What does it take to be a succesful farmer?

[NJfarmer]

Quote:
What other jobs are there that deals with Agriculture besides farming?

 

[carugoman]

why not get your degree...with some foundation in business management and when you have your bachelor's degree or master's;try hydroponic farming on a commercial scale. One acre of land can contain all equipment such as chemical storage tanks,mixing retorts,measurement and calibration devices and the greenhouses. One would be surprised on the amount of produce that can be grown in a shorter period of time than conventional means and in so few of floor space. Do the research,become informed,get your formal education,then make the hard decisions.

 

[gardener]

I would say you dont need to buy hundreds of acres and a combine to be a farmer. There is growing trend for people to buy from local small farmers. I have heard of successful farmers on small acreage farms. I went to church with a guy that bought acreage in his midlife and is making it work. He sells mostly meat, chickens, turkey, pigs and eggs. all free range. I think he has been doing it for the last 10 years. Definatly look into the organic, bio dynamic side of farming. Seek out successful farmers and take notes.

 

[devora]

Quote:
Why not integrate it into your life? We're not sustainable (we're old, never will be) but enjoy the trek toward that goal.

"Animal Vegetable Miracle" can be one inspiring book!

What does being a 'farmer' mean? I'm a 'teacher' w/ all the degrees and credentials and stuff, but don't others teach as well?

OK, WAY TOO HIPPIE DIPPIE SILLY ABOUT FARMING! Sorry 'bout gettin' too wheat grass on ya'll....

 

[gardener]

Quote:
Why not integrate it into your life? We're not sustainable (we're old, never will be) but enjoy the trek toward that goal.

"Animal Vegetable Miracle" can be one inspiring book!

What does being a 'farmer' mean? I'm a 'teacher' w/ all the degrees and credentials and stuff, but don't others teach as well?

OK, WAY TOO HIPPIE DIPPIE SILLY ABOUT FARMING! Sorry 'bout gettin' too wheat grass on ya'll....

Hey, I am on that same trek! Right now i am starting at the city farmer level. Hope to be more rural one day, Have you read 'Extreme Simplicity Homesteading in the City' ?

 

[gritsar]

I quickly read thru the other responses, but I don't think anyone has mentioned the Future Farmers of America. According to their website, they have 7,358 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Most kids around here get started with the FFA in middle school or high school. Their website is www.ffa.org

Around here there are still quite a few family farms, raising cattle and chickens, but nobody gets rich off of them. Those that don't choose to be independent go with the commercial chicken houses raising up broilers for the major chicken companies. The average cost of a new chicken house in this area is $250,000 (that's 4 zeros). Each house holds approx. 20,000 or more chickens. The average number of houses per farmer is 4 to 6. And raising the chickens in those houses is nothing like raising them in your backyard. They are not treated as animals so much as they are products. Everything in the new houses is controlled by computer, light and darkness, temp, humidity, etc. I worked in the houses one day to help a neighbor out when the chicks arrived. I couldn't handle it on a daily basis. Right now we have the pasture parts of our 80 acres leased to a neighboring farmer (who also has 6 commercial chicken houses). He raises cattle on our land. Once my SO retires we might get a small herd of calves to raise up to market size. I garden and will be getting enough chickens in the spring to keep us in eggs. Although we keep busy keeping this land up, we will never again have it as a fully self sufficent farm as my SO's family did.

 

[carugoman]

yes,gritsar,I agree that FFA is a good organization to glean info from,but this NJFarmer has said that they're 17 and will be graduating hi school next year(spring 2008.) Isn't that a little too late to get started?
Being diversified,in skills and education,can only help to your success in any career you choose. I was born into a small farm family,7th generation,but that didn't stop me from my career choice nor what college degrees I now hold. I spent 24 years in the military, have a PhD in Electrical Electronic Engineering,Master's in mathematics and a Master's in Electrical Computer Engineering. I've also had a salaried job after military service,for several years and made a six figure income(and one wasn't the first digit either!) Now I'm semi-"retired," living on rural 25 acres,operating a market farm and growing-raising-making-selling many items for local and internet markets. I don't make a fortune but everything is paid for,I'm having the exercise that I need instead of the wheelchair that I abhor,I make enough cash to cover expenses-with a reasonable percentage of profit and I don't go to Wally World EVER! If you're happy with being fed,a roof over your head,a place to hang your hat in the same place every day and having a few nickels to rub together then become a farmer. If you want fast times fast cars and fast women sell drugs go to jail and leave me and my yardbirds be!

 

[hsm5grls]

If you're happy with being fed,a roof over your head,a place to hang your hat in the same place every day and having a few nickels to rub together then become a farmer. If you want fast times fast cars and fast women sell drugs go to jail and leave me and my yardbirds be!

Your singing to the choir as they say. You sound like a rich man indeed. Rich as a human can be. I would take a peaceful life with my needs met over a million dollars and hustle and bustle any day. There is a lot to be said for contentedness. To be content with your needs met a gift.​

 

[gritsar]

I totally agree with you carugoman. I wasn't trying to discourage anyone from farming, just stating the facts of farming as it is here in rural Arkansas. It's definitely not a way to get rich (money-wise), on that I think we can both agree.
As for myself, I wouldn't care if this farmhouse was really only a cardboard box, as long as it sits on this little piece of paradise.
I grew up as a navy brat. Attended 16 different schools before I even got to high school. My Dad doesn't understand that I don't want to do 'more' with my life...whatever 'more' is. I figure I work a job that gives me satisfaction, I'm with the one person I was meant to be with, and I'm happy living the rural life. We have food to eat, a warm dry home, and a whole lot of contentment...what more could I need?

As far the age thing and FFA thing goes, I too think it could be a good source of info.

 

[seedcorn]

What other jobs are there that deals with Agriculture besides farming?[/quote]

OK, farm managers; agronomists for seed, chemical, farmers, fertilizer companies; sales reps for everything bought/sold in Ag; PHD breeders for chickens, hogs, seed(all kinds from vegetable to row crops); support people (transportation, wharehouse, inspectors, teachers (from HS ed to college); Fed. Gov personnel (meat inspectors to your local extension agent).

This is just a SMALL list of all the jobs. They all share 2 things, plenty of work and average salaries. The good news is you work with a very good group of people.