"Farming" suggestions for 20+ acres

[Duffster]

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.

Gross profit, correct?

 

[forgeblast]

When I was living in Raleigh I saw an article on it and filed it away.
Im at the top of Pa so zone 5 down to 4 just about covers the whole state.

 

[Reg]

Isn't the FIRST question; "What will SELL ?" ?

What the county extension agent will tell you is what everyone else in your area has been able to grow.
BFD ! That puts you (your client) in head to head competition with established local growers.

What gaps are there in the local market ?
Who isn't growing what, can he grow it cheaper than having it hauled in ?

Sorry to do the B school thing, but just doing what the local boys do isn't going to make much.

 

[Builder]

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.

Bingo. That's the main reason- to lower property taxes. His tax bill would give most of you guys a heart attack (mine ain't much better). 2nd reason is asthetics-the look of a crop growing on his property to give it the feel of a small european farm. I know that sounds funny, but the guy lives part of his life in Italy, he wants that "look" to his land. Does not want a bunch of outbuildings, tractors, or any kind of "messy" look. His house was probably 5 million bucks to build.

 

[jgrreed]

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

Man!! If that works, you'll make a mint!! Solid Idea!! Don't you need some kind of pig to harvest them??? I'm kidding...

 

[ArkLaTexSam]

Based on the property owners (Italy appearance) requirement looks like you need to strip the land and start a grass farm. I don't know the costs associated with growing sod on a large scale but those farms sure look neat, clean, and green. Owner may be well pleased with the lands' new look and you continue with your mowing adventures. You may need a rear mower instead of a bush hog.

ArkLaTexSam

 

[bdeboer]

Bingo. That's the main reason- to lower property taxes. His tax bill would give most of you guys a heart attack (mine ain't much better). 2nd reason is asthetics-the look of a crop growing on his property to give it the feel of a small european farm. I know that sounds funny, but the guy lives part of his life in Italy, he wants that "look" to his land. Does not want a bunch of outbuildings, tractors, or any kind of "messy" look. His house was probably 5 million bucks to build.

Grapes??

 

[jgrreed]

Bingo. That's the main reason- to lower property taxes. His tax bill would give most of you guys a heart attack (mine ain't much better). 2nd reason is asthetics-the look of a crop growing on his property to give it the feel of a small european farm. I know that sounds funny, but the guy lives part of his life in Italy, he wants that "look" to his land. Does not want a bunch of outbuildings, tractors, or any kind of "messy" look. His house was probably 5 million bucks to build.

Olives!!

 

[dmccarty]

Man!! If that works, you'll make a mint!! Solid Idea!! Don't you need some kind of pig to harvest them??? I'm kidding...

Dogs are better than pigs. Pigs will eat the Truffles. Dogs will not. A Truffle eat pig would be an expensive pig.

To plant a the Truffle Trees seems to be a real risk. Is this guy really selling something that will work? At the end of 5-10 years and you do not get any Truffles will this guy be around? If there are no Truffles is that because the trees were not taken care of correctly, just life, or the trees were never going to produce in the first place.

A plus in his favor is that he has been working on this for decades and seems to be stinking with his dream/idea of being able to produce Truffles in the US.

I am tempted to plant some trees.

Later,
Dan

 

[Western]

I would second grapes, or even an orchard.

Cherries have a good retail value?? will they grow there?

 

[nybirdman]

Grapes....great idea..several vineyards started around here in the last couple of years..viable market(wines) lots of up-keep to keep you busy...mow and maintain....probably easy sell for some-one with the money to get started.

 

[Builder]

can't do grapes/vineyards. Too long until the money starts rolling in. He wants tax exemption asap.

 

[forgeblast]

Dogs are better, and they are a tax right off when its harvest time.

Next time he is in Italy have him take pictures of what he is looking for. I bet its a farm that has a couple of differnt areas. Such as an orchard area, berry, crops etc.
I would also think about harvest time labor. Crops that are very labor intensive to harvest will mean more people on his property, does he want that?

 

[Builder]

He just wants one simple field crop that doesn't grow too high to obstruct view. It needs to be producing income next summer.

Since a mix of weeds and grass are already in place, I would think hay or soybeans is the way to go, but suggestions are welcome.

 

[MossRoad]

can't do grapes/vineyards. Too long until the money starts rolling in. He wants tax exemption asap.

I'm pretty sure as soon as you plant them, they are a crop. Our tree farm was a farm on the day we planted the first saplings and seedlings. We didn't have to wait until they were a certain size to get the tax benefits of agriculture.

 

[MossRoad]

He just wants one simple field crop that doesn't grow too high to obstruct view. It needs to be producing income next summer.

What about alfalfa? It looks really nice. Is a uniform dark green. Can be cut several times a year for a profit. It looks stately. :thumbsup: