I want to start a small beef cattle farm with other small farm animals, but there isnt a farm in my family to inherit, my question is what is the best way now-a-days to start a farm from scratch? Are there farm grants or loans you can get for the land and other things to start? What is your recommendations for a person like me who wants to start a small farm operation? anything is greatly appreciated.
2006-09-20 13:31:42 · 5 answers · asked by JustJane 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
I am 24 years old and currently work on a farm and have worked on farms, know about farming, but would like my own
2006-09-20 13:38:43 · update #1
I know some people let others take over their farm for dairy.
We didn't inherit a family farm either. But we had equity built up so we could buy a small acreage.
I've heard of low interest loans for dairy farms, but the person would have to attend ag classes. I don't know what there is for beef.
Do you want a place with no buildings or run down buildings that you can fix up over the years, or otherwise you'd have to keep working and saving your money to get a place where everything is in order.
Put an ad in your local paper. Go where the retired farmers go for coffee and talk with them.
2006-09-20 15:19:13 · answer #1 · answered by cowgirl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Farming is not as easy and nice as it appear on TV it is hard and dedicated work and can be very expensive. First you have to decide what you want to do, if this is just a hobby and you have a lot of money and don't know what to do with it, go ahead and play, it will be nice and you have nothing to lose. If you want to make this your lively hood and have never farmed before, think twice. I would suggest become friends with a farmer and go and spend time there doing the actual thing, get books and read, but most important get hands on experience first. So to start from scratch get the knowledge, maybe go work on a farm for some time, and there is ways to start, but before you jump in make sure you are ready. Don't know if this help, but good luck
2006-09-20 13:41:26 · answer #2 · answered by Pete 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have a friend in New Hampshire who has a farm and it isn't easy to support it.
It would have been a failing venture except...He turned it into a petting farm. Parents and kids flock from all over to pat the baby animals, and pay outragious amount of money to the farmer for cracked corn to feed back to his animals! + THE FEE TO GET IN.
There are a million chickens of every variety behind wire in very clean box stalls, rabbits in the same type of stalls except you can Climb in and pet them. There are chickens running loose, goats and kids of every variety. Sheep in pens with double gates so you can get in and they cannot get out! Baby piglets, Miniature cows from Whales....well you get the picture.
The best part of this project is except for a few pet animals, all the stock gets sold and butchered in the fall, after the children have fed and patted these animals.
Hand washing stations and clean out houses are a must! Then comes the tourist stuff, tee shirts, coffee mugs etc.
All of this has kept the farm going and productive, while entertaining countless children and parents. It is a pretty good business venture in the right location!
2006-09-20 14:01:09 · answer #3 · answered by bugsie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am in south Texas and recently came back to retire on the farm. The cattle my brother has barely pay the taxes on this particular piece of land. It is getting impossible to hold onto land unless it was given to you when you were born. There is NOT big money in it as equipment is soooo expensive, (as in one piece of machinery costs 350,000.00. My brother and I are slowly retiring as you just have to work too hard with too much labor and equipment to make it worth your while.
This year was the first absolute crop failure in 15 years due to drought.
He also raises deer and accidents happen....someone left the gate open and there went tens of thousands of dollars.....it is a wonderful life, but I wouldn't be looking at a federal land bank note today.....rates are 8.9%. I think the other guy has the best advice......
2006-09-20 14:18:36 · answer #4 · answered by Cassie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well my advice is to get invole with a adopt a farm program they will teach you alot them at your school there should be a program for future farmer get involed in that and get a job at a farm to know the ropes and i brt in know time you will be able to do it on your have fun k
2006-09-20 13:36:38 · answer #5 · answered by lovecomingout2u 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