Rigmarole

James and I have made plans to fence in our field and put a well in so we can rotate our animals to avoid parasite problems and manage pasture.  Summertime is always the hardest when our grass barely grows and what does grow is overgrazed.  Because our field borders the James River and Elk Creek we're eligible for the cost share program the state offers.  This means the state of VA will pay for some of the fencing, well and troughs just to keep the animals from pooping in the waters.

 

This whole project is turning into a learning experience and is more involved than I thought.  I won't go into too much detail but I will tell you it sure requires lots of phone calls, paperwork and more people than I would have thought.  First the USDA federal and state guys came out to look at what we were considering doing and tell us if we qualified and who would work with us.  Next a plan was drawn up and presented to a board of some sort who decided our property was worthy of assistance.  I had to sign some papers saying we were going to begin work.  I called a well digger.  He came out to look at the job and told me he could get started as soon as I had my permit from the health department.  I have no idea what this permit is for but we applied for one and it should be in the mail sometime soon, I hope, now that they received our $300.00 check.  The fence guy came out next.  We talked over our plan and he said he could start in the next 3 weeks.  He will also be digging the trenches for plumbing and putting in troughs and hydrants.  I asked our electrician to run wire in the same trench as the plumbing since it will be opened up.  For him to do this I had to call our electric company and put in a service request just to get a guy out here to look at the job.  He came and told me where we should put our 16 foot pole for service.  The electrician told me the next day I need to call the county planning office to get an affidavit for farm structure exemption, meaning we don't need a permit (unbelievable) but we need to fill out this form to avoid the $42.00 fee.  I'm not sure I understand the affadavit so I need to talk again to the planning director on Monday.  The electrician asked me what kind of pump (2 wire or 3 wire) the well guy was putting in and how much horsepower it would have.  Of course I didn't know this and had to call them.  When I told him it was a 2 wire he asked me if I knew why they chose that over the 3 wire.  Of course I don't know that but I'll call and find out. 

I know there will be more paperwork ahead but I kind of feel like the hardest parts are done.  Or am I just kidding myself?  I sure hope I'm doing this right.