Read time: 3-4 minutes
It’s Never Too Late to Start Your Farming Dream
Have you ever felt like the dream of farming or homesteading is out of reach because you didn’t start early enough? Maybe you think you’ve got too many commitments or that your window of opportunity has passed.
Perhaps you’ve spent years in a different career, raising a family, or just unsure where to begin. If that sounds like you, you’re not alone.
I was 42 when I started my farm. A first-generation farmer with zero experience—my only prior experience with animals was owning cats and dogs.
Fast forward seven years, and we’re raising 20-40 pigs a year, around 800 chickens for meat, 200 laying hens, 40 head of cattle, cutting hay, and more. If I can do it, anyone can, and that’s what today’s newsletter is all about: It’s never too late!
Inspired by Amy Porterfield: Age Is Just a Number
This idea was inspired by a recent episode of Amy Porterfield’s podcast titled “Age Is Just a Number: Why You Can Still Find Success In Your 40s, 50s And Beyond.” In it, she busts the myth that success has an age limit—and shows that it’s simply not true.
Debunking Age Myths
It doesn’t matter if you’re in your 40s, 50s, or beyond; there’s no expiration date on your farming or homesteading dreams. Just look at three-star Michelin chef Helene Darroze, HuffPost founder Arianna Huffington, Coca-Cola inventor John Stith Pemberton, and McDonald’s Ray Kroc. They all achieved monumental success later in life, proving that your best years might still be ahead of you. Like these entrepreneurs, your experience can be your biggest asset.
Leveraging Life Experience
Think about the skills you’ve acquired over the years—managing a budget, solving problems, or just the resilience that comes with life. These skills uniquely prepare you to tackle the challenges of starting a farm or homestead.
Shifting Your Mindset
It’s easy to think, “I’m too old for this,” or “It’s too late to start.” But Amy’s right: these are just limiting beliefs—stories you’ve told yourself. If you’re passionate about farming or homesteading, now is the perfect time to shift that mindset and embrace the journey. From my experience, it’s not about the destination but the journey itself. It’s like playing a board game; the real fun is in playing. Winning or losing just ends the game. The journey is where the joy lies, and that’s something we can all enjoy.
Practical Advice for Getting Started
Whether it’s learning how to care for livestock, growing a market garden, starting a farm blog, or setting up an online store, the tools and resources are more accessible than ever. Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to ask for help—there’s a community of fellow farmers and homesteaders ready to support you. That’s why I started this newsletter.
Inspiration from Real-Life Stories
I’ve seen countless stories of people who started their farming journey later in life and thrived. Whether it’s turning a small plot of land into a thriving farm or finally taking the plunge into full-time homesteading, age isn’t a barrier—it’s a strength.
Whether you start or not, the time will pass just the same. Here’s a quick tool I use to make decisions like this (credit to Alex Hormozi): Ask yourself, “What would my 80-year-old self tell my [your current age] self?” Think about that for a second. It’s an exercise I use regularly when making important decisions.
The Time to Start is Now
Amy’s episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to follow your passion. Your dream farm or homestead is within reach, and with the wisdom and resilience you’ve gained over the years, you’re more than ready to make it happen.
So, what’s holding you back? Take that first step. Whether it’s planting your first crop, building a chicken coop, or launching your farm website, there’s no better time than now.
Happy Farming!
P.S. If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out our latest video on Free Resources to Get You Started. It’s packed with tips for getting started, no matter your age or experience level!
With My Appreciation,
Jason
Aka: The Part-Time Famer