Bulletin #1215, Avoiding Common Mistakes of Beginning Farmers

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By Nicholas Rowley, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional, Christina Howard, Equipping New Farmers Program Manager and Richard Brzozowski, Professor Emeritius, University of Maine Extension Cooperative Extension

For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu.
Find more of our publications and books at extension.umaine.edu/publications/.

Introduction

Whether you start farming as a business or a hobby, it’s important to remember it takes real investment. As a beginning farmer, you’ll want to avoid common mistakes that can cost you valuable time and money.

Many new farmers in Maine don’t grow up on a farm, so making mistakes is a common and understandable part of learning. It’s easy to see farming as idealistic or romantic, and many people think anyone can do it. This is far from the truth. Successful farming takes a great deal of skill and a wide range of knowledge. New farmers may not realize how much they need to know about science, business, and practical skills. A bit of good fortune helps, too.

The following is a list of common mistakes of beginning farmers. As a beginning farmer, try to avoid, correct, or minimize the mistakes listed. An effective tactic to minimize or eliminate any of these common mistakes is to have a written plan to follow. Outline what you plan to do as a farm operation and when you plan to do it. A calendar is a handy tool for outlining such a plan.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not Writing a Business Plan

A written business plan is an essential tool for all farmers, whether you are just starting, have some experience, or have been farming for years.

Think of it as a road map for your farm. It outlines what you plan to grow or raise over a certain period. You will almost always need this plan to borrow money from a bank or other lenders.

A good business plan usually covers three main areas:

  • Operations: How your farm will run day-to-day.
  • Finance: Your costs, your expected sales, and any money you need to borrow.
  • Marketing: How and where you will sell your products or services.

Your plan should also include:

  • A general description of your farm
  • Estimates of your production (yields)
  • Your estimated costs
  • How much money do you need to borrow to start
  • A chart of your staff and who manages what
  • The markets where you plan to sell

Your business plan isn’t set in stone. It’s a living document. You can and should change it anytime as you learn more about your business and gain experience. It’s a flexible tool you can adjust depending on who you are showing it to (like a banker) and your goals.

To learn more about writing a farm business plan, you can seek advice from your local county Extension Educator, an Extension Specialist, or the Small Business Administration (SBA). Resources to help you write a business plan:

Growing Too Many Different Crops or Having Too Many Enterprises

A common mistake for new farmers is trying to grow too many different crops or raise too many types of animals all at the same time.

It’s much better to take a step back and focus. Start with just one or two main projects (called “enterprises”) in your first few years. This approach has two big benefits:

  • You will make fewer mistakes.
  • You will quickly learn if those projects are a good fit for you and your specific farm, including its soil, available water, microclimate, and location.

If you have too many crop or animal projects, the work can become unmanageable. It puts a huge strain on your budget (your “fiscal resources”) and your available time and workers (your “labor resources”). You might find you don’t have enough time or money to do everything you planned, especially when problems pop up. Running out of these resources puts you in a tough spot. It can make long-term success much more complicated, or even impossible. This also drains your energy, stops new ideas, and lowers the quality of your work, which can damage your farm’s reputation. Good management is the key to personal and financial success and making your farm last for years to come.

Not Soil Testing Before Planting Specific Crops

A common mistake is skipping soil tests. The soil on your farm is the foundation for healthy productive crops, and testing it is key to successful growing.

Soil tests from different fields tell you important information, including:

  • Soil pH (how acidic it is). Soil acidity affects the availability of nutrients.
  • Nutrient levels (what’s in the soil to help plants grow)
  • Organic matter percentage (to hold moisture and improve the soil)

It’s best to take soil samples and have them tested several months before planting. If the test recommends adding lime to raise the soil pH (make it less acidic), the lime needs about six months or more to react with the soil. This process “unlocks” the nutrients in the soil, making them available to your plants.

Important: Fertilizing soil that has the wrong pH level is a waste of money. The plants won’t be able to use the nutrients you add.

When you send in your soil sample, you will fill out a form for that specific field. You can list up to three different crops you plan to grow, and you will receive separate recommendations for each at no extra charge.

For more information about soil sampling and testing, visit the University of Maine Analytical Lab and Maine Soil Testing Service or University of Maine Cooperative Extension Bulletin #2286, Know Your Soil: Testing Your Soil.

Purchasing Equipment That Is Too Small or Too Large

A common mistake is buying equipment that is either too big or too small for your needs. Farm equipment is very expensive, so it’s important to do your research.

