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Central Iowa | Try to think a little alternatively.
Have you considered livestock? If you have, but feel shut out by the big feedlots or confinement units, how about some of the specialty breeds?
Miniature Angus are making quite a splash lately. There is demand for meat goats in the right markets (Hispanic and Muslim), tree huggers love free range chickens, and these all command premium prices.
Independent brewers are quickly growing in numbers here, and there are very few commercial hops growers. A large hops farm is going in here, and it's only 27 acres, but the projected profits (and work!) are big numbers.
Don't expect the older guys to just step aside. I'm 56, Dad's 80, and I'm about to step into his shoes to give him a break very soon. There are more farmers that are just starting out that are in their 40's, 50's, and even 60's than most people realize.
Do you know what I've been doing in the past 35 years or so? Helping Dad after busting my chops working at full time jobs from corporate to customer service to maintenance. Nobody is going to step aside for you. You'll have to work and dig just like everyone else. | |
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Beginng Farmer
