rabbits are destroying my farm

Quick Overview

The main problem destroying the farm's sunflowers and strawberries is predation by rabbits and squirrels, which are eating the plants, prompting the farmer to use a tractor to clear brush and create protective barriers for the crops, while also dealing with the unexpected discovery of radioactive tritium in old exit signs.

Key Points: Rabbits and squirrels are aggressively eating the sunflowers and strawberries, leading the farmer to decide they must kill the pests to save the crops. The farmer uses a Ford 445D tractor with a disc harrow attachment to clear brush and till the soil, creating clear barriers to reduce pest habitat. The squirrel problem is severe, with trail camera footage showing them actively consuming sunflower leaves and plants, even at night. The farmer discovered old emergency exit signs containing radioactive tritium gas, which is illegal to sell and requires special disposal, highlighting another unexpected farm challenge. The group visited a Habitat for Humanity ReStore to look for materials, purchasing items like electrical relays and inexpensive mechanical keyboard keycaps. The cost of electricity for the solar array experiment was high, totaling $400 for one month, with the total cost of the experiment potentially reaching $1,300 to $1,400 per year. The farmer's toddler was introduced to the farm and the family enjoyed a Costco combo pizza, noting the combo is still a great deal despite a slight price increase to $1.90 + tax.

Context: The video documents the progress of a self-proclaimed 'Backyard Scientist,' William, and his partner, Kevin Coler, as they attempt to start a farm on a new plot of land. The initial challenge revolves around protecting their young crops, specifically sunflowers and strawberries, from various local wildlife, primarily rabbits and squirrels. The narrative spans several 'days' of work, showing the use of heavy machinery to clear land and the deployment of trail cameras to identify the pests, culminating in a realization that the problem is extensive.