Ready to work!
I’m getting there! I’m close enough with my Kickstarter project to be excited–and nervous–at the same time. If the project is not 100 percent funded, it’s not funded at all. I have 10 more days, until 11:37 a.m. EST on March 3, to meet my funding goal. Pledges aren’t not charged until March 3 because if I don’t meet my goal? It all goes away! As if it never happened! I’m hoping all the other bad luck I’ve had in the past few months was because the universe was saving up all my good luck for the studio.
Meanwhile, I’m working away on my paperwork with the county health department. (This is a “process the paperwork and the studio will happen” mindset. I want to be ready!) For those of you who might find it interesting (anyone?), I’ll explain a little bit about that. There are lists and plans and diagrams for everything. It’s crazy detailed. Questions such as: The amount of cubic space for dry, refrigerated, and frozen storage. Thawing methods. Warewashing methods. A color-coded flow chart for storing utensils! (I don’t make this stuff up.) It’s called a Food Establishment Plan, and is the same paperwork you’d have to fill out if you were opening a restaurant. “Not all sections may be applicable to every establishment.” Whew. Fortunately, there is a very encouraging and friendly county health inspector here who has generously spent much time answering questions and helping me wade through the maze.
There is nothing like my studio on the farm anywhere around here, so approving this sort of establishment (one that is primarily for cooking/baking/cheesemaking workshops and farm agritourism) is new for him, too. From a business standpoint, this is excellent for me–there’s no competition in the area for what I have to offer.
But first I have to make my funding goal! If you can’t make a pledge, you can also help by sharing the project with friends. And remember that you can pledge as little as one dollar–and every dollar adds up! Thank you so much for your support. The project would never have gotten this far on Kickstarter without you!
See me on Kickstarter! Please spread the word!
KellyWalkerStudios says:
You’re going to make. We won’t let you down. 🙂
On February 22, 2012 at 7:37 am
caprilis says:
Ditto what Kelly said!
On February 22, 2012 at 7:42 am
Michele-lee says:
I don’t have a lot of money, but I pledged a small amount. As you said, if everyone who visits did it would sure add up and I believe you deserve it with all the free content you offer here at this site. When I discovered you (it was a search for homemade hamburger helper mixes) I went to the beginning-the slanted little house- and read all the way through. I’m looking forward to seeing the new studio and reading about your next adventure.
On February 22, 2012 at 8:19 am
Miss Judy says:
I pledged a small amount. Can I pledge more? Or will that confuse the system?
On February 22, 2012 at 8:28 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Miss Judy, you can go into your pledge on Kickstarter and increase the amount. Thank you!
On February 22, 2012 at 8:41 am
wormlady says:
You’ll make it! You have WAY too devoted a following not to. We’re just letting others go first, but unlike with food, someone will be pleased to do the equivalent of eating the last piece.
Will you also process animals for food there? That is, if you had had it last Fall, would your meat roos process have been different?
On February 22, 2012 at 9:36 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
wormlady, I don’t have any plans to get meat roos this year. (Or add any poultry this year.) I’ve got to get a chicken house built for the chickens I have before I think of doing anything more in that area. I’m interested in doing them again, though! (I don’t know that that would be something included in any agritourism events, though. Not sure that many people would want to be onhand for that!)
On February 22, 2012 at 9:41 am
quinn says:
I made a pledge as soon as you registered with Kickstarter, so I’ve got my fingers crossed for you 🙂
On February 22, 2012 at 9:52 am
BuckeyeGirl says:
I’m doing things like posting the link to the BBB giveaway on canning sites etc, I figure really pushing the Kickstarter thing may be a bit too heavy handed at some places, but getting canners and bakers and cooks etc to the sight, just might bring some interest in supporting such a great idea.
I also re-posted on my fb page, and will again closer to the end, but again, I have a limited ‘friend’ base, so I don’t want to get crazy with it! Still I’m putting it out wherever I can find a friendly spot.
We REALLLLLLLLLY want success for this! Can’t wait to see it at the Party on the Farm!!!
On February 22, 2012 at 10:14 am
GA_in_GA says:
A color-coded flow chart for storing utensils! Pulleeze!?!
😕 Let’s see, I have one drawer and the pottery jar I made one year for the long handled stuff. 2 colors?
Uhhhhh, right.
That Kickstarter is looking closer! I challenge everyone to round up – maybe Suzanne’s goal can be accomplished today and she can stop sweating this project’s funding. I did round up today. 😀
On February 22, 2012 at 10:26 am
angiemay says:
Shared 🙂 So close!
On February 22, 2012 at 10:33 am
The Gourmet Farm Girl says:
Wishing you luck with your project! I backed you, you have a good thing going here.
I too have a Kickstarter project, just launced last week.
The Gourmet Farm Girl Cookbook…
Best,
The Gourmet Farm Girl
Delaware, Ohio
On February 22, 2012 at 10:45 am
Minna says:
I wish I could help with the funding, but at least I can spread the word!
