What do I do?

Question

My passion is in farming and it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life. I also would like to open a bakery on the farm. I feel like I should go to uni so I can get a good job and save money for my future. Everyone else in my family has a degree. I’m interested in the course I’ve found but I know it’s not what I want to do long term. I don’t know if it’s better to do this course and get a good job after or if I’d save more money getting a job now and not having debts. I don’t know what to do and uni starts in a few weeks. What will secure my future more? Help!!

Answer

Can you go to school for agriculture?

Answer

I can't speak from personal experience, but I feel like a business degree might be helpful based on what you're wanting to do? Maybe find a program that focuses on agriculture?

Answer

Farming is a hard thing to start up. Especially adding the bakery. You have to buy all of the animals and get a home loan for the land, build the stables/coops, get all of the necessary farm equipment, probably hire a farm manager, etc. On top of that you also have to be really educated on all of the crops and how to grow them properly so they meet standards for selling. Then you have to be able to advertise your farm if you’re selling out of it directly, or you’ll have to contract with stores. The bakery is a whole other thing. You’re looking at a business loan with overhead costs, employee costs,  ingredient costs, etc. THEN you have to make sure you have all of the proper legalities covered because you’re handling food. Register with the health department, someone needs a serve-safe, etc. I dig that you have big dreams and if you want to do it, go for it. But to start a farm and bakery from scratch, you’re looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars. If not close to a million depending on size. Those are two completely separate companies with two completely separate regulations. If you’re young, a business loan is going to be hard to obtain. They usually want LONG credit/financial history. Especially for large amounts. I highly recommend going to school but maybe for something like agriculture?

Answer

I come from a farming background and started attending college with no real goals in mind. I finally decided to pursue a degree in accounting and I only have 1 semester left until I get my bachelors degree. I’ve interned at a few places as well and I still don’t know if I can see a strong future in accounting for myself. I mainly went into accounting because I grew up very poor and wanted to make good money to support myself and future family. But the thought of sitting in an office all day everyday just sounds awful. I’ve decided to start taking some more classes in Ag so that I can maybe become an Ag Consultant. My dream job would be to own a horse stable or just farm and nothing else, but I also know from experience that it is a hard life to make for yourself that way and it would be unreasonable for me personally. I would love to do something in the Ag field though, I’m just not sure what yet either. 
I’m saying all this to just point out that college really isn’t for everyone. At this point I wish I would have changed my major sooner as I feel like I’ve wasted a lot of time and money on something I’m not even sure I want. People are pressured into attending college all the time but if you truly have the drive and passion and think that you can make it on your own then you should definitely not give into the pressure to attend college “just in case”. There’s plenty of jobs you can do without a college degree. If you’re really unsure then save up some money to pay for some courses that you’re interested in out-of-pocket. If you start and decide it really isn’t for you then don’t take anymore classes. Nobody should feel bad for dropping out if they really see no point in college for their future goals. 
Sorry for rambling, but I definitely understand where you’re coming from. If you have any questions feel free to reach out, I really understand the passion for farming too.

What do I do?

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