Shocking Truth Behind Small Farm Failures: The Top 5 Reasons (Don't Miss Out!)
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- čas přidán 19. 01. 2017
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Failing in small farming can be disheartening, but it's essential to understand the reasons behind it. In this video, Curtis Stone delves into the top 5 reasons behind small farm failures. Learn from the experiences of others and gain valuable insights to avoid common pitfalls. Don't miss out on this informative analysis that can help you navigate the challenges and lead your farming journey towards success and prosperity!
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About Curtis Stone:
Curtis is one of the world’s most highly sought-after small farming educators. His book, The Urban Farmer, offers a new way to think about farming𑁋 one where quality of life and profitability coexist. Today, Curtis spends most of his time building his 40-acre off-grid homestead in British Columbia. He leverages his relationships with other experts to bring diverse content into the homes of gardeners and aspiring small farmers from around the world. Learn more at FromTheField.TV.
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Thank you for this video. I needed advice on how to start off properly. I recently grew cucumbers and they sold sufficiently and I only put in 100 dollars to start with. Made 728 dollars.
This is a great start
That’s amazing!!!!!!! 🥺
Great video! Not to give it away, but for those with the ADHD...
1) Treat your farm like a business
2) Don't spread yourself to thin
3) Use the proper equipment
4) Don't waste time on low profit margin activities
5) Leave your ideology in your back pocket
LA Prepper As a person with ADHD thank you lol
What? I have ADHD it just want answers now or don't bore me,
@@backwoodsbillycreeks2174 i feel that
Tx for the précis. Jesus, he does go on a bit! Curtis: rehearse.
@@dicksnyder6753 then watch another video. Content creators struggle, and if people keep short-cutting, a lot of their income (already almost nothing) gets even worse. But if you're into just free stuff... can't change your mind :)
Here's my list -
1. Debt - You gotta spend money to make money, but you gotta know what to spend the money on. If you're starting out, DO NOT drop $5k on a new walk-behind tractor or a green house. Those things can come later. Right now, borrow as much equipment as you can. Borrow Grandpa's tiller, rent land from someone, get second-hand tools off CL and garage sales. Keep your expenses to the barest minimum until you know what to spend your money on. When you do have money to spend, buy the best quality equipment you can afford. A good hoe will cost 10 times what a junk one will cost, but be worth 100 times the bad one when using it.
2. Experience - So you want to start a small farm and sell at local market. You don't have a clue on where to start, let alone how to do it. Start working for another small farmer. Take the seasonal job. Learn through doing work at his place before you jump into doing it on your own. Lotsa guys will help you get started by employing you for a couple of years. Find out what sells well, what might sell well, and how to make a sale. Get experience and make a plan.
1. Debt - Businesses fail when they have too much debt and their debtors get sick of carrying them. Having a maxed out credit card or five, a mortgage, an FSA microloan to repay, and a car payment coming due is the fastest way to make something that you would otherwise enjoy into a seriously unhappy time. Did I already go over this one....? Oh well, it's important.
3. No follow-through - You have to be able to complete a task. You're definitely not going to make money with a half-built greenhouse and a broken down tiller. Start a project and complete that project before moving on to the next one. CSA customers are going to get pretty cranky if they never see something in their boxes because you can't complete a job.
4. Pride - You know you're struggling, but you won't ask for help. You know your buddy is doing a good job, but you can't get his advice because you think you'll lose face. As you've heard so many times in the past- There's no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid answers. Ask for help when you need it, but don't ask too often or people will stop taking your calls.
1. Debt - Oh did I already say this one? Yeah, it's very important. You start out with a pile of debt, you'll always struggle, especially if the items you purchased don't help you to succeed. The lender doesn't care if the items didn't work out, they're gonna want their money back
5. Books - I see this SOOOOOO many times, people who read a book and think they have it figured out. I deal in walk-behind tractors on top of farming full-time. Until Jean Martin wrote his book, I NEVER sold a power harrow. I now have had many calls from people over the past couple years who want a power harrow. It's a great tool, BUT it's $1800! You DON'T need to be dropping that kind of money on a single attachment that is only really good at seedbed prep until you can pay cash for it from the profits from the past year. I tell everyone this, but I know I'm not convincing them. Probably because I didn't write a book and put it in there....
