Market Farming

["Margaret L Wilson" <booldawgs AT cavenet.com>]

I am curious how many people rent their farms and how many own and what their opinions are in comparison.

 

I am asking this because I may have to rent my place out for 2-3 years.  It is almost at the stage to be a paying/profitable farm.  It has 2 large garden areas that are ready to go with a waiting client list.  I also have a herd of 10 and growing Dexter cattle and a herd of quality hand spinner's wool sheep.  The house is modest but quite livable, 3 bedrooms and one bath.  The land is 53 acres, all flat and usable, close to a small town and 35 miles from a large one.

 

I have been here about 3 years working on it.  I have a herniated disk in my lower back.  It will (hopefully) repair it's self without surgery in a couple years if I allow it to.  Farming and gardening are pretty much out of the question unless I opt for surgery.

 

I really hate to consider selling my cows and sheep and just shutting everything down.  I am weighing my options.

 

Please let me know what you think.  Shall I try to rent it, find a caretaker or just shut down for a couple of years??

 

Thanks,

Margaret SW Oregon