Should I take over the family farm? Please advise

[Stimw]

One of my favorite movies is "A Good Year" with Russel Crow.
If you haven't seen it you might take a look. It's not really like your situation but there are some parallels. (Add a Vineyard and a hot girl!)
I flipped off several corporations in my past because I am not for sale and I have never regretted it.

 

[DFB]

Earlier on in the thread the OP wanted to produce weed-free certified organic alfalfa in my experience weed free and organic just don稚 go together the price you sell that for would have to be huge to justify the costs involved. Not sure which organization you would use to certify over there. Over here you would have to run the farm without chemicals for several years (up to five maybe) before you were able to claim organic status and get the premium price. Have you a plan on how you are going control the weeds organically 80 acres is a lot of acres to pull weeds by hand

It's a 3 year transition period to meet NOP standards for organic. Does sound like a challenge...not that it cant be done.

Premiums For A Price | Growing organic hay adds money and challenges | relative feed value (RFV), alfalfa | HAY content from Hay & Forage Grower

 

[milkman636]

,,,,,,,,,,If your parents are comfortable now, then they have no reason to sell at all. Just let it pass to the children and you will all inherit it at the stepped-up value and possibly avoid capital gains taxes in the future. If it really has commercial/industrial potential and your family's only goals are to maximize profit, then your father has the right idea, just sit on it and wait for the economy to fully recover, either in his lifetime or whenever.

That would also explain why your dad is not investing time or money in upkeep. In his mind the plan is probably set, so why waste money on something that will just be torn down in ten years.

 

[svenlylethor]

Earlier on in the thread the OP wanted to produce weed-free certified organic alfalfa in my experience weed free and organic just don’t go together the price you sell that for would have to be huge to justify the costs involved. Not sure which organization you would use to certify over there. Over here you would have to run the farm without chemicals for several years (up to five maybe) before you were able to claim organic status and get the premium price. Have you a plan on how you are going control the weeds organically 80 acres is a lot of acres to pull weeds by hand

Oh I meant ether organic Alfalfa or certified weed-free Alfalfa. Not both.

But yeah, converting to organic takes 3 years. It is lot more work. Certified weed free can be too.

 

[svenlylethor]

One of my favorite movies is "A Good Year" with Russel Crow.
If you haven't seen it you might take a look. It's not really like your situation but there are some parallels. (Add a Vineyard and a hot girl!)
I flipped off several corporations in my past because I am not for sale and I have never regretted it.

I just looked at the trailer. It looks really good! I'm gonna watch it this weekend. I'll let you know the similarities.

Interestingly enough, from what I saw in the trailer, it's already happened to me in a way. Back in December my dad broke his ankle on the farm and luckily my work let me move home for a month and take care of the farm and work remotely. It was actually better than I thought it would be and I did have a lot of fun with my friends/family. I even reconnected with an old friend and she and I had a winter-break fling. She would definitely be a huge perk if I were to move back home. We still talk every day despite being thousands of miles from each other.

Going back for such a long time brought back a lot of old memories. Memories with friends, family, and the farm. That's when I started to consider moving back to Utah. Last week my dad reinjured his ankle and now can't farm for the rest of the year. That's when I seriously started thinking about moving home. That's where I am right now and that's why I created this post. I've talked to a few people about it but I thought I'd get more advice from others.

After reading a lot of these posts I think that if I were to move back to Utah that I would have to reset my expectations on how much involvement I would have on the farm. Maybe it would be more like a weekend hobby where I help my dad out and watch over the farm for him. That way I would still farm for fun & I'd still be able to work on my career.

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

If you feel the need to come and ask advice on a forum for choice like that...my advice is...it's not for you.
Farming is a way of life...on call 24/7...working with animals and Mother Nature.
You got love it and don't be afraid to put in long hours.
Farming is hard work...but I would not see myself anywhere else !
Proud 3rd generation egg farmer , cash cropper and logger.
Black

 

[Beltman60]

I still have the corporate job but my best time of the day is feeding the horses in the morning and hauling manure in the evening with my daughter (4 horses)
I lost my son 2 years ago and reconsidered how I was spending my time at work constantly and not much with the family
Best decision I've made in a long time
I now keep work hours to work (9-10 no weekends instead of 12+ sometimes 7 days a week) and home hours for home
I think of work from when I get into my car while driving to work till I pull into the driveway
When I get home I can bush hog 5 acres of pasture or cut the grass and by the time I'm done don't even remember being at work that day

I look at my farm as my therapist
Keeps my mind clear for all occasions

MY :2cents:

 

[ovrszd]

I still have the corporate job but my best time of the day is feeding the horses in the morning and hauling manure in the evening with my daughter (4 horses)
I lost my son 2 years ago and reconsidered how I was spending my time at work constantly and not much with the family
Best decision I've made in a long time
I now keep work hours to work (9-10 no weekends instead of 12+ sometimes 7 days a week) and home hours for home
I think of work from when I get into my car while driving to work till I pull into the driveway
When I get home I can bush hog 5 acres of pasture or cut the grass and by the time I'm done don't even remember being at work that day

I look at my farm as my therapist
Keeps my mind clear for all occasions

MY :2cents:

My situation is similar, though I've retired now (2 years). I've bought half interest in the farm I grew up on and will buy my Brother's interests if he dies before I do.

It's not about money. It's about your Soul.

The OP does not understand that. Neither does his Dad. Doesn't matter what the land is worth. My Brother and I turned down $10,000 per acre in rural Northern Missouri. Was a quick decision and an easy one. I'll own this farm until I die. My Sons will own it until they die. Non negotiable.

I can't believe we've discussed this so long. Must be Winter blues. The OP is not going back to the farm. But it makes for interesting discussion.

I lost one of my three Sons 19 years ago. It doesn't get easier. Just gets to the point where you can bear it. Sorry for your loss Beltman60.

 

[Beltman60]

I know it doesn't get easier but I'm going to continue to be more of a family man than just a money provider
My daughter and I have been spending so much time together that she now has become a big hockey fan

don't know if she was just trying to fill my sons spot but I think she really is starting to enjoy it

 

[ovrszd]

I"m very blessed that my two grown Sons live 3 miles from me. We see each other daily. We play together most weekends. Tragedy tends to either bring people together or drive them apart. Good to hear about your daughter. Soul building.