When we think of agriculture, we think of traditional farmyards or ranches. We assume that this is a professional realm that lies completely in the hands of individuals who have been born into farming families and have a long ancestry of agricultural professionals behind them. While in some cases this may be true, it’s important to remember that you can do whatever you set your mind to. If you’re interested in agriculture, but have grown up in urban centres and have never set foot on a farm in your life, you can still achieve your dreams. What many people don’t understand is that running a successful farm is about so much more than simply getting up at the crack of dawn and using farming secrets to grow the best crops in the area. It’s about business too. You have to have a good eye for development, be prepared to leave tradition in the past, and know how to best sell the products that you are producing, much in the same way as if you were running a cosmetics brand, a clothing brand, or a food brand. So, if agriculture does interest you, here are a few steps that you should take to get started in the right direction!
Decide What You Want to Farm
You can farm and produce a whole variety of products. Perhaps the most ethical tend to be crops. Farming crops means that you don’t have to get involved in the meat industry, dairy industry, or egg industry, which use animals as commodities. Deciding to farm crops whittles down your options a little, but there are still plenty of different crops that you can choose between. It’s best to focus on just one to start with.
Take an Agricultural Degree
If you have no farming history, it’s a good idea to take an agricultural degree, which will educate you in regards to all the tricks of the trade. If you intend to grow canola for canola oil, a degree will familiarise you with the canola growing season, how to sow crops, how maintain crops, how to harvest crops, and how to prep the final product for sale.
Invest in Land
Once you know what you want to farm and are fully qualified to bring your dreams to reality, it’s time to start looking for some appropriate land on which you can actually farm. This is the first step towards making your dreams a reality. Always try to barter for a lower price.
Invest in Equipment
When your land is secured, you can really get the ball rolling. Invest in the necessary equipment to start planting your crops and put all of the knowledge you picked up from your degree to good use. It’s generally best to start relatively small. You can always expand and take on extra help as your business grows and expands.
While agricultural business may not be the immediate thought at the top of our lists when we consider pursuing a career that we will have complete control over, it is definitely an option. So, give it a little consideration!
