Beginning Farmers

Showing 1-10 of 33 results

Black cattle standing behind a fence.

New SARE Video: Build Strong Networks 

At HKJ Ranch in Cobbtown, Georgia, fourth-generation cattle farmer Handy Kennedy knows firsthand how critical it is to reach out for support, especially in today’s complex and rapidly changing agricultural landscape.

White and black dairy cows behind a fence

New Video: Navigate Multigenerational Farming With Communication

Working a farm with family can be a gift, and ownership transfer to successive generations requires intentional communication and understanding. At Flat Rock Dairy in Paulding, Ohio, dairy farmer Gretl Schlatter knows just how rewarding and complicated it can be to effectively manage a family business. “Farming is a great blessing and full of challenges,” […]

Overhead view of rows of crops on a small farm with red outbuilding in the background.

New Video: Leverage Public Programs for Land and Support

Many beginning farmers find buying land a challenge when they first start their business. At Brandon Family Farm in West Kingston, R.I., Alby and Heather Brandon discuss how public programs and creative partnerships can help grow a thriving business. “You definitely don’t need to own land to start a farm business,” says Alby Brandon, who […]

A man in a baseball cap sitting in a machine shed.

New Video: Find Success Through Mentorship

After his father’s death, Warren Miller returned to the Palouse region of Washington state to assume the role of fifth generation steward of the family’s 1,200 acre wheat, barley and canola farm. “My biggest challenge was I didn’t really have a mentor or someone I could go to and hit with questions,” Miller says.

A farmer in a blue shirt feeds a cow.

New Video: Plan for Stressful Times

Starting or taking over a family farming operation is an inherently stressful enterprise. And failing to plan for the impact stress can have on mental health poses real risk for any small business. At Flat Rock Dairy in Paulding, Ohio, dairy farmer Gretl Schlatter and Ohio State University Extension educator Sarah Noggle are working to […]

alby and heather brandon

Practical Tips for Beginning Farmers

Based on their own experiences when starting out, farmers from across the country share advice about common challenges facing beginning farmers in today's agriculture. Paulding Dairy, Paulding, Ohio Dairy farmer Gretl Schlatter is joined by Sarah Noggle from Paulding County Extension in a series of discussions around business planning, the challenges of multigenerational farming and […]