{"id":9467,"date":"2021-07-04T08:56:33","date_gmt":"2021-07-04T08:56:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/?p=9467"},"modified":"2021-07-04T08:56:35","modified_gmt":"2021-07-04T08:56:35","slug":"how-to-be-a-good-farmer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/how-to-be-a-good-farmer\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Be A Good Farmer?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you wondering how to be a good farmer? Chances are, if you\u2019re asking yourself that question, you probably already are. However, if you’re questioning whether you have what it takes, this article will give you all the information you need to know to make sure you\u2019re up to the challenges of the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Qualities Make a Good Farmer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Farmers are essential to the success of any society – and to the economy. If you love being outdoors, you love animals, and you are a hard worker, then chances are, you may have considered becoming a farmer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how do you know if you will be a good one? Here are some traits you should have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patience and Grit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A good farmer isn\u2019t one who gives up at the slightest sign of a struggle – he maintains his cool in the face of overwhelming adversity and disappointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Successful farmers don\u2019t get frustrated by results that are slow – or results that are seemingly nonexistent. They take things in stride and use failures as opportunities to plan better for next time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Willingness to Learn <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To make it in the world of farming, you have to be a perpetual student. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be willing to adapt to and learn new technologies, methods, and environments. Be constantly curious. Ask questions. Experiment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more things you try, the more knowledgeable you will become – and the more successful you will ultimately be, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organization Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a farmer, you will have to keep track of lots of things – both physical things and intangible ones<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of this, organization is key. You\u2019ll need to find a way to stay on top of your daily tasks and keep everything prioritized. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll also need to be able to track and analyze data so that you can predict future outcomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mathematical Aptitudes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A successful farmer will be one that is good with numbers. You\u2019ll have to keep track of facts and figures, to how much you spent on feed last year to how much you should be charging as you analyze your profits<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being bad with numbers can be dangerous, regardless of whether you are raising plants or animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is something that many farmers struggle with, but the most successful farmers will find a way to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have to be willing to make the sale! Whether you\u2019re selling products face-to-face at the farmer\u2019s market or solely online, you need to be able to plan out your marketing strategy and sales pitch so that you can make the most money possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Hardworking Nature <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Last but not least, the most obvious quality that a good farmer should have – he has to be tenacious. Farmers need to be able to work from sunup to sundown, in cold weather or in hot, in rain or snow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farmers don\u2019t sleep in – they are up and at \u2018em before daybreak. You\u2019ve got to be willing to work as a farmer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Skills Are Needed for Farming?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not only innate qualities that are necessary for farming – you\u2019ll also need some concrete skills. The good news is that many of these skills can be acquired the old-fashioned way – hands-on experience! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Problem-Solving Skills <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most valuable skills a farmer can have is the ability to solve problems. Farming, like many professions, is very much a trial-and-error kind of career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No two days are exactly the same, nor are there two problems. You\u2019ll have to find the most efficient and effective ways to do things, whether that\u2019s from plowing a field to resolving a disease issue with your livestock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, farmers have to deal with havoc being wrecked on their best-laid plans. Unpredictable weather can decimate crops or cause delays in planting. Cattle may break a fence and escape. As a farmer, you need to know how to be able to think on your feet and solve problems without losing your cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mechanical Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Maintaining your tools and equipment is essential if you want to be a farmer of any kind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you don\u2019t have to be an expert, knowing how to do things like routine repairs to buildings, simple plumbing work, and oil changes are vital. Again, you can learn these skills later on – but it\u2019s important that you do, ultimately, take the time to learn them if you want to be a good farmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time Management Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that if you\u2019re going to be a farmer, you can\u2019t be lazy. Having good time management skills and the tenacity to work from sunup to sundown during busy seasons is vital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to have a good idea of what needs to get done and when – that way, you can avoid running around like a chicken with your head cut off! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interpersonal and Communication Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is an area that many farmers would disagree on\u00a0 – \u201cI\u2019m working with plants and animals,\u201d <\/em>they might argue, \u201cso why do I need to know how to communicate?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where the distinction between a good<\/em> farmer and a great<\/em> farmer really comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A great farmer will be able to effectively lead farmhands in completing tasks. These communication skills will also help the farmer negotiate the best rates for their products and to interact with buyers, clients, and other associates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Should a Good Farmer Do? Keys to Successful Farming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Keys<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019ve been a farmer for a while or are considering whether you should dive in, these are the keys to being successful in agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Educate Yourself<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you want to be a good farmer, the reassuring news is that you don\u2019t have to be perfect – none of us are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you do have to be constantly willing to learn. Educate yourself as much as you can both before you get started as well as continuously throughout your career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the latest research in raising beef cattle? What does this herbicide do to crops? Are there ways to improve your yields without spending more money?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read, read, read – and read some more. Don\u2019t be afraid to reach out to your support network <\/a>for more information or to attend classes or conventions, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Come Up With a Business Plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another trait of a good farmer is that he or she has a clear vision of where the business should be in five, ten, fifteen, or twenty years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A great place to start is in writing a business plan<\/a>. This video has some excellent information on how exactly to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_FRIhI28OpU<\/a>