How to be a Farm Sitter (And Why It's the Best Way to Start Farming)

[@GoldShawFarm]

Check out my buddy Zach's Instagram to learn more about his farm. Tell him Toby Dog says hello! instagram.com/crossfarmvt/

[@countrylife9775]

Hi Morgan I’m only 13 and I have my own mini farm. I have chickens but you inspired me to get 2 khaki Campbell ducks lol.

[@anthonye.1647]

Do you know where I can find fencing reels like Zachs

[@lacybookworm5039]

Is it weird that I could tell that wasn't Toby before you said anything? 😅 I don't comment much, but I have been watching 2 or 3 of your videos most days since I found your channel about two months ago. 😊 Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I would like to be a farmer in the not too distant future. 🍂 P. S. I am from the Pacific Northwest. 🌲

[@voidshammer4134]

Rosie is Toby's mother ?

[@maureen8930]

You couldn’t breed with Rosie perfect dog 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@chelseas.horizon2222]

I never thought about this but the "farm sitting" makes a lot of sense. And for you, as a new farmer, it must be awesome to have the opportunity to see that close how other farmers manage their farms. It is the best way to learn.

[@barbarahouk1983]

I grew up in the farming community of northeast Ohio and this idea of members of the kin folk giving other members a vacation, ie, farm sitting was common. Sometimes it was neighbors.

[@twocooneys]

Just realized I know where this farm is. Formerly owned by my dad's first cousin. When I was up last, I noticed they (Zak) was rotating sheep. Small world!

[@timothyodonnell8591]

This is fast becoming my favorite channel. I love your enthusiasm for life and farming. You also are talented at one of the critical features of a good video: you know how to make each one a story. And the fact you are a very good storyteller makes it even better.

[@Renagade2332]

This guy's just pure kindness made me subscribe months ago. Plus I'm interested in the farming.

[@poppy4674]

Yeah, I agree. Morgan's storytelling style is real good.

[@rainerainegoaway9426]

Same here!!! I love Morgan!!!

[@davidtauriainen9116]

Hey, you left your tripod camera at your friend's farm. You're welcome.

[@GoldShawFarm]

Hahahahaha...I’ve been looking for it for the past few days. 🤣😂🤣

[@foureyedpossum4613]

How did- I- how did you know O.O

[@pratikkore7947]

@@GoldShawFarm How far were you like, "ok, that's enough opportunity for the other video links"😂

[@KateRockeyWalsh]

Gday

[@davecrupel2817]

Zach? Is that you?😂

[@Cutis0n]

It’s so pretty and misty there, so peaceful

[@emulatemetheuniverse.3670]

Seriously! I'd love to just rent the place for a weekend like an Airbnb and vacay!

[@diceportz7107]

Morgan, you must remember you didn't grow up farming. I have watched your videos and thought, why does he...? And then I remind myself, he's learning and doing the best he can with what he has. You have come such a long way and you are figuring out what is going to work for you. No one farms 100% like another. You will take from Zack and make it your own, just as it should be.

[@janicerager8525]

It appears that Zach has a well organized,functional farm. Morgan your farm is coming along also--time for all to come together. Good Luck to you from, Ohio .

[@austenmckenna5555]

Nice video! I like how it was like a Parallel Universe segment! A farm like your farm but not your farm...a dog like Toby but a girl dog...pigs, sheep, turkeys instead of ducks, geese and backyard chickens! Oh...and thanks for being gentle about Zach's chickens being culled! They must of been Broilers or Cornish X's if they were raised for meat???

[@littlemrpinkness295]

That was fun! I like Zach's farm. It was nice seeing how sophisticated his methods were. His animals looked great. I think you are doing a good job for him, and getting real ideas you can use. You and Alison have been integrating yourselves nicely into this community. 🐓🐔🐤🐣🐥🌟

[@CraftAmundous]

Building a relationship with the folks at the farmers market is a bit hard in my area with covid. It's all pretty cut and dry with drive through pre-purchased pickup only but this gives me a goal for when things return to "normal". Thank you!

[@MetaMorphea]

You have done the exact right thing. You have been figuring out how much you love doing what you do on the farm in order to find out if that would be something you could do as a full time thing. And that is a very important step. Not matter what you do you need to be happy with it. And to be fair, full time farming is a lot of work and you have to love it to really go all in.

[@Cutis0n]

I’d love to see pigs and larger livestock on Goldshaw farm!

[@aharder5765]

Farmsitting: a taste of farming without the expense and risk but with all of the experience. It really does help you find out if this is what you want to with your life.

