Starting in Farming

[Ben Jones]

I was curious what others opinions where on what they think is the easiest and cheapest way to get started farming?

[Ben]

I have kinda asked a similar question in the Cattle Options discussion. I think alot has to do with what you want to do in farming such as crops, beef, dairy, hogs. It also makes a difference where you are at. I lived up in Wisconsin for awhile and the infrastructure there was better for say starting a dairy rather than starting a dairy in say Oklahoma. I am in Kansas and this area is more setup for beef and crops. I don't think that you should give up though if your heart is set on a certain enterprise that isn't as common in one area as compared to another.

[Ovid Bruce]

Share cropping, soil test at local county extention office, and leasing is always an option if you want to keep costs low.  Find someone in your area who has a small farm that is willing to lease you some land good for growing.  Study what is needed to amend your soil and take steps to keep the soil built up each year.  Sometimes less is more when fertilizing as on many unused plots of land must have the organics built up before your crop is able to produce at profitable levels.  Be ready to spend a couple of years building up your plot's soil and remember to have an iron clad lease agreement so you do not build the soil up and then have your lease un-renewed for some reason.  After about the third year, your crops will be good if you amend your soil.  Keep in mind you must work the land even if you are not growing during the winter, and if you plant winter wheat this will help build up soil that is been fallow for years.  Most of the time you can get the organics needed from a local horse or cattle rancher and if their operation is big enough, they might even load your manure wagon(or trailer) with a loader.  Keep in touch!