For all of the climate-deniers who are afraid of Government assistance, I actually have a well-written and clearly articulated stance on the topic. You can find that message here: bit.ly/37kdfYC
Wow, Really surprised by all this, and guess this channel is not what I thought. I am blessed by having sizable farm and ranch property. It has been in my family for 120 years now, and has provided a means of support for 5-6 generations now. How did we manage to hold it together for 120 years? By never taking a single penny of government handout, farm welfare, land conservation giveaways and so forth, and never once borrowing a penny from the bank. These things allow you to pursue non-viable business models allowed to be kept solvent by the government money. Growing up, I saw so many farmers running like hogs to the trough of free government money. Every year, a different government giveaway. Where are they now? Virtually 100% lost the farms as they eventually could not service their bank debt based on chasing government programs. When I was growing up, I would estimate there were 1000 farmers in our county growing Cotton. Now, less than 5. Those five ended up with it all, and the traditional small time farmer, the backbone that made this country great, have disappeared. Rest assured that those 5 who survived the free money game are getting millions each in government programs, but the second those stop, or are cut back, the whole house of cards collapses. I had one farmer describe it to me this way. Government farm programs are the exact analogy of crack cocaine. You are stressed out, your business is struggling to make ends meet, and you take that first free check, and you feel like all your problems have gone away. But your fundamental problem is that you do not have a viable business model, and soon you are running back for the second hit off the crack pipe, and that one does not feel nearly as good. Then soon your teeth are falling out and you have tremors and are out on the street. No, not for me, not for my family, and not for any who really understand what is going on. Certainly this is your channel, and I am a guest here, and I am not here to argue or debate you . . . just I will stick with a time tested path to success and wealth . . . have a viable business plan, work hard, be smart, be generous, kind and patient with others, and success will find you, and will stick around for generations.
The greatest consumer of energy in the world is the American military. If you want to reduce energy/resource consumption, start by reducing the size of government. This involves not relying on the government for subsistence but on the earth's resources and God's provision in it.
Really surprised by this video. The whole purpose of sustainable agriculture is to in effect 'opt out' of the system. I would never take government money, and I would not trust a local, sustainable farm that did. Once you take government money, you are owned.
I agree. Keep the government out of your private life. Why we are where we are. Your comment spot on. I will never trust the government again with my livelihood again.
I have to rend to agree, I teach that you never take a dime because once you do it opens the door to living by their rules . And that's what they are there for.
Our family has been farming the same land for over 130 years with basically limited advice or financial resources from " Federal Conservation Agencies". We are independent for sure and fiscally responsible (as much as possible) in making our holistic goals attainable for the next generations. We took on risk with our own money to try new approaches and to remain viable for all these years. It takes a shit ton of work and is self-motivated. However, I came to agency life (local Soil & Water Conservation District) because I had a skillset in grazing and practical land management and wanted to support my family more while the animals grazed😉. I brought farming realities into a local agency who helps from the ground up. I've been misconstrued as a Federal Employee, State employee and Extension Associate from day one and been called a "Goberment person". Nothing could be farther from the truth. As a farmer/District guy, I've strived to give practical advice and not suggest cost-share funding (Which BTW, is what the majority of customers are looking for) until goals and plans are vetted. In this conversation, many of us who work in the field, deliver independent, old-fashioned knowledge not funding cause that's what other folks do. What we strive for is a relationship based on trust and that starts when customers come through the door or when we are asked to address and opportunity or concern. Some of the best knowledge I've ever received, that goes unnoticed by most is how public funds are used to facilitate meetings where seasoned farmers or workman-like agency/extension folks are showing us real solutions on the land. In our 5-part experiment, I wanted to touch on what my first meeting with a customer goes like to share that backstory alittle and inspire others to give us a try around the country. I'll just say, I'm trying to break down a few stereotypes in hopes of helping as best as we can in the many, many contexts customers bring us. And it doesn't always have to be about the money as you'll soon realize by Friday this week. Thanks GW
I really enjoyed this series, but I almost think there should have been a prequel or maybe a .5 video rather than starting at this point. How do you find this guy? Say you move into a new county, where should you start looking to get this type of expert or mentor? I see so many negative comments about ' I don't want help from the gov't ' and that is fine, but it is a bit of cutting off your nose to spite your face. The one thing Troy mentioned multiple times is that John is the boss... you can take advice and at the same time just say no to being railroaded into doing what you think the gov't is forcing you to do. I know a young couple that runs a nice market garden.. they got help and the gov't just completely paid for their well, almost $10k,.. there were no strings attached. They simple had to do a business plan, which every business should do anyway. There probably are a lot of farmers who 'chase' the free money and then end up not owning their dream, but each farmer can say no upfront if the requirements or obligations are too much.
