here are times when rural homeowners on small acreages decide they want to do more with their land than mow it. Believe it or not, this is a common question at county extension centers according to Tim Schnakenberg, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "Someone has 20 to 30 acres, and they want to be a farmer. What most people find are that the options and niches available are endless, but the resources are limited. The top resources needed are time and money," said Schnakenberg. Most farming enterprises take a lot of capital investment to get started (for example buying land, cattle, machinery, hoop houses and buildings). There also needs to be enough time in the day to get all of the work done.
"It is difficult to work a 40 to 50-hour week in town and try to farm in the evenings as the sun is going down. Don't underestimate that farming is hard work," said Schnakenberg. Although farming on 20, 30 or 40 acres is difficult, but it can be done.