Many Paths to Starting a Farm

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Many Paths to Starting to Farm, and Much to Consider

Mike Duffy, an agriculture economist with Iowa State University Extension, recently wrote a piece published on www.agriculture.com which suggests that while no path to becoming a farmer is exactly the same, there are some common considerations.

Excerpt: “The decision to make a living from farming requires much thought. Concrete steps must be taken to give the arrangement the best possible chance for success. A commercial farm business involves considerable quantities of land and capital. Gaining access to these resources can be a major challenge or roadblock for a beginning farmer. Not only is it essential to have physical resources, but one must have the managerial ability to combine those resources into an efficient and profitable farm business. For those who have inherited a farm, it can be both exciting and frustrating. Some people know exactly what they would like to do with the farm, but many do not. A number of questions and issues must be addressed before the final decisions are made. For those who enter farming only part-time, even though it is not a career, it can still seem like a full-time job at times. It is important to fully prepare yourself for everything that comes with the responsibility of having a small farm.

Consider reading Duffy’s full article here. And if you are interested in these issues, please also consider perusing the resources in the pages about starting a farm, farm business planning and other INFORMATION PAGES available by clicking the links in the left hand sidebar of this page.