Debate me, or whatever.
I'm thinking way smaller scale. Not making money off the crops, but actually growing, eating, and preserving most of them for personal use. Something like 20-40 acres with a dozen pigs, 20 chickens, and maybe a few cows could generate enough food for a family. Chickens are real cheap and mature pretty quick. Rabbits are great too.
Yeah, beyond that, I'm not real sure on ongoing costs like animal feed or electricity to run the wells for water. Adding 40 solar panels would cover the power bill plus get a some money back from the power company for a little extra income.
I don't see it making money, but instead providing a safety net. If the power grid goes down, grocery store shelves never get stocked, your retirement fund fails, you'll have food onsite.
I'm thinking way smaller scale. Not making money off the crops, but actually growing, eating, and preserving most of them for personal use. Something like 20-40 acres with a dozen pigs, 20 chickens, and maybe a few cows could generate enough food for a family. Chickens are real cheap and mature pretty quick. Rabbits are great too.
Yeah, beyond that, I'm not real sure on ongoing costs like animal feed or electricity to run the wells for water. Adding 40 solar panels would cover the power bill plus get a some money back from the power company for a little extra income.
I don't see it making money, but instead providing a safety net. If the power grid goes down, grocery store shelves never get stocked, your retirement fund fails, you'll have food onsite.
Even still, you're at the mercy of the Mother Nature with your crops. Plant too early and lose them to a fall heat wave or late frost in the spring. Insects destroying your crop because it rained for a week and a half straight and you couldn't put out anything to stop them. Tree falls and takes out your fences and your livestock escapes. Coyotes attack your herd and kill that year's calves. There are so many variables in farming that make it one of the risker professions to be in. If you're a prepper I sincerely hope you have the skills required for farming because it isn't just drive a tractor around and planting. They have to have carpentry skills, welding skills, be a mechanic, understand chemicals, electrical skills, and plumbing (that's just off the top of my head, there are probably more). Probably be better off being a good hunter and growing a vegetable garden. Oh and you have to be stubborn as a mule.
Even still, you're at the mercy of the Mother Nature with your crops. Plant too early and lose them to a fall heat wave or late frost in the spring. Insects destroying your crop because it rained for a week and a half straight and you couldn't put out anything to stop them. Tree falls and takes out your fences and your livestock escapes. Coyotes attack your herd and kill that year's calves. There are so many variables in farming that make it one of the risker professions to be in. If you're a prepper I sincerely hope you have the skills required for farming because it isn't just drive a tractor around and planting. They have to have carpentry skills, welding skills, be a mechanic, understand chemicals, electrical skills, and plumbing (that's just off the top of my head, there are probably more). Probably be better off being a good hunter and growing a vegetable garden. Oh and you have to be stubborn as a mule.
That's a far fetched scenario for idealist or "preppers" though and full of risks on a normal scenario (or will you be paying your medical bills in eggs). I'd personally rather use the 401k money and just buy those supplies cheap and easy and enjoy my pension by having the freedom to do whatever I want, where ever I want.
That's a far fetched scenario for idealist or "preppers" though and full of risks on a normal scenario (or will you be paying your medical bills in eggs). I'd personally rather use the 401k money and just buy those supplies cheap and easy and enjoy my pension by having the freedom to do whatever I want, where ever I want.
i think you severely underestimate modern farming, the investments it takes to start a modernfarm are very high. The profit margins are low and under pressure, the cropyields uncertain, insurance unaffordable etc etc
You become a farmer because your dad was one, not because you want to get rich!