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BACK TO THE FARM
Chapter 1 America Going Home - A Quiet Revolution
There is a quiet revolution going on in America today. The return to Rural America is one of the biggest trend setting stories of the 1990’s. 3 in 4 rural counties gained in population between 1990 and 1994. In direct contrast to demise of rural America that played out in the 1980’s.
As the troubles in Urban America such as the expense, crime, pollution, quality of schools worsen year to year it is creating an exodus back to rural areas. Not only are city dwellers packing up and heading for the country, a substantial majority of rural residents are happy to stay right where they are. In a recent poll 90% of rural Americans surveyed said they would tell their children that a rural lifestyle is "the good life". Most rural counties in the United States are growing at their fastest rate in more than 20 years.
This chapter includes:
Chapter 2 Opportunities In Rural America
Chapter 2 reviews non-agricultural avenues for making a living in a rural community.
Chapter 3 Buying Rural Property
Chapter 3 assists the reader to realize the basic direction and vision for their rural property. When purchasing raw land, the cost of running electricity or phones to the property can be cost prohibitive. Fencing, water rights, soil, access and more needs to be evaluated in depth before purchasing any farm, ranch or country property. This chapter helps the reader understand and avoid the potential pitfalls of buying or building on rural property.
Chapter 4 Understanding American Agriculture
The proliferation of rural residents and new financial incentives by state and federal government has spurred a renewed interest in farming and ranching. While full time commercial farmers continue a steady decline the number of small, medium and part time farms and ranches have increased.
According to the 1992 census, in states like Colorado, over 340,000 acres are being managed by over 18,000 different landowners, owning acreage ranging in size from 1 to 49 acres, most of whom are brand new to agriculture.
Chapter 4 discusses the changing landscape of the American farm and ranch and the increase in popularity of smaller farms. How small scale farms and ranches can be far more productive per unit than conventional farming (up to 6 times more). How small to medium farms are and have always been in the least amount of financial trouble and why.
Chapter 5 The American Agripreneur; Farmer For The 21st Century
This chapter reviews new farming technologies directed at small to medium size farms. Due to the high numbers of these small farms and ranches, a new emphasis is being placed on directing technologies towards making small farms and ranches derive the most profit per acre. Alternative Agriculture, Intensive Grazing, Rotational Grazing, Internet, Organic Farming, Sustainable Agriculture, Contract Farming are all new practices being utilized and applied in the agricultural industry. This enables the small farm to compete with the big farms. These "agripreneurs" as they are known, are more willing to break out of a traditional crop or livestock product and generally place more effort into the overall management of their farm with a stronger emphasis being placed on sales and marketing.
This chapter reviews over 20 Alternative Agriculture Products that offer a "higher profit per acre" and are non-traditional which would categorize them as Alternative Agriculture.
Chapter 6 Starting A Small Farm
Starting a small farm is the circumstance in which most new or beginning farmers find themselves. The majority of new farmers under the age of 35 have a net worth of less than $100,000. It is estimated to buy an established full-scale farm enterprise would require an investment of $500,000. The prices of land, equipment and livestock remain at an all time high with collateral requirements for agricultural enterprises being some of the most stringent in the commercial banking sector. Therefore the majority of beginning farmers or ranchers start from the ground up. They establish a small part time farm, continuing to work a full time job, until a level of profit is reached from the farm business to sustain the family and the farm. Chapter 6 details personal and financial considerations of starting a small farm enterprise.
Chapter 7 Getting The $$$ To Buy Your Rural Home, Small Farm Or Mini-Ranch
The places to go and the people to see to obtain the money to purchase rural real estate and farming capital. Local Banks, State Agricultural Divisions and The United States Department Of Agriculture offer a variety of programs to assist the rural homeowner and beginning farmer or rancher with the means of obtaining the capital to start a farm or ranching operation. State and Federal Programs offer loans generally 2-6 interest rate points below commercial financing.
In the pursuit of funds to either start or expand any agricultural project a business plan is almost always required. Most lending institutions such as the local bank or government agencies such as the Farm Service Agency or State Agricultural Divisions will require some sort of written plan detailing where you are, where your going and the details of how you intend to get there.
An actual Ranching Business Plan used to obtain loan approval by the USDA is incorporated into this chapter as an example. All the necessary paperwork that needs to be submitted for government loans is detailed and qualification procedures for loan approval are outlined in this chapter.
Downloadable USDA loan and grant forms: see links page of this site.
Chapter 8 Federal Help For Farmers, Ranchers And The Agricultural Community
Listed in this chapter are the Federal Agencies that currently offer special loan and financing programs for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. Funding available to purchase real estate, land, equipment, livestock and operating expenses. Low interest loans and grants.
Chapter 9 Federal Help For
Rural Living
Did you know……that if you are ages 62 and over you could receive a grant from the government to improve or repair your rural home?
The United States Department Of Agriculture assists rural residents through many programs not directed towards farming and ranching. This chapter summarizes Federal Programs such as:
Chapter 10 State Help For Farmers And Rural Residents
Coinciding with the federal government individual states that have followed suit with their own programs to promote the vitality of agriculture in their own backyards. Many states have developed special agencies or departments known as Agricultural Development Authorities to administer beginning farmer and rural incentive programs to stimulate interest in farm/ranch ownership. This chapter also contains a listing of farm and ranch programs and offices for each state.
Glossary Of Agriculture Terms
Suggested Periodicals And Reading
Gene Logsdon..... At Nature’s Pace