Prepared byJoe F. Brooks

Associate State Program Leader, Agriculture

Published byTHE NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE

North Carolina State University at Raleigh, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University at Greensboro, and theU. S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperating. State University Station, Raleigh, N. C.. Chester D. Black, Director. Distributed infurtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. The North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service offers itsprograms to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, or national origin, and is an equal opportunity employer.12/84/3M AG-346

decide whether to choose farming as a career.

Sixty-six percent of the almost 73,000 farms inNorth Carolina have an annual gross farm income ofless than $20,000. Most of these small farms are inthe mountains of western North Carolina and in thehighly populated Piedmont, but many are scatteredthroughout the large-farm section of eastern NorthCarolina.For many small-scale farmers, agriculture is a wayof life passed on from generation to generation. Forsome it is a part-time vocation. For others it is new,and getting “back to the land” is a challenge they will-ingly accept.This publication is intended to help a would-besmall farmer think through the complexities ofsmall-scale agriculture and to help with crucial deci—sions before a binding commitment is made. Otherpublications and resources offer more detailed infor-mation on specific enterprises. Your local countyagricultural extension service (county agent) can pickup where this publication leaves off should you decideto proceed further.First Questions First° Do you and your family like farming? . . . Have youever tried it or do you think you just might like it?

0 Can you afford to farm? . . . Are you giving up a jobyou already like? . . . Can you raise enough moneyto get started? . . . What about credit? . . . Can youstand a net income loss for a few years untilproduction and markets are developed to aprofitable level?

0 Have you considered renting or leasing a farm . . .maybe even working on a farm for a year or so sim-ply to learn?

0 Have you developed a five- to ten-year long-rangeplan that outlines major goals and strategies?

0 What type of farming suits you, your family andthe area where you want to live?

0 Do you plan to farm full time or part time?0 Will farming be a living or just a way of life . . . ahobby or a business?

0 Are you willing to learn and/or keep up with thetechnology and developments of modern agricul—ture?

The Next StepLearn as much as you can about farming in your

selected location. What crops or livestock are grownand why? (It may be difficult to produce and marketcommodities not grown by other farmers in the area.)How much labor is required and at what times of theyear? What are reasonable land values, and howmuch and what type of farm equipment will youneed? Will marketing of your farm products be aproblem, and exactly where will you sell them?

Seek out professionals for advice. Check with yourlocal agricultural extension service. There’s an officeand staff in every county, and they have a direct linkto the state agricultural university and to othersimilar federal and state agencies. This is your bestsource of unbiased professional advice and the serviceis free. Use the Guide for Appraising Your Re-

A satisfied customer is your best advertisement.

sources, (Appendix) to help extension agents orother professionals make recommendations for yourfarming venture. Also, to help you gain informationon specific subjects, publications on all areas ofagriculture are available, either free or at a small costfrom the extension service and other federal andstate agencies.On-the-Farm TrainingProbably the best way to get valuable experience is

to get a job on a farm. Pick the area and the type offarming you plan to do. Look for a successful farm.Try to set at least four goals:1. Learn as much as you can about the farm as a

business (farm management).2. Build a reputation as a good worker and a goodmanager.3. Accumulate some capital—prove you can han-

dle money.4. Decide within a year if you really want to farm.Financial Projections

Financial planning is crucial to success. Some en-terprises such as raising feeder pigs or growingwheat require less capital spending if basic land andbuildings are available and machinery costs are helddown.

Start on a small scale—try not to exceed the limitsof your readily available capital, with a reserve forfamily living.

After you develop the experience and skill needed,expand and operate the farm on a larger scale if youwish.

Credit is perhaps the chief way to get more capital,but it may not be found easily. Used wisely, creditcan be a valuable asset. Misused, it can turn into apersonal nightmare.You must decide (1) how much capital you need to

start; (2) what the capital will accomplish in potentialreturns; (3) where and how to get the capital; (4) howmuch the capital will cost; and (5) most importantly,how you will pay off any debt you incur.MarketsAt some point, perhaps when you have narrowed

down your farm business choices to a few, you shouldcheck out prospective market outlets.Some products can be sold in local or regional

markets, on a sales basis or through contract. Fieldcorn, as one example, may be used on the farm to feedlivestock. Other products such as rabbits, fishingworms or strawberries are mainly local market itemsrequiring easy access to limited or special demandmarkets. Vegetables, fruits or specialty items such asflowers, shrubs, molasses or honey suggest a road-side stand as one possible marketing method. To beprofitable, a roadside stand should be

0 located on a road often traveled by many poten-tial customers such as commuters who mightnotice an attractive and appealing road sign andvisit you on weekends or evenings after work,

0 open during regular sales hours and have a fixedschedule easily read and remembered by pass-ersby, and

0 stocked with enough good products to attract avariety of buyers who will come back because ofquality.

