I notice that alot of people have farm names. Do you have to register the name, like when I got a cattery name? Or can you just start calling your farm something, post a sign , make some cards, whatever and have fun? The kids were thinking something like "Cluck corner" though we don't live on a corner...I thought I could use my cattery name...anyway, while we rack our brains, let me know how you all name your land and if there are legalities involved.

-- Cindy in OK (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 10, 2001

Answers

Cindy I don't think there are any legalities involved. As far as I know a lot of folks just name their place and usually put up a sign over the driveway. I know you've seen some as arches or suspended signs from posts on the driveways. I think for the most part it is sort of decorative but nothing legally binding. Nor is it listed on a survey.

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), February 10, 2001.

I raise horses & had to register my "prefix" with the breed assoc or anyone could use it. The prefix is exactly that, a word or group of letter that goes in front of the horses name. So your horse could be Cluck's Old Blu or whatever. Once I registered it w/ them no one could use it without my permission. I had planned to be Kalico Farm, but found that Calico was taken and the reg wouldn't allow names this close even tho the other Calico hadn't registered any stock in over 12 yrs. I had already started advertising Kalico Farm & it was kind of a pain to switch my ads. Make sure you pick something original and if you are doing any type of reg animals try to find something you can use on them all. IMO, your name is the most memorable part of your business and you want it on EVERY QUALITY THING that comes from your farm. Of course, if you are not running a farm business & just naming it for fun reasons than it can be anything! :-)

-- elle (eagle-quest@juno.com), February 10, 2001.

Well....I just registered a name for my cattery. But, I didn't think about using it for anything else..should have thought further in advance, huh? It is FuzzySocks. We had been thinking about putting up a sign calling it Fuzzy Socks acres...I only sell the cats right now,but word got out that I have pygmy goats, now I have a real long list of people wanting to buy them from me. I am new at goats, I tell them..they think my goats are clean and in a good pen..so I may be selling goats someday. The children also want me to market my bbq sauce...I don't know...They have alot of plans for me! They are really getting into homesteading!! They want to sell the eggs, things from the garden, my 8 yr old wants to have an orchard to sell fruit. :-) We have only been in the country since last spring! hhmm, thanks for the advice and info!

-- Cindy in OK (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 10, 2001.

Hi there, What part of OK? I'm in OKC

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), February 10, 2001.

All I did was pick out a name and open checking/savings accounts at the bank in the ranch's name. Only those accounts are used for buying/selling anything that has to do with the ranch. Makes tax time easy. The colts have the ranch name as a prefix.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), February 10, 2001.

I think with in reason, you can probably use any name you want. Our name is registered with ADGA (our goat herd name) and no one can use it with them, but anyone could use it in other places if they wanted to.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), February 10, 2001.

Solid Rock Ranch is our business name on the sales tax liciences. Named after Matt. 7:24, and no one else had it so we got it. We use it for everything.

How about "Meow Meadows"! What does your place look like? On a hill, in a valley, any creeks, give us some ideas.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), February 10, 2001.

Hi Cindy,

I checked with the town hall clerk about farm naming and hanging a sign out, and she said there was no township law - you could pick whatever you want. I drove around and also looked in the phone book to make sure I wasn't taking a farm name already out there since the name I wanted is fairly simple. (Don't want to make any neighbors in the town mad). Have fun!

-- Barb (rosemontfarm1@aol.com), February 10, 2001.

You can use any "Doing buisness As" name, only catch is if its registered or incorporated to another entity and a conflict occurs, you have to cease and desist use of the name, preference going to the registered entity. If you choose register protection, its a simmple matter of application fee and search with your state revenue and incorporation offices. Go to your local library for your states particulars. Also check local regs on advertising use of a dba, many municipalities require public notice be made in the paper.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), February 10, 2001.

I live out by Lake Thunderbird. We live on wooded land, 5 acres. I have cleared some of it to make room for the goat pen, pony pen (pony on the way)and still need to do some clearing to put the birds where I want them. We are at the top of a hill, in a valley. Does that make sense? Meow Meadows is cute, we would use that if we lived across the street. They cleared away all their trees so they have a meadow. I am working on a spot for my fruit trees. Trading trees out, clear out the black oak, put in fruit trees. :-) That is pretty much what it is like out here. :-)

-- Cindy in OK (Cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 10, 2001.

How about "El Rancho not so Grande"?

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), February 10, 2001.

High Valley Farm, or High Valley Ranch, High Valley Homestead. I like High Valley Homestead the best.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), February 10, 2001.

Homestead names need not be registered here.Herd names and brands should be. Now....cattery.....let's see.What would that be?Any red lights involved? ;>)

-- JT in Florida (gone2seed@hotmail.com), February 10, 2001.

