How To Become A Farmer: Part 1, How To Initially Get Started

[@merv190]

I started farming with nothing ….. and I’ve still got most of it left. 😀😀

[@griggsfarmsllc]

You win the internet today! 😂

[@Just_KennySTL314]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jordanriggins4954]

Matt I have a friend who went to work for a local farmer who had no kids and he worked for him for five years and the farmer let him farm a thousand acres and he used the farmers equipment and he would pick up a piece equipment here and there until he eventually got what he needed and now the farmer retired and he ended up with all 5,000 acres and farms for himself now he started with nothing and now a successful farmer himself good video Matt

[@TheAmbex]

My old man sold his row farm in Manitoba when i was a kid. Kinda wish he had kept it.

[@coreymadden3650]

Just planted my first corn on my 4.5 acre homestead in swfl

[@michaelcameron8855]

Very good info. Thanks for sharing. I’m doing the “work a full time job and farm a little for wildlife on the side” thing. It’s not “farming”, but don’t tell the deer and turkeys that! I still remember being about 8-9 and helping my grandaddy work his garden. He was the last generation in our family to truly farm. I asked him one day if I could be a farmer and I’ll never forget what he told me. “The best way to make a small fortune farming is to start with a big one!”

[@Love-ek1cb]

I want to learn how 😅😅😅😅😂❤❤

[@toniafofana8081]

This is so inspiring for me, thanks ☺️ I always wanted to become a farmer now I’m on the right path.

[@shake-the-earth1]

Start small then expand as you learn. Start with a no till and start with something that doesn’t spoil fast once it’s harvest time. Garlic, potatoes, onions, ginger. The most profitable items are mushrooms and flowers.

[@truthtella9247]

thank you

[@qianfeiwang842]

when i grow up i want to be a farmer i 9years old

[@peanutbutter732]

Good luck bud

[@ModockTribe]

You can do it ❤

[@peanbean1973]

To you guys going out to do this. I commend you and pray your success. This is such a necessary job and it's underappreciated it seems.

[@badbubbanation]

My family " Wright " use to farm back in the day in crockett county

[@badbubbanation]

I now live in Henry County and I want to start farming soon

[@mathgasm8484]

My family had farms for generations but my grandma sold my dad's part of the inheritance so I just use my dads 12 acres in Texas to do bees and a small market farm.

[@JLC.Productions]

I grew up pretty much living in the city and HOA's, my life's goal is to one day own my own farm. this video is very inspirational. thank you for this.

[@usamaadnan939]

Same bro

[@therottenchihuahua6465]

Same

[@raymundozarate]

Same

[@DazeyChaineMusic]

what’s an hoa? how far were you from small farms? lots of bigger cities in the midwest are surrounded by farm land and most farmers go into town for needs

[@DazeyChaineMusic]

idk a lot of farmers that didn’t have friends in major cities, it’s making connections. you can be in the city and still have a hand in the farming industry.

[@robertmarino2158]

Matt , you did your homework , the years you worked on a farm , so valuable , starting out young & working hard daily , congratulations , you made it happen ! Very well explained , stay safe always !

[@AltogetherBlessedFarmsLlc]

Hey Matt I’m not sure if you read all the comments or not but this is a good explanation on how to start farming. I was born on a farm but my father died when I was 8 and then later in my grandfather passed to so that left an uncle and a married in uncle running the farm who never gave my brother or me the chance. I worked for a farmer from middle school until I was 20 and then went to work on John Deere equipment at a local dealer for 6 years or so. After that I went to work for a farmer right down the road from me where I started working for my neighbor who tilled around 7k acres. He started out letting me use his equipment on 40 acres and over time that went to 60 to 180 to two hundred and now I am up to 500 acres with all of my own equipment and doing it on my own. The tractor trailer I bought to haul my grain with I tagged it commercial so that I can haul grain or fertilizer for the local companies around me during the “off time” of farming until I can hopefully get big enough to sustain my self. That you for your videos and all of the explaining you do farming isn’t easy and you truly have to have a passion for it. Thank you sir

[@gregrhodes8451]

Well I farmed with my dad an brother. Dad died 5 years ago my brother went back to doing his thing an I had the operating loan. Well all my so called friends at the local seed an chemical places turned there backs. My local coop is the only one that stuck it out with me. Farming is feast or famine and I love it but it's hard wither your born into it or start from scratch. God bless you my friend Matt.

[@tomrut3653]

How do you make a small fortune in farming? Start with a big one.

