Comments on: How to Start a Farm #5: Farmers Need to Be Leaders and Followers http://jcnymanfarms.com/2008/08/20/how-to-start-a-farm-5-farmers-need-to-be-leaders-and-followers/ Happy. Healthy. Sustainable. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:59:24 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: NC Farmgirl http://jcnymanfarms.com/2008/08/20/how-to-start-a-farm-5-farmers-need-to-be-leaders-and-followers/#comment-703 NC Farmgirl Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:29:27 +0000 http://jcnymanfarms.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-703 Wow...I've really gotten some great information from your blogs, as well as the follow up posts. I can really relate to Jacke's post about finding the capital to start up. There's no doubt in my mind that I would absolutely love the routine and have no problem with the work. I've always wanted to live a farm life since I was a little girl. But of course, you become a practical thinker as you grow up...school, college, job, etc. Then you spend your life working doing something that might be meaningful, but not your true passion...and not making the wisest decisions because you're "living the good life". So where's the door to exit the rat race? How do you begin when you have no "old farm money"? Can you start small and save and grow? That's what I don't know. How do you literally start from scratch? We only have about 2.5 acres of land right now. I really want chickens and goats, and I'm going to grow a few things. Could I build from there? How much land do I really need for a small farm? I know that I'll be working outside and coming home to tend whatever I have until I can find a way to make farming my "job", but what steps do I need to take? Wow…I’ve really gotten some great information from your blogs, as well as the follow up posts. I can really relate to Jacke’s post about finding the capital to start up. There’s no doubt in my mind that I would absolutely love the routine and have no problem with the work. I’ve always wanted to live a farm life since I was a little girl. But of course, you become a practical thinker as you grow up…school, college, job, etc. Then you spend your life working doing something that might be meaningful, but not your true passion…and not making the wisest decisions because you’re “living the good life”. So where’s the door to exit the rat race? How do you begin when you have no “old farm money”? Can you start small and save and grow? That’s what I don’t know. How do you literally start from scratch? We only have about 2.5 acres of land right now. I really want chickens and goats, and I’m going to grow a few things. Could I build from there? How much land do I really need for a small farm? I know that I’ll be working outside and coming home to tend whatever I have until I can find a way to make farming my “job”, but what steps do I need to take?

]]> By: David http://jcnymanfarms.com/2008/08/20/how-to-start-a-farm-5-farmers-need-to-be-leaders-and-followers/#comment-609 David Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:06:27 +0000 http://jcnymanfarms.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-609 I recently got off active duty military and I am now in the Reserves and work for the military as a civilian. I have never enjoyed working indoors, and I definitely prefer to see the "fruits of my labor". I have worked a home garden before, 40' by 20'. It was my first time really messing with it, but after tilling, planting, and harvesting everything by hand, I had an immense feeling of accomplishment. I'm no stranger to routine and would love to see my budding family, a 16 month old daughter and a baby boy on the way, learn to work with the land around them and co-exist with nature. I long for the hard work that would be required to start a farm and my wife is definitely an organizer and has experience in marketing and retail. I appreciate the posts, they have been very informative, and I was wondering if you could provide tips on the actual start up, ie. the first year. I recently got off active duty military and I am now in the Reserves and work for the military as a civilian. I have never enjoyed working indoors, and I definitely prefer to see the “fruits of my labor”. I have worked a home garden before, 40′ by 20′. It was my first time really messing with it, but after tilling, planting, and harvesting everything by hand, I had an immense feeling of accomplishment. I’m no stranger to routine and would love to see my budding family, a 16 month old daughter and a baby boy on the way, learn to work with the land around them and co-exist with nature. I long for the hard work that would be required to start a farm and my wife is definitely an organizer and has experience in marketing and retail. I appreciate the posts, they have been very informative, and I was wondering if you could provide tips on the actual start up, ie. the first year.

]]> By: Stephanie http://jcnymanfarms.com/2008/08/20/how-to-start-a-farm-5-farmers-need-to-be-leaders-and-followers/#comment-606 Stephanie Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:11:17 +0000 http://jcnymanfarms.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-606 I'm 19 years-old, and I've lived in Wisconsin's fourth largest city my entire life. Sure, we have farms around here, but I have only seen them driving down the high way or taking "the long route" home. I've always wanted to live on a farm. Maybe it's the animals or just the idea of being surrounded by nature. Whatever it is I want to do it. I know that it takes a lot of money and a lot of time to be a farmer and a lot of dedication. But I am determined to have a farm of my own some day. I’m 19 years-old, and I’ve lived in Wisconsin’s fourth largest city my entire life. Sure, we have farms around here, but I have only seen them driving down the high way or taking “the long route” home. I’ve always wanted to live on a farm. Maybe it’s the animals or just the idea of being surrounded by nature. Whatever it is I want to do it. I know that it takes a lot of money and a lot of time to be a farmer and a lot of dedication.

