How to Start Farming

Introduction
So you want to be a farmer? Well good, because we need 30 million more of them. And soon.

As we begin our transition from an agriculture based on fossil fuel to an agriculture based on sunlight, we are also shifting from an energy-intensive system to a labor-intensive system. This means that in future, people will do the jobs that heavy machinery, pesticides and fertilizers do today. More farmers working the land. Many, many more. To learn why this is necessary, read this.

But can farming really be profitable in this day and age? In short, yes. Entrepreneurial farming can be profitable much like any other business, but requires skilled planning, production and marketing. There are no shortcuts or get rich quick schemes, but an earnest living can be made by working a small amount of land. Another way to put it is that successful entrepreneurial farmers must be able to work a spreadsheet as well as they do a plow.

This guide is meant to be a point of departure for those who think they might want to farm in Northeast Ohio, though most of the suggestions would apply to any locality. It is by no means comprehensive and will evolve over time, but it touches on most of the questions you must address when considering farming. The steps listed need not be taken in order, but you'll most likely address all of them along the way.


Step 1: Find a Partner
Farming is hard work and can be very time intensive, especially if you're like most beginning farmers and have another job that provides your primary income. Having a partner to share the workload during arduous tasks - like harvesting for 5 hours on a Friday morning - can be the difference between handling your workload in stride and giving up. While part-time help and interns can certainly play a part in your farm strategy, having a partner affords you greater flexibility, increased efficiency, and an opportunity to bounce ideas back and forth. Whether it's your significant other or a friend with similar aspirations - consider finding a partner. Few farmers farm alone and there must be a reason for this.


Step 2: Visit Farmers
One of the best ways to accelerate your learning of any skill or trade is to work with those who already do it well - this is in part why the apprenticeship system has been the basis of job training for most of human history. Farming is no exception. Numerous times I've been on the farm of an experienced grower and said to myself "Ah, so that's how real farmers do it!" Books and internet research can go a long way towards your understanding but there is no substitute for experiential learning. You're going to make mistakes and spin your wheels no matter what - that's part of the fun - but there is no sense is wasting your time (and money) when you can learn from those who have made and worked through many of those same mistakes.



Step 3: Find Land
While the pastoral image of a classic American farm likely warms the heart of anyone who dreams of farming, buying one probably isn't in the cards for most beginning farmers. Luckily, a number of alternative options and arrangements exist to secure land in both the city and the countryside. Of particular note is the staggering - and growing - amount of vacant land in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. While not all vacant urban parcels are suitable for growing food, many are, and this presents a special opportunity to transform both the local food economy and the urban landscape. In any case, these are a few of the more popular options for finding land:




Step 4: Participate in Local Workshops and Training Programs
Northeast Ohio is fortunate to have many local farms and local food organizations that are dedicated to growing a sustainable food system in the region. Many of these organizations offer learning programs to help train farmers, gardeners and those interested in local food. Here is a general overview of these programs:




Step 5: Fund Your Business
Even if you have access to low-cost land and are beginning on a very small scale, starting a farm still requires some investment. Seeds, tools, fertilizer and farmers market display stands all cost money. While sub-acre farms can often be financed from savings, any project involving land acquisition or major construction will often require alternative financing. Beginning farmers in the City of Cleveland might be eligible for the Gardening for Greenbacks program - a $3,000 small business grant that can go towards equipment required to start up an urban market garden.


Step 6: Develop a Marketing Plan
Entrepreneurial farms can have many different types of business plans, markets, and customers, but they all share one common characteristic: direct marketing. In order for small farming to be successful, farmers need to get as many cents on the dollar as possible - a return that isn't possible selling to wholesale markets. A growing number of marketing options exist for local farmers but in general they can be grouped into the following categories:




Additional Resources