish it could be a big beautiful old time barns with all the neat cubbie rooms and loft. Too bad so many of them are falling down around the country. I just love it here and dream of all the critters that I can have..... if I can talk DH into it No more damn dogs though.. kinda like to get a mule or a donkey. sshhhh don't tell him it'll be a surprise....

Also got a thing in the mail the other day from the government wanting to know what animals I have (farm animals) and fruit trees and gardening what kind of garden produce that I grow, etc. THAT AIN'T ANY OF THEIR DARN BUSSNESS IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. I have a garden that really ain't doing too yuppie and chickens and 2 apple trees and 2 peach trees.

Have any of you people gotten a form like this. Don't have it here in front of me I was so upset about it but seems from the AG Dept. They also wanted to know what kind of income I've gotten off of my adventures. NONE Just personal satifaction and not even that to be factual sense I just planted the trees and my first garden in years.

Have a good one and thank for being there for me guys.

-- Jacque (bojaq@lynks.com), May 06, 2002

Answers

Jacque, I got one of those forms too....I agree ain't none of their business...I just wonder how you get off their list!

-- Emily in Central Kentucky (bellyacresfarm@kyk.net), May 06, 2002.

We threw our form away. There was no way we were going to answer all those questions. Like do we make hay, have livestock, what kind of livestock, fruit, do we start plants etc. etc. etc. No way does anyone have that right as far as I am concerned. What the hell is illegal about wanting a little privacy!!! We don't take ANY FEDERAL OR STATE money, pay our taxes and obey the law. I am really hot over this one let me tell you.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), May 06, 2002.

Could any of you please let me know if this is a federal intrusion or is it state level? I haven't heard a thing about this particular form. Thank you, and thanks for sharing your story about the emu. Certainly hope your bladder infection is improving.

-- (Xp@nonenow.com), May 06, 2002.

This is what I found on the net How do I get off their list ?? I don't know heck I only have 1.479 acres that's including my house. Like I said I'm just starting to garden and just got some baby chickens. Drats wish the government leave us alone. So what IF I have a bumper crop of tomatoes and sold a few. Which I'm not planing anyway need to can those beauti's. DH saids just fill it out in such a way to imply none of their business and send it off...

Return to News and Coming Events ANNOUNCEMENT NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE United States Department of Agriculture • Washington, DC 20250 Ag Statistics Hotline: 1-800-727-9540 • www.usda.gov/nass/

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Media Contact: Janet Allen (202) 690-8122 janet_allen@nass.usda.gov FARM IDENTIFICATION SURVEY BEGINS IN APRIL

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2002 - Five hundred thousand potential farms and ranches across the country will receive a 2002 Farm Identification Survey in the mail over the next few weeks. The intent of the survey is to identify agricultural operations for the 2002 Census of Agriculture.

Many people who do not consider themselves to be farmers or ranchers actually qualify as a farm and are important to the 2002 Census of Agriculture. The Farm Identification Survey consists of seven short questions which will help determine agricultural status. Simple questions will ask about growing crops or raising livestock in any quantity. The short survey should take less than five minutes to complete and mail in the postage paid envelope.

Responses to this survey and the 2002 Census of Agriculture are mandatory under Title 7, U. S. Code, which also assures the information provided is confidential and will not be provided to any individual or organization.

The 2002 Census of Agriculture forms will be sent to 2.75 million potential farms and ranches in December 2002. For additional information about the Farm Identification Survey or the 2002 Census of Agriculture, get online at www.usda.gov/nass/ or call toll-free at 1-888-4AG-STAT or 1-888-424-7828.

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Find agricultural statistics for your county, State, and the Nation at www.usda.gov/nass/

-- Jacque (bojaq@lynks.com), May 07, 2002.

Remember when we used our census cards to light our fires ? They threatened us with words like mandatory fines and jail but after awhile they went away. I have heard it said that only 3% of the population bucks the government. I find that hard to believe when everyone I listen to is complaining about infingements. IMHO, 97% love their country but despise their government and 3% are the ones they despise !

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), May 07, 2002.

Very well put Joel. Now if we could just get motivated enough to get off our butts and do something about it . . . who knows what we can get accomplished.

-- j.r. guerra in s. tx. (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), May 07, 2002.

Everybody says get off our butts and do something. Like what???

I just finished writing letters to my state senator and representative. It seems no matter how many letters I write not much happens because of it. Maybe if thousands of people write, something WOULD CHANGE. Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the person in government. I beieve that some listen to their constituents, and some don't. Just my opinion.

I write many letters each year. I believe my officials letter readers know me on a first name basis. I may be wasting ;my time, but I don't know what else to do.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002.

Jacque, try uva ursi herb for your infection, it really helps.

As for the form, I haven't seen one, but when the census came round it was the long form and I threw it out. They sent a person next, I told her those questions were too nosey and I wasn't answering them. All she got out of me was just what she would have gotten from the neighbors! Btw, they will question your neighbors about you if you refuse to answer them. An aquaintance of mine chased them off his property and they just went next door and wrote down what the neighbors told them about his family. You could probably write, n/a on everything and send it back without really answering much.

-- kim in CO (kimk61252@hotmail.com), May 08, 2002.