Farming For Dummies: How Do I Start One??

[Delete me please]

So...here's the scoop. How do I start a farm with absolutely zero experience? No one in my family farms, virtually none of my friends farm...I live in one of the largest cities. Sure, I suppose I could read books on the subject...what to grow, how to grow it, what kind of farm to have, etc...but there has to me more...right? I can't just..."up and start farming". Any ideas/resources? How did you get into farming (besides the fact someone in your family farmed)

[Emily Lynn]

We started a small farm about 5 years ago, and a resource we found helpful was a book called the "Have More Plan". ( http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Have-More-Plan/Ed-Robinson/e/9780882660240 ) Hope that helps and that everything will go well as you try to establish a farm!
God Bless

[Ian Edwards]

Do you have any land that you are starting with? Do you want to farm for an income, to have good food for your family or both? There's no reason why you can't just start farming. I did. As to what to grow that will depend on your land and soil type to some degree but your best growing things that you'll like and want to take care of. Just some thoughts, Ian

[Kamon]

Ok man.

First thing first. Research. Farmers are stereotyped as some dumb hick plowing the back 40 losing money. That unfortunately is mostly true today. They are losing money because they let others (typically ag agents with degrees ) tell them how or what to grow.

You need to start learning how soil functions. When you understand that (as much as we humans can learn) you can influence the plant in ways 99 percent of PHD's don't even know exist.

Take for instance the fact that there are two forms of Nitrogen. The first in the form of Ammonia the second in the form of Nitrate.

My strawberries are producing right now. Ammonia the positively charged form of nitrogen starts the plant into forming flowers. Then YOU being the smart farmer can apply a foliar feed (feeding plants thru the pores in there leaves) with Ammonium Sulfate this will cause the plant to set more flowers extending the harvest. (this works with all plants, tomatoes, blackberries ect)

An acre can hold up to 12,000 strawberry plants (even more depends on spacing technique) if you increase that by helping the plant make the transition from leaf growth to fruit growth you can increase the plant production considerably.

Just think if you just gained two flowers per plant! 24,000 more strawberries. that is an increase of over a 150 gallons on that same acre, with the same strawberry plants. At an easy to fetch 10 bucks a gallon that is 1500 dollars more money! The foliar feed would cost you 10-20 bucks to make (for an acre) This is all given if you only increase by two flowers. More is possible. Also if we sold berries by the quart or pint we could easily get more money for a gallon.

We do this type of farming here.

That is just the element Nitrogen. There are a host of other just as cool. Organic, sustainable and other groups don't even know of this existance.

Don't learn how to farm. learn how to create a healthy soil. Then you plant it and watch it grow, making money doing something you love. That is not work in my book. That is fun productivity.

I have blackberry plants that are 6 feet tall and have canes up to 16 feet down the trellis. That was one year of growth from a 6 inch plant.

This is their second spring. They have 1000's of flower buds. This is 2 years ahead of what most people get.

The soil they are grown on is completely mineralized and balanced.

You can farm. Being close to a city is important for marketing. I would rather be 10-30 min from a large city than be in a secluded area 90 min from one (if I wanted to make big money)

Check out this site. If you want to farm it would profit you well to read it all.

www.highbrixgardens.com

I have several books I promote highly if you want to know of them.

I do not get on HSA alot. I can be reached at 931 704 4724.

P.S. if you want to learn how to farm one of the best ways is to start getting your hands dirty. I came from a family with no farm experiance. Start of small and learn to do it right. Expand as you :know: from experiance you can do something not from just book knowledge.

~Kamon Reynolds

P.S.S. I haven't "arrived" on just making truck loads of dough but I see it coming progressively.

[Delete me please]

[Tersaunt]

[Brystol]

The book back to the basic is really great!

[Prairie Shepherdess]

Sounds like you need to go spend the summer with Kamon! Learn from the learned, as one old rancher said.

[Farmer Boy]

read You Can Farm by Joel Salatin!!!!!

[Austin]

One clarification I need to get here - are you wanting to actually "farm" and grow produce and crops or "farm" to raise livestock and food? The beautiful thing about agriculture is anyone with the right resources and desire can make it happen and it's an industry that is only going to get better and be more profitable for those who stay in and work at it. My family has been in the cattle business for 3 generations now and are still learning how to maximize profits and really do a good job, but it's a very rewarding and exciting job to have. It also depends on what kind of scale you are planning on starting something. Do you want to just be a small hobby farmer who raises enough stuff for your family or do you want to actually make some money and continue to grow the operation? I received the "Have More Plan" book for graduation this past year and haven't had a chance to read it, but I'm sure it's a great book for small operations that just want to have something to show for their work. If you're wanting to go bigger and actually make some money, there's a TON of information and resources on the internet, through local extension agents, publications and industry professionals. I'd be glad to give you any pointers or advice if you'd be interested also.

Austin