A new begining. I am farm bound.

Yvonne's hubby · #41 04/02/11, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Dolittle

Fyi past tense of the verb to lead is led ...

Well, a feller can also feel lead..... if he gets caught by the wrong feller... and it smarts a good bit getting it picked outta ones backside.

thestartupman · #42 04/02/11, 11:29 PM

Johnny, I sent you a PM, I hope you don't mind.

Johnny Dolittle · #43 04/02/11, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thestartupman

Johnny, I sent you a PM, I hope you don't mind.

Thanks ....

Really there are two divergent doctrines .... and the other one suggests that you never know by any outward or inward signs that you are being led !

Johnny Dolittle · #44 04/02/11, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvonne's hubby

Well, a feller can also feel lead..... if he gets caught by the wrong feller... and it smarts a good bit getting it picked outta ones backside.

are you speaking from experience?:happy0035:

thestartupman · #45 04/02/11, 11:46 PM

Yvonne's hubby, I have looked some in KY, but never seem to find the right kind of property at the right price.

NEUrbanHmstdr · #46 04/03/11, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thestartupman

Lamoncha, my plan is to buy somewhere between 40-80 acres. I want it to have at least 20 acres of timber, and the rest pasture. I would prefer it have some kind of residents on it to start with, but then plan to put 2-3 cabins on the property to rent as a farm stay. I plan to raise grass fed beef, I will also have chickens, for both eggs, and meat. Hogs will be something I will think about later. We might have a few lambs, but this will be more for the entertainment of children on the farm. Our main goal will be to be as self sufficient as possible. I plan to work on the farm taking care of the place, and cleaning cabins, and making sure our guest learn the things they have come to learn about. My wife may work off the farm, but we will have to see.

One quick question I had, which you may have gone into elsewhere; how much prior experience in farming, animal husbandry et cetera do you and your wife have? If none have you guys considered working for a couple of years under a farmer where you are now to learn the ropes or doing so once you get there? I'm sure you could bootstrap yourself with some good books on the topic if you had to but with so many nuances in these things some good hands on experience under a well trained mentor would probably be faster and cheaper.

thestartupman · #47 04/03/11, 09:14 AM

I spent several years working on good sized dairy farms. I lived in the country around different animals my whole life. My family and I have raised a few beef. I have had hens around for quite some time. That is the reason I will be starting off with Beef, and chickens. I do have plans for more types of animals, but that will be introduced slowly. Oh, and I have read more books and blogs over the last 8 years than I can even begin to count. We have stayed at several Farm Stays over the last few years also. I know these experiences do not cover everything, but I have to get started sometime.

NEUrbanHmstdr · #48 04/03/11, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thestartupman

I spent several years working on good sized dairy farms. I lived in the country around different animals my whole life. My family and I have raised a few beef. I have had hens around for quite some time. That is the reason I will be starting off with Beef, and chickens. I do have plans for more types of animals, but that will be introduced slowly. Oh, and I have read more books and blogs over the last 8 years than I can even begin to count. We have stayed at several Farm Stays over the last few years also. I know these experiences do not cover everything, but I have to get started sometime.

That sounds good actually! As someone with years of reading about doing these sorts of things I am enjoying the lessons of putting that into practice for the first time. Sounds like you've already got those steps out of the way!

salmonslayer · #49 04/03/11, 12:15 PM

thestartupman, we did essentially what you did last year. Between the Mrs and I we were taking home in the 6 figures and the wife was up for a promotion when we sold everything but the tools and personal items and moved from Alaska to Missouri to a run down old farm.

We dont regret a minute of it. Yesterday it was about 72º and sunny and after a morning spent helping a neighbor get their truck running, hauling some hay, and doing a little fencing, we sat in our orchard that is just beginning to bloom and contemplated next weeks schedule of planting and other projects.

We got a lot of questions from family and friends, some snide comments, and many doubting Thomas' questioned our sanity and ability to succeed since neither of us had ever lived on a farm before. I am glad we didnt wait.

Best of luck and there is no need to even look back.

thestartupman · #50 04/03/11, 04:39 PM

Salmon Slayer, it is really good to hear that you are enjoying the move, and not regretting it. I understand about all the questions of family and friends. I understand what its like leaving well paying jobs also. I just walked away from a pretty big wag increase myself. What part of MO are you in?

EasyDay · #51 04/03/11, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65284

If you feel lead.......it has already gone wrong.

I guess dolittle didn't get it!

It has always been my intention for "the other guy" to feel lead before I do!

EasyDay · #52 04/03/11, 05:24 PM

Hi, startupman!

I did what you describe about 6 years ago. Walked away from a WELL-paying job and moved to 80 acres that I'd been paying on for several years before that. During the last 2-3 years of my corporate days, I got busy downsizing and paying everything off. Moved here debt-free and mortgage-free. I now live off of my measly military retirement pay... but, you know, I don't even spent all of it each month! It can be done. Attitude is everything!

