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This is part hypothetical and part early stages of me wanting to carry out a goal one day. But the question is, where would the best place be to start a family farm in the US (or if it's valid anywhere in the world)? I'm not talking for commercial production, just land fertile enough to grow enough of our own crops to be self sustaining, as well as raise enough animals in cycle to be able to sustain ourselves as well? I'm not a hippy, just not one who has ever been a fan of the rat race, and always tries to plan for the day where we can just provide for ourselves, with a little extra, and remove ourselves from the day to day. I am by no means a stranger to work, I know what hard, dirt toiling work is, so I don't want to derail the conversation into conversations of "you don't know what you're even thinking of" because I do. And I am most happiest when toiling and working with my hands and the earth, especially when it's providing for myself and my family, rather than have my work fill the pockets of someone else. I've had years of experience toiling at crops and hard agricultural labor, but more years as a boring, life draining cubicle worker.
Anyway, the criteria would be this:
1. Remoteness is not an issue to me, farther away from big cities the better, although I'd need a major town close enough for basic needs/amenities.
2. Small town, but open to a mixed couple/family. I'm Pacific islander, and my wife is Irish, and naturally our kids are mixed, and noticably so.
3. Cheap to very affordable, fertile land
4. I love the cold and snow, so cold winters are not an issue for me, but I need grow seasons long enough to support a lot of different types of crops that we'd need/want to grow.
5. Good place to raise a family, and send kids to school
6. Down to earth people.
Anyway, those aren't the only criteria, but just some to get the ball rolling.
I lived in the Finger Lakes actually to apprentice as a wine maker/vineyard manager. It's a beautiful part of the country as well as awesome farmland. It's one of my top choices as well for one day having a farm, or going back to finish my dream of opening a winery.
Sadly, right when we were about to realize our dream, my mom's battle with breast cancer turned south, and we moved back to CA abandoning NY, to be there as a family during her last days.
After she died we moved to the PNW to get out of CA (we LOATHE CA), but still be close enough for remaining family should the need arise again, without having to relocate. Leaving the Finger Lakes broke our hearts, literally.
I lived in the Finger Lakes actually to apprentice as a wine maker/vineyard manager. It's a beautiful part of the country as well as awesome farmland. It's one of my top choices as well for one day having a farm, or going back to finish my dream of opening a winery.
Sadly, right when we were about to realize our dream, my mom's battle with breast cancer turned south, and we moved back to CA abandoning NY, to be there as a family during her last days.
After she died we moved to the PNW to get out of CA (we LOATHE CA), but still be close enough for remaining family should the need arise again, without having to relocate. Leaving the Finger Lakes broke our hearts, literally.
You need to come back. Your pictures in the NY forum were great, by the way.
Thank you! We wanted to, it was our first impulse when my mom died, but the fear of having to uproot again (that's how bad the first time killed us), kept us from coming back. But we still dream of moving back one day. Maybe by the time we pull this off, we will be able to.
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