From the time he was a child, my husband wanted to be a dairy farmer when he grew up. His parents sold their cows when he was young but that didn’t get in the way of his dream. He worked for various dairy farms in his community growing up and after high school.
He moved to my hometown in 2009 to start his farm. His lifelong dream had finally come true. Shortly after he moved, we met at the local feed store. The following year we were married, and his dairy-farming dream and passion quickly became mine.
For the past seven and a half years we have been leasing a farm from a local family. Their father, a retired dairy farmer passed away in a tragic car accident. They took a chance on my husband and allowed him to lease the farm we are currently on. It was mentioned in the beginning that this farm would not be placed for sale, something we understood and respected. Several years ago, we decided it was time to try to find a place of our own. It’s not exactly easy to find a turn key farm that isn’t at least a million dollars. As a first generation, small family farm, that is simply something we could not afford. We became discouraged, wondering if they would continue to lease the farm or what the future held for us.
In 2015, to our surprise, the family reached out to us about purchasing the farm. We were completely caught off guard. The mother let us know that the children wanted the farm to continue as a dairy farm and they knew that we were the right family. They loved seeing a young family out working with kids running around as they drove past.
Everything felt like it was falling into place.
We quickly realized that we were either “too new” or “too small” of a farm for agriculture lenders to work with. We also quickly realized that the past six years of keeping our head down, staying out of debt and running our farm on a cash flow only basis actually hurt us when it came time to need a loan. Apparently you must have a bunch of debt to get a bunch of debt or something like that. We had the option of using the Farm Service Agency but at that time we would need to wait for the next round of funding.
We began to get discouraged again.
We explained the situation to the family along with the fact of current low milk prices, we felt like the down payment would put us in a bad position. Every year we shake the hands of several farm families in our community that sell us feed and we did not want to take a chance of not being able to honor our word and make our payments by stretching ourselves too thin. However, to our surprise, the family was willing to carry the contract and accept a down payment which was much less than what is typically required for farm purchases.
Now at this point in the story, you are probably wondering what we did to deserve this. I have a theory. For the past seven and a half years, my husband has put in countless hours to make this farm a success. He is no stranger to 80-100 hour work weeks and when he shakes someone’s hand and makes a deal, he honors his word. This is something both of us take very seriously. When times were tough, we kept an open line of communication with everyone we do business with. We never tried to back out of our obligations or hide from tough conversations. We are far from perfect, we’ve made plenty of mistakes but we also own up to them and do what we can to make them right. In addition, many of these families have become so much more than just folks we do business with. Many of them have become like family.
Despite if I am wrong or right, an amazing family took a huge chance on us. Twice. Today we signed the closing paperwork on our farm. Today, my husband’s lifelong dream of owning and operating his own dairy farm came true. I am so incredibly proud and excited to be part of this journey. Today starts a new chapter for our family and our farm.
We may not know what our future holds, but we do know who holds our future. We are going to continue to put our trust in Him, continue to work hard and pray that we get to continue this amazing way of life living our American dream.
Krista Stauffer
Latest posts by Krista Stauffer (see all)
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- The Importance of Nutrient Management Plans for Washington State Dairy Farms - April 17, 2024
- Homeschooling on the Farm: Cultivating Learning in a Rich Environment - April 11, 2024
Congratulations on attaining your family’s dream. There will be additional challenges in your future but, if you keep dreaming, you will succeed. I am near the end of my life as a dairy farmer and I inherited a part of my dream but it was a venture well worth the effort.
The Lord is good. Too all
That trust in him ? amen. Lee c Weatherbee. South Jersey ?
Congratulations! I am so excited for you! We also ventured out on our own, buying our farm from a more than generous neighbor..who was nothing but kind to us. That was 35 years ago, and that couples belief in us, has enabled our two sons to farm today. We’ve expanded, and are living the dream(most days..LOL!). Love and hugs to you and your family, nowhere better to raise a family!
