why I want to farm

I went to a CRAFT field day today. I was invited by the afore mentioned farmer, Bill, who I plan to work with. He is extremely generous with information; I can learn a lot from him. Per his suggestion, I'm considering starting a very small CSA for next year. Maybe 5 families. I feel very at home with the other eco-ag farmers. They're an appealing balance of 'laid-back' and 'not messin around.' There is no putting on airs. Maybe that would be obvious? So, an easy sense of belonging to the community is one reason I would want to farm. The biggest reason is I feel like it's the right thing to do. People need nutritious, local food. I want to know how to provide that and to teach others how to grow their own. If the food system falls apart, I don't want my family to be affected. I want my family to have the best health I can provide them, within our means, and growing our own food assures me of that. ...I have an adolescent need to be independent. I like to be outside. I like to live with the seasons. I like to create. I like creative problem solving. I like the infinite possibilities in farming. I want to be an entrepreneur and there is a growing demand for local, organic food. There are many parallels between the artist and the small eco-farmer - the planning, creating, and sharing of a product. The 'hands on, get dirty, and not work for the man' of it. The independence of it.

I like to watch things grow.

I never got over wanting to be Little House on the Prairie.
...

The house we're trying to buy has nothing to with being a farmer, but that's OK. With the 8000 tax credit and appraising for 7000 more than we're contracted for, I figure we're already 15,000 ahead. Considering we have 0 savings and lots of student loans, this is a good first investment for us. In a few years (you have to live in the house 3 years to keep the 8000) maybe we'll be ready to have our own farm. Or maybe not. But our small backyard will not be a bad thing. If anything, it will keep me from getting too gung-ho on side projects.