Did I mention debt?
Absolutely nothing wrong with a walk-behind tractor. They're a great machine. I'm saying try to borrow one for the first couple years. Failing that, buy a good used one. If you must buy new, only buy the tiller, and buy other attachments as you can afford them. I see people buy a new one with all the options and five attachments, going $10,000-12,000 in debt to do it. The debt is the problem, not the machine.
Great info, thanks! I'm in the situation of starting a small market garden (1 hectare). What tools would you recommend as a must/great benefit? Thus far, a seeder is a definite it seems? What else?
You should do a video. This guy loves to hear himself talk. I live in a small farming community and it's all about the money, GMOs, and chemicals from start to finish. And not one of them is poor, actually they are pretty damn rich.
The borrower is always slave to the lender. Debt binds the ankles and restrains the wrists.
The large print giveth, but beware, the fine print taketh away.
farmerboybill kkkkkkkk
Curtis me and my boyfriend are living proof that you are truly an inspiration we've been farming for at least a year now failing miserable in the beginning until we stop and start to study what crops are profitable and made adjustments into planting more greens and cut again crops. You made us pay attention to soil preparation and more organic ways to fertilize are crops now we are making lots more money and paying out less, it's only the two of us because as u said people think they are more than they are worth want to be paid and they want to do the minimum. we are all the way in Barbados and even thou it has been a challenge we are still winning.
Tamara Dottin keep it up, Tamara. That’s awesome to read.
You cant be making a lot of money after just a year of farming. Be real
Hi, sunshine ...... I commented on this page when I came across yours and everything you just said in your comment is amazing and amazing. Sunshine I want us to be friends, this is my Gmail ... davidalberttc12@gmail.com
you can text me okay.! Sorry for the comment about public affairs. Please Gmail is just for sunshine lol text SMS to me on this Gmail if it's okay with you? I hope to hear from you soon
Do u get your boyfriend to creampie the plants?
He has skills as a gardener... Fails as a human you would want around your children...
I'm always impressed by your pragmatic business advice and your ability to deliver it clearly and concisely. At the same time, you display passion and a strong moral compass. Keep up the good work.
Bill Cantrell I think it is quality... but I would have rather had him summarize or quickly list the 5 things then go in depth. I lost interest 3/4 of the way through.
Very well said. Nailed it!
I find it kinda odd personally when he says that the "Incumbent Ag" is dying particularly because I'm a young farmer that has inherited a traditional farm, and I find small/urban farmers as sort of a novelty. Btw nice last name, I'm a NC Cantrell btw
Curtis! Without this content and other content you put out, the world wouldn't be the same!!! You have inspired me! You will inspire change long term to billions of people that WILL help make a healthier planet FOR ALL LIFE!!!😀😀😀 THANK YOU DEEPLY FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK AND TIME!!😀
Curtis, spent 35 years growing wholesale bedding plants. Now grow for donation to the fire department. The last year in business, my wife seeded 45,000 seeds in plug trays. She used one of the seeders I developed. Farming has been good to us. Love your idea of helping young people farm.
You do a great job, Curtis. I'm a golf course superintendent who'll be retiring soon. I've always grown things, be it cuttings of shrubbery, and now, fine turf. Looking forward to my next career in working with the soil, especially organic farming!
I'm so glad I found your videos. I've been wanting to start a small farm for a while and your videos always bring up points I haven't even thought about. Every video I watch I feel even more prepared to succeed.
Excellent! You make great videos with sound advice and information. Thank you.
Curtis you are awesome and a big help! I read your book and I am real close to starting my own farm in the netherlands. a dairy farmer offered me land and we are almost ready to start!
Big thanks and keep up the good work!
Very nice...Thanks. I was struggling with the equipment piece and know now I just need to pull the plug and order it now before it's too late.
Thank you Curtis! I'm starting a CSA this year and your book and YT channel have been invaluable.
Really appreciate you taking the time to share this. It's very practical, solid advice, some of which we've learned the hard way already.