Oh my goodness these comments. All these people chiming in don't realize the advantage of having family land. There are many people that don't have that opportunity. Furthermore the man made climate change is a tongue in cheek to drive the point to have specific goals. As far as the money well you don't have to take it, but yall are ignoring the fact that the money is there and if it's available and in line with your goals then why not. John- I am enjoying all of your content, slowly working my way through all your videos and podcast episodes. Please keep up the awesome work!!
And end scene. We have been very fortunate here in Kentucky. We have a fund CAIP fund “ Tobacco settlement “ Our farm has been fortunate enough to get matching funds the last to cycles.
This is good stuff. I was stuck on how to start my plan and sell it. Overthinking my vision without drilling down on the goals. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Quick question. Is this on the farm level only or can a homestead squeeze in as well? We are moving onto 1 acre but planning to use every inch on it, to fees our family and eventually get to where we can sell produce and chicken. Both from the property and at farmers markets. Soil is our top priority, making it better as it is kind of sandy there. Goals are mainly family, flexible hours and able to be with them more. Financial, just it at least working in our favor of paying for the inputs. Would like more but that would be a starting point. With the way things are going just want to help feed my family and help provide good food and produce to those around me. Sorry for the length of this but was curious on if there was anything I could look for as well. Southeast Missouri here as well if that might help any.
So, how do you locate an Ag Resource Provider in your local area? I live in SC, and I know where the county extension service is, but I haven't gone there yet because I don't even know where to begin asking questions. I'm on my son's 2 acres, we have a 20 chicken mixed flock of Rhode Island Red and Bard Rocks (with a cute but feisty Americana rooster in the mix), and they would be considered "cage free" (they have a pen of about 400 sq. ft.), we've had ducks, we have a garden plot, and we are starting to harvest the chicken droppings in leu of fertilizer for it. I'm trying to add a couple beehives this year, as my grandad was a beekeeper and I learned very young how fascinating and gentle they can bee, and we are also adding fruit trees to the property long term. I'd like to upgrade the pen and add a better coop, start hatching and selling chicks (we get almost a dozen eggs a day from the flock), grow and expand the beeyard over time, add ducks and grow that flock, etc. Like I said, I don't know where to start.
Thank you for this! Is your brewery part of your farm income or are they two different entities? I have sheep and alpacas and sell products from their wool and Im not sure if I should combine that business with the farm business.
My farm and brewery operate under the same LLC parent company. There are benefits to having your two businesses together, and there are benefits to having them separate. More detail than I could fit into a UA-cam comment, especially with how little I know about you. I would recommend finding a good CPA in your area that you can schedule time with and ask their professional opinions about the pros and cons of each decision.
Why doesn’t anyone ever take into account the amount of CO2 needed to make the windmills and solar panels. The amount of forest removed to install the solar panels.
Great video! Don't let the few people melting down just because you said some triggering words like "climate change" or "government" get to you. The content is great and there are plenty of other safe spaces for these folks where they can go to avoid such triggering words.
