Congratulations on both counts. Wishing you lots of puppies!

Thanks! Can't wait to go shopping for some fruit and nut trees and get some food in the ground. Fence, gotta get fence first. Do I sound excited??

Corar,congratulations!.
Felix

Fence? That's what I did today!

How do you know that you will be able to sell the puppies? What if they are all ugly?

just kidding , john ;>)

John - I've never, EVER seen an ugly puppy! (can puppies actually be ugly??) Even the runts and not-show-ring-perfect puppies can be trained as service dogs. LOL! I've often thought my poodle should be working at the airport.

Felix - your forum name (countrynest) has always conjured pictures of an idylic country home, for me. And your posts speak volumnes of your respect for the land and your generous heart. May you live long and prosper!

featherhoof - For the time being, I think our fencing will have to be portable, if there is such a thing. The idea is to contain the 3 Goldens and my toy poodle (the fearless hunter) to about a half acre, where we'll be working. This is going to be oneheckuv a learning experience! ;o)
cora

Have you been to the Farm life forum.I frequently ask duck questions over there. Also Hobby Farm magazine . Tractor Supply has a great book selection and I love checking all the cool stuff.
***Regarding UGLY pups.
I once saw an ad in the paper for

LOL!! Even the Ugly Duckling was cute!
Yes, I do frequent the Farm Life forum and have learned a lot. Still waiting for an aquaponics forum, though.
cora

I'm going to reply "Lucky You"! Wishing all your dreams come true!

Do you know they are giving a class at the local college on Aquaponics. I think it is an awesome thing and really should sign up but do you really need a year of education and a certificate?
I do have some great fish in the pond but if you sell them buyers want the filets to be all one size so the bins are a great idea.

I'm not surprised that local or community colleges are offering aquaponics. One or two tanks in the back yard could provide plenty of food and fish for a family. I'm guessing that a year of study and certification would qualify you to sell your fish especially, to the public.
cora

I believe the push was that our planet will go hungry in the future if we don't change the way we do things.

Construction drawings for a utility building were approved....

How big? What are your plans for it? Sure wish I had some room, I have a two-car garage that barely fits one car with a work bench inside :-(

tomncath, the utility building will have a 10' diameter poured concrete foundation. The dome will be about 14' at the peak. Although there will be a generous entrance door, we've no plan to use it for a garage. It will be a place to secure building materials during the week and perhaps even camp in on the weekends, since we live 60 miles from the farm. Two round trips per weekend would be a bit much in time and gas.
I'm hoping my son will create a blog(?)to chronicle the construction of the house, green house and utility buildings. That the utility building was approved is encouraging because the house is going to blow their minds!
cora

That is SO COOL, I love dome structures, I hope you do have a blog.

Tom

I hope he does a blog too, because I gave you the dimensions for the wrong structure. The 'utility building' will have a 23 foot diameter! (my drafting experience was ships, not houses!) But being the gardener in the family, I bought 2 blue berry bushes and an anise bush today that will be relocated to 'the farm' in late winter or very early spring. At 50% off, I just couldn't resist. Come to think of it, I have a LOT of plants I'm planning to relocate. I really, REALLY need to swap my car for a pickup. cora