I'm too old to join FFA...

[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!