For all of the climate-deniers who are afraid of Government assistance, I actually have a well-written and clearly articulated stance on the topic. You can find that message here: bit.ly/37kdfYC
Wow, Really surprised by all this, and guess this channel is not what I thought. I am blessed by having sizable farm and ranch property. It has been in my family for 120 years now, and has provided a means of support for 5-6 generations now. How did we manage to hold it together for 120 years? By never taking a single penny of government handout, farm welfare, land conservation giveaways and so forth, and never once borrowing a penny from the bank. These things allow you to pursue non-viable business models allowed to be kept solvent by the government money. Growing up, I saw so many farmers running like hogs to the trough of free government money. Every year, a different government giveaway. Where are they now? Virtually 100% lost the farms as they eventually could not service their bank debt based on chasing government programs. When I was growing up, I would estimate there were 1000 farmers in our county growing Cotton. Now, less than 5. Those five ended up with it all, and the traditional small time farmer, the backbone that made this country great, have disappeared. Rest assured that those 5 who survived the free money game are getting millions each in government programs, but the second those stop, or are cut back, the whole house of cards collapses. I had one farmer describe it to me this way. Government farm programs are the exact analogy of crack cocaine. You are stressed out, your business is struggling to make ends meet, and you take that first free check, and you feel like all your problems have gone away. But your fundamental problem is that you do not have a viable business model, and soon you are running back for the second hit off the crack pipe, and that one does not feel nearly as good. Then soon your teeth are falling out and you have tremors and are out on the street. No, not for me, not for my family, and not for any who really understand what is going on. Certainly this is your channel, and I am a guest here, and I am not here to argue or debate you . . . just I will stick with a time tested path to success and wealth . . . have a viable business plan, work hard, be smart, be generous, kind and patient with others, and success will find you, and will stick around for generations.
The greatest consumer of energy in the world is the American military. If you want to reduce energy/resource consumption, start by reducing the size of government. This involves not relying on the government for subsistence but on the earth's resources and God's provision in it.
John “ I wanna save the world” … Troy… “so you want to make better fishing habitat” I like this guy! 💪
Really surprised by this video. The whole purpose of sustainable agriculture is to in effect 'opt out' of the system. I would never take government money, and I would not trust a local, sustainable farm that did. Once you take government money, you are owned.
I agree. Keep the government out of your private life. Why we are where we are. Your comment spot on. I will never trust the government again with my livelihood again.
I thought the same thing when I saw the title.
I have to rend to agree, I teach that you never take a dime because once you do it opens the door to living by their rules . And that's what they are there for.
Our family has been farming the same land for over 130 years with basically limited advice or financial resources from " Federal Conservation Agencies". We are independent for sure and fiscally responsible (as much as possible) in making our holistic goals attainable for the next generations. We took on risk with our own money to try new approaches and to remain viable for all these years. It takes a shit ton of work and is self-motivated. However, I came to agency life (local Soil & Water Conservation District) because I had a skillset in grazing and practical land management and wanted to support my family more while the animals grazed😉. I brought farming realities into a local agency who helps from the ground up. I've been misconstrued as a Federal Employee, State employee and Extension Associate from day one and been called a "Goberment person". Nothing could be farther from the truth. As a farmer/District guy, I've strived to give practical advice and not suggest cost-share funding (Which BTW, is what the majority of customers are looking for) until goals and plans are vetted. In this conversation, many of us who work in the field, deliver independent, old-fashioned knowledge not funding cause that's what other folks do. What we strive for is a relationship based on trust and that starts when customers come through the door or when we are asked to address and opportunity or concern. Some of the best knowledge I've ever received, that goes unnoticed by most is how public funds are used to facilitate meetings where seasoned farmers or workman-like agency/extension folks are showing us real solutions on the land. In our 5-part experiment, I wanted to touch on what my first meeting with a customer goes like to share that backstory alittle and inspire others to give us a try around the country. I'll just say, I'm trying to break down a few stereotypes in hopes of helping as best as we can in the many, many contexts customers bring us. And it doesn't always have to be about the money as you'll soon realize by Friday this week. Thanks GW
Looking forward to this series
I really enjoyed this series, but I almost think there should have been a prequel or maybe a .5 video rather than starting at this point. How do you find this guy? Say you move into a new county, where should you start looking to get this type of expert or mentor?
