High Calorie Gardening: Of Oxen, Horses, and Mules - we begin to explore animal power.

Oxen, Horses, and Mules

So far with high calorie Gardening I have focused on manual tools and techniques. Well my wife grew up with many Amish neighbors. I have been fortunate to learn some about their farming techniques. So to me the next step up from manual is animal power. In North America this generally falls under Oxen, horses, and Mules. If you want to grow high calorie food beyond just an average garden than animal power could be a good option if you do not wish to invest in hydrocarbon burning equipment.

There is no way I can cover such a topic on one blog so I will just link to sources of information and equipment so you can begin to explore this subject.

Machinery Cost Estimates for Amish Farms

http://www.joe.org/joe/2004october/rb8.php

Horse and Human Labor Estimates for Amish Farms

http://www.joe.org/joe/2007february/rb5.php

Horse Drawn Farm Equipment for Draft Horse Farming

http://www.farmingwithhorses.com/

CHADI PIONEER FARM EQUIPMENT, LLC

http://www.pioneerfarmequipment.com/

Atlantic Draft Horse Supply

http://www.atlanticdrafthorsesupply.ca/

Nolt’s Produce Supplies, Leola, Pa

http://www.noltsproducesupplies.net/

E-Z Trail Mfg., Fredericksburg, Ohio.

http://www.e-ztrail.com/index.php

Transplanter made by Nolt’s Produce Supplies, Leola, Pa. The transplanter is pulled by a team of Belgians on a standard forecart made by E-Z Trail Mfg., Fredericksburg, Ohio.

http://www.farmcollector.com/farm-shows/ingenious-implements-horse-operated-farm-machinery-going-strong.aspx#ixzz3Ekeeuu5n

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Horse Drawn Farm Equipment for Draft Horse Farming

http://www.farmingwithhorses.com/

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Sustainable Logging With Draft Animals

http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/sustainable-logging-draft-animals-zmaz94amzraw.aspx#axzz3EknMQQ2l

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Books

FARM COLLECTOR FIELD GUIDE TO MYSTERY FARM TOOLS

http://www.farmcollector.com/shopping/detail.aspx?itemnumber=4639#ixzz3Ekh7MEta

TURN-OF-THE-CENTURY FARM TOOLS