On February 22, 2012 at 11:07 am
Susan Lindsey says:
90% now. I know you are going to make it!!! I pledged what I could at this time, but if it gets down to the wire and you still need pledges, I know I can do more. Good Luck!!!
On February 22, 2012 at 11:10 am
mschrief says:
I’ve been Twittering like crazy seeking a sponsor….come on PEEPS get out there and TWEET!!!
On February 22, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Lajoda says:
Suzanne,
I went over to kickstarter and kicked ya! It’s only fair. This is all the farm I’ll probably ever have, and I appreciate you doing all the work. (I hope you didn’t track that mud into our farmhouse)?
Getting my farm fix vicariuosly,
Laura
On February 22, 2012 at 12:06 pm
dmcfarland says:
Just increased my donation. I agree with Laura above, living this life through the women and animals at Sassafras Farm. It will happen.
Dee
On February 22, 2012 at 12:10 pm
hilljackgirl says:
it’s at 91%. :snoopy: I think you will make. I donated and wished I could have done more. Love this site and tell everyone I know all about it. Good luck and here’s to seeing 100% or more!
On February 22, 2012 at 12:18 pm
collector1 says:
Hi Suzanne,
Donated at Kickstarter today — as others have said this may be all the farm I will ever have. Love your stories and the critters. Glad to see Coco recuperating well! Hope she will get home soon! (How are the chickens doing in the new digs?) :sheepjump:
On February 22, 2012 at 12:43 pm
twiggityNDgoats says:
We bumped our pledge up a bit. This project must go on! Fingers, paws and hooves crossed here.
On February 22, 2012 at 1:54 pm
oddgirl says:
I’m of the mindset that helping others can pull you out of your own rotten times. Considering how ridiculously, epically horrid my life has been lately, I’ll be going on Kickstarter after I leave this post and increasing my donation to you. It’s a deposit in the good karma bank, right? I hope so.
As I write this, you’re at 94%. Girl, this IS going to happen! I’m so sincerely happy for you.
On February 22, 2012 at 3:38 pm
CATRAY44 says:
Woot! Woot! Only 51 dollars to go!!!!!!!!!!!! :dancingmonster: :shimmy: :snoopy: :woof: :woof:
On February 22, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
It’s more than 51 left right now–the funding goal is 14,500, not 14,000. But! It’s at 14,029 right now!!!!!!! I’m excited!!!!! I have lots of exclamation points, LOL. Thank you all so much!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On February 22, 2012 at 4:33 pm
yvonnem says:
Soooo exciting, you’re almost there with time to spare!!! :snoopy:
I knew you would make it! :sheep:
On February 22, 2012 at 4:29 pm
wildcat says:
Now you’re up to 96%. Go, Suzanne, go! :snoopy:
On February 22, 2012 at 4:44 pm
yvonnem says:
I just donated (I kept forgetting to do it)!
What happens if you are over-funded? Do you get to keep it? Just curious, I hope you do get to keep it!
On February 22, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Yes, if you are overfunded, you do get to keep it. (And I’d use it for more things I need–outside the studio–for the agritourism activities and events.) It is safer to be overfunded at least a little bit in any case because people =can= cancel pledges, and I have a fear of a handful of people cancelling pledges at the last minute! Someone did cancel a pledge early on, which scared me a little bit about that happening right at the end.
On February 22, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Nanaof4 says:
I donated a couple of weeks ago! I can’t for the life of me understand why someone would donate and then cancel. I guess unexpected circumstances could arise but that should have been taken into consideration before donating. I just can not imagine how stressful that added uncertainty would be on you. I marked off my donation as money on hand ,mentally, just as soon as I hit that button and there’s no way I’m going to take it back…I may be able to actually raise it a bit if it’s close enough to put you over…and it’s sooo close right now! I’ve also posted the link on facebook and will again just as soon as I’m done catching up here!
I’ve not been posting much but I still read every day, feeling your joy…and your pain. I’ve learned so much through your trial and error, and many successes…thank you so much!
Celia
On February 22, 2012 at 5:22 pm
oddgirl says:
AAAAHHHH! I just checked and you’re at 100%! I told you it was going to happen. I’m so happy. After my last post, I went in and upped my donation by adding a nice little zero to it.
CONGRATS! Seriously.
On February 22, 2012 at 5:27 pm
djbrown says:
I cant take it anymore – you are funded! :snoopy: :snoopy:
Get those plans going 😀
On February 22, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Nanaof4 says:
I just looked after commenting, too, and saw it was over the requested limit…you did it, yay! Still 9 days for others to help with more projects, if they want to! I’m so happy for you!
On February 22, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
IT’S FUNDED!!!!!!!! I just repeated that to Morgan about 50 times and I think she doesn’t want to talk to me anymore, LOL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!
On February 22, 2012 at 5:38 pm
lattelady says:
CONGRATULATIONS ONE AND ALL. Suzanne for the idea and the rest for contributing.
On February 22, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Busy Solitude Farm says:
Congratulations! What a supportive group you’ve got here!