Thank you. My husband and I are getting ready to start a small farm in Hawaii. I used to have an urban farm in Colorado and can't wait to get in the garden again. I appreciate your realistic approach.
great advice! thanks for staying positive and keeping it real. getting me pumped for this year
This is such a valuable video. I get overwhelmed sometimes and I've been hoping it wouldn't be the reason I get burnt out too quickly. So many values tied to why I do this. Just gonna try to keep it a little simple. Got it
I've just stumbled on your page and I'm digging your videos. Very helpful. I'm 39 and year 2 on 2 acres still learning
Hi, sunshine ...... I commented on this page when I came across yours and everything you just said in your comment is amazing and amazing. Sunshine I want us to be friends, this is my Gmail ... wedavidalbert@gmail.com
you can text me okay.! Sorry for the comment about public affairs. Please Gmail is just for sunshine lol text SMS to me on this Gmail if it's okay with you? I hope to hear from you soon ..... God bless you
On point as always!! Thank you for taking the time out of your day to bring us amazing content!! You rock!!
Hi Curtis, Im from the Philippines. Your input is really remarkable. Im into farming now and we are promoting the concept of looking at the farm as a business. We are an agricultural country and we really have to push for farmers to start looking at the spreadsheet.
Curtis, I want to expand on your second to last reason which deals with time. Farming is a profession and many that get into farming for the first time need to realize that just like any profession it takes several years to get it all right. Giant steps are not the way to go. The element of understanding time is the issue that seems to be missed by most authors and new farmers. Expect at least 3 - 5 years to get things sorted included the farmers growing ands selling skills. Infrastructure takes time to build as well and the flow of work is not something that can be written on a piece of paper or derived on a scheduling software, it must be experienced. This takes time.at least 5 years.
Good point, but it depends on the type of farming you're getting into. Small market gardens can be up and running and profitable in one years time. I've seen it done hundreds of times over, all over the world. Certainly other types of farming take longer. This is why I have put most of my efforts into teaching market gardeners. It's the fasted, cheapest and easiest way to get into farming and get cash flow. With a blanket of cash flow coming from the farm, other enterprises can be stacked in with time.
I'm a hobby gardener, but professionally I work as a photographer. A little over 10 years ago I started a studio with some friends. The #1 mistake in this video's list was exactly the same reason why we failed. We were excited to have our own studio and do all this awesome work, but none of us had any idea how to run a business. By year 2 we were struggling, and we hung on for 4 more years before we threw in the towel. That was probably one of the most valuable lessons I've had in my working life. And it applies to any kind of business, but is especially dangerous when you're in a business of something that you love because you're blinded by your passion. It makes you believe that things will just magically work themselves out (they won't) or it makes you cling onto something until it's past time to let go.
Love the energy, content and enthusiasm. Thank you, this has been extremely useful to me as a startup farmer.
Well done and great advice I will listen and try some of your suggestions. Thanks
amazing speech, really. I am glad to know I'm not the only one! good work on making your difference and setting an example. I've moved to Western Massachusetts from Queens NY to do my holistic work and have a patch of soil where I can grow a little bit. thanks!
Thank you for the encouragement and direction!
Hi, sunshine ...... I commented on this page when I came across yours and everything you just said in your comment is amazing and amazing. Sunshine I want us to be friends, this is my Gmail ... wedavidalbert@gmail.com
you can text me okay.! Sorry for the comment about public affairs. Please Gmail is just for sunshine lol text SMS to me on this Gmail if it's okay with you? I hope to hear from you soon ..... God bless you
Wonderful video!
I agree with you regarding everything you said; but data gathering and analysis in particular.
You have hands down the best videos with the best content in this market segment. Thanks for all that you share.
Love your advice. I am mushrooming farmer and this I take your advice. I am adding greenhouse for the vegetable with your 5 best crops. Thank you.
Great advice. Love your passion. I'm soaking up everything you say. 😌
Hadarah BatYah me too!
Right on Curtis! What you say in the first few moments of this video needs spread far and wide.
You're an inspiration Curtis, thanks for all the great info!
