We asked Scott Whitford for advice for new farmers who want to start farming.
Starting a farm from scratch takes not only a great deal of hard work and determination, but a lot of capital investment.
Assuming a person doesn’t have a family farm to join, I would advise them to get a job on a working farm, similar to what they want, to experience the hard work and long hours needed to manage a successful farm, as well as gain practical knowledge. One path might be to find an established farm that has no apparent successor and earn a place there.
Most farmers want their farms to continue and grow into the future. In lieu of these approaches, one might start a small niche crop or animal farm while working full time off the farm. Regardless, one must be truly dedicated to making it work. As I told my grandson, farming can be a rewarding life, but be prepared for some bad times along with the good.
About the Farmer: Scott Whitford farms with his family in Grantsboro. He is on the Pamlico County Farm Bureau Board and is vice president of the North Carolina Farm Bureau State Board.
