If you are a beginning farmer or a farmer that is looking to grow their operation you are well aware of the fact that land access is one of the number one issues facing beginning farmers. I know that we we began looking for land it was overwhelming. Not only was it difficult to find anything for sale that was actually in our area and in our price range, but there was a million other things to consider. Which bank will finance it? How far away from the job in town is too farm? Is it better to have a smaller piece of land with a house or a bigger piece with no house? Those are all questions that we faced, but looking back on the purchase there are so many other things that I should have considered or wish that I would have considered. So, what you will find below are my thoughts on what sort of things to think about when you are buying the farm ... or renting a farm.

How We Communicate With Our Farm Friends

1. Blogging :: One of the few things I did right as we started this farming journey was the starting the blog. This is a great way to practice telling your story and to share the journey.
2. Farm Website :: It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be the best one on the block, but it sure is nice to have one to share with people when they ask about your story or how to purchase your products.
3. Facebook Page :: This one is a given in 2014, but it is very important that you make use of it in the best way possible. We've found that pictures, questions, and posts that allow your farm friends to interact are much better than posts that are just advertisements.
4. E-Mail List :: This is one of the most important pieces of "online communication" we have because the people that sign-up for the e-mail list are folks that really want to hear from us. We use this to share recipe ideas, farm news, and opportunities to purchase our products.
5. Face-to-Face Communication :: Nothing beats a good old fashioned conversation when it comes to sharing the story of your farm. But, even more important is the opportunity to listen to your customers and learn what matters to them.

Don't forget about the upcoming Practical Farmers of Iowa Farminar featuring "The Beginning Farmer," Ethan Book.

Tuesday, February 18th 7:00 - 8:30 PM CST "Making Niche Pork Work for You at Any Scale"

  As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I'm thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn. If you do enjoy the show, don't forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show! I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with "The Beginning Farmer" and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links ...

• Crooked Gap Farm
• Crooked Gap Farm on Facebook
• Crooked Gap Farm on Twitter

If you are a beginning farmer or a farmer that is looking to grow their operation you are well aware of the fact that land access is one of the number one issues facing beginning farmers. I know that we we began looking for land it was overwhelming. Not only was it difficult to find anything for sale that was actually in our area and in our price range, but there was a million other things to consider. Which bank will finance it? How far away from the job in town is too farm? Is it better to have a smaller piece of land with a house or a bigger piece with no house? Those are all questions that we faced, but looking back on the purchase there are so many other things that I should have considered or wish that I would have considered. So, what you will find below are my thoughts on what sort of things to think about when you are buying the farm ... or renting a farm.

Seven Things to Think About When Buying Land

1. As Much As Possible :: Very rarely will you ever talk to a farmer who tells you that they wish that they had less land, so always look for as much as you can handle.
2. Infrastructure is Good :: It might be nice to start out with a blank slate so you can paint your own farm picture, but if you find a farm with perimeter fence and a few buildings that animals can run into if they need to you will be thanking yourself later.
3. Location Matters :: Sure it's nice if your farm has a great view, but what I'm talking about is how close is your farm to the people in your market.
4. Ask for Pictures if Possible :: It is unusual for you to be able to see a piece of land during all of the seasons before purchasing or renting it, so looking at pictures from the various seasons and talking to neighbors becomes very important.
5. How Do Enterprises Fit :: When you look across the particular farm you are looking at can you see how different enterprises would fit into the landscape?
6. What's Going on in the Neighborhood :: Are there other small-scale farms in the area that you can partner with? This can be a huge plus when you are looking for the perfect place.
7. Distance from Family and Friends :: I would have never thought about this factor before we actually started farming, but I cannot tell you how important it has been to have family and friends within easy driving distance that are willing to help.

Don't forget about the upcoming Practical Farmers of Iowa Farminar featuring "The Beginning Farmer," Ethan Book.

Tuesday, February 18th 7:00 - 8:30 PM CST "Making Niche Pork Work for You at Any Scale"

  As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I'm thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn. If you do enjoy the show, don't forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five star rating and review (by clicking the link). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show! I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with "The Beginning Farmer" and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links ...

• Crooked Gap Farm
• Crooked Gap Farm on Facebook
• Crooked Gap Farm on Twitter

One of the things that I love most about farming is that there is always something new going on. One day you might be baling hay on the tractor and the next day you will be running the chainsaw and building fence through the woods. It is a occupation and way of life that always has you learning new skills, working outdoors (in weather both good and bad), and above all it keeps you on your toes! But, one thing that is true on a direct-to-consumer farm is that you will often find yourself doing as much marketing and selling as you do "farming". On today's episode I wanted to talk a little bit about the process of our direct marketing farm from the beginning until our product is in the consumers hands (or on their grills ... or in their tummies). Luckily it only takes six easy steps ... of course most of the year all of these steps are occurring simultaneously!

Six Steps From the Farm to the Family Table

• Step #1a & 1b :: Birth of Livestock or the Buying of Livestock
• Step #2 :: Raising the Livestock
• Step #3 :: Processing
• Step #4 :: Inventory and Storage
• Step #5 :: Advertising and Marketing (Communication)
• Step #6 :: Selling

Don't forget about the upcoming Practical Farmers of Iowa Farminar featuring "The Beginning Farmer," Ethan Book.

Tuesday, February 18th 7:00 - 8:30 PM CST

Making Niche Pork Work for You at Any Scale

Link mentioned in this episode ...

Amy Palanjian writes about our Crooked Gap Farm Meat CSA

As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I'm thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn. If you do enjoy the show, don't forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five start rating and review (by clicking the link or the image on the right). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!

I would love to hear your questions, show ideas, or comments about the show. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail! As always you can follow along with The Beginning Farmer and Crooked Gap Farm by checking out these links ...

• Crooked Gap Farm
• Crooked Gap Farm on Facebook
• Crooked Gap Farm on Twitter

(if you are interested in the music in this episode check out my brother's record label, Historic Records)

Good news for all you iOS users. You now should be able to download "The Beginning Farmer Show" on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod! I finally tracked down the issue that was keeping that from happening, so hopefully this will be more convenient for some. One of the questions I get all of the time is how do you pay for the farm. There are plenty of questions about raising livestock, marketing, or working the land, but above all people are most interested in how to make it work financially. My advice is always simple ... save up your money and pay for the farm. We do have a manageable mortgage, but when it comes to the things that make the farm go (livestock, equipment, structures, etc.) I make it a point to pay for them instead of financing them. That does mean doing things on a shoe-string sometimes or at least making some savings in other areas. Here are five things that I've found to be able to farm on a shoe-string. 5 Tips For Farming on a Shoe-String

• Do it yourself with your own two hands ...
• Eat low on the hog ...
• If you have to heat, heat with firewood ...
• Pay for it with your money instead of the banks money ...
• In the end you most likely will find contentment ...

If you have an input on the topic be sure to leave a comment below or send us an e-mail.

As always, I want to thank you so much for listening and supporting the show with your encouragement and reviews on iTunes! I am continually working to produce a better show, and I'm thankful for all of the listeners sticking with me as I learn. If you do enjoy the show, don't forget that you can subscribe on iTunes and leave a five start rating and review (by clicking the link or the image on the right). If you are an Android phone user you can also subscribe on the free Stitcher App. It is so very encouraging to know that people are listening and enjoying the show!

• Crooked Gap Farm
• Crooked Gap Farm on Facebook
• Crooked Gap Farm on Twitter