Filtering by tag: newfarmer

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Where Do I Get the Money to Start a Farm

[This article is part of my ongoing propensity to catalog the obvious.]These are my personal observations and thoughts on getting the money to start a farm. First, based on many conversations I’ve…

Rows of young brassica and chard plants in greenhouse beds with drip irrigation

How Do You Start a Farm?

It’s certainly debatable whether I’m qualified to answer this question, but I will nonetheless give it a try. I’ll answer as though I’m the one doing the farm starting and explain the approach I’d…

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What Do I Need to Start a Farm?

Developing a successful agricultural enterprise requires a lot more than just land, seed, and a tractor. This article delineates many of the tangible and intangible components that an aspiring farmer…

Decision table titled "Should I raise _____? WHAT IS YOUR RISK TOLERANCE?" with guidance cells.

Should I Grow [Insert Crop Here]?

There’s no way to count the number of times a farmer or landowner has asked me, “How do I grow [insert crop here]?” The number would certainly be in the hundreds, and I’ve been asked about everything…

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What's the Next Big Thing for NC Agriculture?

In 2004, the US Congress passed legislation that ended a decades-old tobacco allotment program that had set a minimum guaranteed price and kept many NC small farmers in business. It was a dramatic…

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How Do I Turn My Land Into a Farm?

[updated 8/19/2020]Here is my latest correspondence with Ivan, an aspiring farmer. Dear Paul,What are the requirements to turn my land into a farm?Regards,Ivan Toby A. Farmer Dear Ivan,Plant some…

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Create Farm Maps With Google Earth

Years ago if a farmer wanted to get an aerial view of their farm, they had to drive to a government office just to get a low-resolution photocopy. Today it's easy to see an aerial view through…