[@pattimontreal9999]

Morg, a good friend of mine, dairy farmer for a lifetime, went into pigs and found them to be so affectionate and clever that he could not send them to slaughter. They are WAY more loving and smarter than dogs. Be aware.

[@ballinboxer3676]

Yeah some people are not meant for raising livestock. I can butcher a couple hundred chickens and pigs all day but my brother who grew up in the same environment as me always cried when he saw a dead animal and is vegan now lol Morgan may be up to it tho seeing that he has experience with ducks and geese

[@25Soupy]

That's a good way to make a living with livestock...to not process them. I guess your friends can turn their farm into a petting zoo and go broke in a year or so.

[@riddlydiddlyimawantedmanin4442]

It's something im contemplating also, Im currently vegetarian because i dont like mystery meat in a packet (after seeing some pretty shitty cattle conditions in my own country, locked in a barn all day hoofs buried deep in their own shit and piss on a concrete floor) The plan is to go into raising birds of some sort and maybe goats, right now i'm looking forward to getting into fishing and rabbit hunting, that sits okay with me. I honestly don't know how i will feel after a year of raising and caring for the animals every day, especially the goats who are exceptionally affectionate and will come up and cuddle you like a cat would. Might just stick to birds..

[@ebrown7782]

@@riddlydiddlyimawantedmanin4442 I love animals so much it hurts sometimes but my boyfriend of 17 years is a hunter part time farmer. I eat meat and now I am more educated than I was 17 years ago. I’m not a fan of pork, duck, sheep, octopus or baby cows. I wish I could be vegetarian. 2 years ago he brought home 30 chicks without telling me for meat. We already had egg chickens and 2 ducks we rescued from a city apartment. I was so upset until I really thought it thru and realized how horrible it is to buy some of the meat we buy from the store. I was such a hypocrite. We processed our chickens humanely and I can’t wait to do it again. It is hard for me with other animals but I thank every animal for their service to us. Farmers are so important to our civilization. Everyone has their own path and what’s best for them and animals are here to help us with that. Just say thank you for their service.

[@riddlydiddlyimawantedmanin4442]

@@ebrown7782 wonderful message, thank you :)

[@DanielSoomil]

You should do a bloopers cut of the year or something. That would be so fun to watch! Would be hilarious at the end to watch you have to walk back for the camera.

[@Avanthera13]

I am really loving this channel, so fun to see how you improve yourself, your farm and everything. It's really inspirering! Looking forward to see the evolution of Goldshaw Farm in 2021!

[@katejohnson6756]

How did you have time to take care of Zach's farm, your farm, and your full time job? You are an inspiration in time management!

[@pit6055]

Just the feeding off the animals isn't that big of a job

[@fjb4932]

KJ, I'm wondering if you truly watched /Listened to this. (?) Let's start at 4:45 ...

[@CorrieGreen]

I love how he has all his paddocks laid out in advance. I was thinking of doing that this summer too. Only mine won’t have those fancy fence reels. Wow! Game changer. 😍

[@chrism.2231]

"Just a little bit nervous" about a stranger wanting to hang out when we are out of town? You are funny. I would need to be pretty comfortable with someone before they get tossed the keys, and I consider myself a pretty easy going Midwesterner. We just have a lot of time and energy involved with these animals and that makes one nervous. I will agree though, you can get beyond that by spending time (and probably more than a day) volunteering and building a relationship with both the farmer and the animals. In the "before times" last year, I had my sister-n-law stay here for the week and a half we went out west. The wife and I joked about the % of acceptable losses we would tolerate to get a vacation. After 2020, that number is going up... On a serious note, I was impressed with your friend Zach's infrastructure. That is sort of my focus as we are fairly early days (10 years with chickens, but only 2-3 years with ducks and goats) on in our homestead and try and create our systems to make the care of the animals as easy and inexpensive as possible. Thanks for sharing that.

[@yomama1254]

I want to thank you for your support. You have no idea how much support these videos provide to a dreamer

[@sr-hd3bz]

“This is childs play but it does keep the pig in bay” spitting hot fire i see

[@erwinj9697]

MC Duckman spitting bars

[@sr-hd3bz]

@@erwinj9697 righttt

[@flyingpigpreserve8562]

Having a Farm Sitting Buddy is very important as you said. Plus you learn from each other. Pigs are good to use for clearing wooded areas to make more useable area on your farm. Peace from WV

[@stevefarms7494]

It always good to see other farmers way of set up and ask questions that can be inspired from

[@fannyrosani8715]

Its very humble of you to present yourself ..still learning about farming ! Well done .n bravo .you are doing excellent .just carry on and succes is all yours !! MGU !💕👍

[@helenehenkel]

It’s great that you have someone nearby to help & for them to help you. Another enjoyable video.