Offering high quality at competitive prices is im-portant to success. It is also essential that the stand isin a convenient location and that you work hard to es—tablish good public relations—road signs, advertis—ing, good humor, sincerity with customers, parking,neatness and other features that will present aprofessional image.Selecting the Farm1What do you look for at this stage? Let’s assume

that you have access to some capital, you have work-ed on a farm and are familiar with farm problems,you have set realistic goals, and you have selected thearea most suitable to you. You also have someknowledge of potential marketplaces. What next?

Begin narrowing your search for a place that willserve you best. Among key factors to consider arecommunity, land, buildings, water, trees, labor,machinery and equipment.Community—The best job markets are near big

cities. Nearness of job markets also may make iteasier for you to resell your farm later and may helpyou market your products. Yet the closer you get to acity, the more land costs.Look for a farm in an area of well—kept homes.

Potential neighbors whose places look prosperous andwell-cared-for can be considered assets. Check outmatters like fire protection, schools, sewage systems,natural gas, water and electricity.Ask yourself:' What is the location worth solely as a place to

live?0 What are inflation prospects that can raise themarket value of the place?

0 What is the economic potential for raising crops,fruit or a garden as well as livestock? (Poultry orswine enterprises should not be located nearhomes.)0 Does the land also have potential for nonfarmdevelopment, either short- or long-term?

Land and Its Drainage—Check out what potentialneighbors may choose to grow. Ask them about theland and local conditions. Is the soil suited to growyour crops? Soil type, drainage or degree of slope of—ten can make the difference between good and poorcrops. Land that is dry in summer can turn into amarsh during the winter or after a spring rainfall.Before you decide on a low-lying piece of land, askneighbors about potential flooding and drainageproblems, or visit your prospective acreage at dif-ferent times of the year.

If you see sedges, rushes or other moisture-lovingplants, check the possibility of a high water table.High water tables can cause problems with wells,septic systems, basements and with some kinds ofcrops, not to mention pollution problems withneighbors and water districts.

Small farms offer different types of learningexperiences and a unique life style for all familymembers.

You may be able to convert land with a high watertable to productive use by installing a drainagesystem. Although you are aware that all drainagesystems need an outlet lower than the area beingdrained, nonetheless an expert can advise you onplanning. One source for help is the local soil conser-vation district (Soil Conservation Service [SCS]). Ifyou request help, your district may give technicalassistance Without charge in designing and laying outa drainage system. But usually you will have to payfor any system you build, a payment which can be amajor cost.Buildings—Farm buildings seldom enhance the

value of a farm in proportion to what they cost. Somefarm businesses require special, expensive struc-tures. Others can make use of existing structureswith little or no additional cost. An old dairy barn canbe converted to a hog farrowing unit or turned into amodern milking parlor. Buildings should not dictateyour farming choice, but they may well influence youtoward one area as opposed to another.

1Facts About North Carolina Agriculture (AG 283) is availablefor $1 from county agents. This publication includes soils, climate,markets and other helpful information.

mm»To care for animals, handling facilitiesare essential.

Fences—The most common types of fences arewooden and wire. Most wooden fences are primarilyornamental in purpose. They are much more expen—sive and not as effective as wire in controlling certainlivestock. A new barbed wire fence costs at least 30cents a foot or $1,584 per mile installed; a woven wirefence costs nearly double that. Electric fences aremuch less expensive. N0 fence will stand up to live-stock stress unless it is properly installed, regularlymaintained and sensibly chosen for the purpose in—tended. Even so, a major disaster (like a flood) or astampede may knock over a section, or even rows, offencing.Roads—Roadbuilding and maintenance could be

your responsibility. Roadbuilding costs vary with ter-rain and slope. Whether you build a road or not, youneed to evaluate how severe weather conditionsmight affect existing roads. For example, soils with ahigh clay content become slippery when wet. Sandysoils often lack stability and erode easily.Water-—Your farm must have plenty of good

water. If you must get your water from a well, findout if there’s a good one. If not, how much would itcost to drill one?Ponds and streams can be valuable assets.Depending on location, ponds can help prevent

flooding and erosion; they can also store water foryour own drinking purposes—if filtered—as well asfor livestock and deer, ducks, geese, wild turkeys andother wildlife. Ponds can provide water to irrigateorchards, gardens and field crops and to quench fires.Ponds can also produce fish of several types.

