What's the most profitable way make cash, farming

johan3400 · Jul 4, 2005

Re: What\'s the most profitable way make cash, farming

( 
" Think outside of the box. Don't fall into the rut "This is what we did last year, so let's do it the same way THIS year"...... Don't despare when you have 2 or 3 (or 10) bad years in a row." )

This is good advice for making money on the farm. I am starting back to work to make the move faster to the farm. I now live 156 miles away from the farm and need to be close by. I wish to keep my lifestyle the same as it has been for the past years. I want my family around me. My wife and I made a clear choice. We believe in where we want to take the farm, we just want the security of a job to make the transition easier. I have 65 acres of rolling ground. We took the 200 acre family farm and devided it between my brother(Wesdor), my sister and myself. If you wish to make money on the farm, What do you like to be involved in? Do you like livestock, vegetables, fruit, or some other specialty crop? What experience do you have in farming. For me I was a conventional farmer. I made the same mistake many farmers did in the later 70's into the early 80's. I tried to borrow my way to a big farm and did not backit up with enough focus to the detail. What ever you do to make money, back it with a solid business plan. Capitalize it well enough to succeed and do not loose heart. Surround yourself with successful people who can encourage you when you need it.

Slamfire · Jul 4, 2005

Re: What\'s the most profitable way make cash, farming

(
-- organic vegetables
-- organic chicken, turkey and duck
-- venision
-- specialty beef cattle, natural or organic
-- buffalo
)

I knew a fellow who had buffalo, but he couldn't keep them on the 2 sections he owned, they kept wanderin' away. Finally his neighbors, The U. S. Forest Service gave him a choice, and he got rid of them. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

rcaretti · Jul 4, 2005

Re: What\'s the most profitable way make cash, farming

I'm not a farmer, though I grew up in a rural area and did my share of helping friends who were farmers. I have to say, looking back, I don't know how some of my friends families made any money.

I do own a small piece of property now (25 acres), but a good bit of the tillable propery is tied up in pasture for my wife's horses.

Thinking out of the box a little bit, I've always wondered about the feasibility of growing nuts, such as chestnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, etc. or depending on location, going the pumpkin patch, pick your own (strawberries or rasberries) route. Is there any money in crops like sunflower or safflower seeds (I see enough people feeding birds to make me wonder)?

midwest · Jul 4, 2005

Re: What\'s the most profitable way make cash, farming

Wow!!!! there has been some awesome information put forth so far, I really appreciate all the help.

Now, let me say that I know that I cannot make a living doing just the farming. Although, I have never understood it, how farmers have had such a problem getting paid better for what we provide for everyone. However, I want to make my land make me some extra cash, not to mention help me make the payment on it. I bought it for the beauty and to get back to my roots.

I know this is probably a stupid question, but I'm going to ask anyway. What exactly is organic farming?

Also, on a good year, how many square bales can be produced in hay? How many Round bales?

curt1 · Jul 5, 2005

Re: What\'s the most profitable way make cash, farming

Around here you can sell top soil for a nice profit. Some people buy a few acres, strip the topsoil and sell the land a in year or so for development. You can also sell rock to landscapers if you have the right type. Rock and top soil business??? Might not
be a good business there, but it seems to be here.
Curt

riptides · Jul 5, 2005

Re: What\'s the most profitable way make cash, farming

We did not intend to actually make any money, let alone profit from our new "old" homestead. I have about 40 acres of quality hay that I plan on getting to one day, next year.

This is still the idea, but it is driven by market reality. The price and availability of good quality hay in our area really keeps me thinking about being a small-time grassland farmer.

So, in your area, what is the go-to-market product? What could be the out-of-box ways of thinking to get you in the game? Will you love doing it? Can you afford to hang in there if it does not click for a while? Do you have a business plan?
Do you have a back-out plan?

Good luck!
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

wjmst · Jul 5, 2005

Re: What\'s the most profitable way make cash, farming

So the concensus is....no money in farming, just enjoyment as a hobby. I know around our area there is a need for dog/cat/other pet kennels. Most places charge between $8-$15 per night. From my understanding they are usually pretty busy all year round.

Build a nice kennel and then plant a nice little garden for yourself and you can also sell some of the produce to the customers of your kennel or whatever.

Enjoy life.

Wes

Indydirtfarmer · Jul 5, 2005

Re: What\'s the most profitable way make cash, farming

After reading a few replies, including my own, I have to add a few comments.

First off, there is money in farming. ('cause I put it there......LOL) There just isn't the profit margin that you find with outher business's requiring the same investment (of time AND money)

Times are changing.... A great deal of the U.S. farm "base" is leaving our borders. (i.e. soybeans/Argentina and Brazil) Even the BIG farms are seeing reduced profits.

Getting started in PRODUCTION FARMING takes start-up capital, nerve, and a great deal of knowledge. Starting up a hobby farm takes considerabley less of each.

As long as a person goes into farming with the knowledge that he won't make much in the first 10 years (or more), and has the where-with-all to hang in there, go for it! GREAT LIFE......

Bottom line.... There are THOUSANDS of life-long farmers that have racked their brains to figure out a way to increase profits. No reasonable expectation that a new-comer will jump in and reverse that trend.

But..... If you feel strongly about making a try, I understand 100% why someone would want to.

I LOVE MY JOB.....!

cowboydoc · Jul 5, 2005

Re: What\'s the most profitable way make cash, farming

The BEST way to make money farming is to do nothing with it. Either leave it in CRP or rent it out. I'm serious in the long run unless you have ALOT of time or alot of money to lay out in capital to farm that ground, and no money in that, you aren't going to make very much. To get into the cattle business right now would be like getting into the stock market at the top of it a few years ago. The specialty markets are a full-time and then some business to run. There is some money in it but the reason is the time factor. Best of luck to you but it's really hard to make money in agriculture.

EddieWalker · Jul 5, 2005

Re: What\'s the most profitable way make cash, farming

HGTV has or used to have a show called the Good Life. It's about people who quit their stressful jobs and start a new business that is usually in the country. One I remember was a woman who started growing Lavender plants. She sells them online all over the world. Another started selling tumble weeds as a joke. It took off!!!

If the show is still on the air, I don't know, take a look for it. You might find an idea that works for you.