Your story is very similar to mine though I stayed with teaching and earned my pension.  What little we have was made basically in the last ten years which has been good to us but I have never depended on farm income alone.  I missed a lot of good years and a lot of good opportunities doing it this way but it was what it was.

A nearby friend started with nothing and we help each other.  Another friend is doing it not far from here, he is young and don't know if he will make it or not but hope he does.  They both stay busy all year doing skills for others they possess.

Land and rent is too high right now compared to returns but there is always opportunity somewhere.  A few find them but most never do.

Ed