wife want me to become a farmer

goodoleboy · Aug 16, 2004

hi, thank you for reading this topic. My wife and i bought 15 acres of land my goal was to get a few horses and a few cows and thats about it. We live in the suburbs of a city of 400,000 people.
My wife on the other hand grew up ona 180 acre cattle farm.She thinks I should move up to her parents house and live in grannies old farmhouse (currently rented) and her father "show me the ropes" of farming.Then evenutally take over the operation when they get older.
What would you seasoned farmers recommned? is it a business that you recommned a 25 year old get involved in?
I have worked on horse ranches as a teenager and didnt mind the work but that was 10 years ago.
I know i am going to have to have a full time job.
I assume i could find work there I have a associates degree. Worked as a Corrections officer, Licensed paramedic. Here I am doing okay money wise but in that location I think jobs are paying alot less.

Any one here have a similar situation brought before them?ANy regrets?

thanks

Birdhunter1 · Aug 16, 2004

I am about the same age and if I could find a wife that would offer that to me I'd be happy as can be. Farming is enjoyable but it is hard work and sometimes can be very stressful financially. My advice (actually handed down to me from my dad) would be to ask yourself where do you want to be/be doing 10 years from now, 20 years from now, if you have kids in the near future where do you want them to grow up (in your case a farm area or a city of 400,000), where do you think you and your wife would be happy? I have thought this over and over myself, although I am single and I can make the decision solo at this point. Probably about the same financial situation for the both of us, I have a great job that pays very well and it is where I live and have grown up all of my life. The answers to the questions above for me are: i want to live where I am, I like my hometown, if I had kids i would want them to grow up here and go t school here, I am devoted to my home church and i plan on staying there for a long time. I don't have to realy decide on this area or that one but: I am able to buy a large portion of the family farm I have grown up on or I may soon have the option of getting a large part of a family friends farm. Some things I have seriously considered about the family farm, once I buy it I can't sell it. It's been in the famliy for 70+ years so selling outside of the family is not an option. My dad and one of my uncles might want the part in question someday, but that is a maybe. Basically once you own a piece of long time family property it is almost impossible (sentimental value) to get rid of. I know you were asking from info from older farmer types but since i am relativley in a comparable situation I thought I'd chime in here. Any questions or whatever PM me or I'll check here fairly often through the week.

cowboydoc · Aug 16, 2004

It all depends on what is in your heart. I'm sure it's in your wife's heart. But you have to want it and love it more than anything to make it work. On a cow/calf operation it's no sleep for days checking cattle and doctoring them during calving. During haying and the growing season it's alot of worrying about crops, weather, prices, when to sell, etc. And then there's the work. With a full-time job, and you'll need it to make ends meet, you will be working 16-20 hours/day 24/7. Livestock doesn't take a vacation.

On the plus side I wouldn't trade it for anything. It can be very trying at times but the rewards are worth it IF that is what is in your soul. If this is something that you want then do it. If it isn't something that you really want stay where you are on your small acreage. Your wife gets a taste of home and you don't get overwhelmed.

EastTexFrank · Aug 16, 2004

Cowboydoc pretty much summed it up. Life on the farm, especially a small farm, can be very fulfiling ... and very hard work. He's also right that you will need a second job or another source of income.

At 25 you can probably spare some time to see if that is what you want to do with the rest of your life and if it's not, you can return to what you are doing now or move on without too much harm being done. That'll be a lot harder to do as you get older. The downside is that your wife obviously likes the family farm and being near her family and, if for some reason it doesn't work out, it could lead to some wrenching decisions for you both.

rambler · Aug 16, 2004

I live in rural Minnesota in farm country. man, I have 6-7 friends that would love to meet your wife.... Well, ah, back to your point...... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

It's what's in your heart that counts. Farming 200 acres can be a lot of work & you won't ever make any real money, just keep recycling it back into the operation. But if it's something you want to do, it's one of the best things ever. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I would recommend that you be mechanically inclined, as you will not be able to afford new equipment, but will be repairing your own older stuff.

--->Paul

Y2KF250PSD · Aug 18, 2004

Goodoleboy,

What part of Oklahoma are you in?

goodoleboy · Aug 19, 2004

y2k, I was looking at your profile and found you are a deputy of oklahoma county?
I spent some time with Tulsa county Sheriffs office but got laid off back in 2000. I am suppose to be going to the CLEET academy this year but like everyhwere else I worked. When I see it ill believe it.