"Farming" suggestions for 20+ acres

[Builder]

I have a wealthy but cost concious customer. He has 20 acres of what I would call combined flat & rolling land consisting of weeds & grass on the sides & back of his property. I currenty cut this land at about $1,500/cut 3 times per year.

Because of significant tax savings offered in PA, he would like to put it into some kind of agricultural useage. If he does, I will lose a valuable cutting customer. I am tossing around the idea of farming this property for him. He is also game for suggestions.

I have no idea (other than hay) what to plant that is relatively easy to grow off of it. I'm not a professional farmer, but am a rural boy with common sense and the ability to learn. Last I checked, the requirement in PA for act 319/515 tax exemption was a mere $1,600 profit shown as a receipt in agricultural profit.

Any suggestions as to what I can offer him? I'd really prefer not to refer him to other local farmers because I can't afford to lose any customers, but I also want to be responsible with his land. I'm looking at this as an opportunity to possibly learn a new trade.

 

[MossRoad]

Start with the local county extension agent. They can help you determine which crops are suited to the soil type, the amount of yield you can expect from the chosen crop, the best practices for producing that crop and a history of the prices associated with producing that crop. On top of that, their services are free! :thumbsup:

Good luck on your new adventure.

 

[BungeeII]

Mossroad gave you a wonderful suggestion. They're certainly in a great position to take a lot of the guess-work out for you.

 

[forgeblast]

Take a while but christmas tree farm, or a u pick orchard like blueberrys might do well.
If its a yearly crop I would look at a speciality market. Then again he might be able to crep it and get a gov check for the next 15 years.

 

[bdeboer]

I have a wealthy but cost concious customer. He has 20 acres of what I would call combined flat & rolling land consisting of weeds & grass on the sides & back of his property. I currenty cut this land at about $1,500/cut 3 times per year.

Because of significant tax savings offered in PA, he would like to put it into some kind of agricultural useage. If he does, I will lose a valuable cutting customer. I am tossing around the idea of farming this property for him. He is also game for suggestions.

I have no idea (other than hay) what to plant that is relatively easy to grow off of it. I'm not a professional farmer, but am a rural boy with common sense and the ability to learn. Last I checked, the requirement in PA for act 319/515 tax exemption was a mere $1,600 profit shown as a receipt in agricultural profit.

Any suggestions as to what I can offer him? I'd really prefer not to refer him to other local farmers because I can't afford to lose any customers, but I also want to be responsible with his land. I'm looking at this as an opportunity to possibly learn a new trade.

Builder,

In ohio, at least locally we do not have to show income if we own than 10 acres. I would be concerned about reaching the at least $1600 "profit" mark on 20 acres. They do check here, that the land is being farmed. Last year I got a letter because the neighbor that cuts my ag. land for hay was running late. They also send a letter once a year that has to be signed to maintain the agricultural status.

Pumpkins might be an option.

I second talking to the local soil and water guys also.

 

[2458n]

Hay is also the choice here in Ohio. The county came up with the idea of making you have ten acres or more to build on. This was suppose to cut down on so many farms becoming subdivisons. Little did they know it would creat ten houses using 100+ acres. Square bales for horses bring in the most money. Hard to find help baling, but once established a hay field makes a nice back yard.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

My uncle here in PA has a neighbor that "hays" their grass once a year and gets the credit.

 

[Jstpssng]

The Extension Service can be helpful. If you have an association of local farmers, they may be more in touch with realistic markets. Ten fenced in acres would make a really nice deer farm.

Any biomass boilers in your area? some are experimenting with growing willow, on a 3 year rotation. Have fun.

 

[sodamo]

Great suggestions.
If you don't do hay, maybe if an orchard or something, you'd still be needed to mow periodically.
Here you can get the break for pasture, either your own animals or someone elses.

 

[catskinner]

I'd go with hay also, horse owners are always looking for good supplier, could lead to more primary business contacts.

 

[Builder]

Have already contacted our local county extension.

