Big question, I know, but, how do I start a farm?

Question

I know nothing about farming, but always thought it would be awesome to have a small farm with cows, chickens, pigs, corn and different veggies; however I have no clue how to get started...any farmers out there with some ideas?

Answer 1

How to make a small fortune by farming?  Start with a large fortune.   Quite a few folks have hobby farms that don't provide a living but can help beat the cost of living.  There are dozens of publications dedicated to the small farm owner.  They are loaded with tips and ideas for gardening and animal husbandry.  American Small Farm, Small Farm Today, Mother Earth News, and the Foxfire Books are a few.  All good sources of info for you.  

Answer 2

The best way is to work for a farmer for a while.  They do not have a simple or easy life.  Find out what you are getting into before spending your money.

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Answer 3

If you are looking for something to make a little extra money, do something else. Your chances are better at the casino.

If you are serious about getting back to nature I am all for it. I was raised on a farm and just can't get away from it and don't want to. No, I don't make any money, I work a "regular" job also.

First thing, you will need fences. What kind of fence depends upon your livestock. For cows, just a few strands of barbed wire will suffice. If you will run your pigs over the entire area, you will need field wire fencing. That is a net type wire. If you want range chickens to run the area, you will need smaller netting on the wire and a taller fence.

I don't know how large your area is but most likely you will keep the chickens in one area, build a pen for the pigs, and another large area for the cows.

Next thing will be shelter for the various animals. They all have different needs and do not always get along together in the same area.

Another thing to consider is what they will eat. Grass and hay for the cows, grain for the chickens and the hogs will eat almost anything. Chickens will also dig up and eat the seeds from the garden.

You might also consider goats for the pasture with the cows. They will help keep it cleaner because they eat things the cows won't touch, like brush, weeds, etc. Goats will require an extra good fence like the net wire mentioned above.

Lots more information is available at the county extension office and at many more places. Go to a place that sells animal feed and ask them who the farmers are in the area and go talk to them. If you are in an area where land is zoned, check with your local regulations to see if animals are allowed.

I would be glad to offer more details and info if you have more questions.

Answer 4

You do not say how old you are, where do you live and how much land you would like for your farm. If you are born and raised a city girl, you have no idea what you  are getting yourself into. Having a farm is very hard work and it is a 24/7 job,.

You need so much land per cow, fed for the chock's , cows have to be milked twice a day, if you have chicken you need to protect them from wolf and fox, pigs, well one can grow to be the as big as a barn. Then you have to tend to your crop,  it is a very hard life but then again I have not been on the farm for many years but I was raised on one with 240 cows and pigs -goats-chickens-bulls-and alot of crop which needed to be attended to.

You can go to local council and ask them for some information. I would go out into the country and look around and see and talk to some farmers.

If you just want5-10 acerage for a hobby or something, that is another story, but even that is alot of work.

Look into all the information you can before you go and spend money on something which will put you into financial trouble. Good Luck

Answer 5

good idea  Time is a factor a farm takes all. I would start with foul likechickens  ducks. cows costs  $500 1 calf and you don't know if its heathey see chancy.

Answer 6

I'd suggest you start with ONE type of animal and a small truck garden.... one animal, like chickens, so you get the idea of what's involved... build a hen house, get an incubator, raise a few chicks.... get to know your vet.... start a garden with maybe a quarter acre sized patch... learn what needs there are in your soil by getting it tested at the County Extension office... and get to know those folks real well!... they'll have the best info for your new idea...go thru a season or two with the truck garden, get to know what bugs try to eat it all first, how to deal with them, what to do at harvest time *freeze or canning*.... clean it all up , rest thru the winter and start again next spring.... by then you'll be ready to consider building a barn and maybe getting a pony.... or a steer for meat.... don't fall in love with the steer!!!.... go slow... this idea costs money, doesn't pay well other than satisfaction at the end of the day.... one thing at a time and you can build up to a nice little hobby farm..... just stay within your finances.... and be insured!!!.... one good storm can end it all.........and, have fun out there!!.... even with all the work, there's delight in it.... and if you can see it, you'll continue and love it......

Answer 7

First of all you ned to be financially viable. Secondly you need to have finance to spare. Then you need experience of agriculture. Cows you need to understand their problems. For chickens there are all sorts of deceases, Pigs when all is well it's fine , but there is Swine fever. Corn there is the cost of Ploughing, harrowing, again and again maybe, before you can drill the corn seed. Then there is the fertilisation, X 3 in any season, the cost of harvesting, drying, and storage. As for veggies, the same system applies, ploughing, harrowing, Setting out the rows, and drillin the seed, after that consider the fertiliser and weeding, and all that before you harvest. Phew, it's hard work.    

Answer 8

I think  it's awesome that you want to do that  . I would agree that helping someone that is doing  the sort of thing you are wanting to do is a good idea. but small homestead hobby type farming is not  the same as what are huge farm is doing , they are more or less a manufacturing  company  , long hard hours trying to get as much as they can  done and make a profit . I would suggest lots of reading to learn about such things from those who actually live and breath   what you are looking to do . search the internet for folks like jackie clay  or look at the links below , all very kewl and very informative . Knowledge is power .