I'm too old to join FFA...

[pchappelle]

Over 50 but exploring possibilities of a 2nd career as a new/future farmer of America. My understanding of the 2008 Farm Bill is that significant $$ from Uncle Sam are available for "new" farmers/ranchers w/attractive mortgage rates and conditions (initially at least).
I had a farm/ranch childhood and continued to "volunteer" my labor until my parents sold their 1/2 section Polled Hereford operation near Henryetta, OK a few years ago and moved to Assisted Living. In lieu of a life as John Deere Engineer I went corporate b/c regular paychecks were too tempting. Now w/a BS General Engineering and an MBA the Corp Executive role is no longer appealing and I'm seriously pondering trading my daily attire of blue suits for blue jeans.
I'd like to hear from anyone that's considering a similar career change or anybody that has already become a "New Farmer" w/funding from US Dept of Ag / '08 Farm Bill

In the meantime I'm tinkering w/a newly acquired 1962 Gravely Model L that's been stored for about a decade. In my younger days I've owned a couple of Gravelys but none were this old and all at least were running when initially obtained

My current thinking is: it's a one cylinder so how hard can it be to get it to run? Any insights will be appreciated!

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[scesnick]

Welcome to TBN. As far as your question, Hey, you only live once....

 

[bp fick]

Glad to have you aboard, sir. Welcome.

As to your Gravely issue, we have a forum here dedicated to two wheel tractors, and other forums dedicated to other specific questions.

You did well to introduce yourself in the New Member Intros, but your question might better be posted in a specific forum, as you'd get far more responses and perhaps some good guidance. Again, welcome.

 

[smstonypoint]

I have only a cursory knowledge of the Beginning Farmers Loan Program, most of which has been obtained from conversations with several of my former students who work for the USDA's Farm Service Agency. Here's a link to info on the program:http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/beginningloans11.pdf.


As you may know, the "Farm Bill" is rewritten every five years or so, and Congress has started work on a new bill. I don't anything about the prospects of the loan program in the new bill, but it might be worth your while to track the news on that front. Here's a blog that follows farm policy developments:FarmPolicy.

Good luck in your endeavor.

Steve

 

[Briana03]

Hello & WELCOME to TractorByNet.com!

I have moved your thread to the Rural Living Forum. You'll get a better response there.

 

[bigtiller]

You sound like an intelligent person,,,, why do you want to start farming? :laughing: As a hobby or for a living? With the price of land so high it is impractical to buy and even some rents are getting right up there. Forget the money for a moment, how are you going to convince a land owner to rent to you? He has probably rented his ground to the same guy for many years and is happy with the way things are. I know I am, I can't see any reason for me to change renters. If you do get into farming and you enjoy it, you will be richly rewarded --- but maybe not with money any time soon.

 

[Bartcephus]

Changing careers? Is it because the grass looks greener? Might not want to quit your day job yet. I'm just sayin'

I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to jump the fence. The daily grind and frustrations are almost overwhelming. So many things to do... so little time. Wherever you are, in the office or in the field, you will have issues. It seems, however, that other peoples issues are easier to handle than our own. A change of pace and a change of problems can be that refreshing thing we need to maintain sanity. Weigh out your options, consider your family, and take your time to think about it. For the moment, I have a balancing act of my own. I am attempting to straddle the fence. (metaphorically speaking.)

Regards,
Bart

 

[dynasim]

The joke:

How do you make a milllion dolllars farming?

Start with 2 million.

is based on fact. Most farmers who start from scratch(without family support) fail(I can't prove that statistically, but it is a 100% reliable indicator in the area where I grew up).

Chris

 

[ericrm2005]

The joke:

How do you make a milllion dolllars farming?

Start with 2 million.

is based on fact. Most farmers who start from scratch(without family support) fail(I can't prove that statistically, but it is a 100% reliable indicator in the area where I grew up).

Chris

Im not sure I agree with that assumption. I am in the same boat as the original poster, and while I know ill never have a farm that can support my whole family, I dont think its impossible to start from scratch and make it. It certainly is hard if you plan on your whole income being from the farm. I plan to be farming at least a few hundred acres in 10 years. I think it is possible because my wife makes really good money, and I wont need any farm income to support my family. I plan on simply returning any profit no matter how small right back into land and machinery and eventually be of a scale where I can make at least something off of the farm.


Bottom line is, if starting a farm from scratch and using only farm income to support yourself is the plan, its not going to work.

If you have other incomes, I think its definately possible to start farming. Build little by little and eventually you might be able to reduce the off farm income or eliminate it.

 

[Jason14j]

I am two decades younger but have a similar idea. I don't plan to farm commercially. I only plan to have 10 acres that are thoroughly designed to meet my own personal needs. I have read quite a bit on every homesteading topic imaginable. I have a well paying job that I hope to keep while using my free time to build my mini-farm. I have never researched this program for new farmers, does anyone know if a hobby farm would be eligible?

 

[schmism]

I think there are a lot of great possiblities out there for smaller scale CSA type farms.

Between Salatin poultry style farming to more hightech aquaponics/hydroponics systems that raise fish and greens together, your options to generate income off of smaller plots of land are a real possibility today.

leave the 1000's of acers of row crops up to the big boys. although raiseing your own oats and corn can be beneficial to makeing your own feed for poultry operations etc and can be done only a few acers especially with older equipment ment to work smaller parcels of ground. (and can be handled by smaller CUT style equipment)

 

[Jason14j]

I think there are a lot of great possiblities out there for smaller scale CSA type farms.

Between Salatin poultry style farming to more hightech aquaponics/hydroponics systems that raise fish and greens together, your options to generate income off of smaller plots of land are a real possibility today.

leave the 1000's of acers of row crops up to the big boys. although raiseing your own oats and corn can be beneficial to makeing your own feed for poultry operations etc and can be done only a few acers especially with older equipment ment to work smaller parcels of ground. (and can be handled by smaller CUT style equipment)

I agree. Im starting an aquaponics project this fall. I don't anticipate profits from the mini-farm, maybe just a little income to reduce my operating expenses. There's plenty of ways to make money. My house, vehicles, equipment, land etc will be paid for...I just need a little bit of income to pay for the things I cant do for myself without spending savings.

 

[YesDeere]

I dream all the time of being a farmer. Did a lot of farm work growing up and I miss it. I'm getting my chance next spring. Me and my dad are going to farm the 37 tillable acres we have at our hunting place. He informed the farmer who leases it this spring that we are taking it over. We have been gathering equipment for some time. But we are taking it slow. Gonna hire the spraying and have it custom combined for now. We have a 4 row AC no till planter for now. I have an old F700 with a dump bed that me and a friend are redoing. Someday I will find my own combine. Hopefully expand from there!