Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
It's not like we're out plowing with a mule and a plow blade, or hand seeding!
Computers and very sophisticated machinery (some of which is quite cushy) are a part of most of our daily lives.
Maybe, but you still have to operate the machinery. You sound like a farmer - is it really a sedentary job these days? Many of the articles I've read say that young people are put off by the idea of farming because it is a manual labor intensive life.
Maybe, but you still have to operate the machinery. You sound like a farmer - is it really a sedentary job these days? Many of the articles I've read say that young people are put off by the idea of farming because it is a manual labor intensive life.
Grain farming is not a labor-intensive job by any means in this day and age. It does require some long hours on large operations, but hard physical labor? Nah. And really you're actually "working" a few weeks out of the year, and spending the rest of your time planning for the next harvest/planting season (and counting your money).
Livestock farming is much more labor intensive, but on all but the smallest operations it's a hired hand or day laborer doing the "grunt" work rather than the farmer himself.
Trust me, we're not in danger of running out of farmers. In my area there are dozens of young guys biding their time working in a factory or repair shop or doing day work for one or more bigger farmers until one of the old guys retires or dies off so they can have a shot at renting that land and going to work for themselves.
It is because farming doesn't pay. This whole sustainable craze is based on a myth. There are a TON of people who farm but they have jobs outside the farm. Competition is fierce. One local hippie market kicked out some Amish (dirt cheap products) because they were afraid of the competition. I get a chuckle out of the people who think if they say their stuff is permaculture it will sell. No. People buy cheap.
It is because farming doesn't pay. This whole sustainable craze is based on a myth. There are a TON of people who farm but they have jobs outside the farm. Competition is fierce. One local hippie market kicked out some Amish (dirt cheap products) because they were afraid of the competition. I get a chuckle out of the people who think if they say their stuff is permaculture it will sell. No. People buy cheap.
I blame Portland for this mess.
That's the only thing stopping me, really. I'd love to tell everyone in this god-forsaken city to eat something and die and move out away from the traffic and just tend my land, but in order to "make it big" in farming or ranching you pretty much have to write a book (that people want to buy) about starting a small organic farm and how easy it is, when in fact starting a small organic farm is an enormous risk that will probably result in an increase in your workload by at least a factor of two and a reduction in your income of at least 50% (depending on what you are currently doing, of course, but if you're in a position to buy land then moving to farming probably means making a lot less money).
That's the only thing stopping me, really. I'd love to tell everyone in this god-forsaken city to eat something and die and move out away from the traffic and just tend my land, but in order to "make it big" in farming or ranching you pretty much have to write a book (that people want to buy) about starting a small organic farm and how easy it is, when in fact starting a small organic farm is an enormous risk that will probably result in an increase in your workload by at least a factor of two and a reduction in your income of at least 50% (depending on what you are currently doing, of course, but if you're in a position to buy land then moving to farming probably means making a lot less money).
I got a laugh out of your.................."write a book"......., but you nailed it.
There was an organic couple near me who put on seminars on how to make a living on a small farm
They said they were proof it could be done.
He was drawing a military officer's retirement plus SS from a post military job
She was drawing a state retirement from being a college instructor
It is because farming doesn't pay. This whole sustainable craze is based on a myth. There are a TON of people who farm but they have jobs outside the farm. Competition is fierce. One local hippie market kicked out some Amish (dirt cheap products) because they were afraid of the competition. I get a chuckle out of the people who think if they say their stuff is permaculture it will sell. No. People buy cheap.
I blame Portland for this mess.
I see many new farms start-up every year, new farmer's markets open every year.
I know at least 8 farms who willingly drive bread vans 4 hours to get down to the Portland markets every week. Folks come up from Boston to pay really high prices for the produce. [high as compared to around here].
It may not 'pay', your not going to become wealthy doing it. But you certainly can support a family.
... starting a small organic farm is an enormous risk that will probably result in an increase in your workload by at least a factor of two and a reduction in your income of at least 50%
Good point, it might only be possibly on Low Cost areas.
...
It basically says that a high percentage of new farmers in America are likely to be women or minorities.
It also mentions the microloan program through the Dept of Ag, and farming internships as a route.
It's so interesting to see how things evolve!
A 'high' percentage of 30% I think is a statistical device. If most farms are owned by a male/female couple, all they need to do is list it under the female's name and they can qualify for better loans.
Internship programs like the one ran in this state by MOFGA do a lot of good.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
