how to create a successful small farm
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- Опубліковано 15 сер 2024
- There is no single method for creating a successful small farm. There are a million different ways to farm, and your successful farm should reflect your personal ethics and strengths. That is the key to being happy in what you do. There are some common themes to what make small farms successful though. These include some business acumen, a strong vision of what you want your farm to be, becoming a skilled marketer and salesperson, and learning to grow superior products. Join me as I outline how we created a successful farm that supports our family, and learn the tools to make your farm successful AND a reflection of you.
website: justafewacres.com/
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email: peterelarson3@gmail.com
To order Pete's book; "A Year and a Day on Just a Few Acres:" www.amazon.com...
I like what you stated about the cookie cutter advice pushers. So many of these youtubers are pushing a model that won't work for the majority of folks. It works for them because YT income picks up the shortfalls. Everybody can't be a YT channel as part of their business model. It is nice to hear you telling the truth and sharing your business model with us. I have learned more from your little channel than all of the other small and large channels combined.
I have to laugh at one particular small channel. The guy sold people a monthly membership where information would be shared. Well, it ended up being just jibber jabber with no specific info given. I think this couple were well intentioned but missed the mark by a long shot.
Appreciate you and your family. Thanks for all the work you do to help us learn.
Hi Light Ning, you are spot-on regarding cookie-cutter approaches. So much about farming is learning how to work with your land, your climate, and your own skill set. There are other farmers I looked up to and learned from when we started, but the way we farm is a mix of different methods taken from multiple teachers and adapted to work optimally for our situation. I think it's a terrible disservice when some experts mislead those not familiar with farming by reducing farming to an overly-simplified set of talking points.
You hit the nail on the head !
Light Ning - you’re spot on with your comment.
Lol why do I know who you are talking about
I didn’t think people made that much on YT, I thought it was laughable per YT makers themselves
I love this guy. Honest and means well for everyone. And enjoyable to watch and listen to. Thank you sir
I.v pppp]
Yes wow, Have you considered worm farming? I raise millions of worms for fertilizer for my garden & to teach others how to care for them :) Its all about being self sustaining! Thanks for the great video, I love seeing what others are doing :)
Big fan of this farm and extremely impressed with the quality of the UA-cam videos
kutsop amazing detailed videos
This was better than the lectures we paid big tuition for in business school.
Yaaa yaaa true louis.
I have been raising commercial cattle for over 40 years. I have been researching farming similar to what you and your wife are doing. You have some good advice and information. We are close to changing our farming model. We are in South Carolina all our lives. We have already started grass fed beef on a small scale. Looks promising. Thanks. I'm glad I found your channel even though
I'm getting older. Lol
Bubba Ramsey, to consider changing your ways after 40 years is brave and admirable! And doing it a bit at a time, wise.
Pete you are a living example of success.Your philosophy in how to approach life and what you do is a shining, positive example for those who are willing to try this.
we really appreciate your willingness to share your journey here on the tube. fantastic content!
I cannot tell you how grateful I am to come across your video. One of the most superior master classes in small farming I’ve ever heard. I wish you nothing but continued success with your vision and your farm. Simply amazing! 🤝✨
Great video Pete! My wife and I are at year 1...we bought our 56 acre farm 2 years ago, spent the last 2 years renovating the 200 year old farmhouse and will be getting our first (few) animals this summer. Initially envisioned as a fleece farm, we quickly realized that fleece alone would most likely not be sustainable...so like you, we’ll focus on heritage breeds (Devons and Hog Island Sheep to start - not decided on the rest of the animals yet). This video is immensely helpful and reassuring...thanks for making it available! Good luck to you and your family!
Tells you about the quality of your convictions, that you are neither pushing a model people adopt, nor afraid of showing exactly what you're doing. I would love to have a farm, and hopefully some day soon I will, and watching your channel has me excited for a small family farm life.
Something to add with your Dexter cattle, They are a good feed converter. They consume a relatively small amount of grass for their eventual beef output. I grow Limousin / Angus / Murray Grey cattle because thats what the business we bought was already doing. If we were to do over I believe we would do dexter. We also do dorper sheep.