On February 22, 2012 at 5:36 pm
CATRAY44 says:
YOu did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On February 22, 2012 at 5:41 pm
easygoinglady says:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I JUST KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN FOR YOU SUZANNE!! WONDERFUL FOR YOU AND WHAT AN AWESOME EXAMPLE FOR SO MANY OTHERS. BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAM, HAVE A PLAN AND A GOAL, LOTS OF SWEAT, TEARS AND COURAGE AND YOUR VISION CAN BECOME A REALITY.
:snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy:
On February 22, 2012 at 5:48 pm
leneskate says:
So happy you did it! and yes going over a little is good cause, you just never know. Great things ahead!!!
On February 22, 2012 at 5:48 pm
WVgal4ever says:
:snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy:
I am SO happy for you!!!
:shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy:
On February 22, 2012 at 5:50 pm
heidinawrocki says:
You did it, you did it! Congrats, Suzanne!
On February 22, 2012 at 5:56 pm
quietstorm says:
WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!Happy Dance!!!!!
{{{{{Huggs}}}} You so deserve this!!!!!
Off to make some grandmother bread in celebration!!!!!
On February 22, 2012 at 6:00 pm
caprilis says:
:snoopy: Life is good! :snoopy:
On February 22, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Murphala says:
:woof: :woof: My two dogs and I are dancing for you! I just looked at the widget and GOT SO EXCITED…couldn’t have been more pleased! Can’t wait to visit when it’s done and ready for visitors! Congrats!
On February 22, 2012 at 6:12 pm
twiggityNDgoats says:
Yippee!! Hooray!! Way to go everyone!! This is so awesome!!!!!
On February 22, 2012 at 6:24 pm
DebbieInMemphis says:
YAY!!!! Congratulations!!!! :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy:
On February 22, 2012 at 6:43 pm
cin13 says:
:dancingmonster: Happy Dance!!!!!!!!!! :snoopy: Congrats
On February 22, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Canner Joann says:
Woo Hooooooo! I’m so so so so so happy for you!
On February 22, 2012 at 7:34 pm
liz2 says:
Oh, Happy Day! Congratulations, Suzanne! And a big thank you to all who pledged & encouraged you.
On February 22, 2012 at 7:47 pm
whaledancer says:
Congratulations! Looks like you’re gonna have yourself a workshop studio.
:shimmy: :shimmy: :shimmy:
On February 22, 2012 at 7:48 pm
cindyinohio says:
WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
I am so happy for you and we can’t wait to come for classes!
On February 22, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Miss Judy says:
I finally had time to relax and just got on here and started to go up my pledge and WOW it’s funded! So happy for you Suzanne! What a way to end a beautiful day!
On February 22, 2012 at 8:16 pm
Darlene in North GA says:
WOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
:snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :dancingmonster: :dancingmonster: :dancingmonster: :hug: :sun:
Ok, so the black cloud over you has dissipated – at least a bit!
Congratulation. And congrats to the CITR readers and facbook friends that have helped out.
On February 22, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Urbanite says:
That is so wonderful. Now you can relax a little bit!
On February 22, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Country Girl @ Heart says:
CONGRATULATIONS!! I am so excited for you. Maybe I will get there to see it one day 🙂
On February 22, 2012 at 9:04 pm
originallyjenny says:
I am so happy for you! Thanks for giving us the chance to be a part of it.
Jenny from Frederick
On February 22, 2012 at 9:23 pm
TeaCup says:
Wow, finally! I had to go all the way back out and in again. (Several times?) AFter I’d been out of wordpress altogether for a few hours I came back and Hey Presto! I’m in? Oh well.
I”m so glad for you!
Good luck!
Judi
On February 22, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Sheryl says:
Many blessings to you, Suzanne! Spring is coming, and what a pleasure it will be with a new kitchen for all of your activities-can’t wait to see it =)
On February 22, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Birdi says:
I am so very happy for you! Congrats! I have never felt so strongly about a venture like this and supported it like this as I do you and yours. Working towards self-sufficiency ourselves…it is just awesome to be a part of like mindedness. This is truly deserved and I am very proud to be a part of it. I can’t wait to see the adventure. A new memoir!! One day…its a long way from being over!!!! Yippee! I am just so excited for you!
On February 22, 2012 at 10:20 pm
reese210 says:
Yay!!! As I always say… What goes around comes around. You give us so much. I have not got to pledge anything just yet, hopefully in the next day or so. You went above and beyond when I asked you for help when my brother died. I can finally give back.
On February 22, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Jane L says:
84 this morning and at 104 right now:) Congratulations Suzanne! I am glad the pressure if off and you’ll have a few extra dollars to play with. I am really excited to see what you end up with.. Best of luck!!
On February 22, 2012 at 11:30 pm
Darlene says:
Congratulations!!! :snoopy: :snoopy: This is just so wonderful!!
On February 23, 2012 at 12:58 am
Goldenval says:
Congratulations!!! I know how great you must feel over this. Here’s hoping everything runs smoothly from here on! Big hugs. woo hoo!!
On February 23, 2012 at 1:31 am
Minna says:
:snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: Congratulations!!! :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy:
:snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy:
On February 23, 2012 at 3:58 am