Shocking Truth Behind Small Farm Failures: The Top 5 Reasons (Don't Miss Out!)

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Failing in small farming can be disheartening, but it's essential to understand the reasons behind it. In this video, Curtis Stone delves into the top 5 reasons behind small farm failures. Learn from the experiences of others and gain valuable insights to avoid common pitfalls. Don't miss out on this informative analysis that can help you navigate the challenges and lead your farming journey towards success and prosperity!

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About Curtis Stone:

Curtis is one of the world’s most highly sought-after small farming educators. His book, The Urban Farmer, offers a new way to think about farming𑁋 one where quality of life and profitability coexist. Today, Curtis spends most of his time building his 40-acre off-grid homestead in British Columbia. He leverages his relationships with other experts to bring diverse content into the homes of gardeners and aspiring small farmers from around the world. Learn more at FromTheField.TV.

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Music and Footage commonly used on this channel:

[De-Boo-Tiny]

Thank you for this video. I needed advice on how to start off properly. I recently grew cucumbers and they sold sufficiently and I only put in 100 dollars to start with. Made 728 dollars.

[tamaradottin]

Curtis me and my boyfriend are living proof that you are truly an inspiration we've been farming for at least a year now failing miserable in the beginning until we stop and start to study what crops are profitable and made adjustments into planting more greens and cut again crops. You made us pay attention to soil preparation and more organic ways to fertilize are crops now we are making lots more money and paying out less, it's only the two of us because as u said people think they are more than they are worth want to be paid and they want to do the minimum. we are all the way in Barbados and even thou it has been a challenge we are still winning.

[laprepper]

Great video! Not to give it away, but for those with the ADHD...

1) Treat your farm like a business
2) Don't spread yourself to thin
3) Use the proper equipment
4) Don't waste time on low profit margin activities
5) Leave your ideology in your back pocket

[farmerboybill]

Here's my list -
1. Debt - You gotta spend money to make money, but you gotta know what to spend the money on. If you're starting out, DO NOT drop $5k on a new walk-behind tractor or a green house. Those things can come later. Right now, borrow as much equipment as you can. Borrow Grandpa's tiller, rent land from someone, get second-hand tools off CL and garage sales. Keep your expenses to the barest minimum until you know what to spend your money on. When you do have money to spend, buy the best quality equipment you can afford. A good hoe will cost 10 times what a junk one will cost, but be worth 100 times the bad one when using it.

2. Experience - So you want to start a small farm and sell at local market. You don't have a clue on where to start, let alone how to do it. Start working for another small farmer. Take the seasonal job. Learn through doing work at his place before you jump into doing it on your own. Lotsa guys will help you get started by employing you for a couple of years. Find out what sells well, what might sell well, and how to make a sale. Get experience and make a plan.

1. Debt - Businesses fail when they have too much debt and their debtors get sick of carrying them. Having a maxed out credit card or five, a mortgage, an FSA microloan to repay, and a car payment coming due is the fastest way to make something that you would otherwise enjoy into a seriously unhappy time. Did I already go over this one....? Oh well, it's important.

3. No follow-through - You have to be able to complete a task. You're definitely not going to make money with a half-built greenhouse and a broken down tiller. Start a project and complete that project before moving on to the next one. CSA customers are going to get pretty cranky if they never see something in their boxes because you can't complete a job.

4. Pride - You know you're struggling, but you won't ask for help. You know your buddy is doing a good job, but you can't get his advice because you think you'll lose face. As you've heard so many times in the past- There's no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid answers. Ask for help when you need it, but don't ask too often or people will stop taking your calls.

1. Debt - Oh did I already say this one? Yeah, it's very important. You start out with a pile of debt, you'll always struggle, especially if the items you purchased don't help you to succeed. The lender doesn't care if the items didn't work out, they're gonna want their money back

5. Books - I see this many times, people who read a book and think they have it figured out. I deal in walk-behind tractors on top of farming full-time. Until Jean Martin wrote his book, I NEVER sold a power harrow. I now have had many calls from people over the past couple years who want a power harrow. It's a great tool, BUT it's $1800! You DON'T need to be dropping that kind of money on a single attachment that is only really good at seedbed prep until you can pay cash for it from the profits from the past year. I tell everyone this, but I know I'm not convincing them. Probably because I didn't write a book and put it in there....

Did I mention debt?

