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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Jan 14 2007 at 6:42pm | IP Logged
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I was just reading Julia T's post in the Candleside chat about being farmers.
I was wondering if those of you who are farmers, fulltime or parttime, would share how you came to that life. Did you grow up on farms? Or did you make a lifestyle change from city/suburb living? If so, how did you do it?
It is my husband's dream to be a farmer. I am not sure that it is my dream  , but I can definitely see the advantages of raising a large family on a farm.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Margaret
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| Posted: Jan 14 2007 at 11:53pm | IP Logged
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Molly,
My husband and I bought a house on 160 acres 6 years ago and have never looked back. My husband is a full-time dentist, part-time farmer. We have dairy goats, laying hens, and a couple of cows. We started with a small vegetable garden and have expanded it every year. We also have an orchard and a rose garden.
We raised our 3 older children 'in town'. Our youngest 2 are growing up on the farm. I think it has made a big difference. It is much easier without the influence of neighborhood children. Our little ones know only what we live. They really know nothing of our culture.
I never was one to run to the store everyday, so that has not been a problem. I am pretty organized on what we need and only go to the store once a week (and noticed over the holidays with our older children home I skipped a week, even with more food to prepare).
It is also a great place for family/friend gatherings.
The hardest part has been going to mass. We only go to Sunday mass and then maybe once during the week, whereas before, we were 2 minutes from our church and frequently went to daily mass.
As a matter of fact, the days I have to run errands, I look back wistfully at the farm as I drive away! It is so peaceful. It seems much more like a domestic monastery then living in town.
Neither my husband or I grew up on a farm. I think it was actually our faith that brought us to do this. We had always been Catholic (my husband a cradle Catholic, and I a convert) during our married life, but through a series of events in our lives our faith came alive. As we studied the Church teachings, we sort did a big turn around on basically all areas of our lives, the whole package so to speak (not that you have to live in the country to be Catholic!). It just made that embracing of the Church easier for 'us'(which is certainly not the case for everyone)--especially living in the Bible belt. Our dearest friends, also Catholic homeschoolers, have also recently moved out on a farm (unfortunately, 45 minutes the other direction!). Hope this has helped.
Love,
Margaret
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saintanneshs
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| Posted: Jan 15 2007 at 7:15am | IP Logged
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My dh is a full-time, 3rd generation farmer who grew up on the farm we are currently living on. Like my lifelong "dream" to grow up and get married and have lots of babies, dh has always dreamt of being a farmer, just like his dad and grandfather. He never wanted to do anything else. He's always been a "country boy" and when he married me (a former "suburbs" girl), it was a huge change for me. But I love it now and wouldn't have it any other way! It's been really hard, coming up with new ways to remain in agriculture in spite of the fact that we're a dying breed (I only mean locally...there are lots of young farmers out there, just none inside of a bit of a drive away). I'm so proud of my dh for who he has become and the way he is leading our family through this difficult time in farming. And... I'm so thankful that God has let him live his dream. 
Molly, it would be hard to get started in farming if your dh wanted to make the change, but I don't think it's any more of a challenge today than it was for our grandparents several generations ago. Yes it will take lots of money for land, equipment, livestock, commodities, labor, etc. and you'd probably have to start very, very small and build, but it can be done!  The debt will certainly be overwhelming. It make take several generations to see a turn-around on your investment. That's a lot to think about...Are you willing to wait? Are you willing to let your children wait? Will it change your dh's mind to think of his grandsons still working hard to see that change? Or will it be enough that it's a good life, a good dream, a solid family-base and a special gift from God to be a steward of His land? For us that answer is yes, but for many, sadly, it's no. Just look at how many family farms are being sold to developers because there's no one willing to take over. The average farmer's age around here is 60-70. Most farmers I've met work until they die (no retirement) and eventually sell out if none of their kids or relatives want to take over. (There's an idea... maybe think about searching for a farm to "inherit" from someone who is looking to get out...)
Anyhow, most likely, there will never be any extra money and it's a hard life, BUT if you truly love farming, aren't afraid of sacrifice, and are willing to let the Lord have complete control over your destiny as farmers, I'd say have your dh start researching. Today's farmers must be savvy. They have to know their business and plan and prepare and bury their noses in the agriculture literature related to their field. They have to take "field trips" to conferences and conventions designed to give them the latest info on everything from growing produce to raising livestock. They have to study the ones who are successful and are seeing that turn-around on investment much quicker than the rest. They know their "job" isn't about the money, but they have to manage their finances and investments very well. They take trips to other farms to see how other farmers are doing things, either innovatively or using old-fashioned techniques with a few adjustments. They have to ask questions and find answers and be willing to work 12-20 hour days. Farmers today have to be as active in their grassroots organizations as we homeschoolers do in ours. When you live this close to DC and Richmond, you have to "network" just like everybody else. 