Quitting my job and moving out to New Mexico in July to attempt bringing back my grandfathers ranch. 40 acres and it's all paid for, just need to start planting.
Lawrence Chavez i cant even comprehend how nice that would be
Yes, and land taxes could take it away from you, so do NOT overspend...the gov't truly owns ALL THE LAND - no pay taxes - no own land! Simple.
@@MargaretWalkerCellist well you are a positive person
@@MargaretWalkerCellist land tax in new Mexico on agriculture land is very low, 500 a year with a house and barns for that size of property, everyone knows you have to pay tax or the government will take it, which in New Mexico it would take 3 to 5 years of not paying
Very good tips. I will be starting extremely small, just growing for my family, then move to my neighbors, and then start thinking about the farmers market. I've said to myself that my "retirement" was to have a small farm. I need to start it now so I can be at the level I want when I reach that age. Thank you for making these videos. I've changed some of my thinking because of them.
Liked and subscribed! Thanks for the information, it's priceless .
Very good stuff indeed ! In my first year of learning a lot and doing a little bit , I hear the words in this video louder than ever.
All excellent points. Many apply to businesses in general. In the small grower space I see stubbornness to change or refusing to give up a failing ideas to be another big reason.
I like your connection between business and farming. You would do a better job of teaching business 2.01 than some of the teachers I had. Experience is a great teacher.
Thanks, I keep rewatching this from time to time. I find a lot of it very useful, but this must be written on a note on the door. Reminded every day... only way
Thank you!
You caught me from 5 to one!
Your advice is going to be an excellent starting point begining this 2023!
This year is my first year farming, and I am learning a lot from different Farmers on CZcams and my neighbors that are farmers. I'm enjoying talking-to and learning from everyone.
Hi, sunshine ...... I commented on this page when I came across yours and everything you just said in your comment is amazing and amazing. Sunshine I want us to be friends, this is my Gmail ... davidalberttc12@gmail.com
you can text me okay.! Sorry for the comment about public affairs. Please Gmail is just for sunshine lol text SMS to me on this Gmail if it's okay with you? I hope to hear from you soon
Thank you Curtis! Very helpful information!
Great top 5 and I mostly agree with their importance. My problem (as a farmer) is that small sustainable farms are great for specialty foods for restaurant but 95% of folks get their food from stores. We all can't eat lettuce, microgeens and tomatoes 24/7. We all can't afford expensive eggs or sky-high peppers.
I've heard for decades that a revolution in land use is coming but frankly, I see zero evidence. There are a few more gardens and churches and schools are growing crops but the reality is that farming will ALWAYS be rare because it is tremendously hard and few are willing to expend the time, planning or energy.
Thank you for your time and information
I'm with you a 100% on your mission!! You are such a good role model. The times they are a changin'
WOW what great advice, so true. thank you for your videos they have helped me curb the cost of stress medication(??).
You have the most fascinating vids. I've never farmed really never gardened, and you have me considering a career change. Very cool.
Thank you for this advice! I've been thinking like #2 that I can start on the cheap. You make a good case that such a plan is doomed to fail. Thanks!
solid gold info Curtis, thanks a lot !! I'll try not to fall into these common "new small farmer" mistakes !!
I appreciate your attitude and these information-rich videos you make. Keep up the good work, it will come back to you. You are like Howard Resh brought to this day, and more. Cheers mate!
informative. Thank you
Thank you! I really appreciate your knowledge & being so generous to sharing it - u r a fine human being!
I really got a lot out of this video, as it resonated with the ideas that I was trying to develop into my latest video. It helped a lot to know that I am not the only one grappling with expressing this stuff (I linked back to your video). Thanks so much for all of your work, and sharing your experience! Bruce
RED Gardens
very important topic. well put together. good job.
I absolutely Can't believe the goodness in people. You somehow runs a successful farm AND make the time to put HOURS of insanely helpful videos online FOR FREE. Thank you so much!
Great video! Thanks for sharing your experience and insight. I so needed to hear this right now as I’m beginning my farm. I have your book as well. It is extremely thorough and has helped me develop a solid game plan to move forward. Your passion for farmers to succeed is heartwarming!
