OFI 618: Relocate To Idaho, What It Feels Like To Not Commute And Western Heritage

Tuesday Episode

I sat down to make this Tuesday edition and really did not know what to talk about. By the time I finished it was the longest Tuesday episode that I have recorded to date.  Today I am going to tell you about my father in law’s farm that is for sale and is very picturesque.  I am also going to tell you what a “sheep camp” or “sheep wagon” is, if you do not already know.  And we will talk about about what life is like with no commute!

What Is A Sheep Camp?:

Out here in the West sheep graze over long stretches of public land depending on the season.  For example, there is a sheep rancher that grazes his sheep all the way down the Boise front (the foothills on the eastern side of Boise) during the spring and early summer, and follows the sheep up into the higher elevations as the summer goes on.

South of the Idaho border, in the mountains of Northern Nevada, there are vast swathes of prairie that are at elevations of 7,000 to 10,000 feet.  Sheep ranchers follow sheep all across that terrain as well.  These areas are remote, so there are no nearby services.  And, the sheep need someone with them constantly.  So, what does the sheep herder do for housing?

This is where the “sheep camp” comes in.  Or really, the ‘mobile’ sheep camp.  All a sheep camp is is a covered wagon with amenities needed for living built inside of it.  At one end there is a bed, or really a mattress set on top of a frame.  There is a bench seat, a fold down table, some shelves for holding flour, coffee, etc. and a “sheepherders stove” for baking, cooking and heating (if necessary).  The wagons were traditionally covered with canvass that needed to be waterproofed.  However, today there is an improved cover that lasts much longer and does not need the waterproofing.

Autumm and I spent the first night of our marriage in one of these sheep wagons that was built by her great uncle and great aunt and then purchased by her father.  We just brought it home from her father’s farm in Buhl, Idaho along with another one that he purchased from his aunt and uncle. We will be refurbishing these over the summer!

If you would like to know more about sheep camps, I suggest the website of these folks here: http://idahosheepcamp.com

Also, the owners of this website were guests on the D&B Supply Radio Show and Podcast and you can listen to that episode through this link.

Life Without Commuting:

One of the best or at least, most noticeable parts, of my life of working 100% from my farm is the commute.  Actually, it is not my commute that is so noticeable but the commute of others.  Autumm and I happen to live on a road that people use as a route into and out of Boise.  It is not super heavy, but the traffic on this road peaks during commute times.  You can always tell who is running late by how much they are speeding when they come by?

Just the other night I had to run into Kuna to get some chicken feed.  I screwed up and ended up going during commute time.  I don’t mean to make it sound like there is a lot of traffic in Kuna.  There really is not.  But at 5:30 pm when the commuters from Boise are just getting back into town, they are frazzled and angry.

On this little drive to get chicken feed I got honked at twice!  All I was doing was driving like a farmer who is heading over to the feed dealer to get some chicken feed.  Nothing more, nothing less.  However, for the people who were anxious to get home, this was unbearable.

I feel for the folks who find themselves in this position at the end of the day.  And I hope for the rest of you that you can find your way out of the commute if that is something that you have to do on a daily basis.  Seeing how anxious and upset commuters get is always a reminder to me of just how good I have it!

Relocate To A Beautiful Farm In Buhl, Idaho:

My father in law has a really beautiful farm in Buhl.  And, he has it for sale.  He believes that the right person has to come along to purchase it, and I think he is correct.  If the farm you have imagined for yourself is one in which you can maximize efficiency, this is definitely not the right place for you.  If you have pictured more of a homestead that will allow you to raise some commercial livestock and possibly get involved in agritourism this might be the place.

The farm has no house, but it has a well and electricity as well as irrigation.  There is a nice barn there and cattle handling facilities.  There is also a year round, spring fed creek that runs through, several fishing ponds and a hydro-electric plant that currently sells electricity to Idaho Power.

There are 27 irrigated acres that currently have cattle on them as well as one hay field.  Depending on which option you are interested in there is a total of 80 acres or 60 acres.  He has it listed two different ways.  The rest of the land will have forage on it during the spring but after it warms up that will stop.

When I think about this property I envision living there and being completely energy independent with hydro, solar and wind power.  I also like its character and the prospect of some sort of business model that includes people coming to the farm and enjoying what it has to offer.  But, lucky for you, we are not moving there.  I absolutely would, but Autumm is not pushing to do this.  So, we are staying on our farm.

Here is a link to the listing: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1125-E-4300-N_Buhl_ID_83316_M23435-93173#photo5

I don’t know enough about the hydro-electric plant or the price of farm ground and the value of the water rights on the property to advice you on the price or the income potential of the plant.  I would suggest that you research this and get a competent real estate agent from the area if you are interested in this to give you the best information possible.

But I can say this.  It is a beautiful area in a community that is still focused on farming, hunting and kids going to school.  It is only about 25 minutes from Twin Falls, Idaho which is a rapidly growing city.  And, it is about 2 hours from Boise, Idaho with a great airport.

If relocating or finding the perfect spot to start your farm dream is something you have been considering, give this listing a look!