My dh spent time working part-time in college on several different kinds of farms, for several years. One farm was a tree farm, one was a sod farm, one a sheep farm, and at home we were dairying. The experience of getting his hands on different types of farming really helped him form some perspective and helped him to think about the kinds of farming he didn't want to do.
Three years ago dh led our change-over from dairying to what we're doing now...a farm market with home-grown, all-natural produce, a little beef and some chickens on the side. We host field trip groups two months out of the year (strawberries and pumpkins). We're looking into aquaculture. I'll skip the details but have mentioned this because farming also requires flexibility and we had to make the change to survive. I'm glad we did. Life is great and not a day goes by that we don't thank the Lord for blessing us with this lifestyle and pray that He will help us do all that we can with this farm, for His glory. 
Well, I hope what I wrote gives you some things to think about and talk about with your dh. Let me know if there's anything my dh or I can help you out with.
Saint Isidore the Farmer, pray for us!
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Kristine
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saintanneshs
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| Posted: Jan 15 2007 at 7:23am | IP Logged
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Oh Molly, I just realized that I didn't post too many of the blessings and joys that come with farming. I guess I was thinking that you'd probably already thought of these (some of them Margaret spoke of so well  ) and were looking for more of a reality-check. Please forgive me if that's not what you wanted!
I can share all the "goodies," too...
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Kristine
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Jan 15 2007 at 11:36am | IP Logged
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Kristine,
I would love to come visit after the baby is born. Maybe, I could arrange a field trip for our homeschool group from Stafford.
Thanks for the honest assessment. I knew it would be hard.
What about a CSA? Is that a profitable approac to farming?
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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chicken lady
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Molly, We live on a hobby farm, we have goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, dogs, cats, and formerly a cow! I did grow up on a farm. I am one of 10 children and I feel so blessed to have all of the knowledge and first hand experience of farm living. When I was growing up I did not realize how my parents lifestyle would benefut me, however today I am abundanlty grateful. I grocery shop about every week and a half to 2 weeks. It is not hard for me to make our bread, milk a goat, and make due! I do know others who have moved "back to land" and find it very challenging, to that I can only reiterate that possibly due to my formation getting this farm has been like going home.
My dh was raised a city boy, and he loves the country,he is a slower temperment and the quieting of our lifestyle suits him just fine.
The dc feel sometimes at a loss, as we cannot pick up and go as easily as when we lived in town, but they do understand that this is our life now and sacrifices are to be made on everyones part.
For me the biggest draw back is the bloody snakes! Hence the ducks
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saintanneshs
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| Posted: Jan 15 2007 at 6:27pm | IP Logged
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Molly, we'd be happy to have a visit from your family in the spring! We're currently working on a website for our market...maybe it will be up and running before too much longer. For your question about CSA, here's what my dh had to say:
Molly,
I don't know enough about a CSA to comment. As Kristine said there are many things to consider before becoming a farmer. Is all of your income going to come from the farm? You can have a small farm that generates an income as well holding a full-time or part-time job. This other job should be able to provide you with health insurance. We pay a lot of money in insurance. A full time job off the farm only requires you to work 40 hrs a week. This still allows plenty of time for growing veggies and fruit, a flock of chickens & maybe some goats. The real land requirement comes if you get involved in cattle. Maybe you can find some land to rent that is close to you and get started that way and then decide if you still want to farm. Our situation is different because of all that it encompasses: trying to support two families and derive all of our income from the farm. As Kristine said I was born a farmer and despite the long hours and sometimes limited funds I wouldn't have it any other way. Our long hours now are shorter than when we were milking cows. Most of my days are 11 hour days. A lot of people spend longer than that away from their families with their jobs, especially if you included their commute. I have a 1/2 mile commute and I love my job. I love being able to farm with my Dad and being able to take my children to work with me when it is appropriate. You might be lucky enough to find a farmer that is retiring and willing to assist you in getting started with land and knowledge. Hope this helps you.
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Kristine
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wifemommy
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| Posted: Jan 15 2007 at 9:34pm | IP Logged
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Molly in Ohio I have to ask...how far south are you? We are thinking about central Ohio area but the one good part about NE Ohio is NO snakes of the venomous type anyway unlike the SW part where we used to live the only living thing I've ever uhm shot Annie
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JuliaT
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Molly,
We farm full time. We have 3,000 acres but we actively farm 2,000 of it. Farming is slowly dying. It is not feasible to make a living from it, let alone raise a family on it. There are many farmers around where we live (Can. prairies) who are going bankrupt and having to give up their farms. I can see that this is in our future as well. My husband is trying to get another job to supplement the farming but farming is all that he knows, so it is difficult.