But I am determined to have a farm of my own some day.

]]> By: Jacke http://jcnymanfarms.com/2008/08/20/how-to-start-a-farm-5-farmers-need-to-be-leaders-and-followers/#comment-603 Jacke Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:59:53 +0000 http://jcnymanfarms.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-603 Well I came up with the beginnings of these plans when I was a little girl. I always wanted to live on a farm, I grew up, joined the Navy, met my husband and for the last 18 yrs I guess we've been living the easy life. (easy life, yeah right, we have NO THING) I say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We have been hard working, hard playing individuals and what do we have to show for it? Not a darn thing! So last fall I did some soul searching, and lots of praying. What could we possibly do with the rest of our lives that maybe, just maybe would lead us to where we wanted to end up? At 40 we're too old to get new careers that would let us retire before, what, 80? So it's imperative that we enjoy what we are doing. I want a place of our own where neighbors won't bug us, because I can't stand ignorant city neighbors. We want livestock. I beg for routine! I thought hobby farm, my husband wants bigger. He was practically raised on a farm, however it wasn't his dad's but his uncles. So old farm money is out. We are both juryriggers from old school, my son thinks I can fix anything with super glue! We both weld and my husband has magic hands when it comes to fixing things. I here the farmers wives say. Bob can fix anything :) The dilema that lead me to your blog is ??Where to get the money we need to begin our life?? There are several nice farms in the area for sale, and I'm beginning our business plan. Through God's help our goal is to have a handle on our life in 4 years. Hopefully by then the remanents from past mistakes will be buried enough to not matter to the bank. And I just dare somebody to tell me I won't be able to do it! I'm tired of listening to people who think I'm a fool. Well I came up with the beginnings of these plans when I was a little girl. I always wanted to live on a farm, I grew up, joined the Navy, met my husband and for the last 18 yrs I guess we’ve been living the easy life. (easy life, yeah right, we have NO THING) I say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We have been hard working, hard playing individuals and what do we have to show for it? Not a darn thing! So last fall I did some soul searching, and lots of praying. What could we possibly do with the rest of our lives that maybe, just maybe would lead us to where we wanted to end up? At 40 we’re too old to get new careers that would let us retire before, what, 80? So it’s imperative that we enjoy what we are doing. I want a place of our own where neighbors won’t bug us, because I can’t stand ignorant city neighbors. We want livestock. I beg for routine! I thought hobby farm, my husband wants bigger. He was practically raised on a farm, however it wasn’t his dad’s but his uncles. So old farm money is out. We are both juryriggers from old school, my son thinks I can fix anything with super glue! We both weld and my husband has magic hands when it comes to fixing things. I here the farmers wives say. Bob can fix anything :) The dilema that lead me to your blog is ??Where to get the money we need to begin our life?? There are several nice farms in the area for sale, and I’m beginning our business plan. Through God’s help our goal is to have a handle on our life in 4 years. Hopefully by then the remanents from past mistakes will be buried enough to not matter to the bank. And I just dare somebody to tell me I won’t be able to do it! I’m tired of listening to people who think I’m a fool.

]]> By: Luner http://jcnymanfarms.com/2008/08/20/how-to-start-a-farm-5-farmers-need-to-be-leaders-and-followers/#comment-553 Luner Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:50:49 +0000 http://jcnymanfarms.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-553 Great reading! When the time comes I figure to have to do some apprenticeship work on a few farms in different places. Thank you for taking the time to write the series. I look forward to learning more. Luner. Great reading! When the time comes I figure to have to do some apprenticeship work on a few farms in different places.

Thank you for taking the time to write the series.
I look forward to learning more.

Luner.

]]> By: colleennyman http://jcnymanfarms.com/2008/08/20/how-to-start-a-farm-5-farmers-need-to-be-leaders-and-followers/#comment-528 colleennyman Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:02:51 +0000 http://jcnymanfarms.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-528 Shana, Sounds like you guys have a good team going and are really preparing. Good for you. I love a beautiful horse barn. Hope you get to it soon! I will continue writing here and there and hopefully will have some more good info for you. Colleen :) Shana,

Sounds like you guys have a good team going and are really preparing. Good for you. I love a beautiful horse barn. Hope you get to it soon!

I will continue writing here and there and hopefully will have some more good info for you.

