You would think that people without any farming experience would be reluctant to buy a farm. After all, they know nothing about the land or what needs to be done.
But, that didn’t scare one couple who took the plunge in Northern Vermont.
Three years ago they bought an abandoned farm. It had been vacant for more than six years, so as you can imagine it needed some TLC. The grounds were overgrown. The barn was falling apart and the house needed a lot of work.. But, that didn’t stop them from buying it.
One of the owners says the day they bought the property he was excited and horrified at the same time.
The couple was living 600 miles away from their new property and had no agriculture experience at all. At. All.
The owner knew he wasn’t alone in what he was going through as a new farm owner. So he made a video for other people who found themselves in the same situation.
He walked people through what he and his wife went through, giving advice from their experiences.
What’s the first thing to do…nothing! Yep, you read that right…nothing.
He suggests to start learning about the property before making any changes.
Stay away from major renovations. Instead, sit back, enjoy the property, and observe. Use the time in the beginning to learn about the history of the property. Learn from your neighbors and don’t rush into anything.
The second big lesson is to be in touch with the goals you have for the property.
Make a plan, even if it’s not concrete. Have a sense of direction. It may change, but at least you have a starting point. Having a master vision can help you along the way. It will also help you when hurdles come along…and they will!
Another tip is to pay attention to the day-to-day, not just the long term.
While it’s important to keep your eye on the prize, it’s important to not forget the little day-to-day things.
When it comes to trees, you should make that a priority because it takes time to see results.
Sometimes it can take as long as 6-7 years to see something come out of it. Be patient and prepare yourself.
As for your farm animals, start slow and small.
They started with poultry. In 2017, it was ducks. The geese and chickens came in 2019. Once you get your animals in place, you want to use temporary places for them to stay that are easy to move and re-use. That’s what this couple did. It allowed them to save money and get used to things on the property.
If you try to do it all too soon, you won’t enjoy your life on the property as much as you would if you just slow down.
Another tip is to be comfortable with making mistakes.
This couple admits they made plenty of them during their first year. Things are going to happen. The only way you’re going to get your dream is to learn from your mistakes. You can’t let your dreams get ruined by the reality that settles in.
One final piece of advice from this beginner farms…don’t get burned out. Those are words we can all live by.
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