"Farmers farm for the love of farming. They love to watch and nurture
the growth of plants. They love to live in the presence of animals. They
love to work outdoors. They love the weather, maybe even when it is
making them miserable." - Wendell Berry.
So, you want to become a farmer, but
you've never grown a crop or raised livestock? Not to worry—this article will
set you on the path to realizing your dream of being a farmer.
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Decide why you're interested in farming.
Its hard work, takes a lot of responsibility, and is certainly not an easy
money-making venture either. The industry is, for the most part, steeped in
tradition. If you've never farmed in your life or had any agricultural
experience to bring to the table and yet want to become a farmer, you will have
to expect a lot of raised eyebrows from farmers and non-farmers alike. Be ready
to answer the question "Why do you want to farm?" with confidence.
- Expect criticism and blunt remarks to come your way. However, most people in the farming community are willing to give advice and encouragement to those interested in farming without the prior experience.
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Choose what kind of farming you'd like to do.
In most cases there are two types of farming to choose from: crops, which
include grains (oil seeds, cereals and pulse crops), fruit orchards, berry farms
and vineyards, vegetable production, hay production and silage production; and
livestock, including the raising of beef or dairy cattle, hogs, poultry,
horses, sheep, goats, beekeeping or exotic animals. Organic farming is another
sector of agriculture which covers all crop and livestock production, but
pertains to the non-conventional means of producing such products.
- Commercial/industrial farms rely on more than one enterprise to have an operable farm. For instance, a dairy farm cannot be a profitable dairy farm without having silage, hay and grain enterprises. A crop-only farm will often harvest via rotational cropping at least two crops per season, rotating cereal, oilseed and/or pulse crops every year, in order to meet the market for those crops. It is generally considered that the larger the farm, the less sectors or enterprises is in its operations. However, this is not always fact, and not something to worry about when choosing what and how you are going to farm. You have every right to choose what enterprises and sectors you want for your farm.
- Many family farms or farms that rely on a single operator--be they large or small--have at least five, if not more, enterprises in their operations. It's not uncommon for a family farm to be a mixed farm, in other words having a farm with both crops and livestock as a part of its operations.
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Speak with some experienced farmers.
Consider finding farms that are more towards the type of farm you want to run.
Ask around and see if there are any in your area that you could visit. Run a
web search to find out about upcoming local county or agricultural fairs and
visit them. There you will find serious and active producers that you can talk
to about farming.
- Ask them various things like what they do (i.e., what kind of operation they run), how their farms have changed over time, where they believe their sector is going, and if you could stop by their farm and visit some time. Farmers are generally friendly, humble, and welcoming people, though some are more guarded than others.
- Farmers markets are also a great place to meet farmers, especially farmers that specialize in a specific form of farming (such as Poultry, fruits, etc.)
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Do your homework. Read books that discuss the kind of
farming you want to get involved in. Search the internet for articles and
online forums that cover farming. Online forums are great places to talk about
farming with farmers and agricultural experts. In your research, find out what
skills are required to be successful in the type of farming you are interested
in. What is the market like for your product? Is your type of farming
compatible with where you live?
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Attend informational classes.
There are several ways to learn about farming in a classroom setting. One of
the most common ways is to attend a university and study agriculture, agricultural
economics, management, or environmental studies. Of course, attending
university is not required to become a farmer. Run an internet search to see if
any agricultural classes are being put on in your area.
- Farmers of today are businessmen and -women and even entrepreneurs in their own right. They have to be able to survive. Understand agriculture economics, farm politics and consider classes at a college or university that teaches agribusiness. If you want to make it past the farm-labor stage you must be informed in all aspects of farming.
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Consider the fact that you may need to move.
Some regions of the country are more conducive to farming than others, and some
areas are more conducive to different sectors of farming than others. Find out
which areas are best for the sector of farming you are interested in and what
farms are found there. Or, find out what farms are found in a particular area
before you decide to move to that area and choose whether what you want to farm
is good for that particular area or not.
Source: Wikihow
