by Adam Dawson
Our visit to the farm was wonderful indeed. They had it all – goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, donkey, mini horse, and a big organic garden. They’ve built it from the ground up over the course of the last 5 years. They are meticulously organized and seemingly unconcerned about profit.
The story was that the owners want to spend a little more time with grandkids, so they need additional caretakers to keep the farm under control when they are away.
We have been rolling this opportunity around in our heads and I, for one, am so conflicted about it. On one hand, it would be an unbelievable learning opportunity for both of us. We once took a Strengths for Couples class, and one of the instructors said that one tip for a successful marriage is to have a shared vision of the future that you are jointly pursuing. We have talked about having a U-Pick farm, market, and activities center as one of our potential future paths, and so this chance to actually do the work and learn how to actually be farmers is unparalleled.
The economic value for us is probably in the neighborhood of $1200-$1500 / month, depending on how much farm sales income we could generate and how much we rented our house out for. So that would be good for our debt payback.
On the other hand, as some readers mentioned, it would be A LOT of work. There are other caretakers, and they have a rotating cast of volunteers, so we wouldn’t be on call 24/7. There would be an occasional day off. But still, the workload would be tough. I sometimes already feel like doing my day job, and dealing with bills and renters and what not already keeps me too busy, so I’m really nervous that this would put me over the edge on busyness.
Another concern is that we would be so far removed from our current lives. I mean, this farm is REMOTE. In some ways this could be good as we could reduce our consumption/spending of “city/suburb stuff” by being out of town. But, we’d be too far to spend much time with any of our friends, and we’d have to find a new church, and adjust our schedules to life on the farm.
The owners have invited us to work on the farm for a weekend in February to see how it would go for us. We might take them up on this offer. But I am approaching this opportunity with extreme caution. We are both very interested and really want to do it, but I think we both realize that it would be a huge life change for us and could be a very difficult period of our lives. We are very torn. Thanks to everyone for reading along and commenting, especially those who had some real life experience farming.
Debt update coming! I’m travelling for work this week but will get it put together soon.
I say go for the weekend opportunity. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain in seeing how that weekend goes. You don’t have to make a decision about it today, just let the pros and cons sit out there for a while. And after the weekend on the farm you will have a lot more knowledge to use and inform your decision. Think and pray and maybe do some writing individually and then share your thoughts together. Writing can be a great tool to dislodge thoughts and help you find clarity. Think about the weekend opportunity to work the farm as a “get away” for the two of you, a mini vacation of sorts. How many of us get the opportunity to do that while exploring a potential new life we have envisioned. How cool!! I’m very excited for whatever path you take.
Don’t get blinded by the upside/dollars. Sounds like it might just be overwhelming and if you rent out your house and the whole thing is simply unsustainable, better have an exit strategy.
I agree with both other comments: do the weekend AND have an exit strategy if you make the move and hate it. Farming is really hard work that never really ends. Adam: you just started a new job that you love. Are you really going to be OK having to commute a long distance to a remote farm, then do more work when you get there? Even if you employer agrees to let you telecommute some, most employers also want to see their employees at some regular interval. You will also miss out on the camaraderie of an office and the day to day small stuff that computers just can’t convey. And Emily: are you going to be cool with doing much of the farm tasks yourself while Adam telecommutes? Or is gone for long hours? And you’re “stuck on the farm”? No friends close by, no stores, no hair salons?? As much as dumping the urban grind for farm lift sounds, it is not without stress. Maybe you guys can simply be volunteer help from time to time for awhile. Really think about this before you rent your house out and make all the other changes this would entail.
I say definitely go for this visit. Then consider doing a regular/semi-regular weekend visit (now that you have a connection, I’m sure some of the other couples would be happy to get a break now and then).
After 2 years, you will have gained all the experience you will need to make the best-informed decision about whether to try to pursue this or something similar on a more permanent basis. You will also have your debt paid off so that will no longer be hanging over your head.
I don’t think the financial aspect of this should be a primary consideration. Consider that $1000-1500/month is in the neighborhood of the raise you might expect from getting a promotion at your job (or at least a promotion and a couple years’ worth of COL adjustments) (I’m guessing here). So if this opportunity slows down such a promotion by even a year, or, in the worst-case scenario affects your performance/networking/office face time enough that you miss out on it altogether…
I do fully agree with the insightful comments about the shared vision in a marriage. But you have the entire rest of your debt-free life to pursue that. And having flexibility now seems pretty critical.
Your marriage is young…be careful not to over stress it.
I agree with the other comments, you say they have a rotating cast of volunteers, why not do that for a while first.
It sounds like a lot more work than what I’m reading about. But it sounds like it can be fun taking care of all those animals.
It sounds like such an amazing opportunity! I’d try out the weekend at least, but it would hard to let such an opportunity pass you by, especially when it’s a taste of your ultimate goal!
Sounds like a really big project, and I can understand why some would call it an amazing opportunity. But I would personally be wary of such a venture because it requires a lot of change, for an increase in a thousand dollars or so. Perhaps go for a test run and see how you guys adjust.