Aside from its gorgeous landscapes, Arizona is known for its bustling farming industry. Arizona’s good water control and soil quality combined with frequent sunny weather make it the perfect place for farming all year round. With these conditions, it’s no wonder why people flock to this sunny state to start their own plot of land and become farmers.
If you’re looking for some advice on how to start your own farming business in this bountiful state, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some essential tips and tricks to help get your farm off the ground! Follow these tips and make your business and farmland a success!
Do your research
As with starting any new project or business, you need to do your research if you want to start your own farm in Arizona. Before diving into the deep end, look up what kind of farming is profitable and what kind of farming you’d like to do. Educate yourself on the cost of land, tools, resources, and equipment. Look up how to go about starting a farm from professionals or contact and get help from people you know in the business. The best way to start your farming business on the right foot is to go into it prepared and armed with knowledge!
Calculate your yield
Before you start buying up land and equipment, you need to figure out if your farming business will profit you. Working the land takes a lot of time, money, and resources. Before you start your farming business, you need to figure out if you can make a living off it first.
Making a living off your farm starts with making enough yield. If you’re a new farmer, having a crop or corn yield calculator by ear is a great place to start. Calculating your yield early on is a great tool to have because it can help you plan for the future. Whether you plan to grow corn, melons, or potatoes, calculating how much you’ll make is essential to making good business.
Create a network
Working the land is a lot of hard work, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Many beginner farmers make the mistake of going in completely solo when starting up their business. Although you do have to do the bulk of the work yourself, it’s always good to have a helping hand. When establishing your farm, make an effort to acquaint yourself with the other farmers in the area and to establish some connections. Go to the conventions and get to know your fellow farmers so you can have someone to ask for help, rely on, and do business with in the future.
Plan for growth
Initially, it’s difficult to predict how successful your farming business will be from the get-go. If you’re going into the farming industry, it’s always a good idea to prepare for a bigger operation than you thought. When buying land, opt for bigger rather than smaller. When buying supplies, always buy extras and when you’re harvesting, think on the positive side and expect more. Planning for growth in the early stages of your business accommodates expansion early on and leaves room for it in the future. Any farming business can take a while to take off, but once it does, you better be ready to support it!
Stock up on equipment
A lot of resources go into your farming business, from water to seeds, to feed, to pens and paper. It’s difficult to predict when disaster will strike, so it’s good practice to always keep some extras or spares for your business. For starters, make a habit of figuring out how much you go through on a monthly or yearly basis. Once you know how much you go through, you can start planning ahead for and stockpiling.
When buying supplies in the early stages of your business, go for stackable, modular items where you can. Make use of good deals and sales when you come by them, but don’t overspend or overcrowd your storage. Find the balance between having extra and not going overboard.
Don’t forget the necessary paperwork
Aside from the time and effort that you put into your farm, having the necessary paperwork is just as important. You need a lot of permits and paperwork to run your farm successfully and legally. It’s your responsibility as a business and farm owner to work with the law and educate yourself on everything that you’ll need.
From land to livestock, to seed and feed permits, you need to make sure everything is accounted for. Remember to always keep a detailed log of everything you buy and sell through your farm. Don’t let a minor detail like an unsigned document derail your farming business. Always stay on top of your paperwork and remember to stay updated and in the loop.
Never stop learning
Owning and running a farm is a constant learning experience, and your job doesn’t stop once you’ve survived your first year. As a newcomer to the farming industry, you will no doubt come across many obstacles and difficulties.
To become a successful farmer, you will have to always try to outdo yourself and learn from your mistakes. If you find yourself stuck, join a class, read some books, or talk to some experts to help you. The life of a farmer is one of constant learning, so absorb everything you can from the experience and always strive to do better!
So there you have it! With these important pieces of advice, you’re ready to take on and join the Arizona farming industry like a pro! Before any business venture, make sure to do your research and go into it prepared. Make sure to plan ahead and calculate your yield to stay on top of your finances and prospects. Get to know your fellow farmers and create a network to rely on.
When establishing your farm, remember to plan ahead and leave room for growth. Figure out early on what your farm needs to run on and remember to stock up on essentials. To be a successful farm owner, you need to be diligent and thorough with your paperwork and to work with the law. Last but not least, remember that to farm is to learn, so be prepared to do a lot of learning while you run your business!