Farmer Wanna Be

[Thewife]

I wouldn't mind a small commute. I just told my husband yesterday we would need 5-10 acres. Now I'm going to tell him "No, honey. Now we need 20 acres." You guys better not suggest anymore or you guys are going to get me in trouble. Hahaha. Any excuse to have a bigger farm. "But they said it would be better if we went bigger! They are farm people, they should know!."

Welcome to the board Soybean!

I hate to say it, but once you start, you will always want more!
Here's how I do it! If I want a few more of something, I tell the Hubby I want double that number, then that few I really want, don't look seem bad!

 

[Soybean]

Oh I know. Thats how I was with my snakes. I started with one snake. Then I wanted two more, then another, and another. I now keep 12 snakes and still want more. I can't wait till we can have a farm.

 

[wynedot55]

youll need a barn an a corral.as said you can milk in the barn.an you can also store hay in the barn.unless you use round bales.an those can be stored outside.

 

[Thewife]

Oh I know. Thats how I was with my snakes. I started with one snake. Then I wanted two more, then another, and another. I now keep 12 snakes and still want more. I can't wait till we can have a farm.

I love snakes!
What kind if snakes do you have?

 

[Soybean]

I have 9 ball pythons, many that are different morphs (pastels, spider, pinstripe, ect). I also have 2 corn snakes (one snow female and a hypo male) and 1 normal female columbian red tail boa. They are my babies.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

Snakes are pretty neat.

Yeah I agree with everyone else if you're going to buy 20 or even 30 acres you can't be afraid to commute. Heck were I live, the closest town with a good store for livestock and farm supplies is from a 15 minutes drive to a 30 minutes drive away. The nearest city is an hour and a half's drive away.

Besides, if you're looking to purchase some land in a few years, even if it has to be up to 7 years, by that time you may have generated enough income to purchase a piece. You may end up just starting with 5 acres of land, and by the time you've decided you've saved up enough and wish to expand you might find another piece of land that's a bit bigger than your first acreage and go buy that. I mean, the possibilities are endless.

Heck look at me, as soon as I finish my schooling I want to get back to farming too. And since my folks already have a farm, looking for land for me to start is not a problem. Unless of course something comes up and I change my mind and decide to purchase some land somewheres else. But there's always the possibility that that won't happen, and I'd still have 360 acres (2 quarter sections) to work with to raise cattle on, with a lot of elbow grease in fixing fence, putting new fence in, seeding new pastures, etc. Quite frankly I'm kinda looking forward to the work ahead!

Cattle would need shelter during the winter months. The dairy breeds are more susceptible to the cold than the thicker-skinned beef breeds, so a barn and maybe a lean-to shed is necessary. And of course you can't have livestock without fences; fence requirements between goats and cattle are a bit different.

Unless you haven't already, I'd start collecting books on raising livestock; Storey's Guide to Raising [Cattle, Goats, Ducks, Sheep, Chickens, Llamas, Horses, Turkeys, etc.] are highly recommended sources to get your hands on before you dive into becoming a farmer. Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle is like a bible to me, a GREAT book for anyone wanting to get started in cattle. It doesn't carry dairy so much, but I'm sure that Storey's Publishing carries books on learning to raise dairy cattle.

And that's my two cents of the day.

 

[Soybean]

Commuting wouldn't be a problem for me. It is my husband I worry about. He's not so much into the homesteading thing. He's used to the suburbs and wants to be a surgeon. I would be a stay at home mom (when we have kids) and work on the farm. He has 3 years left of his four year college and then med school.

I thank you all for all the info and answers.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

He may not be now, but I've heard stories of people who were never into homesteading or farming ending up enjoying it more than they'd ever imagined. So don't count on him being like the surbanite he is forever.

 

[kstaven]

I married a california girl. Born and raised in L.A. Within two years of us getting married we where on the farm and now she wouldn't move to a city for anything.

I know many who have been through this type of transition and they all went through a 6 month transition period feeling very isolated.

Just wish we would have gone after that extra 100 acres when we bought!!!

Cow and calf on an acre here is not a problem. 40 minute drive from here and you would need 3 acres.

If you are going to have goats then you would really want part of the land to be heavy in brush so they can browse.

 

[m.holloway]

Hey again, This is our garden that has come up and doing well so far. the other plants are still in the green house growing. Not ready for the ground yet.

It's corn, pole beans, squash, cabbage, cucumbers,