[@terrykunst3883]

This was a fantastic video. Thank you for taking us along . Zack definitely looks like a farmer to learn lots from and duplicate his successful ideas. Would love to see more! Hope he had a nice vacation.

[@onetuliptree]

Farm sitting is a great topic, never being able to leave the farm was one deterrent when I considered moving to the country and having animals.

[@clem304]

I'm so so interested in how Zach is organizing his land/netting/animals, please show us more if he's okay with that!

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

"Here, Pig,Pig, Pig Pig Pig Pig Pig." Just rattle a food bucket and they will follow you anywhere. Just ask the "geese-man"!

[@OddPaw]

I've grown up raising pigs. Had them my first year on my own farm, but I will not et any more until I have a better set up for them. They can be a little too friendly at times. - Especially when they are hungry! Those are some BIIIIG pigs though holy cow! Loved seeing all of the sheep. I feel like they are so underrated with the hype of goat breeders. But they can also be very affectionate and are easier to raise than goats, in my opinion.

[@mrmacgregorshomestead233]

We set up a Hobby Farm Coop. The purpose of it is exactly for this. It is awesome! Maybe u guys can set up a Coop in your area. I find that we each walk away with new ideas or being inspired to do something else. Its wayyy cool! Love seeing your ideas as well as Zach's. Ty for sharing!

[@Saira-er2wg]

Question: Whats your favourite animal since you have such a variety at the farm

[@GoldShawFarm]

The dog and barn cats are the animals closest to my heart, but they aren’t livestock. Among the birds, geese are probably my favorite, but I like working with all three.

[@Saira-er2wg]

@@GoldShawFarm I love the sillyness of the geese as well! I recently discovered your channel through binging duck videos and every new video puts a smile to my face! Your channel helped me through my hard times and I hold so much respect for your dedication to your farm and animals :) I wish I could help fund your farm and watch it grow but until I get my first job (sadly) in the city (I wish asia had this sort of land) I will continue to yell before I go to sleep "All ducks go to bed!"

[@PDTechGuy]

I got such a great laugh at the beautiful calming music and fantastic drone footage... and then... upside down view of turkeys :) hahaha -- LOVE watching your videos from Fort Worth, TX! Thank you for continuing to take the time & effort to put them together for us all.

[@margaretbedwell58]

I think in the three years y'all have had the farm, you have come a long way toward professionalism. Of course there is more to learn. but we all have that everyday. Having a good friend like Zack, means you have a mentor you can trust and he can trust you. As far as pigs go, you might want to start out with some of those smaller pigs Like Al at Lumnah Acers raises. If they work out for you for your freezer meat, then you might want to expand. Who knows, but it is the getting the toes wet thing again. Y'all have a Blessed day.

[@1angelofthelight2]

Well that was inspirational for you Morgan, I''m looking forward to watching you go forward in the future. I think you do a smashing job.

[@tammystratford7079]

Oh, that Talking Heads snippet just made me love you more! I am delighted with your choices.

[@jobell7356]

Rooting for you! 🤸‍♀️ have a fab new season and we'll be here keeping you company.

[@Dovietail]

Neat and tidy is a thing. I am a messy ADHD adult with depression, so tidy is often a daily struggle. Never leaving a project all sprawled out and messy at the end of the day really helps me jump back in the next day. Tidy farm, tidy mind! ☺☺☺

[@miker8727]

I'm no city boy, but that's really good advice if city folk want to see if they have what it takes! Even tho you make it look super easy!!!!!👍 keep up the great videos very informative!

[@geo.miller7808]

10/22/20 Hello Mr Gold. My 2 T-Shirts in orange and blue and my hoody in blue arrived on the 14th. Thought you’d find it mildly interesting that your the FIRST of the You Tubers I follow to have ever bought any clothing from. Find your YT channel quite interesting but will never be a farmer, too old now and too, you’ve got to be with a good partner, but love the “Release the Quacken” amusing. And the other T-shirt I got was “All Ducks go to bed”. Hoody say’s “Gold Shaw Farm”. Considering what I paid for these items, certainly hope you get a good return!

[@luisfigueroa2701]

Your farm is great, don't knock it to much. It will improve the more further along you get. Like you said, you were just wing'n it at first but you've learned a lot along the way. It's night and day from what you started with. Your doing great. Keep it up. Love all the advise and personal experience. What works for you and what doesn't.

[@hollyadkins4729]

I’m so excited to see what’s coming ahead! Good to see you so inspired.

