how to create a successful small farm

There is no single method for creating a successful small farm. There are a million different ways to farm, and your successful farm should reflect your personal ethics and strengths. That is the key to being happy in what you do. There are some common themes to what make small farms successful though. These include some business acumen, a strong vision of what you want your farm to be, becoming a skilled marketer and salesperson, and learning to grow superior products. Join me as I outline how we created a successful farm that supports our family, and learn the tools to make your farm successful AND a reflection of you.

[lightning]

I like what you stated about the cookie cutter advice pushers. So many of these youtubers are pushing a model that won't work for the majority of folks. It works for them because YT income picks up the shortfalls. Everybody can't be a YT channel as part of their business model. It is nice to hear you telling the truth and sharing your business model with us. I have learned more from your little channel than all of the other small and large channels combined.
I have to laugh at one particular small channel. The guy sold people a monthly membership where information would be shared. Well, it ended up being just jibber jabber with no specific info given. I think this couple were well intentioned but missed the mark by a long shot.
Appreciate you and your family. Thanks for all the work you do to help us learn.

[louisguerin]

This was better than the lectures we paid big tuition for in business school.

[mubeenmubeen]

I love this guy. Honest and means well for everyone. And enjoyable to watch and listen to. Thank you sir

[kutsop]

Big fan of this farm and extremely impressed with the quality of the YouTube videos

[bubbaramsey]

I have been raising commercial cattle for over 40 years. I have been researching farming similar to what you and your wife are doing. You have some good advice and information. We are close to changing our farming model. We are in South Carolina all our lives. We have already started grass fed beef on a small scale. Looks promising. Thanks. I'm glad I found your channel even though
I'm getting older. Lol

[cavolpert]

we really appreciate your willingness to share your journey here on the tube. fantastic content!

[JokeeGA]

Tells you about the quality of your convictions, that you are neither pushing a model people adopt, nor afraid of showing exactly what you're doing. I would love to have a farm, and hopefully some day soon I will, and watching your channel has me excited for a small family farm life.

[DoAndBrewDIY]

Great video Pete! My wife and I are at year 1...we bought our 56 acre farm 2 years ago, spent the last 2 years renovating the 200 year old farmhouse and will be getting our first (few) animals this summer. Initially envisioned as a fleece farm, we quickly realized that fleece alone would most likely not be sustainable...so like you, we’ll focus on heritage breeds (Devons and Hog Island Sheep to start - not decided on the rest of the animals yet). This video is immensely helpful and reassuring...thanks for making it available! Good luck to you and your family!

[jpecenko]

Pete you are a living example of success.Your philosophy in how to approach life and what you do is a shining, positive example for those who are willing to try this.

[wdsta]

Something to add with your Dexter cattle, They are a good feed converter. They consume a relatively small amount of grass for their eventual beef output. I grow Limousin / Angus / Murray Grey cattle because thats what the business we bought was already doing. If we were to do over I believe we would do dexter. We also do dorper sheep.

[lawyer-]

I cannot tell you how grateful I am to come across your video. One of the most superior master classes in small farming I’ve ever heard. I wish you nothing but continued success with your vision and your farm. Simply amazing! 🤝✨

[hyjackr]

Love your channel. I'm 48, wife's 47. I have been injured and am no longer employable. We are thinking about starting a small type farm. Your advice is great to hear. Thanks for sharing.

[joureynewell]

You are so easy to listen to, a purely humble person explaining logically and very clearly your approach to a successful business. Thank you.

[wonderwhyfarmhomestead]

Sir I found your channel when it was recommended to me. I have a small old dairy farm in SW Pa that has been in my family since 1940. I’m about 10 years from retirement and I’m slowly trying to get to where you are. I can’t tell you how much I love watching your channel! You ate farming so much like I do. Please please keep them coming I love them all!

[larkpo]

Solid advice! Most of it was basic common sense but sometimes people need that reassurance when venturing into something new.

I've watched several of your videos and can't thank you enough for your wisdom and logical approach to the basics of how it all works.

[bslturtle]

Thank you for sharing. We are on a path to building a small farm in Maine, your model is very much like what we have in mind. Thank you and good luck!

[intohomesteading]

We are just starting our journey and have watched countless others give their “Youtube” advice. You are the first to give a very detailed but individualized outline of farming 101. Very refreshing to feel a positive and informative explanation and not once feel anything other than your honest advice and help. Thank you for taking time to help us.

[KKISCRAZYFUL]

It's nice to hear your wife is a nurse. I'm in nursing school but want to eventually leave the city and have a small farm/make homemade soap. It gives me hope that maybe I can do that one day. ♥️

[danburch]

Many of the ethics you live by can apply to everyone, whether farming or not. We identify our wants and needs. We save up and pay cash for our wants and only finance our needs if necessary and ONLY if necessary. If we can do without or have an alternate plan, we use it. Debt makes the borrower a slave to the lender. The only thing we financed is our home. The last thing I financed (other than a home) was a piano for my wife's birthday in the 1980s. I'm too old now to run my own small farm, but I've alway envied that way of life.

[donaldwhite]

Another great video Pete! If I were younger, I'd put a lot of these principles to work myself. I especially like the way you've built your infrastructer as I really like the smaller equipment that is adequate for a farm your size and was the same for our dairy farm up in Pulaski, NY years ago.