LOL!!! No red lights!! A cattery is like registered cow business, only these are persian CATS. ;-) Real furry things, purr, claw the carpet. Rio Not so Grande would work. hee hee I like High Valley Homestead...hhmm...

-- Cindy in OK (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 10, 2001.

Oops, I meant Rancho not so Grande. It is funny, when we moved out here, 5 acres seemed like so much land. Now..we are already wishing we had more. It is still a good enough amount, room for the kids to run, that was our main purpose.

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 10, 2001.

If you have a good name that could possibly be used by others, it would be best to register it with the state. Here in Washington we registered the name Sunday Creek for our kennel business and use it for our goats and honey business too. The trade name registration only costs a few bucks. I can't remember if it required a state business license first, but we had to get one of those anyhow. Check with your state department of licensing.

-- Skip Walton (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), February 10, 2001.

Our place has been "Red Gate Ranch" for over 50 years, long beofre we ever came here, red Gate is what the locals know it as. It is not a registered name, that I know of, but we get mail addressed to Red Gate Ranch, with just that and the zip code.

-- Hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), February 12, 2001.

Here in New Hampshire, if you are going to do business in any name other then your own, it must be registered with the Sec. of States office. Failure to register such a name, for business(Farm signs, business cards, advertising) can get you in trouble, in our state. In NH, this cost $50, and must be renewed every five years. The office with check if anyone has registered that name and if not it's ours. If you do not register the name, anyone else could register it and actually stop you in the future from using it. Every state has a Sec. of States office and that is probably your best place to ask.

-- David in NH (grayfoxfarm@mcttelecom.com), February 15, 2001.

Our registered farm name is/was Harmony Hill Farm. About 15 years ago while on a back road in the area I came across a new development selling lots called Harmony Hill FarmS. I protested to the developer with no results. I then went to the Sec of State with the info and the developer was forced to change the name. So it does pay to register your farm/business/herd names. Judith

-- Judith (JHaral2197@aol.com), February 16, 2001.

I have been trying to come up with a name for our place since before we moved here! It just seems so homey and more like its your own when its named! Cindy, I know what you mean about acreage! We have 4.7 and thought it would be plenty but now I wish I had about a hundred!LOL About 3 1/2 acres is cleared though a bit is growing up in brush, and the rest is treed. My ideas were Applewilde Acres (because deer has spread apple seeds and they were growing into little trees, but sheep will probably gnaw them off), Ashtree Farm (because of the enormous black ash out front), Ewe Wish farm (beacuse I want to focus on sheep), Oxeye Acres (because of the huge amount of wild oxeye daisies that grow on our land..looks like snow in the moonlight!). Oxeye acres, farm or homestead is my favorite thus far but won't people expect me to be having oxen?? I am totally stumped. I have a small enterprise called Scrap Happy Fabric Arts (I make scrap work accesories like hats)..maybe Scrap Happy Farm? It might be fitting since I want a little of this and a little of that incorporated into our homestead/hobby farm. I think its great that your kids are so into it! My oldest is almost four and talking about our not yet built barn "wanna little sheeps, ducks, roosters, rabbits, elephants...."LOL Since you have cats as your herd so far what about Cattycorner Homestead or Kittycorner. You know..like describing something on the diagonal..a play on words rather than the fact that you do or don't live on a corner. Or you could describe you goat enterprise as a real Pygmy (pick me) Up. (Pygmy Up Homestead). Your name is Cindy..what about Cinwagon? :D A bit risque for a cattery without redlights I guess but kinda funny. Love that Dixie Chicks song too.

-- Alison in Nova Scotia (aproteau@istar.ca), February 16, 2001.

Hi, When we moved here 16 years ago, we had a Mountain Ashe Tree in the front. I mentioned to my husband I'd like to name our small farm Mountain Ashe Acres Farm and we did. However, we had to get a Business Certificate for tax purposes. We sell eggs and organic produce.If you use your last name you don'need a Business Certificate. For Example. Yoy can use Smith Farms if your last name is Smith. We live in Upstate NY. Each state has there own laws.

Priscilla Upstate MY

-- PRISCILLA (Mtasheacres@aol.com), February 16, 2001.

Pioneer Patti and I went to the county office and registered as a business. $30.00, but the name is yours. The bank wouldn't give us a business checking account without the certificate showing our name. Think ahead about what you'll be marketing... Good luck.

-- Action Dude (theactiondude@yahoo.com), February 16, 2001.

