Opportunities are still out there for farmers—both large and small
Farming is hard work. It requires a lot of physical labor and a willingness to spend long hours in extreme weather conditions. That’s why Walt Bumgarner believes it takes a special kind of a person to become a farmer.
“I don’t see many farmers who aren’t passionate about what they do,” said Bumgarner, a former farmer who now serves as Extension Educator Livestock Team for the Penn State Extension in Fayette County. “Farming is a calling and a way of life for these people.”
Bumgarner grew up on a farm in western Ohio, where his father raised livestock and grew crops such as corn, hay and soybeans. He has both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Economics from Ohio State University and also worked for the Animal Sciences Department at the University of Maryland.
During his career, Bumgarner has worked with many farmers and sees some common traits, regardless of whether a farmer raises animals or grows crops.
“Most farmers enter this field for two reasons,” he pointed out. “They like being their own boss and they enjoy doing things with their hands outside. I have also noticed that the majority of farmers in this part of the country are 35 or older and have a secondary job.”
Bumgarner pointed out that it takes an investment of time and money to become a farmer.
“It isn’t easy to get started in farming, especially if you want to make a business of it,” he said. “That’s particularly true if you want to raise dairy cows or grow a wide variety of crops. You will need a lot of acres and a lot of equipment to make it work. One study has consistently shown that one of the best ways to make some money from farming is to raise sheep. The trouble is, you need a whole bunch of sheep to make a living. And most people don’t want to have that many sheep. As a result, some farmers just do this as a sideline venture.”
Despite these obstacles, there are many opportunities for farmers, particularly in this area.
“For example, say you wanted to start a farm in Fayette County,” said Bumgarner. “There are a lot of people who live within a 100-mile radius of Uniontown, especially as you get closer to Pittsburgh or Morgantown. And for many residents of this area, buying locally raised agricultural products is big right now. The other thing is that there is much more niche farming than there used to be. So even if you have a smaller operation, you can achieve some success by concentrating on a product that is in demand.”
For people who are considering becoming a farmer, there are more educational resources than ever before. For instance, the Penn State Extension in Fayette County offers a course called “Exploring the Small Farm Dream.” This nine-hour (three evening sessions) course includes exploratory discussion, research tools and self-assessment activities–all designed to help individuals decide whether starting a farm business is right for them.
“Some of the people who sign up for this course later decide that farming involves more work than they want to put into it,” said Bumgarner. “Others will say, ‘Yeah, I think I can really do this.’ And this course can help them get started.”
Bumgarner added that other resources are available for people who are thinking about becoming a farmer.
“You can find plenty of good information on the Internet,” he said. “In addition, you can test the waters by doing volunteer work for a sustainable farm organization. I would also recommend going to the Pennsylvania Farm Show or your local county fair. Walk around and talk to the people who have exhibits. There are many folks out there who are more than happy to provide helpful advice.”
Farming has experienced many significant changes in recent years, Bumgarner acknowledged. But the opportunities are still out there for people who want to give farming a try.
“If you really want to get into something, you can find a way to do it,” he said. “Even if you want to do farming as a hobby or a part-time job, you can enjoy some success if you are willing to put in the time and work.”