“Can you handle the Farm Life?”
“Farm life, how hard can it be?” “Well, pretty darn hard!”
Many of you, including myself, go to the store, buy our food, clothes, and other products but, how many of you think about what it took to get these items we take for granted to the stores we shop at? Where do they come from?
What does it take to be a Farmer/Rancher?
At one time, becoming a farmer or rancher was something you naturally inherited from your own family. Your Mom and Dad did it and now you do it.
That has changed drastically over the years. Children of previous times worked the farm, went to school to learn the three “R’s” and then worked the farm for the rest of their lives.
As time’s have progressed, many farm and ranch children went on to college and became career professionals in a field other than agriculture leaving a shortage of people to run and own farms.
In the last 10 years or so there has been a movement of individuals wanting to leave the hectic and stressful busy modern work life and become farmers. This movement has many different names. Homesteaders, Modern Homesteaders, Off-Grid Farming, Free-Range Farmers, Back-to-Basics Farming.
“Whatever name you want to call it, it’s still farming and you can become a farmer too!”
What it takes is long hours, 7 days a week, and sparse income from your work. The one thing you do get is the satisfaction and rewards gained from working the land yourself.
Unlike your modern job, you don’t get many days off. Someone needs to feed animals, pull weeds, water plants, till the soil, and make sure livestock is safe and medically cared for.
The farm or ranch doesn’t take a vacation, it may slow down depending on the season but something always needs to be done.
What’s The Plan?
You can’t just stop what you’re doing and jump into the ‘Farm-Life’, it takes months and sometimes years of planning to get from the city to the farm or ranch.
“If you don’t plan, you will fail”
Just like starting any new business, you need a business plan or a plan of action to help you successfully accomplish your goals.
First, you need to know something about the path you choose.
“What part of the agricultural field do you want to be in?”
Do you know anything about ‘Animal Husbandry?’ (The science of breeding and caring for farm animals)
How about, ‘Horticulture?’ (The art of cultivating plants in gardens to produce food)
One of my favorite things to do is watch and learn from others on “YouTube”. There are many YouTube farmers to follow that have great tips and advice. One such family is “Off Grid with Doug and Stacy.” Everything you would want to know about moving from the city to working and living on a farm. Gardening, caring for livestock, Creating side Income, and Bee-Keeping. Do some research and you’ll find more.
YouTube Video From “Off Grid with Doug and Stacy”
There are several things you can do while planning your great escape from the rat race. Think about doing ‘Urban Farming’.
Urban Farming Video
This is something you can do in your own backyard considering you have a backyard. If not, consider leasing a small plot of land, even a half-acre of land can produce a great deal of produce. Raising chickens on a small section of land can also create a small income from the selling of eggs.
(Before leasing any land or creating a mini-farm in your yard, check for zoning restrictions)
Read Books and Do Research
There are many great books and videos on creating an agricultural lifestyle and living the farm life. Here are a few of my favorite books on the subject.
(We do not receive a commission on our links. They are for informational use only)
The Self-Sufficient Life and how to live it-By John Seymour
Books By Joe Salatin-Family Friendly Farming, Pastured Poultry Profits, and many more.
And here is a link to Joe Salatin’s website. “Polyface Farm”.
And of course, the links to “Off Grid with Doug and Stacy” are above.
Written By Farm Guy
Visit C&L Farm
If you would like to come and visit our working farm, please use our contact form to make an appointment. We would be happy to show you around and give you any pointers we can.
“Bring the whole family!”
Image Credits
Farmers Gothic Image by Speedy McVroom from Pixabay
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