[drgoodword]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Novus', 'l')etting go of the useless eaters is going to be the biggest challenge.

[wisconsin_cur]

We are lucky in this respect. The bride and I are both only children. Her parents will live where they are until they die. they could do ok as depletion runs its course but even if they don't, there is no way they would head up here.

That only leaves my parents. Both are relatively young (they were 19 when I was born) and are very useful. Luckily they stayed friends after the divorce. Their grandchildren are their focus so I would expect them to head are way as they are able. I do not need to tell them to work hard.

That only leaves the unexpected friend or cousin... and that would be really unexpected. I would sit them down for a little talk about expectations. I would then set them up in their own abode (whatever that might be) or house them with a knowledgable older couple who could use the extra labor in the garden. There are quite a few older couples in the area with large gardens.

Thats right. Be as friendly as possible but get them out of my hair as quickly as possible.

Other ideas for rules (some of which have been mentioned):

1. youngest eat first
2. I decide who does or does not have access to guns
3. When I request you do something, it is not really an option. I was just being polite.
4. There will be a division of labor. Do not complain about how someone did something unless you are willing to take on the job in addition to the jobs you already do.
5. the writer of the rules is exempted from rule number 4. I am the person who has been ruminating over this issue for years. You do it my way and for my reasons. If I will tell you why, it will be at the end of the day and I reserve the right to charge you 1/2 your potato.
6. If you do not like the food, do not eat it but do not complain about it. If you like the food be sure to tell the cook.
7. Behavior that instigates or fans conflict will not be tolerated. There will be time enough for back biting when we all live in our own houses and do not have to spend each day, every day, together.
8. If you do not like the rules, the door is right over there.
9. First time breaking of the rules results in being assigned the least desired chores (probably involving humanure). Additional infractions will result in increasing penalties. The highest being exile if actions put the survival or health of another member in unnecessary danger.

Ok, so I'm more serious about some more than others (I would not charge my mother 1/2 potato to tell her why I wanted something done a particular way... though I might charge an unexpected refugee for the same information), but you get the idea.

[FourOfSwords]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('roccman', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Shannymara', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('roccman', 'A')ng and I are united on this.

Show up with one year of food or be turned away...PERIOD.

[wisconsin_cur]

I have an amendment to my rule #2.

The author of the rules also decides on the rules of engagement.

[Ainan]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('wisconsin_cur', '
')
Other ideas for rules (some of which have been mentioned):

1. youngest eat first
2. I decide who does or does not have access to guns
3. When I request you do something, it is not really an option. I was just being polite.
4. There will be a division of labor. Do not complain about how someone did something unless you are willing to take on the job in addition to the jobs you already do.
5. the writer of the rules is exempted from rule number 4. I am the person who has been ruminating over this issue for years. You do it my way and for my reasons. If I will tell you why, it will be at the end of the day and I reserve the right to charge you 1/2 your potato.
6. If you do not like the food, do not eat it but do not complain about it. If you like the food be sure to tell the cook.
7. Behavior that instigates or fans conflict will not be tolerated. There will be time enough for back biting when we all live in our own houses and do not have to spend each day, every day, together.
8. If you do not like the rules, the door is right over there.
9. First time breaking of the rules results in being assigned the least desired chores (probably involving humanure). Additional infractions will result in increasing penalties. The highest being exile if actions put the survival or health of another member in unnecessary danger.

[PrairieMule]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Lumpy', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('roccman', '7'))

I don't how much of what you wrote above was a little tongue-in-cheek, but the "THIS IS A WORKING FARM" is absolutely right on.

"Daddy, EVERYONE works hard on a farm -- or else the farm won't work!"

[vision-master]

[wisconsin_cur]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Shannymara', 'R')e "youngest eat first" - I worked with a woman who grew up in a very poor rural village in Asia. She told me the kids didn't get to eat very much, because the older people who were working the fields needed the food in order to function, and without them there would be no food at all.

[Pretorian]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('roccman', '
')9) You are expected to be ready to work by 7AM everyday.

[Ferretlover]

re: youngest--if they are too little to fend for themselves, they must be considered first.

Another thought: Not knowing what shape the legal system will be in (martial law?), what steps should be considered if the Boss gets struck by lightning, kicked by a horse, attacked by zombies, and killed? With extended families and possibly friends occupying the farm, would a will be enough to control a possible hostile takeover?

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pretorian', '
')7 am? Dude I am starting to think you have no idea what farming IS.

[Pretorian]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Lumpy', 'l')umpy

[Pretorian]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pretorian', '
')7 am? Dude I am starting to think you have no idea what farming IS.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pretorian', '
')Well, for starters, is being ready to work a way earlier than 7 am. our farmers were leaving to work at 4-4.30.

[drgoodword]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pretorian', '
')Well, for starters, is being ready to work a way earlier than 7 am. our farmers were leaving to work at 4-4.30.

[WisJim]

7am is when one person comes in from doing chores to start making breakfast so a hot meal is on the table when the rest of the crew is ready to eat at 7:30. Then you go back out and start on the outside work. Or at least that is my recollection from when I was a kid.

[gnm]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ferretlover', 'A')nother thought: Not knowing what shape the legal system will be in (martial law?), what steps should be considered if the Boss gets struck by lightning, kicked by a horse, attacked by zombies, and killed? With extended families and possibly friends occupying the farm, would a will be enough to control a possible hostile takeover?

[UncoveringTruths]

I would rather work in the cool morning than work in the heat of the afternoon especially in the late spring through early fall. In the winter I imagine you would want as much sunlight as possible while working. You have to adjust your work schedule with your conditions.

When I worked a ranch with my cousin in my youth for a summer in South Texas we were early risers and worked until the heat was unbearable. We would come in for lunch and the afternoon was for relaxing and siestas. In the late afternoon feeding was accomplished and prepping for the following morning. Then it was time for some reading and relaxing then off to bed early so you could get up the next day and do it again.

[roccman]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('UncoveringTruths', 'I') would rather work in the cool morning than work in the heat of the afternoon especially in the late spring through early fall. In the winter I imagine you would want as much sunlight as possible while working. You have to adjust your work schedule with your conditions.

When I worked a ranch with my cousin in my youth for a summer in South Texas we were early risers and worked until the heat was unbearable. We would come in for lunch and the afternoon was for relaxing and siestas. In the late afternoon feeding was accomplished and prepping for the following morning. Then it was time for some reading and relaxing then off to bed early so you could get up the next day and do it again.

[Ludi]

How will you handle "burn out" on your farm, roccman?