Thank you for contacting Falster Farm. This Nancy Falster and I’ll put down a few thoughts but you must know I am not an advisor or trained in any way to offer counsel to others as to what they should do about making moves to the country or any other action involving their lives. These are just friendly thoughts for you to  take and consider in your search for information by educating yourself about all your options.

I can say for myself that living out in the country is wonderful. But it is only wonderful because my husband and I are dedicated to working 6 days a week ( sometimes 7) from morning until dark, day in and day out, 12 months out of the year to make it a happen. Karl gives over 100% of himself when he is well enough to do so. He had to retire from professional life due to illness from combat related issues so when he is able, this type of life has been and continues to be very good therapy for him. Hard work and dedication along with being creative and innovative is what farming is about for us. It is not for everyone, we cannot say who this life is cut out for . 

First, anyone with a desire to do so can live in the country, which is different than living on a working farm. That being said, there are a whole lot of variables that only you and your family can answer.

Second, farm life is living in a real world and most people have spent so much time in an artificial world that this seems like a hard way to live. This is something you and your family must contend with. Living with animals is real life. They need attention  in all sorts of weather and at times when you may want to do something else. Living out in the country is more expensive at least at first than living in town. You don’t have all the conveniences that most are used to when stores are right around the corner. We LOVE being out and hope we never have to live in a town again, Lord willing.

You depend upon God a lot because you learn real quick you can not control the weather OR deliver healthy animals without the Almighty’s help. There is a lot of wisdom in learning about the moon phases and planting cycles and weather changes and planting zones.

There are always more costs to any project than anticipated and there are surprises- not unlike living anywhere else- broken pipes,  downed fences, flat tires, etc.

We cannot tell you how many animals to buy because every place in Texas can handle a different amount of livestock. We cannot tell you to keep or quit your day job because we do not know what your job is, how much you make, how much you have saved, what you are willing to do without to get a farm going. You must decide all these things.

A farm does cost money to run so income is essential and you won’t make money right away from a farm, it takes time to build up whatever you are going to raise- either crops or stock before you have anything to sell. Then you must market whatever you have to sell so folks know you have it and you must learn to work the market you have.

We can say start small.

This is what we’ve seen make the smoothest transition for others who want to get out of town:

• They buy a piece of acreage- either with a home or trailer OR build a home.

• Then they make sure fencing is up (all sorts to choose from depending on the stock to protect)

• Then whatever living needs will be required for whatever animals they want to start with- feed room, shelter, water, pens, etc.

• Then get animals. Start slow. Chickens are the best place to get started and they don’t take a lot of work.

• Then move up to a couple of cows or a couple of  goats milk or meat. Learning  as they go. Don’t get in over their head.

• They Move slow. We now have pigs, milk goats, milk cows along with our Herefords and chickens and ducks.

They start a garden. Learn all they can about nourishing the soil and making it the first living thing on the farm. Having  good dirt before there is another living creature on it is the best way to get started.

Having chickens will supply eggs, meat and fertilizer.

A cow can come later, or two or three. Depends upon how many acres that will be involved- it takes land to raise cows, more in dryer areas, less in wet areas. Call the county extension agent where the land is you are interested in  and ask them what are local requirements.

There are so many parts to farm life. Start reading good information. USAcres is good. Grass Farmer Stockman is good. Go to the library and read all you can on organic, bio-dynamic soil building.

Find the area you like and talk to feed stores, go to sale barns, farmer’s markets in the area. Costs are so variable we would not venture to give out figures.

Many people have cattle, smaller are easier to raise but as for selling them, that takes marketing and working the market. We spend a lot of time to create and keep a website going, Karl is a great web master.

I hope this friendly chat has been helpful and will lead you to professionals who are in the business of helping folks make these kinds of decisions. I am just a farmer who is married to a rancher and we live in the country, enjoying the benefits (and setbacks) of being on the land.

Nothing said here is meant to be advice or in any way encourage you to make a decision about moving to or living in the country- you have to make that life changing decision yourself.

Best wishes in your search for the answers that will be the best for you and your family-

Sincerely, Nancy Falster

PS I was born and raised in SA, graduated from Jefferson HS.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John,

It is entirely up to you whether or not you pursue an Ag degree. If you are looking to get a degree and want to live in an agricultural environment, then it might serve you well. If you are thinking you need a degree to live and make a living on a farm, you’d have to ask someone who has a degree in Agriculture and see if it helped them. We do not have a degree in anything with farming . . . well maybe a degree of hard knocks ;o).

I do know that we disagree with many modern teaching methods, models and attitudes, such as ‘raw meat is not good for dogs’ and ‘raw milk can kill you, so you better drink store bought’, ‘don’t eat fat, use margarine’, ‘chemicals are the way to go for your fields’, ‘confinement animal housing is the safest method for raising livestock’, information like that. I’d hate to spend my time (that I’m paying for) in a class room where I’m being taught ‘stuff’ I will not practice at home because it is not in line with my convictions, but that is just me. I’m sure there is a lot to glean from an Ag degree, if I was planning on getting a degree in something. However, you might look into a business/marketing degree and see if it might offer some useful information about running your farm as a business and market whatever it is you end up raising to sell (just a thought).

Best wishes to you and your family in this most important endeavor. You have the opportunity to change lives for all eternity, make the most of it.

May you have a most Blessed Christmas season and Happy New Year.

From Falster Farm-

Nancy and Karl Falster