Hi, sunshine ...... I commented on this page when I came across yours and everything you just said in your comment is amazing and amazing. Sunshine I want us to be friends, this is my Gmail ... wedavidalbert@gmail.com
you can text me okay.! Sorry for the comment about public affairs. Please Gmail is just for sunshine lol text SMS to me on this Gmail if it's okay with you? I hope to hear from you soon ..... God bless you
Buy "The Urban Farmer" book, and stick with it. Curtis is giving you his experiences in one single book. Got it!! So GET IT!!!!
I just got your book! Perfect timing!
I just want to thank you for sharing your videos and resources with all of us on CZcams and around the world I never thought of even becoming a farmer until I saw your videos I never saw how it could be possible I used to think that I would love to plant things in other people's yards and get people to use their yards for Gardens but I never understood how her could figure out why it would just come across my mind sometimes but I'm glad to see that you do it and that you figured it out I also want to thank you that your way of thinking I believe is really saving our asses all over this world because you're making it simple to understand for everybody and because of it people have started doing it and now that all these big corporations are going to fall thank God that some people still have an idea of what to do I really think you're going to save the entire world over these kind of ideas
Hey Curtis you always keep it real man and thank you for telling it like it is. One of the problems of the internet age is so much info and so little wisdom. Sometimes I feel like we just need to unhook, focus, and hunker down. Appreciate all your advice and it's so important because of how badly we need small farms and farmers again. It doesn't set much hope for the next folks if we all go broke does it now.
This is Brilliant advice! Thank you for sharing. Liked and Subbed. looking forward to watching some more of your Vids. :)
Great advice! Thanks. All five were very relevant.
I agree. Thank you for this video and for sharing you perspective. 🌱
Reading your book. Halfway done.
Great info. Very inspiring.
Thank you sir I move in a year to NC to start my own self sustaining homestead by myself lol I’ve never grown fruit or veg in my life but I’m sick to my stomach of what’s in our food so I’m looking to more educated people to help me along so I thank you for sharing!
I'm lol at myself because of the boot strap approach to just growing my own food stuffs . I am seriously grateful for all of your vids and after just this day , finishing off a 60 x 12 south facing green house , planning out the 100 x 12 foot one to begin tomorrow ... and as odd as it seems , people are stopping by to ask about what crops i will be growing ... all in or nothing , I bought the land and building , went 100 % off grid with solar and wind power , and now focusing on seed purchases and soil acquisitions ... thank you so very much for all of your efforts to make the vids , and yes I will share experiences of what I am planning on growing and of course the results . I found an abandoned building with room for green houses and a shop , for a fair price and left the city to be a half hour from Calgary ... you are right about the cash needed ... and I may be able to help you with a gen set using alternative fuels ... clean and quiet ....but constant energy from almost nothing to run it for days on end ... once again ... thanks for the push...
Thanks for the Video Curtis! I love how each video exposes us to something interesting or has a great lesson!
Thank you soooo much! Per #5, yes, sadly I experienced that by a local female urban farmer, shared vocal knowledge not hands on, was possessive of market garden areas....🥺. My middle son who also worked with me said that team was ‘virtue signaling.’ Your advice, to me sounds like common sense. Since I’m over 40 😉, I have only had experience in community gardens and small market gardens.....I am now planning a home garden and meeting at farmer’s markets, AFTER my family’s needs have been met. I’m also watching the Thriving Farmer’s summit!! My family has 121 acres....left to us by my abuelo, need to start working on again. Take care to you and your family. You ARE making a difference!! 💐💖🥰✌️🤠🌱
Great advice Curtis, thanks for sharing.
Awesome Advise Brother. Thanks
Curtis, this is some of the greatest advice you could give! So excellent, I am very grateful. Thank you, from Manitoba.
Definitely appreciate this great video. Thank you.
You have helped this small farmer! I am one who has planted seed by hand for the last 50 years. Now I'm ready to step up and grow some good healthy food !!!!
I'm convincing my library to buy your book, but will be buying it myself as a thanks for your inspiration
Very helpful, thanks Curtis!
