I don't know why. I'm 20 years old and I have this urge, this BURNING DESIRE to start a farm with lots of sheepies and goats and bunnies and crops and why do I feel this way?? :stunned: I've never been happier than when I was on a farm. I lived around them until I was 10, worked in vineyards from the time I was 13, and lived on one for a month taking care of animals. Now, I'm back living in farm country, living on what was once a working horse farm, with lots of land, a pasture and a barn, and the beginnings of a garden (starting some plants inside). I just want to quit school and farm. I think this may be my calling...
I believe you've answered your own question. As someone who has been happily living on my own farm for many years, I think you should go for it. Peace, poor_old_dad
Farming requires two abilities. The ability to grow something well enough to turn a profit, and the ability to beg at the bank when things go badly. If you can't do both, consider a career elsewhere. x
start with a few garden beds and some hens. read your eyes out untill you know enough to do more and have it all work together. i think its great you want to farm, too many people have land that just sits there useless with grass on it. the more people start growing food for themselves and others, the better. look into permaculture too, its very inspiring. heres a cute site ont he subject- http://www.spiralseed.co.uk/permaculture/ heres a little movie- http://youtube.com/watch?v=lBcmRjroLLY help the earth and keep it sustainable
Thanks a bunch for the links. It's so weird how this just happened to me out of the blue... I've always felt so at home when on farms. Yesterday, after about 3 solid months of nightmares, I woke up from the most beautiful dream where I had my own farm with lots of animals and crops and I was completely self-sufficient. I woke up, thinking "DUH! Why have I never thought of this before??" Instead of forcing myself into some career just because it partially relates to the things I am interested in, I should do what I can break my ass doing and still go to bed smiling and thinking I've made a difference. I almost feel as if... this could be... a sign??? From whom, I do not know, but even if it's not, it was a swift kick in the pants... that I have more options than just what I've decalred and studied as my major for the past 3 years... I plant to start small, and of course, I'm not really going to quit school... wish I could... but I need something to pay the bills while I get started and somehow, I just don't think McDonald's will provide me with that. I appreciate the advice. Really, I do. I know this is definitely not an easy job, nor is it glamorous. I've never had a problem letting my pride get in the way before, so this shouldn't be any different, especially since farming and producing quality food to feed the community is more than justification for a little begging. As far as growing stuff, I've gone into it cold the past two years and still come out with some really good stuff. I can only imagine how I will do when I really get serious. Here's hoping it wasn't just beginners' luck! Ugh, waiting will be so hard... I just can't wait to start working! I'm not a very motivated person most of the time (unless I'm working on a farm!!!), so this is a foreign feeling to me, hehe.
Don't quit school. You can always take some ag or horticulture courses, and it's something you can always fall back on. I know around here they offer a lot of specialty weekend and night courses in things like vegetable gardening, even ag mechanics and animal husbandry. So you can continue your regular course work, or perhaps you'll end up changing your major to one more ag related. But you may regret not completing your degree. Also make the local ag extension office one of your weekly stops, lots of free materials and advice there. Volunteer with your local 4H or FFA groups.
Haha, I'm not quitting school, as I stated before, but as for volunteering with/becoming a member of ag groups, that's not possible when you're a biomed major... I think I might just die if I add one more thing to my schedule. *_* I find myself stealing time between classes just to order my seeds and plan my garden, 'cos when I get home at night (after 5:30 wake-up, classes all day, night classes till 9, housework), I'm completely worthless. I really hate my current schedule... ...but I wouldn't if I was farming Haha, okay, I'ma stop before I start to sound neurotic... What? Too late, you say?? Drat.:whistling
i did i quite school.... its not so bad after you've done it...(but now im looking into taking an apprenticeship now at the earthhaven ecovillages on natural building because i need to learn how to build my farm house...) ....but yeah im gonna be a farmer TOO !...i found out only this past year that its what i want, need to do and have to do....... i recently bought a book called Edible Forest Gardens .... http://www.amazon.com/Edible-Forest...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203294734&sr=1-1 ...its given me so many new and amazing ideas for my gardens that are going to be multi-tiered levels,and grow into a forest of nut tree canopies and fruit trees and berry shrubs and then smaller herbs and veggies underneath.... Ask your library to order it for you.... they usually will do that.... it will make your green thumb throb :] .... mine has been itching like hell ever since i bought it..... and if you really what to start a farm....ill give you a place to do all the gardening you want on my commune when i get it up and running....we still need the land tho.... but if you want a chuck you can have some.... :] ....
Firefly, Here are some things you might find interesting: http://www.motherearthnews.com/ A magazine for homesteading and much more. http://youtube.com/watch?v=mCPEBM5ol0Q A family in Pasadena, CA who will inspire you with a very small plot of land and a dream. http://youtube.com/watch?v=oW7LcNAYBWg The Bullock homestead is a beautiful permaculture farm on Orcas Island. http://youtube.com/watch?v=iiLx3GpzsPQ An Austrian permaculture dude with an amazing farm. I hope you enjoy these!