[@amandam691]

I get my thanksgiving turkeys from Zach! It’s awesome to see a little behind the scenes of the farm!

[@dobri123123]

i like how he walks away at the very end.he got some directing skills and that is worth looking into

[@tjastec5124]

THE MOST IMPORTANT video ever posted on this channel

[@michaelj.mcmorrow9193]

BTW - The sheep fencing system that you use in this video was invented by a sheep farmer in Tunbridge, Vermont.

[@doubtful_seer]

Hearing that this farm is run by one person and seeing how beautiful and organized it is makes me even angrier at my body, tbh. There is so much I had wanted to do and eventually I had dreamed to have my own (small) farm just outside a city while working as an artist after having either an archive or museum career (which I was in school for when my health forced me to drop out after already getting one of my degrees). Since I knew there would be no children or significant other to help, I thought even when I was healthy it would have been an impossibility. But seeing this, and your own channel, make me feel I could have made what I had planned work. Honestly, if it was a physical disability I would still try to make it work, since I already had a bad leg but spent all my free time walking the local woods for my fine art photography (editorial style model based photography was never my thing). Instead I have a laundry list of chronic illnesses that will never be able to be cured and leave me bed bound more days than not. That’s not pessimism, it’s just the reality of several failed surgeries and a decade of doctors not knowing how to keep me from deteriorating more and more each year when I don’t even hit 30 until this year. If I knew a way, I would have fought. I’m glad I found your channel though. It’s let me dream a bit.

[@carlajohnson5235]

I am so excited to see what is coming up next on your farm you and your wife are an amazing inspiration to so many of us that watch you please keep up the good work inspiring us to do better as well

[@albertgoetz4474]

Really great insight and ideas. Sharing ideas between friends works great.

[@jaxi-fye]

Tell Zack his farm looks stunning :) Love the drone shots you made! Excellent editing :)

[@MoYvStarkey]

I'm glad you share your progress. Blessings to you.

[@selenaporter8962]

Your intelegence and integrity is so warming to see! Thank you for being you

[@missjessiejane1]

when my great grand father got older my great grand mother had to have the out house moved in the house , she was scared if he fell on the way to do his nightly, that the pigs would have him ate by morning...... he had a fit, said he didn't want that smell in the house lol so my uncles had to build it in on the back porch or he wouldn't use it lol. it was a huge family fuss for years.. Thank you for the memories..

[@pattimontreal9999]

I raised turkeys free range for 20 years. They are terrific.

[@brattracy2542]

Morgan..U R a Wonderful Friend 2 Zack n his Family 4 doing this...I just Started watching some of Zacks Videos n I like his Cross Farm...He ALSO has a Great Family who help Alot...BUT Gold Shaw Farm is my Favorite Homestead....👍💙🐖😍🦢💜🐓🧡🐾

[@R1D9M8B4]

I've fallen in love with your farm and the way you do things. When I saw I was not subscribed I was like 😱. Look at how old he looks and Tobi looks so different! Then he said.. This isn't my dog.. I was like... Wow.

[@lewisdob8031]

7:52 That clip from Heat was spot on

[@tinkershot3974]

Im honestly excited for what next year will bring for you. Like what changes with the birds, how many will be raised for meat, or even if any new animal will be added! Hoping for a cow just to see what interesting things are learned with having one in the back part of paddock.

[@northernpennrailproduction3373]

A 12 Minute Banger

[@Kim-yt7mr]

I'm glad you found a person to look up to with your farming

[@larissaarakaki3323]

Its enjoyable hearing you talk farm philosophy. Best wishes for the future!

[@hanaoshimapiano]

Absolutely love your mission and your channel!! Thank you for sharing your journey every step of the way.

[@lindamessick9853]

WOW wish i was 30 years younger and had a farm !!! God Bless!!

[@MsNoPixel]

I enjoy all your videos but this was really interesting to watch! Thankyou for sharing with us! *Edit:* Btw before you said that wasn’t Toby I was like _”awww how sweet, Tobys waiting for him, but I’ve never seen that trail before”_ then you said that wasn’t Toby & I just sat there like _huh, now that makes a lot of sense_ lol.

[@MakinaIcy]

wow nice water / fense system. I like how he get everything organized.

[@crayfish7542]

@ 2:28 I wish that Norman would have " Listed " That song, the " SHOW MORE " Listings above. That was a Pretty good song; Sounded like Old Country Italian Accordion Music ! Or possibly Celtic music !

[@patrickkelly9721]

We've got a couple of acres in the desert. Some horses, chickens (this year), and wildlife. Your videos are entertaining and informative. Thank you for sharing.

