Is he mad?

Recently spoke to a mate of mine from University, he is currently working in an office job earning around 60k per year in his late twenties and is talking about packing it all in and renting a dairy farm local to him in the South West! The farm is 200 acres and he says he has enough savings to buy 100 cows.

He has a regular steady income with holidays etc. and maybe earn more in the future? He is adamant he wants to get back into the countryside working. His parents keep sucklers but it isn't a viable unit for him too.

Is he mad?
 

Pasty

Member
Location
Devon
Problem is that I was the 'clever' one in our family so brother went on to the farm and I was 'lucky' enough to escape. I was endlessly encouraged to be an accountant or banker. That's despite him being more interested in tech and me in shooting, fishing, animals etc. So I didn't get a go and when we did up a barn on the farm as a base for one of my businesses I used to watch Dad out there sorting hedges and fences and whatever and thought 'Crap, that's what I want'. So I made that happen and couldn't be happier. It's all very well saying you run a million pound etail business but it doesn't matter a bit if you are bored, stressed and unhappy.

Money doesn't really come into it. It's happiness. You can get by on little money if you are happy in your work and have a loving family. I would ask all the farmers who think he's mad why they don't sell up (assuming they own) and get a 9-5 job? Do it or don't. There is your answer.
 

Janovich

Member
Location
Lancashire
I used to watch Dad out there sorting hedges and fences and whatever and thought 'Crap, that's what I want'. So I made that happen and couldn't be happier. It's all very well saying you run a million pound retail business but it doesn't matter a bit if you are bored, stressed and unhappy.......Money doesn't really come into it. It's happiness. You can get by on little money if you are happy in your work and have a loving family.

What he said... (y)
 

7610 super q

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
Problem is that I was the 'clever' one in our family so brother went on to the farm and I was 'lucky' enough to escape. I was endlessly encouraged to be an accountant or banker. That's despite him being more interested in tech and me in shooting, fishing, animals etc. So I didn't get a go and when we did up a barn on the farm as a base for one of my businesses I used to watch Dad out there sorting hedges and fences and whatever and thought 'Crap, that's what I want'. So I made that happen and couldn't be happier. It's all very well saying you run a million pound etail business but it doesn't matter a bit if you are bored, stressed and unhappy.

Money doesn't really come into it. It's happiness. You can get by on little money if you are happy in your work and have a loving family. I would ask all the farmers who think he's mad why they don't sell up (assuming they own) and get a 9-5 job? Do it or don't. There is your answer.
This is true.....but.....he's used to getting £60k. Another milk price crash, or god forbid something like F & M again, and life trying to make a go of it on a rented farm may not be so rosy.
 
But I'm sure he's factored all of this into his decision... it's obviously not about the money,...its about being happy in his work, as well as having a bootiful view to wake up to every single morning, with no commute (other than a walk over to the yard!).... and perhaps just being 'his own boss'. ;)

To be fair I think his commute is only about 15-20 mins and he says he quite enjoys his job but it is just not farming and he would rather be his own boss.
 

oldoaktree

Member
Location
County Durham
I'd tell him to think very carefully about it remaind him of hidden cost :- accounts fees bankers fees insurance on just about everything and they'll be more than those the list will go on and on and I'll dare say he may be left with a bit at the end of the year but it will be like pushing water up hill .
It's alright to say money's not everything but you can't live without it .
To be happy in your work is great but I dare say that less than 50% of people are and that's been generous , so sometimes you've just got get on with it .
If it were me I'd as someone has said wait until it's clear what will happen come 2020 and save a bit more .
 
I'd tell him to think very carefully about it remaind him of hidden cost :- accounts fees bankers fees insurance on just about everything and they'll be more than those the list will go on and on and I'll dare say he may be left with a bit at the end of the year but it will be like pushing water up hill .
It's alright to say money's not everything but you can't live without it .
To be happy in your work is great but I dare say that less than 50% of people are and that's been generous , so sometimes you've just got get on with it .
If it were me I'd as someone has said wait until it's clear what will happen come 2020 and save a bit more .

What difference will 2020 really make? Don't think he will get SFP anyway as he has no entitlements?
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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