Might be Crazy...

[Cspr]

Then again, you're all enablers here, like my lovely fellows on RabbitTalk, so I'm hopeful.

My grandparents inherited some land a few hours away from where I currently am near one of my favorite state parks. My grandparents are a lab person and a disabled small business owner. They have no interest in starting a farm. Same goes for my parents. Therefore, it's practically mine. 18.75 acres. o.O

The problem is, while I've done plenty of research this year and have a nice rabbitry going, I feel like I have no idea what on earth I'm planning to get myself into.

The goal is sustainable living. I admit I am a tree-hugger. I regret to see the point of having giant cars, three gaming systems, a flat screen TV, etc. I don't see why you should buy things for a lot at a store when you can make it (bread, soap, etc.), grow it (veg and fruit), or raise it (eggs, milk, meat). I don't like the idea of working in an office from 9-5 for no good reason (see: John Locke and the box company).

All I want is access to a laptop so I can write (the secondary love of my life), space, and animals and plants to take care of.

So why not become a homestead farmer? IDEK. Feel free to tell me. XD

I considered getting a small loan, but then I remembered: Why not rent the land as pasture? It's flat. I figure I'll take some throw and grow out this winter and start renting it out come spring. I figure I'll give myself one and a half or two years before really taking over. Got a few courses I need to finish up, after all. By then, I could have enough money to get what I need: Some sort of mobile home, more animals, more seeds, supplies, etc.

The land is in one of the nicer for farming areas of Alabama. First frost hits at earliest normally around Nov. 21. The land is all flat, as I said, if lacking running or standing water (will need to make a pond, I presume). Most of the land will be put up for rent for pasture, but some of it will be for my show and meat rabbits and theoretical future quail and chickens, ducks and guinea fowl, and dairy goats.

I know the basics. I want to make rabbit/chicken tractors, a small hoop house for laying hens, Muscovy ducks and guinea fowl will have free range, and the dairy goats will get calf sheds (I think that's what they're called?) for sleeping and wire cow panel enclosures. I know what to grow in my area and how to fix the dirt up to make everything grow well. I've been using a rain barrel system for my current garden, but I'll probably need a pond for a more natural method and also then the ducks will have a nice place to swim. I love to fish, too, so I figure I could stock it with an easy breeder, local type.

My main questions are, I guess, as follows:

1. Am I a lunatic? Probably. Can this be successful if I'm Type A on a Sherlock Holmes level?

2. What should I charge for renting the property as pasture? What are the requirements for doing so (other than being like, "Here's a few acres and forage, knock yourselves out") and what should I look out for when it comes to customers and animals allowed on the property? I think I'll stick to goats and sheep if possible, but maybe cows. I know certain animal viruses can stay in the ground for years, so I want to be prepped. I know the big three vacs for goats, but I'm allergic to sheep (tactile) and to cow dairy products so I never put too much thought into owning them and have no idea. I'll research, but I love primary information.

3. I know I'll need a storm shelter because I live in tornado alley--I'm used to it--and I'd like a yurt built for heavy snow (because of Bama monsoons), but are there cheaper options? Or more logical ones? I want something small--I'll be spending most of my time outside or writing, and it's not like I've ever needed much space (there's an old gag I'd do great in prison).

4. Any advice whatsoever you'd like to give me? I'd love it. I know I'm like a green colt. I wanna race, please, please, please? But I'm not very broke yet. XD In the least, I worked freelance for the humane society, did foster care with cats and dogs for years, and have a rabbitry and garden. I'm not entirely new to the idea of working hard for rewards that aren't exactly green cotton, but yeah.

[unregistered358895]

As far as rent goes, check local ads to see what is average for your area. Our rent rates here vary pretty widely based on what side of town a property is on. Also, make sure there are people ho own the livestock you are looking for who are looking for land. In our neck of the woods (Oregon) its hard to lease land out for goats, but can be very lucrative for leasing to horse owners. Many here also just lease land to crop growers (not as much income, but not as much headache either).

As for what to look for in renters: non-related referrals. If they don't have references, I wouldnt rent.

[Old Swampgirl]

Follow the suggestions in a book called the Have More Plan. Finish college & get a good job so you can work your land while off & have money for the things you'll need--like good fencing for your goats. Then, work toward self-sufficiency.

[rambler]

Renting for pasture means you need fence and water available. Also Insurance for escaped critters that are not yours. And you have to deal with people more.

Selling off the hay can be a lot less headache.

Are you sure you want to rent pasture, or do you want to rent hay?

Both have positives and negatives, but mostly you need to find customers that need what you are offering.

In my area, renting out the land for corn/soybean growing would be the big bucks, pasture is waste land and brings half. Unless you rent to horse owners, but then you are boarding horses, the folks with money to pay you want to own a horse but don't want the daily chores of taking care of one so you get to do it for them.

What critters are in your area, what type of hay or pasture do they prefer, you need to seed what people are looking for.

Who provides the fence?

You need a good well to provide water to critters. How will you fill a pond if you don't have running water on your land?

Typically one wants to feed a grazing cow for 50 cents a day; 15 acres might feed 7-10 head all summer - at times too much grass, at other times gets hot dry no growth.... So you are looking at making $5 a day, or $150 a month over your summer months. Goats or sheep or other working animals will be different number of animals, but about same income.

Horse owners will pay more, can be $150 each per month, but you will have much more work and you will be supplying a shelter and much more as you board the horses, they expect a tack room and riding area and fancy horse stall so on for their money.

