Things You Should Know Before Trying Farming
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So, you've decided that you want to be a farmer? There are not enough people out there who want to go down this route, so making this decision is a positive one for the world as much as it is for you! The thing is, farming isn't all cute lambs and fields of green: it's hard work and before you decide to jump in with both feet, you need to know as much as possible about the job.
Farming is all about early rises and late finishes, looking after animals and the ground and it's also about being a part of something that earns you a profit. You need to be committed to this new way of life you're about to embark on, right down to the agriculture clothing you'll need to buy. So, with this in mind, let's take a look at things you should know about farming before you try it on for size. Let's take a look!
It's more than just a job. Farming is a lifestyle. When you get a job, you have set expectations and shifts, set deadlines and a salary. When you choose to run a farm, all the uniformity goes right out the window. Chores for the farm can start as early as 3.30am, and you usually live where you work - a far cry from the office! The schedule you keep depends on the animals you raise and the land that you farm, too. You are in charge, but you're also working the farm to keep it running well.
You may not get much time off. Smaller farms don't generally allow you the time to leave and enjoy a vacation! You tend not to need outside help, but this can then eat into your time. You can't just skip your day job because it's Christmas: animals need to be fed no matter what. While the job itself is incredibly rewarding, it doesn't make it any less unique compared to a regular jbo.
It's not always easy to make money when you run a farm. Your income can be affected by the weather, if you don't have enough buyers of your crops and if the livestock become ill, there could be trouble. The external factors that can affect your business are not always easy to deal with, but it's part of the job. Ensuring that you have enough money in the bank is important, but you must be ready to not have a constant paycheck.
Your fingers will be in many pies. As a leader of a farm, you'll be a physical handler, a critical thinker and a business leader all rolled into one. It's tiring and rewarding and there is always something that you should be doing. You want to look at your farm with a critical eye - it's a beautiful place but it has to stay that way!
If farming isn't for you, you'll soon figure it out, but that doesn't mean that a career in agriculture is out of reach. You can do so much in this world that farming will just be one part of it!
