Farm magazine articles

[Blaithin]

Blaithin...

Asking is the easiest way for advice good or bad...then its still up to you to weigh the decision you make....important to remember that it is your decision based on advice from all sides....

You may not like bigly wheel's comments but somewhere within all of that is something .....never discount the way the message comes....think it through...and the printed word is tough to decipher at the best of times...especially on this forum...

Absolutely. I'm in no way discounting the giving of advice and I realize it's always up to people whether they listen or not (I didn't listen about the silage bales after all Hah)

The Big Wheel also has valid points in his posts. However it's comments like this

Oh I see ya there’s all these pastures just waiting to be used? Your giving him all free stuff so ya I could grain farm no debt if someone gave me all the inputs free. Lmao!

and

When you say mailing it on their own new farmers without loans you mean they were given a land base a house and equipment right? Because anyone with enough cash for that wouldn’t be risking that money on a new farm.

That will lead much of what he says to be discredited. Rightly or wrongly.

The first comes off as mockery, and maybe even a little bit of jealousy? Haha he needs stuff for free, why won't anyone give me stuff for free?!

The second makes it sound like the people in question had to be given a large portion of what they currently have in order to make a go because nobody would be dumb enough to invest in a future of farming. This probably comes from the jaded perspective of being a farmer and the hard work it can be, but the truth is there's quite a few people trying to make a move "back to the land" as it were. It's not for established farmers to feel it's a bad investment or only dumb people would do it. Those people are on a totally different side of the coin and where their priorities are different doesn't mean they're wrong or stupid.

Now I can understand some of where he's coming from. I think a lot of farmers when faced with the "Why don't more people help out new farmers" feel attacked and judged that they aren't helping. Not everyone is in a position where they can help which is fine, and some aren't willing too, that's also fine. Much like deciding to take advice or leave it, it's everyone's personal choice.

And I'm not saying that Big Wheel does this, but there are a handful of people I've seen who complain that nobody wants to start farming, there are no new farmers, and then proceed to list the reasons why they won't be the ones to offer a helping hand to new farmers. While I've found comments like Big Wheels are the norm when discussing my approach with bigger, conventional farmers, they aren't really discouraging. They're more or less expected really. The world can't all be positive, participation trophies. Heck, I've seen conventional guys tell other conventional guys that won't work, why bother. Nothing new there!

But the guys that say there needs to be fresh blood and then complain about having to help and why they would never help and how any little bit of help would be too much work for them to make it worthwhile.... Those ones can go suck on a rock. They're being hypocrites of the highest order.

And to tie this in back to SheepWheats original point - I would love to see more up and coming farmer articles because those are the people that are doing things just a little bit different which can inspire ideas for others. It can be hard to think outside the box when all you see is more conventional themed stuff being done and you're being asked why bother all the time. But I do understand the logic of it not earning the marketing of the bigger stories.

[Blaithin]

[QUOTE While many people want to be memorable, is that something you'd want to be remembered for? Being the negative one./QUOTE]

Farming101 appointed me in charge of negative waves around here!

Best get on it then, you're slacking.

Harvest is no excuse to drop that ball, you should be drowning in negativity!

[farmaholic]

Best get on it then, you're slacking.

Harvest is no excuse to drop that ball, you should be drowning in negativity!

I am. No water here to tread. But the negative waves will get ya. Strong undertow too....can't be too careful.

[GDR]

Blaithin, good for you and good luck in your ventures. Most important part is that you are enjoying what you are doing. As Bucket says, ask for advice, most people love to teach what they know. You pick and choose what you listen to and what you don't. There are not a lot of production cycles in a lifetime of agriculture so often better to share experiences than lose a whole cycle because of bad decisions.

On the other side though, most of us have seen lots of want to be farmers come and go, it is easy to become cynical and dismissive. The majority have unrealistic expectations and give up. Often dont have the work ethic required to succeed. New ideas and ways are great and important but lots of ideas are just not feasible for reasons that can be seen by someone with experience. I have tried to help people and watch them give up or quit and it gets old. And the cold hard truth is that certain things can just not be done economically on a small scale.

Also becomes a bit of an issue with some back to nature type people. Last week I had a 2 yr old longhorn steer pacing back and forth along my cows and in my wheat field. Came from an acreage 3 miles away. Guy said, "oh I wondered where he went" 3 days later I had to catch him and take him back home because no one came, virtually no fences, place is an eyesore of a junk heap.


This coming from a guy that does everything the hard way, with lots of elbow grease and duct tape. Definately dont fit the mold of the current large scale farms. Small mixed family farm, but pays the bills, enjoyable most days. For what it's worth, we started on our own with very little family or outside help so it can be done.

[blackpowder]

Think it's a very narrow market for farm publications. Essentially flyers for chem or fcc.
Argument seems to be about lifestyle choice which is the individuals own business. If your hobby or passion is your living, good for you. Few have both.
The easiest way at the time was for me to stay on the farm. 40 years later I make a living but have no passion. Does that make me a success?
Our definition of "farm" seems to be prejudicial when really, who cares other than the govt?
I support anyone who works hard.
Not necessarily if they work stupid.
And finally, positivity is a decaying skill that needs constant work. Avoiding or ignoring negative people also a learned skill.