[@petersabo1683]

Hi Matt. I know I'm 4 months behind but I just found site and I watched all 3 of these videos about to become a farmer. I particularly love the first one and after hearing you talk about finding a farmer who is getting ready to retire and doesn't have anyone to take over the farm, this is what my wife and I are looking for. Unfortunately, were not young chicks, but I believe we still have a lot of years left to learn and accomplish what we want to accomplish. We live in Manhattan, Kansas but we are willing, able and eager to make a move to wherever to get that opportunity to learn and become farmers. Like I said, this is 4 months late but I hope you do come back to previous videos and reread your comments. We're not totally green-horns but we don't have a lot of experience either. What we would be looking for, is possibly someone who may be interested in having someone who has "new" or "newer" ideas to expand the farm and bring in more income, as well as want get the communities involved and help them and teach them about being self-sufficient, among other things. That is what my wife and I want to do. Linda, my wife, wants to raise rabbits for meat. She also does sewing, quilting, crocheting. Myself, I'm looking at Agri-Tourism as well as a full working farm. I also want to bring back the old ways of farming....using horses but have a couple of regular equipment for doing larger projects. Now, there is more to this idea, but I won't mention them right now. I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed these videos of your thoughts, opinions and suggestions and ideas. I have also watched some of your other videos, as well. Thank you and keep up the good work. 😀7/18/23

[@IMPACTsoulTrip]

A great way to start leaning for free about farming is through volunteering at Camphill Communities around the globe. In the USA they also have an academic program with all costs of living included and a montly stipend.

[@truthtella9247]

I have the land 100 acres so now we need the money to invest in the land!

[@Don-pq5gg]

As you know . . . Yes you need a passion for farming AND you need a spouse who shares that passion - at least in part. And, if not full time like Kelly, can certainly pitch in when needed.

[@fejimus]

Dude this was a GREAT video to watch as a late 40s dude wanting to farm.

[@arthurok327]

Howdy Matt, I'm a 5th generation beef farmer, and we grow our own feed, and pasture our herd on our land, we need the same infrastructure as a cash crop Farmer needs, plus the infrastructure we need to raise our herd, we need the same things as a cash crop Farmer, plus a whole lot more, alot more, I found what you had to say about starting a farm, both interesting, and informative, you definitely cover many aspects of starting a Farm from scratch, look forward to your next video, till than, Stay safe and Farm on my Friend, Peace

[@28haller]

I would love nothing more than to be a farmer my great grandfather has 75 acres in Pennsylvania he passed away in 2015 with nobody to take over the farm. He did dairy cows!!my great aunt has rented their farm out ever since he passed just hoping one day i can take the land over and bring back farming in my family as i am the only one who wants to farm! Feel like its in my blood!

[@PlayCreatively]

Thanks man. I appreciate all you guys do

[@drdulas5055]

Great video for dreamers and especially for the criticizers' that do not know crap Matt!

[@joemalone9380]

well done for keeping the farm going for 18 years . i know guys who quit on the passing of their father.

[@TwoHappyChildrenFarm]

Farming needs experience. Getting experience takes time. So an apprentice program with a experienced farmer is a start. If you like the farm work and can't get land, get a sprayer and do custom work. Get a combine and do harvests. Build up the reputation. Probably work full time as you farm as well.

[@samuelgrubbs1510]

Sometimes farming the farmers is more profitable

[@richardhanes7370]

I just started farming and plan to work full time in the city for now

[@K-NFarms]

Good and informative for someone looking for pointers to get started.

[@nathandinsmore623]

Thanks for making this video on steps to get started!

[@CBEDAMAN17]

I love some of the ideas that you had. Never crossing my mind to supplement pay for use of equipment. Some really good ideas

[@sargeatlarge24v]

Step one should be to get as many tools as possible even if you rent an apartment in the beginning. Then you can fix whatever truck, trailer, and what ever equipment you get to start out. The land seems to be the hardest part to put together but you can grow some vegetables in your yard to get started

[@wandawuwu]

This is such an informative and well done video. Thank you!

[@clintmeyer8029]

Professor Griggs!

[@LeagueWhoWins]

My dad grew up in Iowa and always liked tractors. He bought a tractor to plant a food plot for deer. One day I saw 19 acres for sale for 80k. I got him down to 70K and now i farm 19 acres

[@griggsfarmsllc]

Nice!

[@rikkilee36]

I absolutely adore you guys! I myself am planning to be a small farmer in the very near future, and I too plan on having a few of everything, and I think you guys are the first farmers/ranchers that I’ve ever seen name all of your animals! I will be the same, I can’t help it, they all have souls and how can anyone keep track if ya don’t name them right? Anyways I just wanted to write you guys a few lines and thank you for the content you’re producing it is definitely beneficial, it’s going to help me tremendously, and I appreciate you! Love your beautiful hearts! Keep shining! ❤

[@jvin248]