Sir I found your channel when it was recommended to me. I have a small old dairy farm in SW Pa that has been in my family since 1940. I’m about 10 years from retirement and I’m slowly trying to get to where you are. I can’t tell you how much I love watching your channel! You ate farming so much like I do. Please please keep them coming I love them all!
Wonder Why Farm & Homestead - I’m right there with you. I hope to retire in 10 years or so to the farm.
Solid advice! Most of it was basic common sense but sometimes people need that reassurance when venturing into something new.
I've watched several of your videos and can't thank you enough for your wisdom and logical approach to the basics of how it all works.
Love your channel. I'm 48, wife's 47. I have been injured and am no longer employable. We are thinking about starting a small type farm. Your advice is great to hear. Thanks for sharing.
You are so easy to listen to, a purely humble person explaining logically and very clearly your approach to a successful business. Thank you.
We are just starting our journey and have watched countless others give their “UA-cam” advice. You are the first to give a very detailed but individualized outline of farming 101. Very refreshing to feel a positive and informative explanation and not once feel anything other than your honest advice and help. Thank you for taking time to help us.
Thank you! Starting a small farm is not easy but is very rewarding. I'm glad you've found my advice helpful.
Many of the ethics you live by can apply to everyone, whether farming or not. We identify our wants and needs. We save up and pay cash for our wants and only finance our needs if necessary and ONLY if necessary. If we can do without or have an alternate plan, we use it. Debt makes the borrower a slave to the lender. The only thing we financed is our home. The last thing I financed (other than a home) was a piano for my wife's birthday in the 1980s. I'm too old now to run my own small farm, but I've alway envied that way of life.
It's nice to hear your wife is a nurse. I'm in nursing school but want to eventually leave the city and have a small farm/make homemade soap. It gives me hope that maybe I can do that one day. ♥️
I too am from Ithaca though I left 43 years ago. I enjoy watching your videos and most often learn from them. I grew up on a large dairy farm that overlooked Cayuga lake and shaped my love for the earth. My wife and I of 48 years work together and have created a “gentlemen’s farm” by raising and preserving a large garden, raising beef, chickens, and turkeys. We have given some of my grandchildren a chance to bail hay and get sore hands and tired backs preparing for the winter. All good stuff! Keep the videos coming.
Hi Jim, I believe farm work is a great way to build character for kids. It used to be that almost every kid in America had some experience working on a farm during summer vacation. Good for you!
Thank you for sharing. We are on a path to building a small farm in Maine, your model is very much like what we have in mind. Thank you and good luck!
@@Jj-gi2uv Greg Judy is the best! I'll check out the other channel you mentioned, and if it's even half as good as this one, I'll probably subscribe.
Very good video better than most.
Thank you for your wisdom and expertise that you've developed over the years. I'm very interested in this way of living and am aiming to pursue it. Thanks again!
Awesome video Pete. It’s really evident that you put a lot of forethought and time into making these videos interesting, and packed with information from your experience.
Hi Austin, thank you!
You do such a great job! Thank you!
Just found your channel and the timing couldn’t be better! We just bought a 31 acre property with the intention of creating a small farm that can provide us with our own food and supplement some additional income. It was already pastureland for cattle, so lucky us, it’s already fenced with an upper pasture that’s growing an amazing garden while we build our house this summer.
Love the videos and all the information, especially the series on harvesting hay. We have roughly 18 acres of good pasture to pull hay from that’s not wooded and a few acres we will be using for growing fruits and vegetables. It’s a lot of work building in the infrastructure, but we’re really enjoying the process!
As always outstanding advice. Enjoying the channel. Tks for sharing. I purchased a small farm(less than 80 acres) and have been slowly working towards accomplishing my business plan. I did this after I retired. One recommendation I would like to add is if at all possible, start the farm while still working. Once you get on a fixed income it becomes 100% harder to get the equipment you need to operate the farm. Just my 2 cents worth. Keep up the good work.
This is a great tutorial about farming and starting a business. Thumbs Up
Wonderful advice. I talk with many landowners that want to create a farm and I always tell them, "take it slow and don't do everything at once."
