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New Member
 
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| There have been a couple people recently mention retiring and moving to a farm. Is this a common thing? It seems like it would be a very hard time to try to set up a farm, especially if it isn't a very early retirement. That is one reason I moved back to our farm. My dad is getting to the point where it is hard for him to do the maintenance and upkeep. He isn't very old, only 66, but the doctors put him on a blood pressure med that saps his strength if he is out in the sun. Also his eyesight is starting to go. The initial work required to set up a farm is very high unless you are buying an established operation.
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Junior Member
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| Paul, I have wondered exactly the same thing. I have noticed that even at 44 years I cannot do as much as I used to do, I work hard outside every weekend but I dont achieve as much as say 10 years ago. I suppose it would be easier if everything was ready at the farmette too operate but half the enjoyment for me owning a "hobby farm" is planning the new stuff and achieving whatever goals I set myself.
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Senior Member
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Retired Hobby Farmers make up the majority of the farms in this country. 1% of the population is made up of farmers, but of that 1%, 60% of them are hobby farmers above the age of 55.
What is scary is, in the next 10-15 years, the majority of farmland in the USA will be changing hands. Where that farmland goes is the biggest question. Will it remain farmland or will it be sold to make tract housing?
Only time will tell, but slowly the importance of preserving farmland is coming to the minds of politicians and the general population that are realizing more then ever we need more food as the worlds population increases, while there is diminishing acreage in which to plant. Maine alone is losing 5000 acres a year to housing development!
But while things may seem dire here, there are two interesting blips on the radar regarding the future of farms. The first is that Maine has the lowest age of farmers. The national average is 58 years old, where as we are the lowest at 55. We also have the most start up farms in the country. I was told this week that Maine's agriculture is dying a slow death...these figures show that is not the case. BUT how long will this last.
Finally one more point, think about this. .4% of the population is producing the vast majority of food in this country and for the world. That is pretty amazing.
Eat lamb...because 50,000 coyotes CAN'T be wrong!
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Junior Member
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| You are right farming is a political enigma, on one hand there are 1% of the population employed and not claiming unemployment, on the other hand farmers elsewhere in the world can produce food cheaper. If the gov were to allow cheap food for the population then they would instantly have an additional 1% of the population unemployed. Like I said, a political enigma.
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Senior Member
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I always felt the government wanted cheap food which is why it is so highly regulated. I have said many times that its crazy that we buy everything for a farm at retail prices and turn around and sell it at wholesale prices. To me the amazing thing is, we somehow make it work.
But here is the thing, for every dollar generated on a farm, there is 5 dollars generated in taxable revenue because of this backwards system of selling at wholesale. That is why the subsidies are kind of a profit making venture for the government. I would lay down dollar bills all day if I knew I would get 5 dollars back for every one I put down.
Eat lamb...because 50,000 coyotes CAN'T be wrong!
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Starting Member
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in relation to the first post...
the retirement part... I've seen this many times and people have come to my world to "retire" and then they get 1 cow.. but soon fall out. they use a diffrant tone of voice...a diffrant inflection when they talk about "there farm" after they see those of us who have a working farm.. Imagine how a reenactor would act around a combat vet (illistration) do they farm...seldom. in many cases they worked hard for a good live'n and then they decide they don't want to work harder for less...but they still call the acrage a farm.
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Starting Member
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| Wow, are you all try to get me to stay in NJ with the high taxes and car insurance. I understand your point I have very good friends of mine who have mid size farm with many animals and full time jobs, she admits at their age it is quite overwhelming. but...... maybe I should look up the definition of a farm before I say I want one to answer the one post, but I don't know what else I would call it. No I am not going to have a big operation but in my retirement to me having a nice size piece of property that is not a housing development with a small amount of animals is to me a dream come true. I am retiring at 56 yrs old with a decent size pension. I am very fortunate and I can't wait to begin the next stage of my life. I am going to go into it with my eyes wide open and realistically with much research. I appreciate all opinions it gives me many perspectives Celia
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Starting Member
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| well yes, the deff of farm is another old topic here. but to say that you would retire to a business that is a bottomless pit of expence with no return on investment other than the feel good warm fuzzy is kinda silly. I mean when I think of a retirement job, I think of something like bagg'n grocerys on satudays or own'n a two bit coffee shop. We have many who come here looking at the tradional deff of farming..and then, become a land owner its fine but if you want to retire to become a man who works 90 hours a week to loose your entire income to low prices... go for it. some people really want that life...myself included
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Junior Member
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| I think the last two posts have hit the nail on the head: We all have different opinions to what a "hobby farm" is.
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Senior Member
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The definition of a farm has not changed in more than 30 years...you have to sell $1000 dollars or more in agricultural products a year to be a farm according to the US Government. If you make less then $1000 dollars you are a homesteader.
One is not really better then the other. In a lot of ways it is great that homesteaders are providing for their own needs and are raising their own animals...certainly better then having acres of lawn that do nothing for society. But to be able to kick food onto the national food chain and help others that are not in a position to grow their own high quality agricultural products...in my opinion that is a little more noble use of ones land.
The real questionable places are the no-kill farms/homesteads. As long as you are using fiber, manure, and other agricultural products, you could be either one quite easily. But if they are simply there for company, then its just a home with livestock as pets.
Eat lamb...because 50,000 coyotes CAN'T be wrong!
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