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Location

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Midwest

It sounds embarrassing on this web site to ask where I can find cow manure, I'm a spit away from hundreds of farms and I am afraid to ask them for manure. If I had to drive up to their house, knock on their door and ask them if they had some, they may think I'm an idiot or worse, from the government! Who knows, they might have hungry rotwiellers! I just can't bring myself to do it. I have found horse manure, stables are dying to get rid of it. Does anyone have any advise on what to say and maybe some association that may have names of friendly farms?
Thank you,
Greg

1/27/2006 1:22:39 PM

Berlin,mi.(zuhlke2@hotmail.com)

I do exactly what you are afraid to do. I go up to the door and tell them who I am and were I live and what I want manure for. Horse farms are your better ones to try because most of them do not grow crops, or use the manure in the fields. Just be friendly and shoot the bull with them even if they say no. Farmers are the freindliest people around and like to shoot the bull. It helps to invite them to your place also. They get a kick out of the big pumpkins. I have several places to get manure now and I don't pay a dime for it. Just stop in once and a while to say hi and shoot the bull and show some pictures of my pumpkins.

1/27/2006 1:47:15 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Don't knock on the door...go to the barn...5:00 every night they will be in the same place..

1/27/2006 2:51:20 PM

Mocksville, NC

ditto what S-A-Z Said that's all I did, and made a bunch of farmer friends trust me you wont be the 1st one who has asked for manure. And promise them some seeds, and keep your word at season end. They will be glad to see ya the next year. When it comes to livestock or grain,fruit,and vegtables your farmers are your best freinds, they dont ask you why they know why, and they give great advise.

1/27/2006 2:59:08 PM

addison Il

cristrules come get me i will do the knocking and the asking for you as im not shy lol but you do the running and the driving just in case LOL.Will go on a manure hunt if it means helping you get a giant this season im more then ready i want the pumpkin gods to grant me a giant too so by helping you mabye i will get mine just email me if you want to give it a go and i will do all the talking.

1/27/2006 3:09:59 PM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

Forest Trails Boarding stable 600 S. Bartlett Rd. Bartlet,Il 630-483-9035. Composted Horse manure. They load me up 6-8 yards at a time. ALL FREE

1/27/2006 5:39:25 PM

canal winchester ohio

I also done what your afraid of the 1st time I went looking. What I got was very inexpensive manure & a few new friends.

1/27/2006 6:15:10 PM

Norton, MA

Some of the older people who maybe farm on a smaller scale love to get rid of it as it's harder for them to move it and use it. It piles up higher and higher and rots the side of their barn. I'll be getting about 20 yards tommorow from a sheep farmer. She lets me take as much as I want. Hopefully she won't mind a Bobcat either. After filling 2 dump trucks in one weekend by hand, a Bobcat is a Godsend. AleX Noel.

1/27/2006 6:50:42 PM

Belmont, NH

Take some pictures of past pumpkins with you to show. It helps to open the door. People love to see them and you will love to talk about them. Works for me. Bruce

1/27/2006 9:01:59 PM

Follansbee, Wv

You can also post a "Manure Wanted" sign at the local feed mills and farm supply stores.

1/27/2006 9:12:48 PM

Hobbiton New Zealand

if you have any places around that raise chickens they usually have a good supply of manure to get rid of every time them start a new run.

1/28/2006 1:04:57 AM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

I have a guy who brings me 18 yards, delivered for $60.
The key there is "delivered". Too much work to do all by
hand. But yes, the key is to start networking with people.

1/28/2006 2:04:51 PM

Hensler North Dakota

Couple of ideas.
- Do you know were these farmers have there mourning coffee? Sit down with them and start talking.Maybe bring a pic or 2 you and your pumpkins.
-Feed store or elevator guy. Stop in and ask if they know of anyone that has manure? again bring pics.
-If you have little ones take them with. Kids seem to help soften up tough ones.
-Don't be afraid to ask. The worst they can say is no. Who knows you might make a friend that will help you in ways that money can not buy.

1/28/2006 3:05:57 PM

Indiana

offer some seeds if you have any to spare after a year or so you usually have more than you can ever grow anyway.

1/29/2006 4:28:56 PM

ordinary,VA

Greg,
Most horse farms here have to pay to have the manure hauled away.
You could be doing someone a favor by taking the manure off there hands.
i live in a small county where they have adds in the local paper offering all the manure you can haul.
It might seem odd at first to go up to a house and ask for manure but the worst they can say is no...

1/29/2006 5:37:55 PM

Midwest

Thank you everyone for your encouragement. I think I'll take your advise and knock on a door (or barn at 5:00pm). Sounds like noone has ever been chased off by a shotgun. If I see a snarling dog, that's my sign to try somewhere else.
Greg

1/31/2006 2:04:08 PM