Water and fencing comes out of that income, remember. Insurance as well, you can spend $1000 a year pretty easy on farm insurance.....

Where I live you could rent out the land for crop land for $250 an acre right now, that would be the big easy money, but obviously your land isn't worth that, if its not being farmed now then there is a reason.....

Market gardening is a whole lot of work, but 2-3 acres of that could be your big money maker, more than pasture or crop land. Lot of work tho.


Just many random thoughts, to get you thinking.....

Paul

[unregistered358895]

There are also some smaller farms who have started leasing small plots for private gardening. You'd have to be close to a populated area for that to work, but one nursery here leases about 50 200sqft raised beds for $50/year. The main issue they have is foot traffic... that's a lot of people to have on property. You'd have to clearly fence off and mark the areas those people have access to.

[Whisperwindkat]

Don't know what area of Alabama you are in, but I am in central Alabama and so my thoughts go more along with that area. North and Central Alabama have very different mindsets. First renting out the pasture. Pasture around here doesn't rent for much. I have friend who rents his pasture, it's about 20 acres he said and he pays the landowner 100.00 a month. He runs cow/calf pairs so he has his cows there year round which is better for the landowner vs. just a few months for feeder steers. he has a contract with the landowner that absolves the landowner from any responsibility if the stock get out and absolves the landowner of any liability should he get hurt working his cows. It is his responsibility to maintain the fences, which were good solid fences when he moved his cows in. If you aren't going t live there right away it would be something coming in but not alot and you would have to have the expense of making sure the fences were in good condition to begin with. I would not put any livestock of your own there until you plan to be living there. Chickens are relatively easy and a good starter. Dairy goats will need more than hoop house, they are much more hands on that meat goats. You will want a place for them to be alone out of the weather at kidding time. You will want someplace dry and out of the weather for milking time. In other words you need a barn, doesn't have to be fancy but suited to dairy animals will make your life much easier. What do you plan to do for a living? If you plan to market garden or a CSA check the area to see if it is something that will work. In my area CSAs are iffy and the things that sell best at the farmer's markets in the city are cakes, soaps, lotions and plants. North Alabama is a different story, folks up there are real foodies. Down here not so much and after years of beating my head against a wall with a CSA we won't be doing that anymore. Meat off the farm doesn't sell well down here either, people just don't want to pay the prices. In fact I have to drive hours now to find feeder pigs because most of the pig farmers have closed up shop because they don't have a market. So I guess some of my advice is to check your area of Alabama and see what is happening and what will work. Head to the farmer's markets and ask the farmers what things are like and where they are from. I know market farmers here head north to sell because it is a better market. Don't know much about south Alabama, don't hear much from down there so can't tell you much. My second bit of advice is to go slow. Get one thing going well before moving on to something else. Everything about farming has a learning curve and if you are trying to conquer too many learning curves at once it can and does lead to burn out. See it all the time right around me. Decide what you want from your farm and then work toward that goal, ie...do you want to make a living or simply provide for yourself. I will be glad to answer any other questions you have especially those concerning Alabama. Blessings, Kat

[Rose1317]

First things first, before investing in equipment or seed or fences: who actually owns the land? Assumptions ("it's practically mine") have a way of blowing up in one's face at the most inconvenient times. Get in writing that you have permission from the owner of deed to do anything at all to the land before spending time and $$$ on it.
Then start with one thing at a time. Research, when deciding to launch a new venture, is your friend. Plus maybe get to know the neighbors, they can usually tell you a lot about what the area may provide as resources/future customers.

[geo in mi]

Since you haven't indicated that you have a source of capital for all the buildings, tools, supplies, equipment, fertilizers, seeds, fences, excavaters, breeding stock, boots, and Absorbine liniment you'll need just to get started, your land will become your bank account. Study it to find out what it will produce for you. It will not be as simple as "throw and grow" even in the best of worlds, so study it carefully. For starters, what is it producing now and how much income--either cash, or products---does it produce? Also, remember, you can't take product off a land forever, sometime you'll have to replace the nutrients you sold in the form of a product.

Secure your water. It may, or may not, be possible to dig a pond on flat land and get water to fill it up.......... Secure your water....

My opinion. Best of luck, and buy a good pair of gloves.

geo

[rambler]

Now that I woke up a little more...

As mentioned, your grandparents own it, how many other grandchildren are there, they will all have an eye on sharing in that place..... I doubt it is really practically yours. you need to set up the paperwork to make it yours whether you rent it or make payments to own it over time, and allow you to do improvements like fencing and barn. Else those improvements become shared by everyone in your extended family, on your dime.

As well, folks will be less interested in renting from you if there is no stable, paperwork, background on you controlling the land..... I would not be inclined to drop my critters off on a property I need to maintain the fences on, and you are just squatting on the land, you have no ownership or lease of it. I would rather talk to your grandparents and write the check to them, not you.....

As well, as mentioned, old worn out pasture or hay meadow typically is very low in ph in your part of the county I think, and also is typically worn out on nutrients. You can and should easily spend $150 an acre getting it limed and bring the N,P, and K up before you plant anything, and plan on doing a maitenence level of fertilizer every other year at least. If you don't do this, folks will know, and not value your pasture very much, and you will struggle to find good reliable knowledgeable renter to work with. You have to put money into this, and plan for long term to get a little bit back over the years. Farming takes money to make money, you need to spend and invest in your farm to get anything out of it. Otherwise like was mentioned, you work on it a while, you don't get so good results, and you burn out working with weeds and poor yields, and throw in the towel....

Paul