small scale farming on the cheap?

[flusher]

Thinking about getting into small scale farming. Part of it is for the paranoid end of the world prepping, but mostly because I'd like to turn a little profit on unused land. I have access to land. Much of it wooded and or rocky, but I can work up at least 40 good acres, probably much more. What I lack is the machinery and experience. I can fix and maintain old equipment well enough, but don't have access to anything right now other than a 25hp CUT with a noisy hydraulic pump.

What crop is the cheapest to get into and can actually turn a profit?

I think corn and potatoes tend to be what is grown around here. Its a fairly cold climate. I am leaning towards corn since it has more uses than just for eating (heating a livestock), but what does everyone think?

Don't know where you're located (fill out the info form for TBN). In terms of machinery, the cheapest farming might be orchard crops (grapes, nuts, citrus, nectarines, apples, etc) since you already own the most expensive item-land.

A 30-40 hp (pto) tractor, 6-8 ft flail mower, 6-8 ft tandem disc, post hole digger/auger, spraying equipment would get you going. Those are specialty crops suited to small acreage like you have.

Good luck.

 

[smstonypoint]

Don't know where you're located (fill out the info form for TBN). In terms of machinery, the cheapest farming might be orchard crops (grapes, nuts, citrus, nectarines, apples, etc) since you already own the most expensive item-land.



Good luck.

These crops are labor- and management-intensive.

Also, there are cash-flow issues: initial cash outlays in establishing vineyards, groves, orchards, etc. with cash inflows occurring several years in the future.

Steve

 

[flusher]

These crops are labor- and management-intensive.

Also, there are cash-flow issues: initial cash outlays in establishing vineyards, groves, orchards, etc. with cash inflows occurring several years in the future.

Steve

Yep, but I was responding to the question of machinery cost. For sure you need to budget for the planting stock, irrigation (possibly), fertilizer, herbicide, etc. And you'll need 2-3 years to get the first crop. I assumed that the OP has other source(s) of income and that farming is a sideline activity for him.

 

[peterc38]

Don't know where you're located (fill out the info form for TBN).

Good luck.

Looks like he is in Wyoming based on the coordinates he gave

 

[Groo]

Looks like he is in Wyoming based on the coordinates he gave

better look at your map again, its in MI, and yes I double checked the coordinates

 

[300UGUY]

better look at your map again, its in MI, and yes I double checked the coordinates

Anywhere near, Wyoming, Michigan?

 

[powerpace]

Every small scale farmer I know has come out of the experience with a small fortune. Unfortunately they went into it with a large fortune.

 

[flusher]

Every small scale farmer I know has come out of the experience with a small fortune. Unfortunately they went into it with a large fortune.

So true, unfortunately

 

[feedjake]

I would first do a lot more reading... Get as many books as you can. I would check them out from the library first, then buy them if you like them. Anyways... With that amount of land... I would seriously consider keeping some (converting to) for good pasture land for some kind of livestock. Just like your Mutual Funds, diversification is the name of the game with small acreages. A couple of books I would recommend... "The Contrary Farmer" - by Gene Logsdon, This is a pleasant and informative read. Also Any book by Joel Salatin. Another book I thought of when you mentioned corn, is "Raising less corn, and more ****" (by the way **** means H-E-double hockey stick)- by George Pyle. This on has some really interesting information about Big Ag, vs Small Farming. Anyhoo. those are my two cents!

 

[charlz]

As for prepping I don't think growing a mono-crop does much for your learning experience. If you needed it 20 acres of corn really isn't going to provide much usable food (spoilage) and certainly not much variety in your diet.

Being a 'prepper' wasn't my intention, I was more curious about growing food in larger volumes. I set up a big garden and planted lots of stuff. I then donated the food to the local foodbank and wrote it off on my taxes. I got experience in growing food in volume, I got back a little additional money on my taxes which I put back into improving the garden with automatic drip irrigation etc., I got the pleasure of donating food to other people and best of all I got to do it on my schedule.