How to Grow Your Farm

Ways to help expand your farming operation

IntroductionAnswer questionsListener Question: How have others been able to grow their farms?  I’d be interested in knowing what have been working for others to grow!Reminder to submit your questions to [email protected]GuestsCorey Hillebo  @corn_porkNbeansQ Connealy  @Qconnealy19  wakeboardingfarmer.comWhat’s working in Ag?Just that, how about we jump right into it this week and share from our network strategies, tips, and techniques that have helped them grow their farms!  We heard back from over 30 listeners, friends, and those on twitter about how they were about to grow their farms.We’ve put together over 20 headings for ways people have picked up ground or expanded their operations and will be breaking it into two different episodes for you.No Silver Bullets, but we can share examples that have workedPurchasing the landAuctionLand ListingPrivate SalePre-determined priceCreative Land Contracts20 year contract that started at a reduced price, with low interest rate and payments are based of the ISU Cash Rent Survey – payment flexibility @stalzer20 – Matt Stalzer of Haverhill, IAMost logical buyer – land next doorFirst to become aware of the land for saleCustom Farming @plotner_mike Mike Plotner Union County OhioPurchased a combine in high school to do custom work which got his name out.  Worked on growing his mechanical and business skills.NegotiationBreakevensPreparednessStepping up in times of needBeing timelyDoing a good jobCustom farming can lead to other forms of expansion too @mikebelan3 Mike Belan Lambton County OntarioMore custom farming acres50/50 crop sharingRent when done taking the riskSale when ready to get outLet your hard work and quality job show offRun your farm like a businessHire out what you aren’t good at. Do what you do best and find someone else to do the rest360 reviewPeople will notice from the outside inPositive perceptions will go a long wayFocus on doing better on the land that you have now to maximize the profitability there.  Then take the profits from your current operation to purchase more in expansion. Anonymous -  Central KansasTaking advantage of the discounts and package deals that come with larger acres and negotiating power.Taking care of what you already have and doing a good jobMowing ditches and water waysRemoving or building fencesPracticing the latest technologies or conservationFarmer did strip till and cover crops.  Land lord noticed that liked the program and offered the land for rent if he continued those practiced – anonymous IowaClean and maintained equipment and acreages – nothing has to be new“Keep Doing a Good Job and Someone will Notice” - @gbahan Gary Bahan Central OhioBuild strong relationships with current landlordsKeep in contact, share updates on their land, and show what you have been doing to benefit them.Share your intentions as a farm, if they don’t know what you want to become how can they help you get there?If you treat them well they may tell other land lords and it could expand that way. @landon707 – Landon Friesen Crystal City Manitoba CALandlords are most likely investors; if you can show them how you can help make them more money, then they will help you make more money.Share soil tests and yield dataEffectively including multiple generationsImpression of a successful family farm will provide positive views from land lordsWished they had that in their familyRemember having it from their parentsGives you the ability to delegate, connect more frequently with less effort, handle more tasksAdvisory Team and Network Referrals @MarkPGuy North Central, IAAgronomy SuppliersConnections to extended familyAdvisory TeamHow will they know to send you referrals if they don’t know your growth goals?Farm ManagersLawyers – Estate PlannersNRCS Office – Anonymous North Central IowaHad been utilizing the EQUIP program and attending meetings about soil health.  Was being social and recognized.Having a Good Lender – not conservative – knowledgeable of optionsBeing able to take advantage of situations when they come up is half the battle.  You might get an offer, but if you aren’t financially well positioned at the time the answer might have to be “NO”Knowing what loan packages are available with the FSA or USDA offices can help @HotMessFarms Brittany Willbanks - MissouriBeginning farmer loans for purchasing equipment and livestockFSA loans for purchasing farm groundApplying for beginning farmer credits on rental agreements and land sold on contract.A creative banker might be able to help tie in additional collateral to get the deal doneLuck – Better lucky than good @Qconnealy19 the wakeboarding farmer from NebraskaBorn in to the right familyGood relationships by older generationsLandlords or family members that prefer farmland as an investmentOnline fameIt’s almost like lightening striking, I would hate to be a kid again to try and make what happened happen again! - @Dylangrieco – Chad West Central Iowa.BAD ExamplesOver PayingAmbulance ChasingLetters to Nursing HomesLetters from like that from TillableReferral Fees to Funeral HomesSleeping with land owners wifeMarrying a widowTaking her special pizzaEating her “edibles”Long lost family membersSocial Media Famous - Wake boarding in the fields and ditches for social media fameTrusting in yourselfKnow your farm, know your businessBe honest and accurate with your numbersHaving fear, anxiety, and nervousness is natural for moments of growthYou’ll have 100 reason not to stick your neck out, but trust in yourself when the time is right and the opportunity is right, do it.A good advisory team will help you sort through these situationsHave your farm positioned at all times for growth, don’t get over extended because you never know when the opportunity will come up.Being a good neighborPay your respects if condolences are necessary, but be sincere.  