给年轻或刚开始务农的人的五大策略

美国农民的平均年龄为57岁(USDA 2017). 事实上, young producers (those under 35) make up less than 10% of producers while beginning farmers (those with 10 years or less of experience) make up 27% (USDA 2017). These farmers face two major challenges: access to land and access to credit. So here are 5 top things to consider as a young and starting farmer:

1. 把你的农场当成一门生意

When starting a farm, no matter what size, treat it as a business. Granted it is not the same as opening a small shop or family diner, but it is a business. 这是什么意思?? Develop a business plan with all financial statements and measures. Financial statements will help you understand the financial health of your business and to answer: Are you breaking even? 你有偿付能力吗? 你是否为自己的工作支付报酬? They can help you identify ways to improve your profits (e.g. 改变你的营销组合和/或降低成本). 设定未来目标, 比如说5年后, and setting a path towards it is also part of a business plan. Pro forma statements that reflect variations in revenues due to fluctuation in prices should also be completed. A complete business plan is important when seeking investors or applying for a loan.

了解更多:访问农场信贷知识中心 业务工具包

2. Know your strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities

As with any business, you should be aware of its strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities. Strengths and weaknesses are identified by looking inside of the farm, while threats and opportunities are identified by looking at factors outside of the farm. Examples of strengths could be your skills and knowledge that you bring to the business, 或者使用的输入的质量, 或者个性化的客户体育彩票正规app下载. Identifying strengths leads to defining your farm’s competitive advantage. 是什么让它脱颖而出? Weaknesses in a business can affect your profits and hinder its competitive advantage. 先解决关键的问题. An analysis of external factors such as population growth, 竞争对手, 供应商, 政策和买家, 能帮助你识别机会和威胁吗. Opportunities can also help you define your competitive advantage. 你的产品有利基市场吗? Or do you, as a young farmer, identify trends in consumer needs not yet met? 识别威胁时, this allows you to come up with strategies to minimize the associated risks.

3. 了解并利用所有可用的资源

There are numerous resources for young and beginning farmers (e.g. 专项贷款项目, 农场示范工场, 以及专项拨款), 很多都是低成本的. 例如, 西弗吉尼亚大学 (WVU) Soil Testing Lab managed by the Davis College offers free routine soil testing for WV residents. Make sure that you get to know your local extension agent. Have you ever reached out to extension specialists at your nearest land grant university? Are you aware of the grants that you might be eligible for through USDA and the Natural 资源 Conservation 体育彩票正规app下载? Make it your priority to know all your resources and use them to your advantage.

ACCESS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Visit the Farm Credit 知识中心's 资源

4. 建立关系网

The best way to learn about farming is by talking to other farmers. 你可以学到书本上找不到的东西. Cultivating a relationship with a mentor may help you avoid common mistakes and quickly identify paths to success. Connect with farmers at conferences, seminars and workshops devoted to farming (e.g. WV Small Farm Conference), or in other places they may go to (e.g. 农贸市场、本地农资商店). Participating in internships or apprenticeships also helps you connect with farmers. Use this opportunity to build your own network which should also consist of other local businesses. 这可能意味着潜在的新客户, input 供应商 or building better relations with your local bank.

5. 平衡工作与生活

精神压力也影响着农民. 农业可能是非常孤立的. 除了孤立, 财务问题, farm economy and weather can impact farmers’ mental health (Sledge and Fortenberry 2023). Having a comprehensive health insurance and emergency funds can reduce some of the stress. Farming is demanding, and many times farmers hold jobs off-farm to keep things running. Therefore, it is important to strive to maintain a work-life-balance. Reserve time for yourself, to be with family and friends. A good trick is to schedule family and friend times like you would any other important errand related to your farm and stick to it.

了解更多:请求立即访问 关注健康 AgHub学习门户.

年轻的 and beginning farmers face many challenges as they start their farm. Here I have listed my top 5 things for these farmers to keep in mind as they navigate through these challenges. 请注意，虽然这些不是详尽的, they are meant to motivate you to start thinking about farming in a new light.

作者:

安娜·克劳迪娅·圣安娜*

Assistant Professor of Agribusiness and Agricultural Finance

资源经济与管理处

西弗吉尼亚大学

电子邮件:anaclaudia.santanna@mail.西弗吉尼亚大学.edu

*免责声明所表达的任何观点都是我自己的

来源:

Slege,年代. 和B. Fortenberry. 2023. “农场压力” 选择. 季度1. 网上: http://www.choicesmagazine.org/choices-magazine/theme-articles/farm-stress/farm-stress

库尔特,米. K. 2013. 战略管理在行动." 6^th ed. 培生教育有限公司.

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2017 Census of Agriculture. 完整的数据可在www.nass.美国农业部.gov / AgCensus