Any farmers here?

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 11-04-2006, 11:38 AM

I'm not a farmer, but I am from Iowa.

Seriously, I have friends who come from farming families, so I know a little bit about it.

From what I understand, it is very very hard to make a living unless you are a "family farmer." Meaning, it has been in your family for a long time and you own all of the land. I *think* you even get certain tax benefits, etc, but ONLY if you are a family farmer. Land is very expensive and unless you already own it it's hard to make a lot of money simply selling crops. My closet friend's dad is a farmer (the farm has been in his family for several generations). He has 3 other jobs to make enough money- he does an online agriculture forum, reads meters, and teaches flying lessons. He is pretty much working all the time, but I think part of it is because he wants to- they earn a good living, but because he farms AND does 3 other jobs.

I guess, if you wanted to go into farming the biggest thing would be the initial expense...land, equipment, etc, is all very expensive. But, I'm sure it's doable if it's something you really want! Good luck!!

**Christiansmommy** · 11-06-2006, 08:09 AM

bump

**Freedom** · 11-06-2006, 08:47 AM

I subscribe to People Places Plants, the Northeast Organic Gardening magazine. Here is the web site:

http://www.ppplants.com/

The autumn 2006 issue has the cover story, New Faces of Organic Gardening.

If you are interested, PM me with your full name and mailing address, I will mail you a photo copy of that article. (I would offer to fax it, but there are lots of color photos and things that wouldn't fax well.)

Each state has a chapter of NOFA - National Organic Farmers Association. This magazine only gives the contacts for the New England states, plus New York. But you could try locating the chapter for your state. Even contact on of these if a GOOGLE search doesn't work, and ask them for a contact in your area. Or maybe you already have done that.

The authors and others who participate in this magazine - either monthly or just for special articles - always emphasize that they are available for questions.

The magazine is geared to the Northeast and to our growing zones. So I am not sure if the specifics will help you or not.