We’ve heard of ambulance chasers……sometimes though a true friend, shoulder to cry on, or plain old support can go a very long ways.  A lot of my connections refrain from this for fear of being labeled the ambulance chaser….if it’s sincere your conscience will be clearHelp fix fence and do chores for livestock – help on or organize field help if a neighbor needs it - anonymous , North East MissouriJoin them for pie, take them pizza, drive them to bingoOffering a helping hand when someone needs help.  Cutting trees, fixing equipment, or cleaning out grain bins.Don’t ignore the women, treat them with respect.  They typically live longer.Be Faithful @mullerfarms Clayton MullerConnections through religion are typically very strongGive glory to God and build the trust of those that surround you.Being patient and faithful that you are doing right in this world.What goes around comes aroundClubs, Boards, LeadershipFSA boardsServed for a period of time with a spouse of a future landlord.  Treated her and other board members with respect and it was never forgotten.  When the farmer retired he remember the kindness and respect presented and offered the farm – anonymous North Central OhioChurch BoardsF-H & FFA Leadership – Fair BoardsVolunteeringThe key to all this is demonstrating the golden rule, being timely, confident, kind and respectfulBeing a pillar in the community a person of strong character @rjfran23 – Randy Francois “Francis” Eastern , IAHonesty and Integrity – Anonymous SW KansasHaving professional conversations with current farmers (aging) or land owners.Being honest in the conversation about wanting to rent or buyBe clear about your goals and expectations of growing your farmAsk politely for the opportunity to farm their ground when it becomes availableFarm marketing/Branding – Anonymous Central IowaFacebookWebsites-Technology -TillableBe where your audience will beFarm ManagersAttorneysReal Estate AgentsNews LettersField DaysSponsored meetingsCan you hire someone to do marketing for your farm?Should this person be on your advisory team?Being the apparent expert Interviews for papers and publicationsHosting/Sponsoring land owner meetingsHosting/Sponsoring field daysBecoming a public speaker for conferences and meetingsHolding a political officeStrategic Hiring/NetworkingPeople with advanced skillsSales, marketing, agronomy, prescriptions, etc…People with strong networksPeople related to rich land ownersFarm ManagerYou can’t complain about market pricingRent prices – if a landlord offers you may have to adjust your farming operation to make a profit in order to make the rent requested workCommodity prices – landlords won’t want a tenant who “can’t figure it out”Focus on knowing your break even and becoming the most efficient that you can.  It will afford you to pay higher rent and grant you a larger margin on rent that is below market.Slander on a neighbor doesn’t usually get you very farUsing Technology – Take advantage @Citrowske_L  Lance SW Minnesota.Technology that is available to make you more efficient.Technology that produces accuracy – reportingDemonstrate superior knowledgeIntellifarms bin managementWriting scriptsYield MapsBe patient, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” – growth takes years - @michael_bergen  Michael Bergen, Aurora NebraskaYou will get passed up, but your attitude when that happens will be noticedDon’t get bitter, be happy for those who do grow, and that will get noticedAlso, lending a hand to the neighbor and being a positive person will probably get you better rental rates when the opportunity does come outIt helps keep life more fun tooSummaryBe PatientUse TechnologyQuit ComplainingStrategic HiringBe the ExpertMarketing & BrandingHonesty & IntegrityLocal LeadershipBe FaithfulBe a Good NeighborTrust in yourselfLuckHaving a Good Lender & beginning farmer knowledgeAdvisory Team/Network ReferralsMultiple GenerationsBuild good relationships with current landlordsTake care of what you have nowRun your farm like a businessCustom FarmingPurchase itChallengeCome up with somethingLeave an idea for bad examples of ways to pick up ground on our social media pages to make this fun! @farm4profitllc   ClosingIf you liked this episode please like, rate, review and share!Check out the other archived episodes and leave us your comments.@farm4profitllc   [email protected]