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Tag: Farm Business

Study Many, Glean Few: Avoid the Comparison Trap in Farm Biz

How do we build a farm dream?

One step at a time. There you have it. That’s how we’re doing it. Rocket science, isn’t it? You’re now sitting in the midst of your ‘ah-ha’ moment! Like, ‘That’s it! She just said exactly what I’ve been missing.’

No?

I know that my saying we’ve been doing this thing one step at a time is nothing too inspirational. But, it’s realty and I think embracing it will launch you into building your business protocol wisely.

The Comparison Trap

In trying to figure out this whole farm biz thing, I studied and reflected on the stories of farms that were or are “making it”. They have a comparable model of operation as us but somehow they seem to be killing it in the finance and business sense. They preach the farming gospel that they make a comfortable living off their farm and “here’s how”. Continue reading

Financing a Farm Dream: The Challenges We Face

Money can be either your master or your slave. It’s amoral meaning it’s only what you make it. If you allow it, money will consume your every thought. Or you can whip it into shape and make it work its tail off for you.

I admit that the finances of our farm have always expended a large portion of our thoughts. There were seasons where it ruled us and seasons where, after building a brand and model, our money has worked hard for us.

When we started farming 12 years ago, we had a lot of people supporting us emotionally through the endeavor. But, we also had the old timers who implored us to run in the other direction because “you can’t make money in farming”.  Or somehow, farming was seen as degrading. One family member even said, “Why would you do that????” speaking of our going into farming.

Personally, we disagree. Continue reading

Our Shift to Grass-Fed: Why We Changed Our Model

We started the planning and initial building of our farm in 2006. The first tasks were acquiring land, saving some moolah for inputs, solidifying funds for the initial herd purchase, and preparing the land for our soon to be first group of yearling heifers.  Among all that, we researched, researched, researched… and worked boo-coos of extra hours covering our basis. Have I mentioned that starting a business is no small feat? 

We finally bought our first herd in Spring 2007. 

At the time we bought our herd, we were conventional farmers with a concentration in grass-based. What does that mean? 

It means we raised our cattle on pasture but still used medicines, vaccines, conventional feeds, and hay grown with fertilizers, etc. We were far from organic and definitely not sustainable. Continue reading

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