I didn't read the other thread, either. I wasn't going to chime in, but here I am speaking my mind. I'm a young guy, 31 now. grew up with friends that farm. My cousins farm. My uncle farms. I do too, but only on the 20 or so tillable acres that I purchased from a family friend. He offered it to me, and I could afford it. Here's what I see, now having lived in 2 farming communities: People offer Opportunity to the BTO farmers. Period. Very few landowners will offer their land to rent, or sell, to a younger, smaller farmer. They see the BTO with technology everything, and think he's the only person who can do a good job. I'm not bashing Technology. In the community I grew up in, where my family had been since the 1850's, nobody would think about renting a farm to me, and I won't knock on doors, since I'd be hurting my cousins and neighbors. I got married a few years ago, and moved 45 miles away. Hardest thing I've ever done. In the new community, a few BTO's run most of the ground. My In-Laws own enough I could quit my job and go full time, but they won't even allow me to rent it at fair market value. Their family lawyer had the gall to look me in the eye, Insult my friends /neighbors /family, and then tell me that the BTO's own a full line of equipment for $5 an acre and I cannot compete with that. Out of touch with reality. But this kind of Ignorance is held by most of the non-active land owners. A few on here know a little about me, so If you don't, I'll share. I started mowing lawns for neighbors when I wasn't even strong enough to pull start a push mower. I got a job when I was 16. I went to trade school in high school, served my apprenticeship, and have been a journeyman machinist for almost a decade now. I save money, I own a mostly complete line of old equipment, and farm a little for fun. I have been helping friends farm for a long, long time. I've worked for the neighbors when they have called me asking for help. I treat everybody kindly and respectfully, even if they don't deserve it. I help others as much as I can. But even my own family will not allow me to have a real start. Everyone gives the opportunity to the Big farmers, but looks down on me. So, I fix things, mow the lawn, haul stuff for neighbors and friends for free, and wait in the workshop for the time I can TRY to make a go at farming. By my math, If I can't make a go by 40, it is not financially possible to pay your loans off before you die. If the next decade goes like my last, I'll never get the opportunity. And the BTO's son will go from 6,000 Acres to 12,000 while I'm mowing and doing favors for friends and neighbors and fixing my machinery and being belittled by company management because I don't have an MBA. All I want is the opportunity to TRY. I'm not asking for anything to be handed to me, just the opportunity to work and succeed. No one will allow me to. With the attitude of many of the "I made it on my own" people, all they care about is themselves and the dollar. When they quit farming, they offer it to their neighbor's son, who already has more than enough to make a living. They'll never notice me, working and waiting.
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