[billcantrell]

I'm always impressed by your pragmatic business advice and your ability to deliver it clearly and concisely. At the same time, you display passion and a strong moral compass. Keep up the good work.

[moringausa]

Curtis! Without this content and other content you put out, the world wouldn't be the same!!! You have inspired me! You will inspire change long term to billions of people that WILL help make a healthier planet FOR ALL LIFE!!!😀😀😀 THANK YOU DEEPLY FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK AND TIME!!😀

[impseeder]

Curtis, spent 35 years growing wholesale bedding plants. Now grow for donation to the fire department. The last year in business, my wife seeded 45, 000 seeds in plug trays. She used one of the seeders I developed. Farming has been good to us. Love your idea of helping young people farm.

[nickbrodziak]

You do a great job, Curtis. I'm a golf course superintendent who'll be retiring soon. I've always grown things, be it cuttings of shrubbery, and now, fine turf. Looking forward to my next career in working with the soil, especially organic farming!

[southhillfarm]

Curtis, I want to expand on your second to last reason which deals with time. Farming is a profession and many that get into farming for the first time need to realize that just like any profession it takes several years to get it all right. Giant steps are not the way to go. The element of understanding time is the issue that seems to be missed by most authors and new farmers. Expect at least 3 - 5 years to get things sorted included the farmers growing ands selling skills. Infrastructure takes time to build as well and the flow of work is not something that can be written on a piece of paper or derived on a scheduling software, it must be experienced. This takes time.at least 5 years.

[TooLittleInfo]

I'm a hobby gardener, but professionally I work as a photographer. A little over 10 years ago I started a studio with some friends. The #1 mistake in this video's list was exactly the same reason why we failed. We were excited to have our own studio and do all this awesome work, but none of us had any idea how to run a business. By year 2 we were struggling, and we hung on for 4 more years before we threw in the towel. That was probably one of the most valuable lessons I've had in my working life. And it applies to any kind of business, but is especially dangerous when you're in a business of something that you love because you're blinded by your passion. It makes you believe that things will just magically work themselves out (they won't) or it makes you cling onto something until it's past time to let go.

[lawrencechavez]

You're an inspiration Curtis, thanks for all the great info!
Quitting my job and moving out to New Mexico in July to attempt bringing back my grandfathers ranch. 40 acres and it's all paid for, just need to start planting.

[thedutchhomesteader]

Curtis you are awesome and a big help! I read your book and I am real close to starting my own farm in the netherlands. a dairy farmer offered me land and we are almost ready to start!

Big thanks and keep up the good work!

[Anpiloagrifarm]

Hi Curtis, Im from the Philippines. Your input is really remarkable. Im into farming now and we are promoting the concept of looking at the farm as a business. We are an agricultural country and we really have to push for farmers to start looking at the spreadsheet.

[justinhydrick]

Thank you Curtis! I'm starting a CSA this year and your book and YT channel have been invaluable.

[seanmm]

I absolutely Can't believe the goodness in people. You somehow runs a successful farm AND make the time to put HOURS of insanely helpful videos online FOR FREE. Thank you so much!

[davidcoryell]

Very good tips. I will be starting extremely small, just growing for my family, then move to my neighbors, and then start thinking about the farmers market. I've said to myself that my "retirement" was to have a small farm. I need to start it now so I can be at the level I want when I reach that age. Thank you for making these videos. I've changed some of my thinking because of them.

[trlcjm]

Very nice...Thanks. I was struggling with the equipment piece and know now I just need to pull the plug and order it now before it's too late.

[byronwooten]

You have hands down the best videos with the best content in this market segment. Thanks for all that you share.

[EduFeastFamily]

Love your advice. I am mushrooming farmer and this I take your advice. I am adding greenhouse for the vegetable with your 5 best crops. Thank you.

[smb]

Great top 5 and I mostly agree with their importance. My problem (as a farmer) is that small sustainable farms are great for specialty foods for restaurant but 95% of folks get their food from stores. We all can't eat lettuce, microgeens and tomatoes 24/7. We all can't afford expensive eggs or sky-high peppers.

I've heard for decades that a revolution in land use is coming but frankly, I see zero evidence. There are a few more gardens and churches and schools are growing crops but the reality is that farming will ALWAYS be rare because it is tremendously hard and few are willing to expend the time, planning or energy.