I see so many negative comments about ' I don't want help from the gov't ' and that is fine, but it is a bit of cutting off your nose to spite your face. The one thing Troy mentioned multiple times is that John is the boss... you can take advice and at the same time just say no to being railroaded into doing what you think the gov't is forcing you to do. I know a young couple that runs a nice market garden.. they got help and the gov't just completely paid for their well, almost $10k,.. there were no strings attached. They simple had to do a business plan, which every business should do anyway. There probably are a lot of farmers who 'chase' the free money and then end up not owning their dream, but each farmer can say no upfront if the requirements or obligations are too much.
Oh my goodness these comments. All these people chiming in don't realize the advantage of having family land. There are many people that don't have that opportunity. Furthermore the man made climate change is a tongue in cheek to drive the point to have specific goals. As far as the money well you don't have to take it, but yall are ignoring the fact that the money is there and if it's available and in line with your goals then why not.
John-
I am enjoying all of your content, slowly working my way through all your videos and podcast episodes. Please keep up the awesome work!!
And end scene. We have been very fortunate here in Kentucky. We have a fund CAIP fund “ Tobacco settlement “ Our farm has been fortunate enough to get matching funds the last to cycles.
This is good stuff. I was stuck on how to start my plan and sell it. Overthinking my vision without drilling down on the goals. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
It’s easy to get lost in the details. Always good to step back and remind yourself why you are doing something. Glad we could help.
More government? No thanks.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Quick question. Is this on the farm level only or can a homestead squeeze in as well? We are moving onto 1 acre but planning to use every inch on it, to fees our family and eventually get to where we can sell produce and chicken. Both from the property and at farmers markets. Soil is our top priority, making it better as it is kind of sandy there. Goals are mainly family, flexible hours and able to be with them more. Financial, just it at least working in our favor of paying for the inputs. Would like more but that would be a starting point. With the way things are going just want to help feed my family and help provide good food and produce to those around me. Sorry for the length of this but was curious on if there was anything I could look for as well. Southeast Missouri here as well if that might help any.
So, how do you locate an Ag Resource Provider in your local area? I live in SC, and I know where the county extension service is, but I haven't gone there yet because I don't even know where to begin asking questions. I'm on my son's 2 acres, we have a 20 chicken mixed flock of Rhode Island Red and Bard Rocks (with a cute but feisty Americana rooster in the mix), and they would be considered "cage free" (they have a pen of about 400 sq. ft.), we've had ducks, we have a garden plot, and we are starting to harvest the chicken droppings in leu of fertilizer for it. I'm trying to add a couple beehives this year, as my grandad was a beekeeper and I learned very young how fascinating and gentle they can bee, and we are also adding fruit trees to the property long term. I'd like to upgrade the pen and add a better coop, start hatching and selling chicks (we get almost a dozen eggs a day from the flock), grow and expand the beeyard over time, add ducks and grow that flock, etc. Like I said, I don't know where to start.
Thank you for this! Is your brewery part of your farm income or are they two different entities? I have sheep and alpacas and sell products from their wool and Im not sure if I should combine that business with the farm business.
My farm and brewery operate under the same LLC parent company. There are benefits to having your two businesses together, and there are benefits to having them separate. More detail than I could fit into a UA-cam comment, especially with how little I know about you. I would recommend finding a good CPA in your area that you can schedule time with and ask their professional opinions about the pros and cons of each decision.
You lost me at "man made" climate change. I'm old enough and observant enough to know the only thing behind that is political gain.
Thank you, I'm not the only one who was rolling my eyes at that 😆
You kill me!
Why doesn’t anyone ever take into account the amount of CO2 needed to make the windmills and solar panels. The amount of forest removed to install the solar panels.
Hey John love your videos man good job I have a question what kind of poultry can I raise in Connecticut and do I need a license or permit??
No it's called the 5th amendment
Great video! Don't let the few people melting down just because you said some triggering words like "climate change" or "government" get to you. The content is great and there are plenty of other safe spaces for these folks where they can go to avoid such triggering words.
I have to tell you, I appreciate you leaving this comment. Thank you.