The dream of living off the land, plowing the land, as well as growing your own crops and establishing a connection with nature are desires that many people have. If you didn't grow up in a farming environment, you can easily imagine the romance of a farmer's life: you find it meditative, relaxed, and away from the noise of “urban life”. However, actually farming is not that easy: not everyone is suitable to be a farmer. Some farmers even argued that there was a big difference between someone who could only farm and a real farmer. So, consider your personality, purpose in life, and strengths to determine if you are fit to be a farmer or not.
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Part 1 of 4: Checking Your Personality
Step 1. Consider why you want to become a farmer
Farming requires hard work, extensive knowledge and upfront investment. You have to be an entrepreneur, a small business owner, a scientist, as well as a manual laborer. Even if you get everything right, there are still some things that can't be predicted: natural disasters like floods or droughts can kill all crops, pests may eat up crops, and crop prices can change drastically.
Farming usually takes more time than regular office work. Farming should be the life you live, unless you just want to maintain a very small farm or a large garden as a hobby
Step 2. Think about your priorities
Ask some questions about what you want out of life. What life goals do you have for yourself? Are those goals concrete, such as the amount of annual income you want, or so that you can spend time with your family? Are the goals more abstract, such as a certain state in life or a feeling of satisfaction?
Consider what you can and cannot afford. What do you need to achieve your goals, and what do you want to do to achieve them?
Step 3. Consider whether your personality is suitable for farming
Farming can provide a life of freedom and bond with your farm, but the responsibilities are also great. Knowing how you respond to various situations that may occur will help determine if farming is right for you.
- Would you feel comfortable being responsible alone for a large-scale business? The success of many small farms rests entirely on the owner. As a farmer, you are responsible for day-to-day activities as well as long-term planning. You have to make a lot of decisions when your farm is in a difficult situation.
- Are you ready to accept the uncertainty and variety in life? Farmer's life was full of uncertainty, and the probability of failure was high. In fact, you may still be breaking even for several years, with no profit at all. Due to the difficulties, the number of farmers in America is expected to decrease by 19% in the period 2012-2022.
- Are you a creative problem solver? Farming will bring a lot of problems, and you must be able to imagine to think of creative solutions.
- Are you someone who is patient? The learning curve in farming is very steep, you will make a lot of mistakes when you are just starting out. You also need a long time, even years, for your farm to really succeed, so you need to be able to work towards long-term prospects.
Step 4. List your strengths and weaknesses
Be honest with yourself. What are you capable of doing well? What are your weak points?
- Are you great at functioning as an accountant and report taker? To keep your farm operating, you need to be able to calculate risk margins, record sales and purchases, and manage profits.
- Are you able to work hard? Farming will require a heavy hand as a manual laborer, even if you have modern equipment like a tractor. You have to be fit and healthy to be a farmer.
- Do you have enough money to invest in agriculture? Starting a small farm requires a large amount of capital. You have to buy the materials and equipment. You'll also have to buy land, or work with land leases (this is usually not profitable because you don't have full control over your farm).
- Are you able to learn quickly? You have to absorb a lot of information and keep abreast of trends and techniques if you want to be successful in farming.
- Are you suffering from any significant medical problems? Insurance costs may seem expensive if you are self-employed. If you have chronic health problems or need a lot of prescription medications, farming may not be a suitable solution for your health care.
Step 5. Determine if you can meet the challenges of the small farm economy
Small-scale farming is well-known as a business that makes very little money, and 91% of them need additional income (eg through other work or government and foundation donations) to keep going. If you're looking to collect your retirement money or send your kids to university, farming might not be for you.
In the US, the average farm income in 2012 was -$1,453. This means that most small US farms lose nearly $20,000 a year
Part 2 of 4: Learning Is Farming Right for You
Step 1. Visit farm sites
In order to make the decision that determines whether you will become a farmer or not, gather as much information as possible on the necessary matters. Here are some examples of farming sites you can look at (in English):
- Farm Aid is a non-profit organization that provides information and learning resources about farming. They also have a learning center specifically for people who want to start farming.
- The National Young Farmers Coalition provides information and resources specifically for budding growers.
- The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, an offshoot of the USDA, runs a project called Start2Farm, which offers a wealth of information on starting a farm, finding funding, and locating public services.
