need to learn

[bqz]

I would like to know if anyone can give me info on web sites for begining farmers? I'm considering starting a small farm but need to learn a lot before I start(under statement I'm sure).It will be about a year before I make a move ,so I figure I best start learning as much as possible.Any help would be appreciate .

[GrannySue_in_IL]

There are hundreds of them - farming/homesteading/ranching...

Start with the one these forums spun off of: Countryside Magazine - there are some great articles on file, and look up the archives from these forums on the main page here - you can pick your special interest and go from there...

Most of the magazines (Back Home, Backwoods Home, etc) also have sites.

I don't have any of the links handy, but just search using the mag title... I'm on a different computer.......

If you have a special interest in a particular breed of livestock - do a search on that - and check out the Breeds Conservancy for info on rare/endangered species if that interests you, too.

[patnewmex]

Carla Emrey's book is the best. Start with that one.

[MaryNY]

Sometimes they offer courses or classes or seminars etc. at local community colleges or ag colleges or universities -- if they have such schools in your area.

Also, if the high schools in your area have a Future Farmers of America program, maybe you could contact the teacher who oversees the group (call the school office and ask) to see if he/she can recommend any courses or seminars etc. offered in your area. Maybe you could be a teacher's helper with an FFA course and learn as you go.

Sometimes there are farm families who offer vacations on the farm for city folk who think they want to farm. Maybe you could take a week and vacation with such a family.

Or, what about approaching a local dairy farmer, or whatever you have in your area and asking if you could come "volunteer" some Saturday or maybe several Saturdays to learn all that is involved in such an operation. The farmer might be glad of a "free" helping hand, and you could learn a lot.

Good luck!

MaryNY

[bqz]

Thank you for the info on the magazines, GREAT STUFF!!

Could you tell me the name of the book "Carla Emrey's book"or is that the name ?

Thanks also for the advice of "hands on" I do have plans to visit some folks in TN this summer and do just that.

My main interest are Beef Cows and Poultry .

I guess you could say"steak and eggs"HA! HA!

[MaryNY]

Carla's Book is "The Encyclopedia of Country Living". I think you can still order it from her website www.carlaemery.com. If you check out the posts on the third message board listed on the main screen, you will see it relates to Carla -- she passed away a little over a year ago! The book should be available at book stores like Barnes & Noble, or on ebay, etc. You may be able to get a copy from your local library to check it out before you buy -- if you do you will just want TWO copies you will like it so well!! LOL You may have to get it on interlibrary loan, but still worth a few cents to have it ordered in special.

Good luck!

MaryNY

[bqz]

Thank you,found it on local library website.

[Fla Gal]

Originally Posted by bqz

My main interest are Beef Cows and Poultry .

bqz,

You can go to the cattle and poultry forums here at HT, read a lot and ask a lot of questions.

As for the poultry, here's a site that will help you with what type chickens might interest you.
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenders...ks/chooks.html

If you visit the poultry forum, the people there have a lot of links and information to share.

[MoGrrrl]

I'm following along here. We are thinking about starting a small farm in the Missouri/Kansas area.

[moopups]

There is a blue bar at the top of this page, find the word 'search', click it and type in anything that interests you. We a lot of past subjects discussed, they seem endless. Also check out the links library for specific items.

[Horselover]

Also, the Extension Office is a great place to get all kinds of help in acquiring knowledge regarding farming, raising animals, etc.

[travlnusa]

Figure out what your goals are.

Do you want farm to support family w/o outside income?

Do you want to borrow money, or build it up over time?

How much time will you have per day to devote to "crop"?

You mentioned beef. A nice way to start. You can buy a few bred cows, and let them lead you though the learning curve. That is what we did. We choose reg. angus. I choose them because the market is pretty stong right now. When the market changes, we will change as well. The cows we bought were bred, and did a great job of showing what we did right or wrong in our set up.

The most important part is to do it. You can hope, plan, figure, etc, but you just need to jump into it.