Are there any small acres farmers here on FBN? If so what do you do to make your farm profitable?
I own a 64 acre farm that I've inherited from my father. I love farming. I do work off the farm and in 2007 I built a 2400 head hog wean to finish barn on the property that I operate. What are some creative ways that you've made your farms profitable? What other ventures do you use?
My grandparents and I farm/manage ~600 acres (small for our area) of row crops, hay, pasture, timber, and CRP land. We’ve made our farm efficient with keeping equipment updated. We also utilize no-till and we’re dabbling in cover crops. I work part time for other farms, got into selling seed this year, and hopefully going to start doing some trucking soon. My grandpa bought a small sawmill a few years back and we use it to make anything we need lumber wise around the farm. My brother has also secured us some custom milling contracts with individuals.
Work a full time job off the farm with benefits It's the only way
Yep thats where I'm at right now along with the farming...
I don't do it but when ever we go to Rochester MN. We visit the apple tree orchards. There always seem busy. Also some people have youtube channel.
Check out the Off Farm Income Podcast. Lots of ideas for side businesses that still give you the flexibility to farm.
Edit: We have been one of those small for our area farms (400-500ac with 60cow diary). We got lucky last fall with some land and are now in the "medium small" size for next year (~700). If we weren't organic my brothers and I wouldn't all be able to stay on the farm.
I started raising cattle
I own 63 acres cattle farm but rent 200acres for hay and corn and work full time fab shop I would love to farm full time but with our land selling off for $10000.00 plus acre it’s fixing to be a pass time here there’s no way you could farm here where I live without the help of good landlords
off farm income to cover the basics. only way to make it under 2000 acres today. growing larger than 200 acres and trying to pick up part time stuff becomes very challenging as most of the part time stuff in farming communities are most needed right when you need to be in the field.
Farm 200 acres. Work in housing construction as a sub contractor. So I am my own boss and can take a day off to plant/combine but with the combination of both worlds, I've never had a day off in years. And generally if I take one day off on the job it sets me behind double or if I say to finish the job during good weather it's a guarantee itll rain when I can hit the field.