Step 2. Contact local cooperative offices in your area
If you live near a university, you may want to visit its community empowerment office. Offices like this are useful to serve the needs of SME owners and agricultural businesses. They provide many learning resources about farming and agriculture, and often hold training classes and seminars.
Step 3. Talk to the farmer
There's nothing better than talking face-to-face with real farmers to learn about their lives and experiences. If there is a farm market near where you live, visit and learn about the goods the farmers sell there. Ask them what they love and hate about their job.
- If you have a farm in your area, contact the farm to make an appointment. Although farmers are usually very busy, they also really like their work. They may be happy to meet you.
- You can also visit online forums to ask questions and learn from farmers. However, you better meet them in person.
Step 4. Apply to volunteer on a farm
If you're serious about becoming a farmer, volunteering is a great way to learn and find out if the lifestyle is really right for you – especially before you make a big investment. Organizations such as World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms in the US connect organic farms with volunteers (for a small fee). In addition, many local farms usually offer volunteer programs.
Step 5. Look for farms that accept “interns” or run an “apprentice”/discipleship program in your area
Many of these programs will offer study space as well as a small fee to pay for your efforts. Experts suggest that you spend about three to four years studying if you are really serious about starting your own farm.
Part 3 of 4: Start As a Farmer
Step 1. Decide which plants you will grow
Thinking about the type of plant you'll be growing can be difficult, but there are actually a few ways to narrow down this choice. Most of the agricultural crops grown in Indonesia are grains, such as wheat, corn and soybeans. If you live in an area where there is a demand for organic vegetables, you can grow them, as they are also one of the fastest growing varieties in Indonesia. There are many resources that can help you learn to determine the best types of plants for you and your area.
- In the US, the New England Small Farm Institute provides many useful links to help you do your research on crop planning.
- The National Agriculture Library is also a good information resource for studying regional crops.
- Contacting the department of agriculture in your province will help determine specific information about planning crops in your area.
Step 2. Find land for farming
Most novice farmers cannot afford to buy their own land, at least in the early stages. In addition, 80% of American farms are controlled by non-farmers. The majority of experts advise novice farmers to "start slowly" by managing someone else's farm first, leasing farmland (from a private or government owner), or taking over someone else's farm (better if the farm is already profitable).
- Word of mouth is still the best marketing to find information about agricultural land. Develop your farming network and do research.
- Resources such as "Farm Link Program Directory", "Farm On", and "Farmland Information Center" can help you find farms to take over or need a manager.
Step 3. Be honest about potential locations
You may have to relocate to find fertile, affordable farmland. You may fantasize about owning farmland in a posh area, but know these areas are also wanted by many people and so they are very expensive. Look for farmland in an area that has a large enough population (to have buyers), but not so much that your farm is hard to price.
If you live in the US, Modern Farmer recommends areas such as Lincoln, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; Boise, Idaho; Mobile, Alabama; and Grand Junction, Colorado as potential sites. These places are close to populated areas, but not so expensive that you can't afford them
Step 4. Collect capital
There are many grant and loan programs available to budding farmers in the US, including government-guaranteed loans from the USDA. Many of these programs vary by state, so do some research by starting online, for example at FarmAid or Start2Farm.
The Farm Service Agency Beginning Farmer Loan Program, the National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs, Farm Credit Services of America, and the American Farmland Trust are good places to start your fundraising
Step 5. Limit early development
One way to control start-up costs and limit the risk of failure is to start small and develop the farm gradually. You don't need a lot of expensive equipment to start farming. Your initial focus should be on the soil and the product.
Step 6. Grow what you know
While you can experiment, when you first start, build on what you already know. If you have studied in a berry farm, grow berries. If you learn to manage pigs, raise pigs. You can diversify later on, but start with areas you already know and are good at to keep your farm running smoothly.
Step 7. Promote your product
Private and community networks will be great ways to promote agricultural products, but fortunately, you can also take advantage of other marketing options. Pass out coupons in the local paper, set up a "pick your own" event, or even call restaurants in your area to see if they'd like to buy your products.