I totally agree with you about the profitability of small regenerative farms over big traditional farms and you nailed it as to why small regenerative farms are vastly more profitable than big farms. Former Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz told farmers to: "Get big or get out." and lots of farmers followed his advice and went into debt and lost their farms. Farmers like you will prosper while the get big crowd will continue to go bankrupt with a few notable exceptions like Gabe Brown of North Dakota.
Thank you. God bless you and your family.
I absolutely love your videos. You’re always so informative and helpful. God bless you and your family!
If it is possible Pete every new video of yours is better than the last. That is very hard considering you always hit all the points good or bad. Please keep them coming my friend. Great job as always!!
1:30 in and ive finally found my channel to study. Exactly what i been saying watching all these videos.
Hello from Canada. Thnx for the hours of information and entertainment. Don't listen to negative comments. Chin up march on.
Hi Pete, just wanted to say I really enjoy watching your videos here in Ireland. Every single one of them is very interesting and informative, and the production value is excellent. Thank you for the time and effort you put into these, and long may you continue!
Thanks so much!!
I'm a big fan of your channel. I've been binge watching after work since I came across it last weekend. I'm in northern Ontario and it's nice to see someone operating in a similar climate.
I am in the initial stage of planning to start a small farm, and I have watched a lot of UA-cam videos on the subject, and I think this is the best video I have seen. He captures a lot of things I was kind of thinking about, but had not fully conceptualized in my mind. He brings it all together in terms of overall strategy very well. I am just really impressed. This guy (he is so humble I don't even know his name) is genuine and intelligent and it shows in the substance what he is sharing.
Bought a farm n stating like the general principles .love from Africa Zimbabwe
Another great video Pete! If I were younger, I'd put a lot of these principles to work myself. I especially like the way you've built your infrastructer as I really like the smaller equipment that is adequate for a farm your size and was the same for our dairy farm up in Pulaski, NY years ago.
Love them old tractors them internationals like that are bulletproof
Smart farmer
Great video Pete. I live in the city, but I'm hoping to buy a small farm like yours in the next 1 - 2 years. I loved your video series on haying, which is what I'd like to start with. Just being outdoors in the sunshine and the smell of freshly cut grass/hay is what I crave. Thanks for making these very instructional videos.
How’s it going? Where you able to get the farm?
Thank you for this video! Found it to be very encouraging. Im so ready for a farm life! Goodbye corporate career. Hello Farm life!!
I appreciate and live by the same values. Thank you.
I'm a new subscriber and I love all the videos I've seen! in the future I'll be taking over my family farm. And I love farming and wanna keep the farm alive! but I am young and still learning from my dad and grandpa, but these videos are very informative and I can learn so much from these. Ain't nothing like the pride in taking care of a farm and the work that goes into it!
This is so timely, thanks. Your videos are so well done, informative, and logically presented, I am glad to see your subscriber base numbers jumping. Well deserved. Keep the content coming. 👍
Appreciate your honesty. We’re a “Boomer” couple hoping to grow a garden for our small family. Not farmers by a long shot, with little more than an acre. I’ve always had a garden. Tomatoes, squash, zucchini and okra ( my son’s favorite) We’re hoping to branch out this year with corn and sweet potatoes. Blessings for you and your family.
Excellent video, I really enjoy your comments
Great video. I look forward to watch all your videos.
Another great video! I'm very glad to have found your channel, as I plan to get into regenerative farming (in a small way) over the next year, and I've been trying to learn as much as I can to avoid making serious mistakes. What I find most excellent about your videos is the clear and concise way in which you explain yourself. Every sentence conveys some piece of useful knowledge, which makes the whole video jam-packed with great advice. I just came across your videos recently, but I plan to go through the entire collection and expect to learn a lot!
Such good information. I especially like the pay as you go, provide a superior product, and make your unique plan ideas. Thanks.
Hi you know what l bumped into videos because am the process of setting up a small farm but after watching two videos l learnt a lot. I love your content. Thank you mate
Very informative Pete. Thanks. So true on it takes time. The business model does not change you are correct, 3 to 5 years until you see progress with profit. The technology kids have a hard time grasping this because technology advances so fast. Take care.
New sub here in southwestern Ontario 🇨🇦 you had me at “ethics by which you farm influence the profitability...” well said sir. You’re living the dream - my dream AND our children are ages 17, 14 and 12 😀
Same ages as our kids Jeff! Thanks for subscribing!
