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A Farm of My Own:  Learning to be a farmer/rancher in business  |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 27 2007 : 11:07:15 AM
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Hey ladies!
This is the program I am in at school:
http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/major_sheets/AERS/agribusiness.pdf
What do you think? Since I unofficially withdrew last fall (read dropped out due to morning sickness) and did not attend during the Spring, I have some hoops to jump through to get back into school.
I think this is going to be a great program to help me fulfil my dream- what do you think?
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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therealshari
True Blue Farmgirl
235 Posts
Shari
Beryl
UT
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2007 : 12:58:57 PM
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Hi Alee,
There's definitely a demand for folks in the agri-business sector... What exactly is your dream?
Shari Thomas
farmer, web copywriter, blogger
Shari's Gone Country
Vote for me at "Blog for a year" |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 10:29:00 AM
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Well, eventually I would like to own a self-sustaining farm. I would have a huge garden, run a few head of beef cattle, have a milk cow or goats, and have chickens. If I can ever get over my aversion to pork, I would keep a few pork pigs of an heirloom variety (not bred to be so lean that they are tastless). It sounds simple, but I know I would need to have enough of an income to handle the vet bills that will be sure to come and pay taxes and such. I would love to be able to work from home always and have enough time to be good mom.
Oh yes, and I plan on having Egyptian Arabian horses!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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therealshari
True Blue Farmgirl
235 Posts
Shari
Beryl
UT
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 11:26:15 AM
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Alee, in addition to the "agri-business" side, is it safe to assume you already have the "animal husbandry" side down, as well as the physical ability to actually do the labor involved with your dream?
One thing you'll definitely want to do is get all that stuff done... especially the animal husbandry, as that will lower your vet bills considerably. The more you can take care of your own animals, the less you have to pay someone else.
Shari Thomas
farmer, web copywriter, blogger
Shari's Gone Country
Vote for me at "Blog for a year" |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 2:44:39 PM
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Shari-
Yes I am physically fit enough to do the labor and I am learning the animal husbandry side. I know how to do the basic vet work like giving intramuscular and IV shots and drawing blood. I am learning how to properly wrap a horse's leg (very particular process- if not done properly you can blow tendons). I have volunteered at vet clinics for years so I have picked up a lot through that. If I end up moving back to my home town I have a local vet that would help teach me more and here in Idaho I have some wonderful friends at a horse ranch that help teach me as well.
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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Carol Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
4033 Posts
Carol Sue
Washingtonian
USA
4033 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 3:35:59 PM
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Alee, with your head for business, this sounds great, really great. So have you already got some credits toward this done, where are you at? Just curious.
Enjoying life. |
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therealshari
True Blue Farmgirl
235 Posts
Shari
Beryl
UT
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 5:41:16 PM
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Awesome! I'm so glad to hear you've got the animal side covered. Sounds like you'll do very well, and taking the agribusiness courses are going to give you a good financial management foundation. Since you're already computer savvy, be sure to check out whatever software is best for you, too.
For example, we've just picked up the Ranch Manager software from Lion Edge Technology. They have several different modules (equine, cattle, sheep, goats) and when you purchase more than one module at a time, you get a huge discount. I'm not a salesman or affiliate for them. The gal we got our ram from uses this software and swears by it.
Shari Thomas
farmer, web copywriter, blogger
Shari's Gone Country
Vote for me at "Blog for a year" |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 7:57:17 PM
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I appreciate some real-world recommendations. No matter what companies say- sometimes you just don't know what you are getting. Please let me know how it works for you!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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knewslady
True Blue Farmgirl
555 Posts
Kathy
Russellville
KY
USA
555 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2007 : 05:32:20 AM
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Alee
My daughter has just recently became a single mom to two children at the young age of 21 thanks to a cheating husband.
I have told her and told her she has got to go to school at all costs in order to provide for her children and I think I have finally convinced her to major in agriculture.
This is really the only area she is interested in and believe me if it doesn't hold her interest she will not stick with it.
Personally, I think the field is wide open with an ag degree. She has a lot of the same dreams you do. I have told her she probably needs to pursue her teaching certificate as well just to have something to fall back on.
I wish you the very best, I just wish I had had my head screwed on that right when I was that young. Go for it.
Kathy
Will always be a farmgirl at heart
Visit my online shop at http://thebackfence.etsy.com
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janetinva123
True Blue Farmgirl
363 Posts
Janet
newport news
va
USA
363 Posts |
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La Patite Ferme
True Blue Farmgirl
623 Posts
Jenn
CA
USA
623 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2007 : 12:18:11 PM
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Alee,
The UI program sounds very similar to the one I took at Cal State Fresno. The main goal of the school is to produce Ag-business leaders for the ag business community in domestic and world-wide markets. If you want less of a structured business work environment and more truck crops, farmers market, small dairy and feedlot type business I would also encourage you to look into classes or symposiums from your local Cooperative Extension, Community College or any sustainable ag organizations you have in Idaho. A lot of times they are inexpensive or free. I took a wonderful Animal Husbandry class from a JC when I was in High School. It covered all the large livestock species from breeding to slaughter.
You might also check into working for small growers who already do some of the businesses you are interested in. That way you can gain experience and earn money at the same time. They might also be more likely to accomodate your little one with flex hours etc. I would also recommend connecting with your local 4-H people. They are a wealth of information and usually very willing to share their knowledge. They too will have educational workshops and training days that will help you gain knowledge and skills. Their motto: "Learn by Doing" is sooo true.
Also, don't be afraid to educate yourself and try new things on your own. We have all learned a lot crawling, stumbling, walking then running.
I actually fell into raising sheep when a friend of mine asked if I would bottle feed a bunch of orphaned lambs for a few weeks. One thing led to another and for 35 years I raised, breed, showed, sold and slaughtered lambs. Now my daughter has 3 lambs going to our county fair. (another good place to connect with like minded people)
Good luck to you. Ag is still my first love, even though it has taken a different path.
Jenn |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2007 : 1:09:48 PM
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Thank for the advice Jennifer! I appreciate everyone's views on this.
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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Shirlaroo
True Blue Farmgirl
297 Posts
Shirley
Australia
297 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2007 : 7:20:53 PM
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Alee, yor drive and passion will get you where you want to be. I have no doubt you will make your dreams come true. I also suffered badly with morning sickness in both my pregnancies and had to give up work. Just glad that part of my life is over.
Friends are the best collectables. |
Edited by - Shirlaroo on Jul 30 2007 7:24:50 PM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2007 : 9:39:03 PM
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I hope that sort of morning sickness is a one time only thing! I would hate to get that sick each time I want to have a baby!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
Edited by - Alee on Jul 30 2007 9:39:25 PM |
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paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2007 : 10:56:53 AM
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| This is so interesting! I'm going to check with LSU to see if they may offer something along this line. We took a Master Cattle Producer program through their agriculture department, and I know they offer Master Farmer, Master Poultry and other 'Master' programs (not the same as a college degree master - these are programs that last anywhere from 12 weeks to 2 years, but do require Continuing Education to keep your certification). If they don't, I'm going to encourage them to check this out. Thanks for the input! |
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A Farm of My Own: Learning to be a farmer/rancher in business |
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Learning to be a farmer/rancher in business