We know we plan to sell eggs, eventually, fruit, and hope to have a good enough garden to sell veges. I sell goats and cats so far. The kids want me to market some of the sauces I make...I don't know..I haven't looked into what all that will entail. I may also get into soap..not sure yet.. My last name is Cluck...really..ok, stop snickering now. ;-) I have thought of making a play on that, I get enough snickers when I order things like..chicks..Maybe something like Kids, Clucks and Ducks acres....hhhmmm thinking...Fuzzysocks Farm...(Fuzzy Socks is the name of the cattery). But that sounds like I am growing socks....Petrified Pets...naw..better not...The largest amount of trees out here are Black Oak..but I want to replace those with nicer trees. How about Cluck Valley Farm? thinking, thinking....

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 16, 2001.

The best one I saw was "No Belly Acres"

-- Amy Richards (tiggerwife@aol.com), February 16, 2001.

I think my favorite has been "oleo acres"- a cheap spread!!!

-- Mary (mlogan298@yahoo.com), February 16, 2001.

I did check locally and I do need to register. It is a nominal fee (not sure of the amount yet, the person was at lunch). Anyway, at least, thanks to this list, I knew to ask! :-) Now if I can just think of a good name. We are all having fun here trying to think of something at the very least. :-)Thanks so much for the input!!!!

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 16, 2001.

I like names of farms that come from literature or make people think about what it might mean.

We've considered different things for our little 1.43.

Lantern Waste was one of them. I've kind of like Cackleberry Acres right now.

Anyone know what Lantern Waste if from?

-- Heather in MD (heathergorden@hotmail.com), February 16, 2001.

Lantern Waste is from C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe," the first book in the Narnia series, unless I'm mistaken. Elizabeth

-- Elizabeth in e tx (kimprice@peoplescom.net), February 17, 2001.

My hubby thought of the name "Cluck's Roost". Not from a book, just from his head. One daughter said she would move away from home if we did that. ;-)

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 17, 2001.

Elizabeth wins! Wins what I don't know. We really like those Narnia books. Other possibilities from there....The Lone Islands, Aslan's Country, Cair Paravele (sp?), Aslan's Howe, Narrowhaven...

We could call this place "Cocka-doodle doodie" after one of the things chickens do best (or most).

If we called this place Lantern Waste I would simply just Have To put a working iron lampost out in the field where it would seem to have no purpose whatsoever.

-- Heather in MD (heathergorden@hotmail.com), February 17, 2001.

I like the idea of borrowing from a book. I have seen alot of names for businesses taken from books. It may be hard to find one that isn't already registered though. One on our list is Oak Valley Homestead. It isn't from a book though, just my head. So far, that is our favorite. We looked into the High Valley Homestead and it is close enough to being taken that we won't go with that.

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 17, 2001.

We call our place Howlin' Coyote' Ranch. (All 10 acres of it lol!) That was the most obvious thing we could think of, considering we hear them every night. It was either that or Tumblin' Weed Acres! Lots of those here, too! Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), February 17, 2001.

I have settled on a name---- Dusty Step Acres, now to get downtown and see if I can register it, or if someone already has that name. The ground is so sandy and I am always sweeping up dust...hence the name. :-) This was fun, thanks again for the posts!

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 21, 2001.

Here is known as "Beyond Deliverance" located on Dirt Road.

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), March 29, 2001.

If anyone is keeping up on this....I named the place "Dusty Trail" :-)

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), May 12, 2001.

We once lived on a Farm that we would have named Cricket Hollow if it were ours. One of my favorites I have seen was "Sleepy Hollow". I see you have named your place. I was thinking of perhaps something like Pussy Willow Glade... and you could plant willows down by the lake edge. Or perhaps something like Fur Glen.

All this is moot of course, since you have already anmed it.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), May 12, 2001.

When my Hubby and I first got together he wanted me to go help pick out a ring. Haha I don't want a diamon!! I just want a band when we get married. My hands are always in the garden dirt, bathing dogs ect. I told him in 10 years I was going to ask him for a nice ring and he better get me one and he could not back out of the deal and he said sure. Well 10 years was about 4 years ago. We own a house in a small Missouri town but I wanted land so when the 10 year mark was comming up I started looking for some land haha (MY Ring) little did he know. Well he came home one night and I said all excited I found my ring and he looked like a deer in the headlights.LOL I told him I found 9 acres with a pond and it was the price of a good ring so he said sold and got it for me the next day. We have had it for about 4 years and put a well on it but just go play out there on the weekends and camp its about 4 miles from the house. It got its name from my stroy, c3ranch (the 3 c's in a diamond cut, clearity, and color) Kind of plain but has a funny story to go with it.

-- Teresa Bourgoin (c3ranch@hotmail.com), June 04, 2001.