Noob purchasing farmland and seeks advice
 

I'm looking to purchase acreage in Kentucky, Tennessee, or maybe Georgia or northern Florida. I will need to look at almanacs to see the best climate patterns and photosynthetically active radiation to take advantage in addition to fertile land.

In fact, I am ignorant when it comes to farming. My family, previous generation, used to farm and we currently garden extensively but I personally have never managed any large tracts of land.

Anyone have suggestions for books, websites, forums, etc which I can use as a general resource for information as to crop rotating, judging land quality and applicability to certain crops versus others, and so on in assisting me as I first search for real estate? What are the types of businesses I can trust for independent opinions in assessing the land?

Before conducting nutrient testing on soil on a property should I discriminate my selection whether it has/is currently being farmed or is a pasture not being farmed? Any questions I ought to immediately ask the seller?


Thanks everyone. I am open to all comments.

Re: Noob purchasing farmland and seeks advice
 

You might want to consider what type of farming you want to do. It occurs to me your options are pretty much cropping or grazing. perhaps you can crop 80% graze 20% and have enough food in house. Otherwise 100% in one and trade for the other. You only need knowledge in one but you have to rely on another. Perhaps you could "rent out" your land for someone else to crop or graze on, taking a share of the produce in payment and using that as an opportunity to learn what is involved from them? They would most likely be local and experienced. Could also allow you to concentrate on what you know best with the food gardening side of things.

Re: Noob purchasing farmland and seeks advice
 

http://www.agriculture.com


Can't really tell you about farmland in those areas, as they are far away from me, but this site has a great forum that I go to for help all the time. Ask people there and you should get tons of advice from those who are farming in the area.

I wish you the best of luck in your farming venture. It is a lot of hard work... but very well worth it!

Re: Noob purchasing farmland and seeks advice
 

Glass, mnfarmer, Thanks for the replies.

Will look into what you've posted.

Re: Noob purchasing farmland and seeks advice
 

Listen to anything suggested by MnFarmer....she has VERY good advice IMO. ;)

Re: Noob purchasing farmland and seeks advice
 

i seen some need places up for sale the last time i went to my farm here in ky 14 ac for 21 .000 land look real nice no house

Re: Noob purchasing farmland and seeks advice
 

you should be able to your state dept of ag and find who is holding classes close to you.

most state universitys have extensions in smaller towns around the state just for the type of eductation your inquireing about

Re: Noob purchasing farmland and seeks advice
 

You flatter me, Heimy. :dontknow: Don't know if I deserve it, but thanks.



Oh, and Tojak, I don't think that I would mention the "bug out" part. Just maybe say somewhere quiet and somewhat secluded. Remember, these are not the same type of people that you would meet at GIM. Most of them probably still have there heads in the sand! (Except for Mr.Farmer & me, of course) :wink:

Re: Noob purchasing farmland and seeks advice
 

Check out CigarLover's thread on KY land:

http://goldismoney.info/forums/showthread.php?t=305570

There are some good links there, including the one that kicks off the thread:

I've been "windows shopping" some parcels...Just dreaming. Maybe next year.

Re: Noob purchasing farmland and seeks advice
 

Buy the land you like and start making mistakes. It's much faster than reading books and then making mistakes. It cuts out a step.