What To ProduceSelecting an enterprise—what you will produce—can be approached from at least two directions.(1) Decide what to produce and find the farm thatwill grow it, or i(2) Find a good farm at the right price and then

determine the optimum profit enterprises thatfit that particular farm.

Chances are you will not be successful growing acrop or producing livestock that you do not personallylike. Also, there is no need to try to produce a farmcommodity that is not adapted or is not competitivein your area. Blueberries, for example, grow well onlyon high organic, low pH soil with a fairly constantmoisture supply. Trying to grow them elsewhereusually leads to failure.Think about labor requirements. Will the enter—prise you choose require more than your own or your

family’s labor and, if so, where will the labor comefrom? Will someone be there seven days a week tolook after animals?To succeed, a small farmer usually has to be a

master marketer. He must know that small-scalefarms can’t very well compete with the same enter-prises on a large scale. Generally, small farmers suc-ceed by producing a unique farm product notproduced by large farms or else by providing a specialservice (such as home delivery or customer harvest)with their commodity.

we».4w-—‘,sci,

Enterprises More Suited to Small FarmsIf you consider all farming possibilities, those en-

terprises listed below offer some advantages on asmall farm. There are many others.Field Crops—Alfalfa on fertile soils, burley tobacco

in mountains, peanuts (for local market).Vegetable Crops—Asparagus, beans, tomatoes,sweet corn, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers,melons, sweet potatoes and a lot more. Aim for thelocal market or farmers’ market or look for a goodmarketing agency or broker.

Fruit Crops—Small Fruits—Strawberries, blackberries, blue—

berries (where adapted) and grapes are all goodlocal market crops.

Tree Fruits—Peaches, dwarf apple trees, pearsand some nut crops offer excellent potential forlocal markets.

Note: All fruit crops require considerable time to getinto production (one to eight years) and mustundergo intensive pest management.

Animals—Sheep and beef cattle are now major en-terprises on many small farms. Rabbits and ducksare also possible money makers. Bees for honey,pollination and specialty products have long beenpopular for small farmers. Dairy goats have a placeon some small farms. Swine, especially the produc~tion of feeder pigs, offer unlimited potential over along time. You might even consider ponds for“catch—out” fish or a small poultry flock to producea specialty poultry or egg product. Geese, guineasor quail may be your choice.There are many more opportunities. Explore them

all, but remember that unless you can produce an en-terprise that few others currently handle, you willhave to compete in the marketplace with other largeand small farmers. Your ingenuity in providing aspecial quality or unique service and your efficiencyin producing that quality or service will most likelydetermine how well you meet the competition.For detailed information on producing any of theseagricultural commodities, check with your countyagricultural extension office. They probably have apublication with all the instructions to help you makea decision and get started, including a detailedproduction cost-and-returns budget.

One Last NoteWhat has been the secret for so many successful

small North Carolina farms? For one thing, as farmsget larger, many markets become too small for largefarms to consider reaching. Small farmers whobecome highly specialized fill that niche in themarket with all kinds of farm produce from freshasparagus to zucchini. Part-time farming is another

Native ornamentals generate high income on smallacreage in western North Carolina.

reason for success. Many farmers have discoveredthey can work full time in town and still farm suc-cessfully on a small scale during the evenings and onweekends. Success most often is associated with ahigh-yield, high-return specialty enterprise such aspick-your-own strawberries, nursery and ornamentalcrops, sheep and other similar ventures.Some sound advice is offered for those itching to

get started. First, become familiar with what yourcounty agricultural extension agent has to offer. Thefollowing publications are the best available. Yourlocal library should have copies, or they can be or-dered from the Superintendent of Documents, US.Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

Getting Started in, Farming on a Small Scale,USDA Publication AI, Bulletin No. 451 (order num—ber 001-000—04259~9), $3.25.Living on a Few Acres: The Yearbook ong'm'cal-true 1978, (order number 001—000-03809-5), $13.00.All farmers and all agricultural professionals willtell you that entering production agriculture involvestaking risks. Careful planning and analysis beforeyou make a commitment will go a long way towardlowering those risks.