[@user-kt7mi3yy8j]

Its been great to see your incremental learning/growing strategy, we also use something similar in IT called Agile. I'm seriously considering getting into micro-farming myself!

[@Sarafimm2]

Anyone wanting to learn a trade or get into something like farming produce or animals should ALWAYS follow a certain research progression; initial interest research through books and videos, talk (learn), help (learn), care (learn). Do this with/for several different people to get various viewpoints and experiences before putting money into it.

[@Andrey0153]

This came at the perfect time for me. I just thought about doing some work on a farm after college for this exact reason, to see if I actually like it.

[@dixsigns1717]

The fall colors of the leaves just melt my heart.

[@SkyPodp]

It’s really cool you’re still loving what you’re doing. Happy Halloween 🎃

[@pattikerby924]

I always dreamed of doing what you're doing. I hate living in the city. I grew up on a small farm. I loved the animals.

[@chadnorris8257]

Me: Toby seems more cautious than usual. "This is not my dog". What a tweest!

[@Phendoxia]

0:57 haha i was just thinking about how that song would fit here and you actually thouıght thas as well

[@AlanDampog]

looking forward to your growth and learning! sustainability is the goal!

[@windetrails]

Good video, I like your plan. I can't wait to see how things progress.

[@MrsznewyawkRN]

Honestly could listen to u for hours Morgan.

[@dcampbell855]

Poultry farmer uses the term "winging it" when referring to his own farm...that's dedication!

[@stegaosaurus]

Thanks for this informative and fun video! Love this channel.

[@pjmaynes8747]

I love your enthusiasm. God Bless.

[@liinap.9144]

Wonderful guest-farm! And I look forward to seeing what you do over the winter! I know, I know, we should all be excited for 2021 but I want to see right now! :D Thanks for the video.

[@Psi10w]

id watch a video of you and zack actually sitting together and discussing farm life and actually sharing ideas on maybe what you two think of automation and or semi automation to the farm etc.

[@lorineidtinytoadplot744]

Wow :O Zack's farm is awesome, so organized

[@luguy8347]

I feel like I run away from the world when I come here. Regardless the topic, it’s always fun. The music is ideal, as is the editing.

[@marksgraybeal]

sum similar, i cleaned one famous ranch out here in west texas, in big bend area,above rio grand, just so to hang out in bunkhouse etc, photos of recent visit on range in my facebook page. i grew up edge of rapid city, a farm across the creek/railroad tracks so i got to learn sum frum several sources. on Brite ranch,Cervono cared for many animals ,goats, no sheep, tho study of the mt sheep stayd there at headquarters...

[@karnaud6352]

Thanks for the videos, they are great. The fencing system used on this farm, I didn't quite catch the details. Could you let me know if you have the information, the brand and so on. Thanks again

[@supercooljoe1861]

I love your channel so much.

[@TedOfNod]

Rosa is GORGEOUS. 😍 But I really missed seeing the fluffier ball of floof that watches over the Goldshaw farm. ☁️

[@sabbys7750]

Sick as a dog... And no it's not Covid-19... Called out of work... Yes I'm very thankful to still have a job to call out from... So binge watching Gold Shaw farm videos until I feel better... Thank you for sharing your journey and giving me something to binge watch. 🤓🤓👍👍

[@davidj.mackinney6568]

Checking out the way someone else does things , can be a big help.

[@builtontherockhomestead9390]

LOL, neighbor took off yesterday for 2 weeks. So today is day 1 of farm sitting. Timing of this video amuses me.

[@helenbrown6194]

If you want to make a start with pigs buy a couple of weaners from your friend and raise them to slaughter weight ,the best time to buy them is Spring that way they are largest and most hungry in the Autumn when there is plenty of apples ,roots,corn and surplus veg to feed them .then pop them in the freezer or make your own bacon etc maybe build a little smoke house. I kept pigs for 12 years and it was on the whole very rewarding and easier than keeping a dog

[@UnclePutte]

Man, the countryside is beautiful even this time of the year over there. I know you do, but take good care of it, y'all!

[@GoldShawFarm]

Thank you!

[@KelJayP]

Check out the Living Traditions Homestead video this week of "We're adding 10 more..." to learn about the smaller "pasture pigs" they raise. They don't get huge or grub up the ground.

[@DillonVolts]

Had me fooled at first thought but was Toby at the beginning. When you said it wasn’t I was like whaaa

[@marytapioca]

You have an exciting future, Morgan! ~Japan

[@silvanapeters.3]

I'd love to see you adding new animals to the mix next year!

[@summerw.9828]

Your videos always make my day a little happier. x) (Unless it is about butchering geese... I have a soft spot for geese...)