If you want it bad enough, you can plan it out and work for it. Remember that KIDS need instant gratification, ADULTS work towards it. If you could pull this off as you hope, I think it would be a bad deal in the long run anyway. Subsistance-type off-farm job, "partnering" with a parent (who will always pull rank and act like you are still a little kid), uncles who could decide at any moment to sell and thus wipe you out. THIS IS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE! A couple different paths come to mind: 1) Go to wherever it takes to earn the good money your degree will let you, save/invest with the eventual goal of coming back (you will either find out this new life isn't so bad, or you will hate it enough to become even more motivated to come home. Either way, you will earn a good living. 2) Find a job working in a closely-related occupation close to home--not the same as frming for yourself, but not the headaches, either, and you will keep your fingers in agriculture. I had no help from anyone when I started, wanted it very badly, made a go of it, and many days wish I wouldn't have. Yes, I have a thriving operation and a good net worth. But I have never been away from it for over 3 days in 25 years, work 6 and a half days a week, do several hours of livestock chores every holiday, deal nearly daily with people trying to work their angle on me, cell phone rings over 20 times a day, never played a round of golf or had any hobby--I could go on and on..... Overall, I guess I did ok--I know the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence-- but some days I sure wish I hadn't "wanted it so bad". Missed a lot of family things, never had time to attend my kid's ball games, take nice vacations with family, etc. Now they are growing up and want no part of this place--all it means is never-ending work to them. Still it has been a good ride for me--someone who started with nothing and will be able to retire comfortably someday,,,, so I guess I did ok. Moral of the story: 1)Be careful what you wish for and 2) only depend on yourself.
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