At HKJ Ranch in Cobbtown, Ga., 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.
“If I had one piece of advice for beginning farmers it would be, do not try to go at this alone,” says Kennedy.
Facing the challenge of raising lower-risk, value-added cattle, Kennedy turned to Fort Valley State University Extension and University of Georgia Extension. With help from their livestock specialists, Kennedy developed a stronger herd using better forage, genetic, and risk management strategies—allowing his ranch to demand more from its cattle and stay competitive.
Kennedy also sought guidance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the USDA Farm Service Agency. “There is help out there and you must tap into that help,” he says. “That is the only way you can stay sustainable and comfortable in today’s agriculture world.”
HKJ Ranch now pays it forward by mentoring beginning farmers, helping them create business plans and refine marketing strategies to turn their visions into demand-driven, profitable operations.
This video is one in a series produced by SARE titled 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. To view the entire series, visit www.sare.org/resources/practical-tips-for-beginning-farmers/.
For information on grants and resources available from SARE, visit www.sare.org.