Farmer

If someone wants to get into farming but doesn't have any farmland or experience, what's the best first step? Do farmers hire outsiders?

Asked by Jameson over 11 years ago

I got started by researching and reading books written by people who had done this. "The Accidental Farmers", "Farm City" and "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" are all about folks who had no experience and what happened when they got started. There's also a program called WWOOF that can match you up with a farm/farmer where you'll live and get hands on experience for a period of time. Also, lots of small farms welcome interns or volunteers. The only time I have found a need for help, is when I have Farm Camps, then I hire someone with preschool experience. But, yes, there are definitely opportunities to get dirty and learn the ropes.

Do you hope that your kids will eventually take over and run the farm when they're of age?

Asked by Jameson over 11 years ago

Unfortunately my kids (like many farmer's kids) have no interest in farming. A lot of family farms are just closing when the parents are too old to work, and the kids want a different lifestyle. It's sad.

Do you think current U.S. farm laws do enough to ensure the humane treatment of farm animals?

Asked by Dan79 over 11 years ago

The way I see it, there are two vastly different farming models in the U.S. There is Big Ag, often receiving subsidies from the government, whose goal is to produce mass quantities of cheap food, by any means necessary. Their animals are pumped full of hormones and antibiotics, and live sad, short lives in cramped and dirty quarters. I don't think that the laws do enough to protect these animals, and are actually part of the problem, not the solution, since the government gives financial aid to this model. On the other hand, there are smaller, more sustainable, often family run homestead farms. These farms, like ours, consider their impact on the earth and the health of the animals that they raise. For us, it's more personal and. As a result, I think the small farm model is treating animals very humanely. Recently, in California, there has been a number of times when a homesteader has been reported to animal services because they were harvesting rabbits or chickens. Investigations are made and one never knows how that will go. In this case, I think that the government is overstepping. Our animals have really good lives, until that one day. It's unfortunate that big business can't come to small farm's way of thinking without a bunch of laws, dictating common decency.

What time do you have to wake up / go to bed?

Asked by Trish over 11 years ago

I've found that the animals will adapt to my schedule, which is perfect! I get up between 6-7AM, mostly because I have to get my kids off to school. I do that, have coffee, check email, then tend the animals about 9. They're used to it, so they wait. During warm weather, I'll get out there earlier to be sure the watering is done and they have plenty of water before it gets too hot. I go to bed between 11-12 at night. zzzzz

My brother and I are trying to raise sheep we have about eleven. What I'de like to know if one is born and is not moving should you throghg water on it to bring it around and if so should it be cold water or warm ? thank you.

Asked by Da Eagle over 10 years ago

Do farmers still use scarecrows?

Asked by Alisa about 11 years ago

How do farmers markets work? Are they profitable for you, or is the point just to increase your farm's profile in the community?

Asked by Talia about 11 years ago