Very good overview and a thoughtful list that can really help someone out! I'd add: if not working with a farmer, keep a day job and crop farm nights/weekends. Plan to start with a few acres to ten to twenty five. Maybe rent a house that happens to have five acres of field behind it. Be creative. Learn Regenerative No Till Agriculture skills -- most farmers you might work with are plow-tillage and spray-tillage experts and they are learning low-cost Regen Ag too, so they will often be less helpful in the long run (unless you can find someone like Matt). Determine what Niche Crops you can grow, you won't compete with commodity corn/soybean/etc dumped at the local elevator the same as the ten thousand acre farmer dealing with a thin margin but big total sales -- can you instead grow organic heirloom "lentils and chickpeas" or whatever to sell at the local farmer's market direct to consumers or direct to local restaurant chefs getting a higher margin on low total sales? ... Keep no equipment "payments". Get an old pickup that you buy for cash and fix up to run dependably for hauling stuff, a trailer is good too. Buy a pair of 1950s to 60s tractors for cash that are under 50/60hp with three point hitches, that way you have one to use and one as backup (a farmer always needs a backup tractor) -- that pair of tractors will be less than the down payment on newer machines at the dealer. You don't need a big plow tractor because you are going to learn no-till and a big hp tractor guzzles the fuel like you wouldn't believe, plus parts are that much more expensive. Get one of the early no-till planters that can be pulled by the older tractors. Find a simple pull-behind corn picker. Get a brush hog and chain saw (first rental land will have been neglected and need 'mowing'). You'll have to fix just as much stuff on newer equipment as you will on the older stuff so no benefit with newer things. Also, older equipment is simpler to repair while newer equipment is much more complex (miles of wires in newer tractors vs ten to fifteen feet of wire in the 50s models). Learn to repair as that will save you more money than you can believe, and have a repair space that can be heated. The overall goal is minimize your costs while you learn farming -- bootstrapping your way up. And as one Regen Ag farmer put it, plant lots of sunflowers (and other flowers) in and around fields you rent and you'll get a lot more places to rent.

[@dastagirsiddiqui8477]

Great presentation

[@uriah9100]

How do I find that type of well respected farmer in my community?

[@jessevvs]

So basically, I have to win the lottery to become a farmer

[@jeannankeefe845]

Very informative!!!

[@Angrygerman1930]

Look into hay and build a reputation with local horse dealers and cow farmers for a very small hay farm is like 200,000 in equipment new and then land

[@merv190]

Excellent summary.

[@DazeyChaineMusic]

you better get that employee on your insurance regardless and if that plot of land he’s farming isn’t something you own you might wanna look into that as well, as insurance might not cover damages (?) i’m not sure though !! did you ever run into problems ?

[@donhov7224]

Very informative video thank you sir

[@calebleibold7644]

I married into a family in Kansas called the, "Hairs". 7000 acres. 6500 is prob farming. The reat woods and cattle. Id love to learn how to farm but have no desire in it. 😂😂

[@tigernnosaurus7324]

I really want to create and invest on my own farm, I'm thinking of asking around farmers who can maybe hire me so I can get some experience

[@MillieFalcone.]

Heard of Agro investment?

[@Sam.G79]

Great video. I have a question. What are the three main ingredients needed to grow crops? I think it's Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and something else. Am I correct?

[@MrDavidlfields]

I think what you are describing is how “Big Swede” (Eric) from Larsen Farms is working his way to his own farm.

[@arthurok327]

Howdy, I agree, that's exactly what Eric is doing on the Larson Farm..

[@naqashpathan6847]

Hi dear , I want to become a former if you could please help out.

[@medicaltechnologylectures2917]

Hi, can you give an opportunity for work in your farm, I am planning to start farming in future

[@caryenmon1903]

Matt does tennessee have a first time farmer program through FSA?

[@griggsfarmsllc]

They’ve got some stuff available. Not sure what

[@FrankSandile]

Thank u i get u but am am in South Africa

[@MrTonyharrell]

Which video do you cover the farmers daughter?🤔

[@edhuber3557]

I always tried to 'uncover'.

[@DazeyChaineMusic]

it was my understand most combines are driven by satellites nowadays. do people still use manual labor ?

[@tomgreen1721]

I always wanted to be a farmer and work the land but to be honest with myself I'm way to lazy for farming

[@kajersonvlog]

Hi sir. I'm Jerson Santillana. I came from Philippines. My father was a farmer backhome. I would like to be a farmer. I don't have any idea on how to start a farming here. Any advice would be to much appreciated. Thanks.

[@RelaxThinkGrow]

Thanks

[@alabamagirl2725]

Be ready to get up at 4am and work till dark. This business is hard. Most won't make it. From a cattle/ row crop gardening with no GMO... to hard for most people.

[@xia1122]

How do you get completely GMO when there’s toxins pumped into the air?

[@daoudaouedraogo7662]

Hi really love this job. I wish to be farmer but I don’t know how to start if you can help me. Thank you so much..Happy new year

[@FutoXar]

Yep if I survive the war building my farm will be peace of cake I think

[@h2recoveryteam2]

How to make a million dollars as a farmer. Start out with two million.