Thanks for this, Curtis. It's just what I needed to hear right now. I'm in the planning stage currently but confess, I do get overwhelmed at times. I appreciate what you mentioned about doing what you can in the stage you're in with the experience you have. Kinda like what Covey says about our circle of influence and doing what good we can in that until our circle grows.
I did need to hear about forking out the money to invest wisely and properly, being that I often try to pinch pennies and just let brute muscle do the extra to make up for it. Good advice there!
I've also been watching a lot of Pat Battle's stuff lately and, although he is an amazing resource & inspiration, I get frustrated and discouraged that I'm not or won't be a really great permaculturest any time soon. SO, thanks for "giving me permission" to just do the best I can & get started. :)
Lovin' all your videos! Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective.
Thanks for this video. I feel it's important to keep all these points in mind at all time. How about team work? Was that a point you took into consideration as well? I saw some small farms failing, because the teams behind them didn't get along anymore. I'm very grateful for my 2 associates. We are very compatible and set a conflict management system in place, in order to avoid dissatisfaction and to keep unity.
This guy knows what's he's talking about!! Walk in coolers and a seeder is what I need. Thanks Curtis
Dude, ya nailed me on number two. I've tried to get a handle on that, but i always regress.
Straight to the point, great content!
Curtis your last couple of videos have been totally on point. I like your emphasis on business because although you are doing a public service to people providing them great food, at the end of the day you need to pay your bills. One thing that we were talking about with a friend that could and should be a game changer for small farms producing great produce is food scanners that will hopefully be accessible/affordable for everyone in the next decade.
Fantastic video! Thank you.
LETS CRUSH IT
Thank you for being a clear speaker. You don't speak too quickly, you don't have a lot of "uhh" filler words, and you have a great vocabulary. For this particular video, I just have one question - in #4, you said "CSA", but never spelled out what that is. I imagine it's a contract with some kind of grocery store, but I wish you would have said what CSA actually means, because I have no idea about farming, but am interested in it.
never thought I'd meet someone else who still carries a handkerchief.. I got mine in my left back pocket aswell :)
when you're working outside alot like us it's great to have.. runny nose is common for working outside. anyways glad you do that too.. haha.. great info man have a wonderful day! I received your book and digital tools for my birthday, excited to dig through that :)
Thank you Curtis . I watch all your vids , I do not have my own farm yet but i am going to i hope this year . what would you say is the best time to start ? i would think b4 the growing season starts yes ? if i get the land and its half way through the season do yopu suggest i just prepare for the coming season or plant what i can and prep what i can for season to come . I will be doing this in Spain as my wife is Spanish and i am a Brit and land in spain is so much cheaper then England . But i would like to thank you for the Education you give and the passion you share .
Lots of great tips! Thanks for sharing :)
Great lesson not only about farming but about life. Thank you Curtis! It may sound strange but I am not a farmer, yet I watch every video. These are essential life lessons that go WAY beyond urban agriculture. Keep up the amazing work brother!
So much love fam!
I like your video style in this video, clear and to the point. Too many people like to hear themselves talk in the CZcams game. If you are on here to learn it gets tremendously frustrating. Thanks for a great video, subbed
Great info! I’m not looking to become a commercial farmer, but my great grandparents owned a farm, and I have always wanted to have a mini farm. Not so much to make my income, but enough to sustain family, and if I am growing enough, sell at farmers markets. My question is, because I never knew my great grandparents to ask them, where would be the best place for me to start for learning the ropes?
Just found your vlog and am really enjoying the content and your style of presentation. I've already learned a ton and plan to give you a donation. I encourage others to do so too!
Thank you for helping people.🤗
Thank you very much for your very clear and intelligent video.
Great freaking channel man! & if there is a craft to put time & energy into this is definitely up on the top of the list. The importance of agriculture is vital. I can go all day about this, but i kept it short lol. Keep doing what u do man, cuz more ppl need this in there lives & u seem pretty good at it lol
Hello Curtis...Your 5 Points are True and Honest
This 2017 video is still applicable as of this time. I know people getting stumbled to it even up to now.
Amazing advice y'all!
Love the authenticity
your advice here is applicable to ANY small business.......if you take the word farm out, and a few other field specific words this advice is great!