Krista, that is awesome about now owning your own farm! ) You’re right, by consistently doing the right things, a no excuses attitude and managing your resources well- you and yours did it. Positive action draws positive results. Yes, there many be some “schtuff” thrown in there sometimes, but having consistently done the right things and putting the work into it makes those usually minor issues just something to step over and move past. All the best to you and yours! )
Your so luck and your going to have a wonderful journey!
Such a beautiful story. Hope you have many great yrs on the dairy farm!
Congratulations and best of luck. As a small, older farmer I felt that it is part of my responsibilities to farming to, whenever possible, give the younger generation a hand up and I am pleased to see that another farm family has felt the same. I am sure you will do your best to honour their trust in you.
Thank you! And as a younger generation farmer, I feel like our generation needs to give the older generation the respect they deserve. There is so much that they (you) can teach us and guide us. Many years of knowledge at our fingertips if we just take the time to build those relationships. <3
So excited for you!
Awesome. Congratulations!
Congratulations!! It sounds like you have found that perfect opportunity and built with good work ethic and being amazing people that others can see too. It takes a community to farm, I see that in all the vet practices I have worked with and with our own farm. We are in your same position at the moment only we are buying the farm from my parents, no less risky and we faced the same issues with lenders. The dairy bug bit us too! The very best of luck!!
Krista, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your journey to have your own farm and wish you all the best. So glad that you persevered and worked hard to gain the trust that led to ownership. I’d like to share something of a personal nature is we can communicate that way.
Congratulations! Very happy for you. We are at the beginning of your journey looking for that dairy farm to lease. After almost a year, your story gives me hope. ?
Congratulations and best of luck on the farming and you won’t be sorry!!! I’m 63 years old and been involved in farming all my life and married into a family of farmers. My husband has inherited two family farms and both been in the family for six generations. It’s hard work, rewarding work and we enjoy sharing our knowledge of beef cattle farming and growing our own food. I look forward to watching your family grow with the farm. Holler if you need any help!!!
Rita
“Apparently you must have a bunch of debt to get a bunch of debt…”
Haha that cracked me up because it’s so true! You guys have beat the odds, it is nearly impossible to do what you have be able to do, I am currently milking on my parents farm and I know I could not afford to buy it, or even pay the amount of rent that would be expected if it were anyone besides my parents that I was paying. Congratulations to you & your husband.
Congratulations!! As someone who is also in the process of starting/ building a first generation farm I totally understand how difficult this is to achieve. It is wonderful that your years of hard work and dedication have paid off !!
What a true inspiration! My husband, myself and our four children are currently in the process of trying to purchase a (30 UpTo 42 head of cow) dairy farm. We have been doing extensive research on any and all loans & grants out there that could help us in anyway possible and it can feel overwhelming and discouraging at times with having all the hoops one has to go through. Reading your story gives me encouragement not to give up and keep trying because a dream is worth fighting for. I pray for many blessings for you and your family. God is good!!
I cried reading this post as my son and his wife are following your foot steps trying to make a go at a beef operation on family property. I pray for your success, good memories and joy. Thank you for sharing this incredible story.
Congrats! I’ve been so inspired by your story. I too am working as hard as I can to buy a small farm for my husband and I. Your story has given me so much courage and I can’t wait to see what this new year brings for all of us!
Congratulations! We have just purchased our first farm under very similar circumstances. We are also very blessed and excited about this journey. I loved reading the post and seeing other young farmers following there dreams as well. Best wishes!
Congratulations, Krista and Family! It is so wonderful to know that this farm that has so many memories for my family will continue to function as a family farm!
Thanks!!! We are excited we don’t have to pack up and move. Plus we kind of like you guys. 😉
Amazing Krista! I love to hear stories like this. My husband is leasing a dairy farm right now and this gives us hope for the future 🙂 A big congratulations to you and your family, you deserve it!
I have been following your blog. Congratulations. I know what it feels like to finally own your own farm. We had to “trust and hope” for about 40 years.