Market yourself massively through Facebook and Twitter. Share photos of your beautiful farm and crops on Flickr and Instagram. Create an inspirational Pinterest account. While all these social media tactics may seem unrelated to farming, they are actually very useful for instilling public awareness of your agriculture. Plus, usually all of this media is free
Step 8. Become a member of CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
These associations are generally organizations that connect people in one area, who want to buy local produce from the farmers who grow them. Often times, people will buy products in "crate" at a subscription price. All you have to do is send in whatever fresh produce you're growing at the time. Apart from increasing sales, this is a good method of promoting word of mouth agriculture.
Step 9. Consider agricultural tourism
While this strategy may seem to "harm" you, many city dwellers actually want to learn about agriculture and are willing to get dirty (just a little). Consider promoting farm tours and gardening classes. You can even advertise your farm as a wedding location. Making the most of every possible source of income will help your business stay afloat, even if your crops aren't great for a year.
Wedding budgets generally provide good news for farmers. Many brides and wedding planners are prepared to spend huge sums of money to get married in a beautiful rural area. The cost of renting a place on your farm can amount to tens of millions of rupiah. These costs will certainly contribute significantly to your annual income
Part 4 of 4: Think like a Farmer
Step 1. Keep learning every day
Knowing how to grow crops and raise livestock is only the first step. Even after you've learned the basics, continue to research new techniques and opportunities. Always try to learn from other farmers. Don't be complacent.
- Rely only on those who are experienced and have real-life knowledge of farming and tending/breeding livestock or crops for the information and knowledge you need.
- You must also learn from the mistakes of yourself and others. There is a common saying among airplane and fighter pilots, which is good for all farmers to remember: "Learn from the mistakes of others, for you will not live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself."
Step 2. Get involved in the community
Strong connections with the community are essential to running a successful farm. Developing good relationships with the community means you will also develop a support network.
You can't market your products or sell livestock/plants if you can't or don't know how to communicate, network, or talk to other people in the community. Make friends, meet new people and business partners through agricultural events, be it farm equipment mechanics, local butchers, warehouse marketers, potential buyers, other farmers, or various traders
Step 3. Appreciate what you have
Most of the peasants were not rich and had a lot of money to spend on "toys" and other luxury items usually owned by others. However, farming offers opportunities to think creatively and maximally, be your own boss, and feel proud after you've worked hard. Many farmers say they love the feeling of independence they get from farming and can't imagine doing anything else in life.
- Don't believe that you have to have all the latest equipment to be a farmer. New farmers usually think that they have to spend money to buy things that are not needed. Ask experienced farmers who are already successful.
- However, don't be afraid to develop assets to improve agriculture. There is a clear line between taking advantage of what you have and spending money to get what you need (not just want) for your farm.
Step 4. Prepare to be a versatile person
You have to be a welder, mechanic, electrician, chemist, carpenter, builder, accountant, veterinarian, entrepreneur, marketing expert, even an economist. Make sure you know how to put yourself in situations that require a certain skill.
If you don't have all of these skills, find someone who will teach you them! This is where your involvement in the community will come in handy
Step 5. Value your farm
As a farmer, your success depends not only on your hard work and ability, but also on the state of the soil, animals and natural forces with which you interact. Love your farm for what it is, and don't try to turn it into something else. Developing a deep appreciation of the entire agricultural ecosystem will help you to understand it better.
- Where you live will determine what bad weather is likely to be and whether you'll be able to raise certain livestock successfully.
- Appreciate your farm equipment too. These machines are not toys, don't mistreat them. Understand that these equipment are powerful machines that can injure or kill if not used properly, and follow all applicable safety procedures at all times.
Step 6. Love and be proud of what you do
As a farmer, you grow food for others who can't do it yourself because of limited time, space, or life choices. Unlike others, you get to experience rural life to its fullest: the good, the bad, and the hard work. In the US, only 2% of the population is actively farming. In Canada, this number is about 5%. Therefore, be proud if you can be part of the minority who provide food for others.
Tips
- Qualities such as hard work, responsibility, creativity, flexibility, intuition, and the ability to learn are important things in a farmer.
- Never be afraid to ask for help. No one starts life knowing everything about farming – even those who are born on the farm. It's better to ask for advice than to make the wrong decision and fail.