Suggested Readings

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Publications11. A Dairy Goat for Home Milk Production, USDA, L 5382. Assistance Available from the Soil Conservation Service, USDA, AIB 3453. Farm Ownership Loans (FmHA), Program Aid No. 624. Getting Started in Farming on a Small Scale, USDA, AIB 4515. Keeping a Cow, USDA Leaflet No. 536, Science and Education Administration6 . Raising a Few Beef Cattle, USDA Leaflet N0. 542, Agricultural ResearchService

Raising a Small Flock of Sheep, USDA Farmers’ Bulletin No. 2222. Raising Ducks, USDA Farmers’ Bulletin No. 2215. Raising Geese, USDA Farmers’ Bulletin No. 2251

10. Raising Guinea Fowl, USDA Leaflet No. 51911. Raising Livestock on Small Farms, USDA, F 222412. Should You Try Farming?, USDA, AFS 1—1—213. Small Poultry Flocks, USDA, F 226214. Trout Farming: Could It Be Profitable for You?, USDA, L 552

cooog

N.C. Agricultural Extension Service Publications215. Facts About North Carolina Agriculture, AG 283, $1.0016. Tree Fruit Production for Home Use, AG 28, 50¢17. Grapes and Berries for the Garden, AG 15, 25¢18. Garden Manual, AG 06, 25¢19. Raising Rabbits, AG 105, N. C. Agricultural Extension Program, A&T StateUniversity, PO. Box 21928, Greensboro, NC 2742020. Renewable Resources and the Limited Resource Audience: A Suggested ReadingList, NR 101, A&T State University, (see No. 19 above for address)

Other Publications21. Soil Survey (selected counties), USDA Soil Conservation Service county office22. Enterprise Farming, Ford Motor Company, 2500 Maple Road, Troy, Michigan 48084

' 1 Most USDA publications are now offered for sale only. Write to the Superintendent of Documents, Govern-ment Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402 and ask the prices and availability of the publications youwant.2 Ask your county extension office or contact the publications office, North Carolina State University, Box7603, Raleigh, NC 27695-7603 for a list, prices and availability of extension service publications. Telephone(919) 737-3173.

Appendix

Guide for Appraising Your ResourcesThis form was developed by John S. Huddleston of the Virginia Extension Service. its completion will provide thenecessary background information needed by extension agents or other farm management consultants in developingrecommendations for your present or future farm.1. Location of farmA. Area of county:

B. Road number or name:C. Distance from major landmark:D. Do you plan to buy or have you already bought the land?

2. Size of FarmA. Total acres: acresB. Present pasture:____.____or Hay _________ acresC. Present cropland: acresD. Present woods in acres: Hardwood Pine Mixed

3. Cropland (check appropriate items)A. Rolling __ Level— Steep __ RockyB Was land in crops last year? Yes __ NoC. Last crops raised:D Soil types, if known (The local Soil Conservation Service representative may be able to help you identify soil type.

Ask for a soils survey map of your area.)4. Pasture land (check appropriate items)

A. Rolling __ Level __._ Steep __ RockyB. Check present crop and its condition

- Grass or pasturea. Very weedy _____ b. Not veryweedyc. Some legume __ d. Little legume e. Brushy

0 Alfalfa or clovera. Very weedy__ b. Not very weedy c. Brushy

0 Other croplanda. Very weedy ___ b. Not very weedy0. Some legume __ d. Little legume— e. Brushy

C. When was pasture land fertilized and limed last?Analysis of fertilizer: Amount per acre:

D. Soil types of pasture land, if known5. Describe fences (mapped location and condition)6. Describe buildings (size, condition, and interior layout: electricity available, etc.)7. Describe water supply (springs, rivers, city water, other)

8. What are the zoning or housing restrictions in your area that might affect your selection of enterprises?

9. List types of livestock with which you have had experience. Give a brief description of work.

List the livestock you would like to consider.List the livestock you presently own.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.15.16.17.18.

19.

List types of crops with which you have had experience. Describe work.

List crops you would like to consider.

List custom services available for any of the farm machine operations you may need.

What farm machinery do you presently have available?

How much labor do you have available to care for crops or livestock? (Be specific—hours per day, winter and sum-mer, number and experience of people. What happens during vacation?)

How much do you want to spend on fixed resources such as buildings and fences?How much do you want to invest in farm machinery?How much net income do you wish to earn from your farm operation?None__ Some ___ ConsiderableHow long range are your plans?Fewer than 5 years __ 5 years__ 10 years—_ 20 yearsNeighborsA. Distance and direction to nearest three neighbors.

B. Enterprises they have, if any.

C. Their likes and dislikes relative to your farm, if known.

Your extension agent is a professional farm management adviser, so note any other information below you feel wouldassist him in helping you.

10