I am new to the forum and I would like some advice. I have been operating my grandfathers farm for three years now, he had a stroke and was no longer able to work so I took over. I know once something happens to him, the farm will be split up and I will be out of a job. I am well aware of how to operate an already established farm but I am ready to start working on starting my own operation and I don't know where to start. I have all the equipment I need I just need help getting started. I just turned 23 so I feel I am young enough to start a farm and knowledgable enough to operate it. Let me know what you guys think, I am open to all suggestions thanks.
Young Farmer
- Thread starter ngafarmer
- Start date
thendrix
Well-known member
:welcome:
I'm assuming ngafarmer means north Georgia farmer. Which part are you in?
I'm assuming ngafarmer means north Georgia farmer. Which part are you in?
slick4591
Well-known member
:welcome:
CottageFarm
Well-known member
:welcome:
Start with your Grandfather if possible. Absorb everything he has to say.
Start with your Grandfather if possible. Absorb everything he has to say.
Goodlife
Well-known member
Have you talked to the other family members that will inherit as to their plans for their share? Perhaps a deal can be worked out to allow you to continue to operate the "family farm". I had a similar situation where I was one of the "other recipients" and worked out a deal to sell my share to the family member that lived there. I gave him a good deal because 1) he is family, and 2) I knew my grandpa would have liked to see the family farm stay together. I still get to go down and visit the family farm and relatives this way.
And welcome. :welcome:
And welcome. :welcome:
Crazy Farmgirl
Well-known member
3waycross":3pkz7aoh said:
:nod: Had that happen here after my grandmother passed the property was split between myself, my dad and his sister. The sister wanted money so she put the property up for sale the day the paperwork was done. My dad and I bought her out at her asking price(which was way more than it was worth) as we wanted to keep the family farm together! It was an ugly ordeal, hope this family actually has family value in mind and not dollar signs!
As far as where to begin....your grandpa would be the first place to turn, assuming after his stroke he is still of sound mind. Figure out what direction you want to have your operation go, make a business plan and present it to him and see where it goes. Hopefully your grandfather is sound enough to be able to pass on his "pearls of wisdom" to you, absorb all you can from him while you can!
Good Luck and :welcome:
thendrix
Well-known member
I'll chime in again. First do like the others have said and talk to your grandpa. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience there.
If you are looking at a cattle operation you will need money!!!!!! You will need to aquire land in some form because cows and living rooms probably don't mix very well. Never tried it so I'm just assuming.
If you don't own any land you can lease a pasture or land and fence it in for a pasture but that can be a sticky situation. Say you lease a piece of land for a year. In that year you fence it in and add a corral and maybe a few other things. Then a few cows by the end of that year. Remember that it is the PROPERTY OWNERS decision whether or not he wants to lease that land for another year. And if you don't have something in writing about the fence, corral, etc... you may be out a pile of money and a place to keep your animals.
Remember also you will need a water source, hay, hay storage, and relativly easy access to all of these.
Not trying to discourage because it seems a lot of younger folks need encouraging to try a venture like this. I'm just suggesting things to keep in mind
If you are looking at a cattle operation you will need money!!!!!! You will need to aquire land in some form because cows and living rooms probably don't mix very well. Never tried it so I'm just assuming.
If you don't own any land you can lease a pasture or land and fence it in for a pasture but that can be a sticky situation. Say you lease a piece of land for a year. In that year you fence it in and add a corral and maybe a few other things. Then a few cows by the end of that year. Remember that it is the PROPERTY OWNERS decision whether or not he wants to lease that land for another year. And if you don't have something in writing about the fence, corral, etc... you may be out a pile of money and a place to keep your animals.
Remember also you will need a water source, hay, hay storage, and relativly easy access to all of these.
Not trying to discourage because it seems a lot of younger folks need encouraging to try a venture like this. I'm just suggesting things to keep in mind
bigbull338
Well-known member
you need to look for an lease some land to get your start.that is the best an cheapest way to get started.
thendrix":1ljc9ld7 said:
Im right at the Lumpkin and Hall county line. Most of the pastures around here are being rented at the time, I have been on the look out and everybody around knows I am looking for a pasture. I have one guy that wants me to take over his rented pasture but he cant let it go until he does something with his cows. I am not in a position to buy fourty mama cows at one time ( Lord knows I wish I was ).
thendrix
Well-known member
ngafarmer":rng41tue said:
I'm at the Cherokee and Pickens line. Everything around here got sold and split up into subdivisions or 4 or 5 acre "horse farms" a few years ago. Hang in there something will become available whenthe time is right
Some times family can be a help or a hinderance. At times you may be better off looking for something that isn't tied into the family. I know this is very hard. However, there are some states that have databases for older people who want to help a younger person use their land to start farming. My dad just passed away last year and my mom and I are learning a lot more about running a ranch. Things would be going good if it weren't for this damn drought.
