high hopes gardens is a living experiment. Can a creative, hard-working family make a living working with nature? Join us on the journey from idea to practice as we revive an Iowa Farmstead.
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room!
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high hopes gardens
logan township
marshall county
iowa
Mark - Technical writer by day, Dad and farmer for all the rest.
Linda - Biology teacher and Program Coordinator for diversified and entrepreneurial agriculture program by day, Mom and farmer for all the rest.
Stumbled upon your blog while doing a google search. I grew up in State Center and Grinnell, went to college at ISU and work in Ames when I’m not on active duty with the National Guard.
I’ve been reading up on your blog- I miss being out on the farms.
Comment by Joel Taylor — July 24, 2007 @ 5:49 pmKeep up the good posts!
~Joel
I came across your blog looking for sites about sustainable agriculture. I think I found the best one. I bought 16 acres with the hopes of raising my 5 kids in a better place and teaching them about nature, hardwork, and the rewards they offer. I am not a farmer by any means, just a 26 year old railroader. I could not explain the type of life I wanted at the new home. I have got my wife reading your site from start to finish, and have even started using some of your methods and plan to start using more of them as time and money permit. I think you have done a great job with the site and hope to continue reading for years to come and maybe some day soon join you with a small sustainable farm.
Again great job with the site, and thank you for giving me something to start my own with.
Comment by Wayne Bannert Jr — August 17, 2007 @ 1:17 amHello Family High Hopes,
I have been checking in on your blog for a little under a year now and I thought it important to let you know that your efforts are admired and make a difference. There is a great value in an active observance of daily life and the gifts and challenges it presents to us.
Keep up the good work, good health to all and I wish you the best for the future.
A happy follower.
Comment by michelle — November 19, 2007 @ 8:23 pmMichelle
Wow, what a website. We have 35 acres and would love to get back to raising things like
Comment by Deniese — January 21, 2008 @ 8:29 amwhen I was a kid. I have tried starting apple trees, rasberries and strawberries. I
could use some help if you don’t mind me asking questions. I have all the equipment for
canning as my mom use to do this, but I have not much experience canning. I use to do
alot of cutting corn off the cob, picking tomatoes for canning and lots of peas and green
beans. Our biggest crop when the six kids were together was over 200 tomato plants. That
Deniese,
I’ll try to answer your questions! To get started, I highly recommend the USDA home canning guide. We have it in a tattered three-ring binder and use it continuously in the summer/fall. it provides safe recipes, provides some logic when deciding to pressure vs boiling water canning. I found a free online copy at http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/publications/publications_usda.html
Comment by highhopesgardens — January 21, 2008 @ 8:39 pmHello!
I wanted to let y’all know that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading the wonderful information available on your site. We recently purchased a home with a few acres and we’re looking forward to having chickens and a few Barbados sheep. Your site has been a wonderful source of information and encouragement.
Comment by Amanda — January 29, 2008 @ 2:47 pmHi Linda,
I’m getting married in Marshall County in September and I’m hoping to do an All-Iowa Meal. Can you help?
Comment by Paige — March 2, 2008 @ 9:47 amYou might enjoy the site of Wisconsin’s favorite
cheesehead, Michael Perry. sneezingcow.com is where he
shares snippets of his life much as you all do. Check
out his book ‘Population 485 - Meeting your
neighbors one siren at a time’.
Be well.
Yes, I’m that Mark who’s dating Julie.
Mark from Kasson.
Comment by Mark Sannes — May 31, 2008 @ 1:34 pmGreat blog! Will check in now and then. I was searching for a picture of that goose who hangs out with goats in news that’s strange when I came upon High Hopes. Love the pictures and cheerful attitude. Keep it up.
Carl in St. Pete, FL
Comment by Carl Chappell — June 24, 2008 @ 6:28 pmMark & Linda,
Comment by Barbi — July 14, 2008 @ 7:15 amThe July 7 & 14 New Yorker has an article “Island in the Wind” by Elizabeth Kolbert. Samso Island in Denmark is populated by 4300 people and they converted to sustainable energy use, including wind turbines.
I’ll send you the web address for a slide show showing their innovations.
We enjoyed your pic of Reggie playing his dulcimer at the art show!
Barbi
Hello High Hope Gardens,
Comment by Sara — August 31, 2008 @ 6:53 amJust stumpled upon your blog while searching for goat milk’s soap. Just love seeing all the pretty goats, kid and all. They are in good hands! Thanks for sharing a part of your lives with all of us. Keep up the great job!