What you have to understand about this guy is he is WEALTHY (he owns podiatry medical centers). He's not gonna go for pumpkin patches, alpaca, etc. He wants something to make his property look classy, beautiful, like a painting. He can't do any type of intense farming or livestock.

I was thinking hay, alfalfa, soybeans. Something where his property will have a nice, neat appearance and won't create the need for excessive equipment or strangers on his land.

 

[jgrreed]

Then go with hay and/or legume rotation. Fairly easy to do, and will make a nice contacts with others, as mentioned above.

Rich people looking for hay bales for their daughters jumping horse may need their property mowed too!!

Do you have access to a mower or baler? Can your current tractor pull them?

-Jer.

 

[Builder]

Then go with hay and/or legume rotation. Fairly easy to do, and will make a nice contacts with others, as mentioned above.

Rich people looking for hay bales for their daughters jumping horse may need their property mowed too!!

Do you have access to a mower or baler? Can your current tractor pull them?

-Jer.

Sure current tractor in my sig below can easily handle mowco, baler, etc.

UGH, funny (sad really) you asked that. I just passed on a nearly mint John Deere 916 Mowco. I'm sure I could pick up the necessary equipment, but funds are low right now.

Already have JD MX-8 semi mount mower, but would have to buy hay equipment.

 

[forgeblast]

I know the perfect crop. It was a crop I was actually thinking about planting before I enrolled in the crp program. It would be planting trees that are inoculated with truffles.
You need a field type area, you plant the trees and the truffle will eventually take over the area producting truffles. One you can space the trees and give the property the look/asthetic that he wants. Two if you plant nut trees you can harvest them also.
I just went another route, otherwise i would have them in the ground.

New World Truffieres-Order/Availability
Garland Truffles - Truffle Cultivation - Home

 

[MNBobcat]

I know the perfect crop. It was a crop I was actually thinking about planting before I enrolled in the crp program. It would be planting trees that are inoculated with truffles.
You need a field type area, you plant the trees and the truffle will eventually take over the area producting truffles. One you can space the trees and give the property the look/asthetic that he wants. Two if you plant nut trees you can harvest them also.
I just went another route, otherwise i would have them in the ground.

New World Truffieres-Order/Availability
Garland Truffles - Truffle Cultivation - Home

Truffles only grow in certain climates. If I recall correctly, it has to be areas without severe winters.

 

[bdeboer]

Have already contacted our local county extension.

What you have to understand about this guy is he is WEALTHY (he owns podiatry medical centers). He's not gonna go for pumpkin patches, alpaca, etc. He wants something to make his property look classy, beautiful, like a painting. He can't do any type of intense farming or livestock.

I was thinking hay, alfalfa, soybeans. Something where his property will have a nice, neat appearance and won't create the need for excessive equipment or strangers on his land.

Soybeans might work. The gross for 20 acres, average for Ohio is 48 bushels/acre, and current price is $11.54/bushel would be $11078. To get you profits seed, fuel, fertizer, spraying and custom harvesting would have to subracted.

The extension agent should be able to help with local yields and prices to see if it makes economic sense. Another thing to calculate for the land owner is the reduction in property taxes. I have around 11 acres in ag on 2 different parcels that saves me roughly $1800/year. If I convert them back into building lots I will have to pay the tax savings back.

Let us know what you decide as I am considering converting a few more acres, and moving away from grass hay on my ag. parcels.

 

[forgeblast]

I was in contact with the seller from nc, they will survive in zone 5 weather.

 

[MNBobcat]

Is "Builder" in zone 5?

 

[dmccarty]

I was in contact with the seller from nc, they will survive in zone 5 weather.

I do not know of anything bad or good about the seller but he has been covered by the local news media several times over the years. I am pretty sure I saw a story about him back in the 90s.

He has been working on the the truffles for a very long time.

Later,
Dan

 

[Duffster]

Is "Builder" in zone 5?

I am in zone 5, I would hope PA is.