Great advice! So we'll presented!
Man just found your channel I love the quality of you videos and the lvl of info your putting out.
I have been planning and saving for some time now and hope to in the next year start with some land back in my home state of ohio I look forward to your videos
Wow this is da best video I have ever watched am ready to start thx so much bro may God bless da work of your hands in Uganda and enjoying yo videos very educative
Just Great Advice...all around.
Brilliant video. Thanks for sharing
Keep up what your doing. Your very inspirational to me. I believe your a good man even If I don’t know you.
Make sure to study up on IRS publication 225 if you are starting a farm/ranch.
I swear your da best thx so much...thumbs up
Perfect sized farm for my hobby farm :)
Just fantastic! I'm so glad that I found your channel as we are just starting out on our own small farming adventure after a lifetime in the Corporate world.
ethicalfarmer - I’m jealous, I have a few more years of corporate life.
Good work
Loving your channel! I just started a small farm myself.
I pray you guys are doing ok. I just found your video. We are getting ready to start this new chapter in our lives. God bless
I love your videos thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for your videos. I just subscribed and I’ve watched a few. They really entertaining but also very educational.
Great video. I'm just up the road from you in Oswego County. I tell every customer they are welcome to visit the farm to see the animal they are buying and how it is being raised. So far i have been lucky to build a good many repeat customers.
Well said, and well done. Cheers!
More great advice Pete. Great channel for those serious about making the jump to farming.
Old Don Quixote often jousted with windmills...😳🤣🤣...I've just recently found your channel and have watched most of your videos. Love the videos and content. We live in Northwest PA and are working to start a small micro dairy to make artisanal cheese, ice cream and butter. Theres a lot of truth to your videos.
I like honesty...think I'll call you 'honest Pete'. LOL
Sound advice. Thank you!
I’m one of those who asked some stupid questions..
thank you Pete, for answering all of them with patients:))
Crazy Coyote, I never thought any of your questions were stupid! I always appreciate them.
Just a Few Acres Farm thanks!!
THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO...
Subbed within 30 seconds of the first video I saw (this one) because you can just tell this is the guy
Thank you for your knowledge
That's exactly the kind of business I want to have. Based on quality and integrity.
Thanks for this, very helpful
So informative, thanks
Surely you've reached "National Treasure" status in America. Solid and sensible advise. Thank you.
Really very good information.i learned a lot
Beautiful
You make great and very helpful videos, thanks friend!
You're welcome!!
Fantastic video thank you for sharing!
Heyyy buddy, it was sooo amazing watching such an informative video, I as always seriously loved to have a successful agricultural/farm land, that made me a hundreds of thousands of $$$/ year.....
As watching your video I'm pretty sure to have that someday insha,allah.... seriously intrested in meeting you in person someday....
Zabih khan from Afghanistan 🇦🇫.
I love your videos
I love how you present your videos it’s good content with a big smile on your face and most importantly how to save and then spend on your operating cost
Keep it up
Great video as always! You just gotta find your niche and stick with it.
Thanks Pete this was such a fantastic video.
Sir.....a few is not 40 lol. Jokes aside, thank you for the advice. Keep up the great work
Hey buddy, just stumbled across your channel. I must say that was an outstanding, articulate ,well designed, thoughtful , and tons of information on for someone looking to start their own farm such as me I am 40 years old and I have 50 acres and no infrastructure looking to raise cattle, etc. thank you for the insight and the encouragement in the well thought out words coming from somebody that took the same path
I love your smart and think things through ! Your channel is really growing now ! I knew it would you always but out great info . I hope you had a great Fathers Day !
Thanks Aaric!
That was a great video! Thanks and keep up the good work.
Unreal information and well laid out videos. Thank you.
I just bought your book, and so far I’m loving it! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the world!
Thank you.
Your advice is such an encouragement to me, thank you for what you do I very much appreciate it as we strive to get started on our newly obtained land.
Hi Pete. Great video. I just found your videos a couple weeks ago. We also sell our beef, pork, chicken, turkeys, eggs and sweet corn direct to customers. You got yourself a new subscriber from New Brunswick, Canada.