Cultivating The Next Generation of Farmers
Rebecca Brightwell, Farm Again Co-Director
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Farming is much like any business. The profits made can relate to many factors including the size of operation and personal attributes of the business owner. Any business is subject to external factors that can make a particular year more or less profitable. For farmers, weather and the cost of labor are big factors that influence their business outcomes. Also each person will have different expectations of what an acceptable level of income is. Some people require very little income and have full and satisfied lives. Other people may have needs and wants that require a higher wage.
A recent research study we conducted through a project called AgTeen, 116 farm families in Georgia self-reported their farm income. The average annual farm income was between $50,000 - $59,000. Average total annual household income was reported between $70,000 - $89,000 (work outside of the farm supplemented income). Twenty-eight percent of the respondents were very experienced farmers and reported farm income of well over $100,000. However, these incomes may not be realistic when you first start farming.
If you are new to farming it may be best to start small and expand as your skills and confidence increase. In many areas there are mentor programs available that allow you to work directly with an experienced farmer. For instance, Georgia Organics offers a great mentor program. However, a mentor can be anyone that is an experienced farmer and willing to let you learn their trade. So find out who is successful at the type of farming you want to do and see if they will let you volunteer on their farm.
Are you ready to start exploring if farming is right for you? Here are some good first steps:
- See if you have the attributes to own a farm.
Small Business Association Readiness Assesment
Beginning Farmer Quiz
Risk Assessment for the Small Farm Owner
- Start with these great online resources on farming.
Websites:
http://nebeginningfarmers.org/online-courses/ Take Online Beginner Courses
http://sfp.ucdavis.edu/pubs/Family_Farm_Series/
Document Downloads:
Challenges New Farmers Face
Small Farm Decision Making and Enterprise Planning Workbook
Finding Land to Farm
Guide to FSA Farm Loans
- If you have a disability or chronic health condition, our solutions page will give you some ideas on adaptations that can make farming tasks easier. As a Farm Again client, we will guide you on the best solutions based on the farming operation you are considering.
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Attend agricultural fairs and workshops in your area. In Georgia, we recommend attending the Sun Belt Expo in Moultrie Georgia and the Georgia Organics Conference. Both offer a wide variety of workshops and give you the opportunity to talk to other farmers. This will help determine what commodities are currently trending for higher financial yield.
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Try to find a mentor in the commodity areas in which you are interested. Nothing beats learning directly from someone who has first hand experience,
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Go on farm tours and attend farmers markets. You will see things you will want to incorporate into your farm and different marketing strategies.
- Learn how to incorporate sustainable agricultural practices as a critical component of your farm. Sustainable agriculture, simply defined, is an approach to agriculture that focuses on producing food in a way that does not degrade the environment and contributes to the livelihood of communities. Learn more:
http://www.cias.wisc.edu/curriculum/index.htm
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/sorec/sites/default/files/Sustainable_Farming.pdf
Redirecting technology to support sustainable farm management practices (by Dr. Rains, Co-Director of Farm Again) - Once you have a vision of what your farm will look like, it is time to start the business plan process. This is the time to put your ideas to paper. You will need to determine what products you will sell, who will buy it, who your competitors are, and how you will promote the farm. It is also the critical point to look at the financials to see if it is a realistic venture for you to take. The Building a Sustainable Business guide provides information and worksheets to get you started. Also, check out our business planning tips page for some additional helpful hints.
- Farmers markets and co-ops (like this one in Athens Georgia) are a great way to sell some of your products. Agri-Toursim is also an excellent way to attract people to your farm, create customer loyalty and provide additional income.. This guide will give your some creative ideas to get started: Entertainment Farming and Agri-Tourism
- In farming you are exposed to increased safety hazards – much more than in most other occupations. Before starting your new farm, learn about safety precautions you need to take to protect yourself and your family. Here are a few guides to start with:
Check out our introductory videos on the farming equipment
HOSTA Safety Sheets (large file)
Youth Safety Training Modules
Remember, the Farm Again staff are here to help! If you are a person with a disability we can identify additional resources to make your farm accessible and possibly offset some of the start-up expenses for your new farm. So contact us to get started. If you do not live in Georgia, we can guide you to resources in your state. If you are a veteran, the great folks at Farmer Veteran Coalition are there to assist you as well.
We hope to see you farming soon!
See Randy and Jo's story as they talk about starting their farm.