I think the best situation would be to have a small farm while holding down another job. We have neighbours who are doing that and I think that is what is keeping them going.
My dh has always lived on the farm. He has taken over the family business. I grew up in the city. Moving to the country wasn't that big of an adjustment. I think God had been preparing my heart for country living since I was a young girl. The only downsides to living in the country is that you have to be super organized in meal planning and grocery lists (areas that I am not) so that you don't have to make umpteen trips to town for forgotten items. The other thing is that with the price of gas these days, it is economical to squeeze all of your town activities into one or two days. That doesn't happen all of the time. Some weeks, due to dr. appt's and kid's acitvities, I go into town 4 timew a week. Town is 45 min. away so it eats up a lot of time. I am in the process of oranizing our activities so that we can do them in only two days.
As I said in the candleside thread, I love living out in the country. I think this is the best place for children to grow up. Also, I love the quiet. The older I get, the more I appreciate the quiet. I just have to keep working on the organization thing.
blessings,
Julia
mom to 3(7,6,3)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Juliainsk
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chicken lady
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Annie we are in the SE! Right on the panhandle of WV! Of course my irrational fear of snakes has nothing to do with venomous ones. They all send me to LaLa land....quite sad actually
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wifemommy
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Ditto the snake thing. There are things in life I should never have to deal with especially snakes Up here I just repeat over and over they are not poisonous.....for what good it does!??!! I love your part of Ohio close to my Kentucky roots Annie
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bfarmmom
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We also live on a small family farm. My husband and I both grew up in the city. My husband grew up in Ft. Lauderdale by the beach. We were living in s. Fl. and we had the opportunity with my husbands job to move to an area further north of us that still had land available.
We thought it would be great for the children and an adventure for us. We started out with chickens, then beef cattle and then Jersey cows. We have a small garden. It is the best feeling to put food on your table that has come from your land. I am doing things I never ever thought I would do. I love this kind of living. My favorite time is in the morning milking the cows. It is quiet and peaceful, I am up close and personal with this huge animal that provides food for our family and I just feel so thankful to God for making these animals. It sounds strange I know, my work feels like a prayer sometimes. (except when the old girl kicks the bucket of milk  )
My husband works full time, I do the farming, and he helps on the weekends. We get a nice little income on the dairy, and we also share the eggs with people when we have chickens. (we need a new flock, our dogs got into the last flock)
Just wanted you to know we didn't know anything about farming. We are learning as we go and we love it! You can do it!
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Peace,
Kirsten
ds13,dd12,dd10,ds7,dd6, dd 4, ds 2
Sonlight Garden
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marihalojen
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Molly, start now. Where ever you are living you can raise some animals and veggies to get a feel for farming.
Raise rabbits, then butcher and eat them.
The most self-sufficent I've ever been has been in the suburbs. Rabbits always and chickens sometimes, huge gardens...Living on the 180 acres my family used to have was hard, as others have said the farmers are dying. Having a couple of animals for fun is one thing but trying to have a farm as a business is completely another. Are you thinking on a fun family hobby farm with hubby working somewhere else? Or thinking along the lines of entire family stays home and the farm is our livelihood?
Farming is the only business I can think of that you must buy retail and sell wholesale. Awful situation.
This sounds like a downer post, but I didn't mean it to be! If you're really serious I hope you'll look into raising things where you are, waiting for the perfect set up never works. And starting small is better learning curve all around than losing out on a large investment. Chicken dies? $5, Cow dies? $$$$$$ 
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~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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JennGM
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Oh, I love reading about your farming lives. I wanted to have a little hobby farm or homestead like Molly has. Dh doesn't, so we don't. Now we live in a strict HOA community, but I can have my garden and dream.
But when I see a local Freecycle post for beehives like this, I just want to hit reply and go pick it up!
I have 6 wooden hive bodies, 6 supers, and 5 lid tops. Some of them have frames. They've been in my shed for about 10 years.
Dh would never understand, nor want to store the stuff. But I can dream. Anyone in Manassas that wants to take up on the offer?
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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SaraP
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We live on a farm, but we aren't farmers.
My DH is a network engineer and we rent our fields to someone else who grows corn and soybeans on them.
We have fruit trees that we harvest and plans for a big garden and my DH hunts on our property so we get some meat that way, but at this point we don't do more than that.
There also wasn't a big lifestyle change for us even though DH and I have both always lived in cities or suburbs because our farm is right on the edge of the rural area and 'town' is pretty close.
So it's really not an all or nothing sort of thing.
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Mama to six on earth, two in heaven and two waiting in Russia. Foxberry Farm Almanac
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Farming