Colleen :)

]]> By: Shana http://jcnymanfarms.com/2008/08/20/how-to-start-a-farm-5-farmers-need-to-be-leaders-and-followers/#comment-520 Shana Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:54:09 +0000 http://jcnymanfarms.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-520 I really want to thank you guys for writing this series of blog articles. My husband is active duty military, but I have always wanted a farm. He's about eight years away from retirement so we are starting our planning now for the farm we want to have - including investing whatever cash we can stash away (a scary thought these days). I am definitely the creative leader / planner. I can put down on graph paper in ten seconds flat the facilities I want and how to market our business to the right groups, what kind of livestock we should look at and how best to use them. My husband is a combination of employee and McGyver. He'd rather not have the responsibility for the big decisions of what type of barn to build and if it needs a central hallway, but once that decision is made he will, guaranteed, find the optimum way to do it at the most effective price. Or he'll build it himself. We are also looking at second careers in education while we establish our farm (once he's retired, of course). I had no idea there were more like us! I really want to thank you guys for writing this series of blog articles. My husband is active duty military, but I have always wanted a farm. He’s about eight years away from retirement so we are starting our planning now for the farm we want to have – including investing whatever cash we can stash away (a scary thought these days).

I am definitely the creative leader / planner. I can put down on graph paper in ten seconds flat the facilities I want and how to market our business to the right groups, what kind of livestock we should look at and how best to use them.

My husband is a combination of employee and McGyver. He’d rather not have the responsibility for the big decisions of what type of barn to build and if it needs a central hallway, but once that decision is made he will, guaranteed, find the optimum way to do it at the most effective price. Or he’ll build it himself.

We are also looking at second careers in education while we establish our farm (once he’s retired, of course). I had no idea there were more like us!

]]> By: colleennyman http://jcnymanfarms.com/2008/08/20/how-to-start-a-farm-5-farmers-need-to-be-leaders-and-followers/#comment-494 colleennyman Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:34:07 +0000 http://jcnymanfarms.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-494 Amy, Thanks so much for your comment. I can see that you really get it. Being in education definitely helps - that's how my Dad managed to farm and work off - but you still need the drive and deep desire to work as hard as you do. I look forward to hearing more of how things are going for you. And I think others who are looking to start farms could benefit from hearing it straight from as many sources as possible. Cheers and happy farming, Colleen Amy,

Thanks so much for your comment. I can see that you really get it. Being in education definitely helps – that’s how my Dad managed to farm and work off – but you still need the drive and deep desire to work as hard as you do.
I look forward to hearing more of how things are going for you. And I think others who are looking to start farms could benefit from hearing it straight from as many sources as possible.
Cheers and happy farming,
Colleen

]]> By: Amy http://jcnymanfarms.com/2008/08/20/how-to-start-a-farm-5-farmers-need-to-be-leaders-and-followers/#comment-485 Amy Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:07:05 +0000 http://jcnymanfarms.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-485 This series of articles has truley put my mind's desires and my daliy duties in perspective. I am the chore person and I do the daily upkeep of the livestock. We are working toward sustainability as well. Both myself and my husband work off the farm and then come home from our day job and work the farm. Both of us are in education and thus we have periods of time when we school is out and find that farming is such a stress releif. We raise 17 acres of sweet corn, 50 plus acres of hay, sheep, pigs and cattle. It is a challenge but we manage to do it. This is the first year that the sheep have paid for themselves. By this I mean, we sold enough lamb to buy the grain needed for the winter months, we lamb in January and Feburary and they require grain at that time. The cattle are pretty much sustainable as they are grass feed and require little grain through the winter and only to those who are going to calf in January. As far as the sweet corn business, we have been sustainable there since year three, now in year six. We have paid for the equipment, and the seed and fertilizer every year and have made a profit. We have started a new adventure in dairy goats to see if we have a market for milk, cheese and butter. I am the animal lover and my husband the plant lover. We oth lead and we both follow. Our 14 year old is a huge help and loves the fact she gets to drive all the time on the farm and her friends don't. She is commited to the sheep and is up at 6 before school helping with morning chores. You sure don't find many like her these day. I will continue to read and check back often to see your progress. This series of articles has truley put my mind’s desires and my daliy duties in perspective. I am the chore person and I do the daily upkeep of the livestock. We are working toward sustainability as well. Both myself and my husband work off the farm and then come home from our day job and work the farm. Both of us are in education and thus we have periods of time when we school is out and find that farming is such a stress releif. We raise 17 acres of sweet corn, 50 plus acres of hay, sheep, pigs and cattle. It is a challenge but we manage to do it. This is the first year that the sheep have paid for themselves. By this I mean, we sold enough lamb to buy the grain needed for the winter months, we lamb in January and Feburary and they require grain at that time. The cattle are pretty much sustainable as they are grass feed and require little grain through the winter and only to those who are going to calf in January. As far as the sweet corn business, we have been sustainable there since year three, now in year six. We have paid for the equipment, and the seed and fertilizer every year and have made a profit. We have started a new adventure in dairy goats to see if we have a market for milk, cheese and butter. I am the animal lover and my husband the plant lover. We oth lead and we both follow. Our 14 year old is a huge help and loves the fact she gets to drive all the time on the farm and her friends don’t. She is commited to the sheep and is up at 6 before school helping with morning chores. You sure don’t find many like her these day. I will continue to read and check back often to see your progress.

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