Harder than it Looks!
In the last couple of weeks, I have seen several blog posts with the same sad theme.
We are selling the farm.
Yea .... lots of plans were made, dollars were spent, hours were worked ....... only to have their dreams crushed.
All have been small market farmers. People that you meet at local farmers' markets across the country. The same farmers' markets that have increased 60% in the last 5 years. Food hubs are being developed all over the country.
And guess what .... local farmers are still struggling.
A great post to read is from my friend Donna.
The other day .... a customer asked me about our egg prices. She thought $3.50 a dozen was a little high.
Maybe it is.
But currently I am making less than 25 cents per dozen. And that doesn't even begin to cover all the expenses.
It doesn't count the $800 a year we spend on bedding, the fuel that it takes to pick up feed, the electricity to keep the waters thawed all winter.
It doesn't count the emotional toll of finding a chicken tore apart by a raccoon or beheaded by a fox.
It doesn't count bundling up two and three times a day in the winter to check the girls and gather eggs. Only to slip on the ice and break every egg in your pocket. (Yea ... the bruised butt and ego ... there has got to be a cost with that!!!)
I am one of the lucky ones. I will be able to farm the way I want because of ONE reason.
My husband.
Honey works in town. Some would ask why he hasn't retired. Unfortunately, he will be working for another 6 years until I qualify for Medicare.
Can I make a profit off the farm??
Yes.
Can I make a living??
Not so much.
And there lies the problem on small scale American agriculture.
We are selling the farm.
Yea .... lots of plans were made, dollars were spent, hours were worked ....... only to have their dreams crushed.
All have been small market farmers. People that you meet at local farmers' markets across the country. The same farmers' markets that have increased 60% in the last 5 years. Food hubs are being developed all over the country.
And guess what .... local farmers are still struggling.
A great post to read is from my friend Donna.
The other day .... a customer asked me about our egg prices. She thought $3.50 a dozen was a little high.
Maybe it is.
But currently I am making less than 25 cents per dozen. And that doesn't even begin to cover all the expenses.
It doesn't count the $800 a year we spend on bedding, the fuel that it takes to pick up feed, the electricity to keep the waters thawed all winter.
It doesn't count the emotional toll of finding a chicken tore apart by a raccoon or beheaded by a fox.
It doesn't count bundling up two and three times a day in the winter to check the girls and gather eggs. Only to slip on the ice and break every egg in your pocket. (Yea ... the bruised butt and ego ... there has got to be a cost with that!!!)
I am one of the lucky ones. I will be able to farm the way I want because of ONE reason.
My husband.
Honey works in town. Some would ask why he hasn't retired. Unfortunately, he will be working for another 6 years until I qualify for Medicare.
Can I make a profit off the farm??
Yes.
Can I make a living??
Not so much.
And there lies the problem on small scale American agriculture.
Comments
Thanks for being one of those gals. Us city gals owe you alot :)