Ep 24: How to Start a Farm From Scratch

Doing my best to answer a lot of your questions of how I got started farming, and how to get started farming. Everyone’s operations, numbers, and locations are different but I tried to give a good general idea on can it be done or not. So here it is, a rough cut, raw video of me doing my best to explain.

I hope you all enjoy, and a special thanks to the man who took a chance on me and allowed me to become where I am today.

[michaelbok]

My son got started like you. After working with an elderly man for a few years the elderly man decided it was time to retire. He and my son set up a 7 year plan for my son to buy him out. Currently they split the money with my son getting a 30% split. They farm about 800 acres. They're in year 4 of the 7. I wish you well!

[tiernanmcgonigle]

“Farming is more than just a job. It’s a way of life.” In the words of Grassmen “Agri is our culture”

[parkerloman]

im 13 years old trying to get into farming i have bought a case 970, a john deere 6 row 7000 planter, a 14 foot IH disk, and a IH 1460 combine with a couple of old heads. my dad owns a 25 acre patch that i farm and i have a couple of other 5 acre patches from the neighbors. I work for my dad doing construction and he helps me buy seed and pesticides. This video has helped me plan my financial situation.

[alexandriatownsend]

Oh my goodness, I admire you so much. God willing you're still doing this, I see this video is from 3 years ago.

[renemllermadsen]

I have the biggest respect for you man you are smart :) and know what to do

[clinthardeefarmvideos]

Hey man. Your story and my story are so similar it is crazy. I started a first generation farm in 2017 as well. Never worked on a farm before and had no equipment of my own. I am and have been in the process of making a video of how to do this as well. Every one of your points are 100% right on target. I started out with 120 acres now I’m up to 400 this year and almost doubling next year. Only difference is I’m organic. Only reason I started to Farm organic is the return on investment. It flips those numbers completely 180 degrees. Soybean prices I got last year were $23 a bushel and corn was $9.90. But you do lose on some yield. Almost -25% of county averages but the back end pays a lot more.
I can not stress enough, have other income.i started out with 1 tractor, disc, planter, row cultivator, and rotary hoe. Hired spraying foliar fertilizer and harvesting until I could afford my own stuff. I roll the money back into the farm each year until I can afford to work it full time. Farming in general is very hard. Farming organically is stupid hard and time consuming. But I love what I do. Keep up the good work brother.

[sargentsavage]

I can’t wait till I get a little bit older to start my own farm this was you best video yet

[windmillfarms]

We all gotta start somewhere. Good on ya man! Great video

[samdodson]

I’m trying to do the same thing you are bud.thanks for being a good source of encouragement

[sitpaintandplay]

This video deserves a lot more praise. I've grown interested in farming and not saying this shut down my dreams of it but it definitely made it a reality, with a family of 4, maybe just looking into doing a side gig or helping somewhere would be a more reasonable option in getting my feet wet. Appreciate all the work you did for this.

[polymaticsim]

The numbers say no! the heart says yes! sometimes you just follow your heart better to have failed trying than never tried at all, much respect to you, it's a hard life but so rewarding.

[MrBer]

I’ve farmed all my life here in South Texas, 90Mi S/W of Houston. People used to say I was lucky, I had good land and worked hard often 7 days a week. A old farmer told me if you work long enough and hard enough one day you will be lucky.Iv been retired 14 years this September and am 77 Yrs old. Good Luck Young Man and God Bless You🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[ethanhanes]

I’m only 13 but i know i am going to be a first generation farmer and this was VERY helpful. Thanks and keep up the good work

[Bappo]

Thank you for this video. I’ve been wanting to be a farmer since I was 3 years old. You’re really a massive inspiration for me

[angieburkhart]

Wow. Very impressive. You talk like a much older wiser farmer. You are exactly right about the older farmer, and he's taught you well. I hope he's doing good.

[mackenzie]

Great video, bud! I know how your partner feels. I had a growing hay operation when I became 100% disabled. Now I watch farming videos all the time. It's all I can do to keep the 5 acres, I kept, mowed for a couple horses. So hat tip to you bud. Keep learning all you can from this fella. That's worth more than money. I really enjoy your vids.

[samtalley]

I’m just south of you closer to the river. Started on my own and want to farm on my own without hired help. It’s not always fun but I’m proud that it’s my name not “oh yeah he work for so and so.” I went the cheaper route for a planter and just bought a 6 row Kinze no splitters. Roughly half what your example was. 30” beans can be argued but for guys starting out it’s worth considering. My corn got hit with rust this year so it looks...poor..

[chrisgreeby]

My wife and I have started a small farm in eastern Pennsylvania, I run a tri axle dump truck business and that is how we’ve paid off our equipment. We currently make hay to get into farming. I have worked on dairy, turkey and crop farms, the problem with here is we’ve become the warehouse state and the fact that the land wh-res here run $70 dollar ground to $200 an acre. My wife and I are going to be traveling out west to look for a small farm to buy and look for off farm work till we start cash flowing. Your video was amazing and inspiring. Thank You So Much

[hendrikc]

Well done.
I'm south african farmer that is working in USA for farmer.
And I'm here with the mindset of starting to farm on my own.
You are a great example for upcoming farmers.
God bless.

[jerryg.]

I Seriously have a lot of respect for you having the guts for starting from scratch! Stay safe!!