starting a farm

20 years ago

Hello all

My names Jim and I'm 19 years old. Throughout highschool I never had much of any interest in agriculture. It all seemed so cookie cutter to me, just cattle, corn and soybeans. Also, farming isn't one of the promising fields that guidance counselers like to point out. So, I entered college to study economics. It's just something I think is neat, not something I'm really passionate about.

About halfway through the year I picked up Joel Salatin's book "You Can Farm." The book literally changed my life. I never realized agriculture could be so interesting and diverse. Chickens, turkeys, sheep, cattle, rabbits, pigs, vegetables, bramble fruits, maple syrup, christmas trees... it never struck me how many niches and specialties there are! Also, I was really impressed with Salatins ingenuity w/r to range pens for chickens. In short, the whole book just woke me up and opened my eyes.

That summer, I redoubled my efforts in the garden. I've had my successes and my failures but I've enjoyed every bit of learning. I also decided to tranfer to Ohio State and major in "Agribusiness & Applied Economics." I've decided my eventual goal will be to own a small farm with several specialties.

I was speaking to my grandpa this weekend and he asked some very critical questions, such as how would such an operation be financed and what kind of position could I get with an Agribusiness degree. I could provide only shaky answers to these questions, which kind of unsettled me. I know I'll go to college for my degree, and wish to own a farm, but how to get from point A to point B is the murky part.

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to make this happen? I've read alot of the posts on here and everyone seems to be very helpful and full of insight. I would appreciate any advice, quotes, success stories, whatever..

Thanks

-JG

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Comments (5)

robin_maine
20 years ago
University of Maine has a sustainable ag degree that's excellent. I'm including the link below. You should be able to find helpful information there.

Here is a link that might be useful: UMaine Sustainable Ag
curdog007
20 years ago
The best way is to marry a beautiful lady that happens to have a father who is a fifth generation planter with about 2k acres of prime delta soil.
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fancifowl
20 years ago
In case you dont fine the pretty, rich farmgirl!
Farms dont have to be of large acreage. We farm 18 home acres and used to use others land for crops such as hay and corn. On this 18 acres we bred 25 Corriedale ewes, 6-7 Highland cattle, several hogs and Haflinger horses; along with bramble fruits, ribes, and a medium size truck garden. It was hectic and a lot of wear and rear and have now settled down to standard bred bantam poultry and Mini rex rabbits along with increased fruits and veggies. Always had another job or small business to get the real living wages.
The most succesful farmers I know do have degrees in Ag business. farming is a business, not just a way of life. Lots of folks dont grasp that.
There are grants available from varied sources, for different enterprises, just have do some research on them. There are some USDA cost sharing plans too.
I think too much diversity too soon can be the ruination of a farming enterprise, start slow and make plans. Invest in those things which offer the best return, fancy new equipment has little return, that stuff is for those who like lots of debt to appear successful and those who left corporate America with a trunk full of cash and "made the move to the country life"!
good luck( Luck is a very important part of the entire shebang)
lfrj
20 years ago
I so share your enthusiasm, but am not so young anymore. I personally found the following article of interest. Perhaps you will, too!

http://www.cog.ca/documents/Winter04Arnold.pdf

In their own words, here's an abstract:

Profitability on a Small Farm - Paul and Sandy Arnold

"Since the start of our farming career fifteen years ago, our goal was to make farming a full time venture, to not work off the farm, and to raise a family with a good quality of life. We were able to accomplish our goals in a matter of four years and become profitable by using a combination of good business management techniques, good record keeping, season extension and creative marketing."

Best of luck!

LF
marquisella
20 years ago
Agronomy!

I work for a Cornell Cooperative Extension in New York.
We can't find anyone to fill the Agronomy position!

You can work in a field you are interested in, and farm on the side. A lot of my co-workers do that.

Or teach at the Univeristy level at a land grant university Ohio State. I use their web site often for information.

Go to their website and search for the employment pages. It will give you an idea of what they are looking for.

Farm Business Management, we are looking for someone now.

Find out where there is a need in Agriculture, and try to educate yourself to fill it.

Marquisella