5 Things I’d Do Differently If I Were Starting Over
Hey Reader,
When we started farming, I made a ton of mistakes. Like…a lot. Looking back, there are five things I’d do differently if I could start over. Maybe these lessons will save you some headaches (and a lot of fencing).
1. Document the Journey
If I could go back, I’d start documenting everything from day one. Sharing your story through a website, blog, or even social media can do so much:
- Help you connect with your community and potential customers.
- Preserve memories for your kids (and for yourself).
- Open doors to new opportunities, like partnerships or extra income.
People love a good story, especially one that’s relatable. Showing your wins (and your struggles) makes you more than just a farmer — you become someone people trust and want to support.
Having a central hub, like a website, to share your updates and products can make a huge difference as your farm grows.
2. Start Part-Time, Not All-In
If I had to pick one thing I’d tell myself early on, it’s this: treat farming as a part-time thing or a side gig before you treat it as a full-time career.
That’s not to say it can’t grow into that. But farming is capital intensive. It takes real money and real time to get going, and there’s a big difference between raising meat for your own family and producing at a scale where you’re selling to customers. Homesteading and running a business are two different things, even when they look similar from the outside.
Before you invest a lot of money, make sure this is something you actually want to do at full scale — not just something that sounds good in theory.
3. Be Patient with the Land
If I had a dollar for every fence I’ve built, moved, or torn down…I could probably buy better fencing.
Here’s what I’ve learned: you don’t really know your land until you’ve lived with it through all the seasons. Growth is hard to predict, especially when you’re adding new enterprises or figuring out how to rotate livestock.
Starting simple gives you time to learn and adapt. Just like with everything else in farming, having flexibility early on can make a big difference.
4. Set Boundaries with Family Time
When I started farming, I told myself I was doing it for my family. But sometimes, farm work pulled me away from them more than I’d like to admit.
Here’s what I’ve realized:
- You’ll never finish everything on the to-do list, so set clear boundaries.
- Schedule family time and stick to it — be fully present when you’re with them.
- The farm will always be there; your kids won’t always be this young.
Looking back, I realize the farm isn’t just a project — it’s part of our life. It’s not just about growing the farm; it’s about growing together as a family.
5. Focus on Relationships
Early on, I thought farming was a solo gig — just me and the land. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Relationships are everything in farming.
Building connections can lead to better deals, help when you need it, and opportunities you didn’t even know existed. Being part of a farming community, whether in person or online, can make a huge difference.
Here’s what I’d recommend:
- Join local meetups or Facebook groups for farmers.
- Volunteer at events or attend workshops to connect with others.
- Be generous — helping others often brings unexpected opportunities.
Strong relationships can open doors to partnerships, referrals, and even collaborations you never imagined.
A Final Thought
Starting and growing a farm is a journey. Some days you feel like you’re crushing it, and other days…well, not so much. But sharing your story, building connections, and focusing on what matters most can help you grow in more ways than one.
What about you? What lessons has farming taught you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
with my appreciation,
Jason
Aka: The Part-Time Farmer
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