NwmoW900 - 3/11/2026 11:41
I agree it’s good but locally hasn’t worked that way. Those of us that started right out of high school or college have faired better than those that went after a career for 10 years. Maybe we aren’t as well rounded but were able to buy and pay for farms before the big run ups. It’s all a timing thing not because they aren’t able or even more able than the rest of us. This is a thought I ponder on often with 4 kids of my own. Maybe a couple years away is good but the earlier you can get started the better chance of success. Was a lot easier to live on peanuts before I had a family.
I would have to agree with NwmoW900.
So much work to be done on the farm I couldn't afford to go work another job for a couple years. Plus I was afraid if I took a non farm job I'd never come back. Lol
Being away to college for 4 years was enough to know that the only place I wanted to be was at the farm. I went back home to the farm every weekend except for one weekend my entire college career.
Timing is everything. I have a friend that is about 4 years older than me and his first farm he bought out of college was around $450/acre. My first farm was around $1600/acre (7 years out of college) with several missed opportunities from $700-1200 in between. So land almost quadrupled in 11 years.
Get the farm kids back home and involved in the farm as soon as possible. Surely lots of opportunities or plenty to be done on any farm if you (and the kid) are willing to work. Those actively involved and actually farming will hopefully catch some breaks from older farmers that notice. Hard to know if Junior wants to come home and farm if he is away at some big city for 2 or 3 years. Out of sight out of mind.
Edited by cows-n-crops 3/13/2026 22:35
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Keys to helping next generation
