The Urban Permaculture Farm Magazine

This month we are shinning the spotlight on a fun, spirited, and adventuresome blog site - "The Unusually Unusual Farmchick". Tammie is the "unusual farmchick" and is at the heart of this great site. We recently had the pleasure of talking to her about her site.

USL: Tell us a little more about your garden and urban homesteading efforts.

My garden started as a small 10X10 space on our hilltop. I dreamed of having a large garden and plenty of space for children to play, so 1.16 acres seemed huge in comparison to the duplex we were living in.

The property came with the most amazing tree which we call the "Magic tree". The garden sits just behind this tree where our children climb through her low branches and have a swing hanging from her graceful inviting arm. There is even a "hole" on one side where the children like to hide treasures and keepsakes. Truly, a magical tree for children.

As our family grew, so did the garden. It is now a big 50X40 plot separated in 4 quarters, housing a small 32 gallon pond in its center, to encourage the abundant wildlife needed for a natural garden environment. Most people go to a church on Sunday, we go to the garden. Where we grow only heirloom and open pollinated edible plants. We save the seed from each variety for the following spring starting and excess to trade or share with others. We will not use chemicals in the garden or on plants anywhere located on the property.

We raise various breeds of chickens for the variety in egg color and yard bug control. I really like the Delaware's friendly temperament, plus the idea I am helping to keep a breed going which is on the critical list for the livestock conservation society. Recently we acquired a group of Californian rabbits to raise for meat. Perfect for any urban farmers who would like to raise their own meat and have little space to work with. Plus the fertilizer can go right on the garden without a waiting period. Up until recently, we also raised goats.

USL: What has been the hardest thing you've faced in your efforts to live a more sustainable life?

Local support. It has been a bumpy 7 years since we bought our home and 6 years since we added the chickens. Not many neighbors were happy about it, but have come to accept their presence seeing they are not of a nuisance (and they lay eggs which are happily shared with the neighbors). It takes time for people to accept change and difference around them. A kind word and patience will prove to be the best action. Consideration for your lifestyle will only come if you show respect and consider theirs.

USL: Have you changed (emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually) since you began sharing your adventures in sustainable living in your blog site?

My whole life has changed for the better since starting a blog about our unusual life. It has come with its ups and downs but the positives far outweigh the negative. I have a new feeling of purpose in life. Having no one around me who enjoys urban farming in the beginning made me feel isolated. I began blogging just to have a place I could write about our adventures as though I were writing a friend far away. Telling them about our daily life and sharing advice on what I have encountered. It was my outlet of expression where I had no one around who was interested. I have found a connection to the earth that was always there for me but my eyes were not able to focus on what she was trying to tell me. By living this way of life and sharing it on a blog, I have found my spiritual connection to the earth has brought me understanding, a little more patience, and the enjoyment of simple things in life. I have never been happier then what I am now.

USL: How would you describe your site to someone who has not visited it yet?

A place that you never know what I will be up to next. I love adventure and urban farming. I cover so many subjects that circle the urban farming lifestyle. From growing a garden of edibles, raising backyard flocks of chickens, meat rabbits and until recently dairy goats. I even dabble in home wine making plus herbal medicinal treatments, all the way to frugal ideas for my many crazy projects, which involve making things instead of buying them. You never know what unusual idea I will be into next.

USL: Anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

I so desired to find local people who were into the urban sustainable lifestyle, that I began a yahoo group "Akron Homesteaders". I went with the motto "If you build it, they will come". From which in just 1 year we have over 20 local active members and are still growing as word gets out. The group has brought such great friendships and community support. I would encourage anyone who may feel they are the only soul around them that is interested in the lifestyle, to start a group. If someone like me can start one, anyone can do it
Check out Tammie's adventuresome blog site at

http://unusuallyunusualfarmchick.blogspot.com