ok im am a 14 year old with two friends and were all planning to own a farm when were older. My one friend already owns a pretty big dairy farm(150 cows) so we kinda know what were doing. When were older we plan to have 21 horses, 50 milk cows ,10 goats ,10 chinchillas 10 goats,2 pigs, 10 cats (barn) ,2 sheep, 6 dogs, 100 chickens ,1 goose. 1 duck and thats it. We also plan to grow about 5 different crops each in a different field. Are we just big dreamers or is this really possible. Heres a few things i need to know
1. How many acres will i need
2. What is the best state to live in too support the amount of land for the farm.
3. do i need to go to college for anything in particular
4. Does anyone think were crazy for 3 girls to start their own farm
5. How much money will we need
of course we wont start out with that many animals but we want to start off with the right amount of land so we dont have to build up or add on dont tell me it wont work i really want this bad
2007-12-27 08:23:47 · 6 answers · asked by lacey d 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Anything can be yours if you want it but yes you may change your mind when you're older etc. We have 200 acres with hay, corn, soy beans & fruit trees. We have 40 head of cattle with 5 Australian Cattle Dogs & we used to have horses, sheep, goats & chickens. You have to be prepared to NEVER have a vacation as the animals will need feeding, bedding which I realize you already know from your friend's dairy farm but these chores are a 24/hr 365/day thing. I know with our dogs, they love other people but will NOT accept even someone they love to come on the farm if I'm not home which means no vacations for me that way too.
My husband is constantly on the go which is why we cut down to just cattle & dogs. Also you have to be careful about the water source. Since our well collapsed my husband has had to bucket water to the animals. Any idea how much 40 cows drink? Plus he has to do this in -30oC Canadian winters.
For college, a farm management course would be very handy so that you can take care of the money as well as all the supplies & equipment.
As for money, here in Canada it might be different, I don't know but my husband has to work in the ciry to support us. I stay at home to take care of the dogs as well as the cattle. We have rented out some of our fields to a larger farming outfit but even that doesn't help. There's always repairs to the house, the barns, the fences, the equipment & there's vet bills, vehicle payments, insurance payments, unexpected costs such as a furnace breaking down, bank payments, gas bills, diesel to be bought, electricity (more animals, more electricity) bills, & feed costs. This year was not good for hay so we will have to buy more which is about $1000 for a load & of course the dogs need to be fed & 5 medium size dogs go through a 40lb bag of dog food every 2 weeks.
Anything is possible but do your planning now so that in the future if you still want to do this, you will know ahead of time all the costs etc.
Good luck!!! I love the farm life & would never change it, no matter how broke we are.
2007-12-27 10:29:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wont tell you it can't work because anything you want bad enough is a possibility. I will tell you that from the age of 14 and on you will change your mind, your friends, boyfriends, career ideas and everything else a million times. You may some day go back to the idea of a farm but it will surely not be with the same friends.
Go ask around and see if you can work on someones farm for a few months without pay (not family related). If you really enjoy it after that, then think some more about it.
2007-12-27 16:32:10 · answer #2 · answered by Fetch! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
#1.You will prob need more than 25 acres
#2.I have no clue to this one, but my guess the state that still have farm land when your grown.
#3.HHmmmm college well are you planing to make a living off your farm??? or are you going to have a job?
#4.NO I do not ,I am 14 too and I live on a farm,and Luv it!!! I want a farm when I ma older too.
#5.OK I am not good on guessing prices I have no clue to this one, Hope I helped some :)
2007-12-27 16:36:38 · answer #3 · answered by Pretty Princess 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a magazine called Mother Earth News and another called Hobby Farming. Get subscriptions to BOTH if you're at all serious about this.
2007-12-27 21:02:37 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i say just buy an island or a land in mexico .. cheap
2007-12-27 16:38:24 · answer #5 · answered by David 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please stop asking the same, tired, question
2007-12-27 16:29:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