What we do here is get an "share" of the animal, meaning you give the farmer $1. THAT buys you part of that cow. That allows you to get milk at say, $1 a gallon or a reserved half a beef when slaughter time comes.
Finding a farmers market and getting to know the farmers is crucial. Farmers know every other farmer for miles and how, what's and whys of farming and growing on a bigger scale as well as knowing all the diseases, ailments and tricks of the trade that will def save you $$ and time in the long run. Not only will working for a farmer give you insight as to what will be required to grow your own, but it's also a very healthy way of life. Farming is HARD, heavy work most of the time and it's not for everyone. Some days I'm so sore and stiff from baling 2000 bales of hay or picking bushels of veggies the day before but it is a healthy way of living and you'll stay in shape much more than most occupations.
I've also found that working on a farm is one of the most rewarding places to work too. From starting the veggies from seed to picking the fruits to bottle-feeding some snot-nosed little calf to seeing a massive porterhouse steak on your plate and having it melt in your mouth and KNOWING it's GMO/hormone free! By knowing these methods, you increase your value in any community of preppers.
Also of note, by raising your own, you will have extra stuff. That's when you either can the stuff, freeze it or give it away to the neighbors because that is just what we do around here. I think most farmers are the same way. They're looking for someone who will do the hard work and not complain about it too much. One tip that I learned early is when bottle-feeding baby cows, ALWAYS wear long pants! I usually wear cargo shorts to work just due to the hot weather BUT it's not good for milking times. Here's why: if you wear shorts? Some calf WILL slurp you up the back of your leg with it's snotty, slobbery, milk-covered pie-hole and if you're like me, you'll let out a screech and instinctively hurl yourself into the next calf pen thus evoking much, much, much loud laughter from the other people around you. The joking will never end, trust me.
Rabbits are great for fast breeding but they are very lean and will need some sort of lard or suet to replace the fats needed for daily consumption. Their urine and feces is also a great fertilizer as it's very high in nitrogen and ammonia-ingredients needed for 'other' projects.
). We also give them the best life possible while they are with us because they are giving up their life to feed me and my family. Yes, I do get attached to them and sometimes it is difficult but you do what you have to do. Now when T-bone (bull) got cut, didn't even shed a tear. That big 1800 lb bull chased my butt before and I was not happy about that
