Ever wanted to start farming? Whether you have moved back to the family farm, purchased a farm, or are looking for new job opportunities, getting started in agriculture production can be intimidating. No matter your experience level or area of interest, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System can provide beneficial information to help you get started.

Getting Help from Extension

In Alabama, there is an Extension office in every county, and contacting the one in your area is a great first step. No matter if you are interested in horticulture, forestry, livestock, or row crops, the Extension professionals in that office can provide you with the proper information on the area that you are interested in. If you don’t know what area you are interested in, an Extension agent in the office can provide information on the different areas of agriculture to help you decide.

Once an area of interest has been decided, both new and experienced growers are encouraged to attend grower’s meetings related to that area. Also, Extension has many educational publications, news articles, videos, webinars, and online courses available. People can access these resources through newsletters, social media, email lists, and the Extension website, aces.edu.

Of these resources, a great one to start with is a budget. Extension professionals create production budgets that explain the costs associated with producing different agricultural crops. These examine the cost to produce an acre of watermelons, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, etc. and explain in detail the individual costs for plowing, planting, pest management, irrigating, harvesting, etc.

Extension also provides production information on a variety of crops. For example, those who are interested in commercial horticulture (which includes the production of nursery crops, sod, fruits, vegetables, nuts, Christmas trees, and cut flowers), information can be provided by Extension on recommended varieties, irrigation, cover crops, pest management, pesticide safety, sprayer calibration, harvesting, etc.

Understanding the Market

Before planting a crop or purchasing livestock, producers should have the end in mind. Profit is not made from simply growing crops or raising animals. Growers must think about how they will sell their product. While Extension cannot market agricultural products for farmers, they can provide information on different marketing opportunities.

It is important to communicate with potential buyers of your product by visiting potential markets and asking the managers about purchasing direct from the farm. In the case of produce, ask them what fruits and vegetables they need or what do they have a hard time getting. Be prepared to not only ask them questions but also answer any questions they may have about your operation and product.

Learning from Others

After researching the area of agriculture that you wish to pursue, start small and slowly grow your operation. Don’t be afraid to work for someone else in the same business for a while. If you want to raise cattle, work for a cattle farmer. If you want to sell vegetables, plant a home garden and work with a vegetable grower. There is nothing wrong with volunteering on a farm for this valuable information.