[@happymonkey256]

My cousin wants to be a farmer and eat the spuds with paddy and milk the cows

[@RMCL.]

Relatable

[@charlietanner6211]

i ,m not gonna say it,s impossible but if i had to buy my land /equiptment now no you cant do it all at once it takes a lifetime maybe 2 or 3 lifetimes imput costs are the biggest hurdle nowdays plus you cant start out buying land marginal land is 4x my area 18x in some places doesnt pay not every body is as sharp at doing the wright things like you farming is one of the most rewarding and one of the worst job all in one

[@thomasnugent6445]

What about Government Loans to Farmers....

[@griggsfarmsllc]

What about them?

[@thomasnugent6445]

@@griggsfarmsllc You should also mention it as an option to purchasing a farm.

[@bigpapawolpie3405]

Let's do it Amish style!! Lol

[@xWickedxGamingx]

What state are you located in?

[@griggsfarmsllc]

Tennessee

[@Saidoromo2024]

So you saying I have a chance to be a farmer 🚜 😅

[@Yeshua.is.christ]

My father grew up on a farm, my grandpa owned one with a friend and his friend somehow screwed him over on a deal. I feel an urge to start my own farm with a plot of land but im poor and i have no prior experience, im also a christian and i have dreams of being a preacher. Maybe i can have a church on a farm. I dont know i wish god would give me a clue.

[@rcairflr]

Maybe he has given you a clue, but you are just not listening.

[@TomBTerrific]

Is this how you started?

[@griggsfarmsllc]

No I’m 5th generation

[@paulprillwitz9901]

👍👍👍💰💰💰💰💰💰💰To make a million dollars in farming you need to start with three million dollars!!!!🤠

[@charlietanner6211]

way way way more than 3 millllike 30mill

[@DerBAM]

I bet

[@GR3YBU5H]

Regenerative agriculture

[@nodak81]

No thanks. I already have a thankless job with zero chance of advancement. Farming would just be a lateral move.

[@JimHerman-o3q]

Farming has little to do with " money " It has to do with desire...........drive.... and work ! If your age 30......and in debt.......you already failed......unless everything you own is related to farm life ! NOT A TRUCK !!!!!!

[@abe3648]

Well, this fucking sucks but what about 30 in debt after two marriages and four kids would you still say it wouldn’t be worth it to start because I do have retiring at the age of 35😂 no in reality 70 no more than that and if not, I’m not gonna live past the year

[@smallben7744]

My immense hatred for city life and corporate life has me here

[@alerion632]

same

[@w.c.s.m.4215]

Same

[@ttm4236]

Same situation brother

[@JimHerman-o3q]

Row crop farming is a lazy mans way of farming. 6 months of the year you sleep !

[@griggsfarmsllc]

Congratulations you have made the dumbest comment I’ve ever seen on my channel

[@ronitgadwal1832]

​@@griggsfarmsllcabsolutely yes😂😂 this man seriously think farmers only have 1 crop on their field and we sleep for other 6 months😂

[@LajontahsBackup]

This is a very discouraging video. You really do not need a lot of land or a lot of expensive equipment to farm nowadays. Please watch a video that proves this man wrong.

[@griggsfarmsllc]

This is not a discouraging video, it is a realistic video. For row crop farming to be your primary source of income in the U.S. it is difficult and extremely risky to get started. I’m not talking about hobby farming, I’m discussing starting a full time farm operation that provides your living

[@LajontahsBackup]

@@griggsfarmsllc Okay

[@TomBean-qf6zv]

@@griggsfarmsllc "difficult and extremely risky".....and expensive.

[@edhuber3557]

@@griggsfarmsllc I s-u-p-p-o-s-e another way to farm, while starting with little is 'truck farming' for vegetables or specialty greens. There, small acreage and equipment is offset by high manual labor, often with CSA/Co-Op/Farmer Market or 'organic' niche. The labor is such that it is generally for the young, and most burn out, or the body gives out, by 40's (at least at a pace to support a family income). It's PC to call that 'sustainable' farming, but the niche aspect, and the fact that so many burn out make the term 'sustainable' seem out of place.

[@UnderHisglory94]

I'll just work for someone, if they'll hire me, and go from there. I'm flat broke, want a change in my life and I already understand this is a gamble and an expensive one at that. I'll still watch your videos, I love this channel, I just found it a few minutes ago out of an amazing curiosity! Thank you for the content! Hope you had a good year!

[@UnderHisglory94]

Oh wow! 5 minutes in and you told us to go work for another farmer! Awesome, I have nothing to offer but my hard work ethic! That has to get me somewhere, right?

[@griggsfarmsllc]

Thanks! Good luck!