where to get started farming?

viggie · #1 03/12/12, 11:35 AM

Do you think it's worth joining your farm bureau or another org if you have an interest in farming, but the opportunity is still probably a few years off? Are there programs for women getting started or better options for someone in the planning phases?

unregistered168043 · #2 03/12/12, 11:37 AM

Yes. Your local cooperative extension can help you. Thats what they are there for.

viggie · #3 03/12/12, 11:40 AM

I'm already an MGV, I guess I will have to find out where their commercial offices are as we don't service them.

ksfarmer · #4 03/12/12, 11:52 AM

Mgv ??.

viggie · #5 03/12/12, 11:56 AM

master gardener volunteer...I can check with the agriculture folks, I've found their website. It just seems like I've heard of programs to help new farmers and ones tailored to getting women in the farming that may be of help as well.

ksfarmer · #6 03/12/12, 12:04 PM

Master Gardeners usually work with the extension office. For information about financial help programs to help start farming, go to your local FHA office. For information about actual operation, such as growing crops, your farm extension agent can be a big source of information. In my opinion, Farm Bureau wouldn't be much help, unless you are established as a farmer, I might be wrong,but thats the way it is in my area.

goatlady · #7 03/12/12, 12:39 PM

The Master Gardeners program really is not convertable to a farming program, waaay different outlooks. You might wanst to start checking out and maybe taking some local college AG classes. Those would point you in the right direction provided you are looking at doing "conventional" farming rather than organic or greenhouse or any other NON-conventional farming activity.

Yvonne's hubby · #8 03/12/12, 12:40 PM

My advice for anyone wanting to start farming is to start saving HUGE amounts of money. The more money you have to start up with, the longer you can keep farming. Couple of million should last you at least 4 or 5 years if you start small and are careful.

Callieslamb · #9 03/12/12, 12:40 PM

Check your state ag dept too.

wwubben · #10 03/12/12, 12:45 PM

Farm bureau is an insurance company.You can go to your county extension office for help in educating yourself.

ksfarmer · #11 03/12/12, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatlady

The Master Gardeners program really is not convertable to a farming program, waaay different outlooks. You might wanst to start checking out and maybe taking some local college AG classes. Those would point you in the right direction provided you are looking at doing "conventional" farming rather than organic or greenhouse or any other NON-conventional farming activity.

Agreed. I became a MG after I retired from full scale farming. It satisfys my urge to play in the dirt, but, is a entirely different thing, not really relevant to true farming.

FarmboyBill · #12 03/12/12, 12:50 PM

I became one several years ago. Didnt really do much for me.

honeyrobber · #13 03/12/12, 01:16 PM

I started to take the time to become a master gardener. Went to the teacher of the courses house and saw her garden. I realized then that her idea of gardening was not going to help improve my skills. I still help her with her plant problems. A farmer has a much broader feel for plants. Farming can make money but you will never get rich doing it unless you start out rich. It takes to much equipment and investment to turn a good proffit.

As to where you turn for advise depends on the type of farming you wish to do. If you plan on row cropping(corn, soy, wheat, ect..) you need to talk to someone that has been doing it for years and find one that will open the books up and let you see cost vs income. They do not have to show you the tax returns and such but they need to be real with you and tell you examples of worst years and best years and what are there average years. If you just want some side income and want to more or less garden then hit up the farmers markets. Do not start asking for help but ask what did you do as far as pest control ect.. That way they will remember you. After a few visits you will see who is willing to give openly what they do and hopefully they will be there for the real questions. Some at the market will not tell you anything as they want to keep the competators down. But that actually hurts the market in the long run. You will find someone like me willing to help you get into the biz. If you go this route you have to plan for early mid and late season crops. Lets us know what you are looking to do as alot of us know different things about farming.

Tad · #14 03/12/12, 01:26 PM

Depends what you want to do. If it were me I would find someone already doing what I want to do and try to get a job there or just stop in and volenteer to help out and to be shown the ropes. I probably learned more at college when we went on farm tours than I did in the classroom.

geo in mi · #15 03/12/12, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vigilant20

Do you think it's worth joining your farm bureau or another org if you have an interest in farming, but the opportunity is still probably a few years off? Are there programs for women getting started or better options for someone in the planning phases?

I just Googled "women farmers wisconsin" and got 2,160,000 hits. You should find resources that way. Such as: http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/conference...ist0786_02.pdf

geo

Old Vet · #16 03/12/12, 02:37 PM

Lets see. The college offers a degree in agriculture. That would be the first thing to get then afterwards save enough money to start small. I don't know if you are planing to have flowers or vegetables or rice and soybeans or a combination of all three. Farming is not the same meaning to everybody.

springvalley · #17 03/12/12, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksfarmer

Master Gardeners usually work with the extension office. For information about financial help programs to help start farming, go to your local FHA office. For information about actual operation, such as growing crops, your farm extension agent can be a big source of information. In my opinion, Farm Bureau wouldn't be much help, unless you are established as a farmer, I might be wrong,but thats the way it is in my area.

Pretty much what ksfarmer wrote. Try and find someone you can work with for awhile to help you learn the ropes, very hard to get started farming because of the cost of everything. > Good luck > Marc

SueMc · #18 03/12/12, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tad

Depends what you want to do. If it were me I would find someone already doing what I want to do and try to get a job there or just stop in and volenteer to help out and to be shown the ropes. I probably learned more at college when we went on farm tours than I did in the classroom.

My husband volunteered to help a couple of farmers with their hay so he could learn how to harvest our own hay. It was especially helpful to him to learn how to work on problems that frequently occur with an older baler.

viggie · #19 03/12/12, 03:17 PM

I would not get into conventional farming. I am looking at organic / market farming. Another degree is definitely out of the question, time/money wise. But I will check out some of the other leads.

viggie · #20 03/12/12, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvonne's hubby

My advice for anyone wanting to start farming is to start saving HUGE amounts of money. The more money you have to start up with, the longer you can keep farming. Couple of million should last you at least 4 or 5 years if you start small and are careful.

You're funny