Regarding fault lines: every place has it's downside, whether it's earthquakes, tornadoes (me!), hard winters, volcanoes, or flood zones. I easily tolerate living near the New Madrid fault because my family has been here for over 100 years, and I moved back here to AR to carry on. Good to know and understand any probabilities associated with the area, but I wouldn't dwell on it unless it's a "common" problem.

Regarding experience: You have more experience than many. You'll learn as you go about what works best for you and yours. Set your priorities, research what you can (HT animal forums are great), and never be afraid to try something that might just work! As a perfectionist by nature, I learned that most times, "good enough" is perfect! (IOW: the cattle don't care that the fenceline isn't exactly straight, etc.). It's a given that your animals won't read the books about how they're supposed to behave, so they just "do". So that's how I operate... how MY animals behave determines what I do.

The people at my job thought I was flat-out on a limb somewhere... totally lost my marbles! I admit, my final year there I was getting antsy. Once I put in my notice to quit my position, the real nerves started... point of no return. But, I felt it was right... it's in my farmer-blood.

I'm thrilled for you! You seem to have the gumption, the support of your spouse, and the faith that it takes to make this leap. It's a win-win! GO FOR IT! and never look back. You won't be sorry!

thestartupman · #53 04/03/11, 08:37 PM

Easyday, thanks for the encouragement. I too have down sized everything over the last couple of years. All I have left is the house, that will be paid off when I get it sold, and my one car that I am waiting to pay off until it sells just to keep the paperwork easier to do. I plan to pay off the farm with my equity, and buy out money, and never have debt again.

EasyDay · #54 04/03/11, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thestartupman

Easyday, thanks for the encouragement. I too have down sized everything over the last couple of years. All I have left is the house, that will be paid off when I get it sold, and my one car that I am waiting to pay off until it sells just to keep the paperwork easier to do. I plan to pay off the farm with my equity, and buy out money, and never have debt again.

WOO HOO!
THAT is freedom! And it feels great!

salmonslayer · #55 04/03/11, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thestartupman

Salmon Slayer, it is really good to hear that you are enjoying the move, and not regretting it. I understand about all the questions of family and friends. I understand what its like leaving well paying jobs also. I just walked away from a pretty big wag increase myself. What part of MO are you in?

We are in south central, heart of the Ozarks and we really like it. Today we did some fencing, built our Asparagus bed, responded to a vehicle roll over with the Fire Dept, and sat out in the sun enjoying our place. Several people we have come to know drove by and beeped and waved, and two people stopped to chat. Then we fed the calf, the birds, and the fish and made a nice dinner....the only stress was I couldnt find the salt!!

tnokie · #56 04/03/11, 10:01 PM

Check out Okla as you come thru! Its got a lot of nice places and different areas to live. From desert to almost mountains,from wet to dry. Land is pretty reasonable and bargains can be found. The area I am from is going thru ruff economic times but there are a lot of old family farms going on the market and most can be brought back to productive life with just a little hard work and guts and will power. Thats the eastern part. Check it out. Lots of fishing water,hunting land and still not overly crowded like here in Tn.

bugstabber · #57 04/03/11, 10:49 PM

Best of luck to you!

braggscowboy · #58 04/03/11, 11:42 PM

I second the eastern Okla. Check it out! You will love it and who would not want to be an "Okie". Or an "Okie from Muskogee"?

chancehayden · #59 04/04/11, 03:27 PM

Farming is the future. 100 years ago when 90% of us were farmers it was the future. 100 years from now when Monsanto owns every gene of every known edible it will still be the future. I think you made a wise choice. Check out permaculture and some of its principles. If there were a fork in the road of agriculture and one way was Monsanto's way, the other way would be permaculture.

volleypc · #60 04/04/11, 04:07 PM

I did a similiar thing back in 2008. I took 2009 off and hiked the Appalachian Trail. I will share with you something I learned from the trail. You start off packing everything you want to take with you on the journey and then you find out that not only can you not carry it all, but it will not even fit into your backpack. So you weed out items till you just have the items that you feel are absolutely required for the trip. You strap it to your back and take off hiking the mountains of Georgia. Well after a couple of days in the mountains carrying a 50lb pack you realize there are still alot of things in your pack that you don't really need. So then you really get to the things you need for your trip. It was a great lesson on wants vs needs. Anyway, when I got back I moved to Mississippi, took a job I love, and have started a small farm. I have really enjoyed working normal hours with a normal stress level and being able to spend my free time planting trees, etc. It is hot and humid here but the people are great (friendly, helpful, and hardworking), being in zone 7 I am still able to grow many fruits I would not be able to grow further north, and the winters aren't to tough on me or my future livestock. Good luck on your journey.. travel light.