Start Ups

The response to my January article about business blunders has been strong and positive. I am glad my experiences are resonating with and helping the grazing community. I have these articles planned through July, so stay tuned for plenty more tales from a recovering business bonehead. This month, lets talk Trust. Check References If you […]

There have been plenty of times in my life when I’ve thought “Boy, I wish I had someone to ask about this problem….” We’ve probably all been there, wondering where to find someone with some answers, or resources that could make our work a little easier, or help us be more successful. So here’s some […]

The National Young Farmers Coalition has just released a guidebook to Farm Service Agency loans that will have you walking through the bureaucracy with ease. The best part? It’s FREE. Get it here!

January 2018 makes it four and a half years that Rhinestone Cattle Company has been in the grassfed beef business. I started out with a 7-acre leased pasture and intentions to stocker three calves for a summer, then grow through retained profits. Since then I have managed a maximum herd of 120 head, leased over […]

In the spirit of examining ways to acquire land through seller-financing, it is time to take a look at land contracts.  The land contract is a variation of the owner-financed sale, with both mechanisms being a way for a farmer-buyer to come to terms with an owner-seller, independent of third-party bank financing or complementary to […]

Note from Kathy: I get this question a lot from folks who’d like to make money running livestock to manage vegetation. What they’re hoping I’ll give them is a solid dollar figure per animal. But it’s not so easy. Here, Dave Pratt tells you how to figure the right dollar figure for your business. There […]

Want to get a loan to buy your farm? Jenn Colby shares what happens in real life when you’re working with lenders.

Thanks to the CSA Solutions Hub for sharing this article by Alex. While it was originally written for CSA oriented farmers, the principles are just as true for all farmers and ranchers hoping to work with interns. If you didn’t see Part 1, here it is. Learning – Patience Is a Virtue We’re always struck […]

Thanks to the CSA Solutions Hub for sharing this article by Alex. While it was originally written for CSA oriented farmers, the principles are just as true for all farmers and ranchers hoping to work with interns. I’d be willing to bet that the vast majority of direct-market farmers started as interns or apprentices on […]

In Part 1 of this series, Jenn Colby described her drive to farm, how hard she worked to make a go of it on a tight budget, the business plan that told her, don’t quit your day job and maybe get a better paying job so you can afford your farming dream, and how that […]

On Pasture readers have asked for  information on how they can get started with interns for their farms or ranches. It’s a big topic that requires more than one article. So we’re going to ask for help from our readers as well. If you have experience with interns and apprentices and would like to share […]

When times get tough, the tough start…thinking differently. Kit shares some things to keep in mind when building a new cattle business or keeping your current operation profitable.

In Part 1 of this series, Jenn Colby described her drive to farm, how hard she worked to make a go of it on a tight budget, the business plan that told her, don’t quit your day job and maybe get a better paying job so you can afford your farming dream, and how that […]

We need your input on this conversation about making grazing a viable option for new and beginning farmers and ranchers.

Agreements are an important to your success building your enterprise. Here’s what’s worked for Ryan Sexson in Nebraska.