Before you buy, make a list of the crops you plan to grow or the farm projects you’ll be working on. Then, talk to people who know:

  • Farmers in your area
  • An Extension educator or specialist
  • An equipment dealer

Ask them what equipment is right for your specific farm operation and scale.

  • Limit your purchases. Try to buy or lease only the equipment you truly need to start.
  • Look for multi-taskers. If possible, choose walk-behind tillers, tractors, and tools (implements) that can perform many different jobs.
  • Consider used equipment. This can be a good choice, especially if you have the mechanical skills to fix things.
  • Think about size and fit. Make sure the equipment will fit in your barns and fields and work with your production plans.
  • Focus on the task. Think about the jobs you need to do. Learn which implements are needed for those goals and how much horsepower (HP) your tractor needs to run them.

For help choosing the right equipment, check out the videos on the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Farm Equipment webpage.

Trying To Start a Farm Without Developing a Strong Network of Advisors

A common mistake is trying to start a farm on your own. Developing a strong network of advisors—people who can help you solve problems—will help you succeed as a new farmer.

This network might include:

  • Veterinarians
  • Problem solvers
  • Free advisors from groups like the USDA, Extension, or non-profits (NGOs)

How to Build Your Network

  1. Make a Contact List: List these advisors and their contact information. Be sure to write down each person’s specialty or the specialty of their agency.
  2. Take It One Step at a Time: Build your network by contacting one person or agency at a time.
  3. Introduce Yourself: Reach out via phone or email. You can even consider inviting an advisor to visit your farm. A visit like this is usually free.
  4. Be Prepared: For your first call or meeting, have 1-4 specific questions ready. This helps them understand your needs and keeps the meeting focused.

To find people to connect with, visit the UMaine Cooperative Extension New Farmers website.  

Having No Plan for Selling the Products Produced on the Farm

A common mistake is having no marketing plan. Your marketing plan is a key part of your overall business plan.

Before you start any new farm enterprise, you need to do your homework.

  • First, identify the potential buyers for your products or services.
  • Next, research what prices your products can sell for.
  • Next, determine whether the markets you’ve found are adequate (steady and large enough).

You should also decide how much income you want to make per season. Once you have that goal, ask yourself: Will the markets I have found help me reach that target?

Not Purchasing Sound/Healthy Livestock

If you plan to raise animals, a common mistake is buying unhealthy ones.

It’s best to buy all your animals from one trusted seller. Buying animals from many different sources can turn into a disaster. If you mix animals with varying backgrounds of health, some may carry contagious diseases that can spread to your whole herd or flock.

Starting with healthy animals is the best way to succeed.

Tips for Buying Livestock

  • Bring Help: Ask an experienced farmer to go with you when you look at animals you’re thinking of buying.
  • Take Your Time: Don’t be in a hurry.
  • Be Polite: Always be polite to the seller, whether or not you buy from them.
  • Avoid “Deals”: Cheap or discounted farm animals are usually not a good deal. They often have problems.
  • Stay Away from Auctions: When buying your primary livestock, try to avoid livestock auctions. These can sometimes be “dumping grounds” where people get rid of their unhealthy or problem animals.

Trying To Work on Too Large or Too Small a Piece of Land

A common mistake is trying to farm on land that’s either too big or too small. Good management is a key to successful farming, and that includes managing the right amount of space.

If you plan to farm by hand with no tractor, a good rule of thumb is that one person can manage about 1/4 acre. (That’s a space measuring about 104 feet by 104 feet). For comparison, one full acre is 43,560 square feet (about 209 feet by 209 feet).

Farming on land that is too small can cause big problems:

  • No Room to Grow: People often forget to plan for the future. A small space may not give your business room to grow.
  • Poor Crop Rotation: Farmers need to rotate their crops—planting them in different spots each year—to keep the soil healthy and control pests. If you try to grow too much in a tiny space, you can’t rotate properly. This leads to poor soil, more pest problems, and a smaller harvest.

Not Finding Income Sources for the Off-Season

A common mistake is not finding ways to earn money during the off-season. Farming in Maine is usually a seasonal business, which means your income isn’t steady throughout the year. You might make most of your money during the summer and fall, but your farm and household bills (like electricity, insurance, or loan payments) are due every single month. On top of that, you often need to buy your seeds and supplies for the next spring right in the middle of winter.

This gap in cash flow—the money coming in and going out of your business—can put a lot of stress on you and your farm. To help make ends meet, you will need to find ways to generate cash during the slower months.

This could mean:

  • Carefully budget and save enough money from your busy season to cover all your winter costs.
  • Getting an off-farm job during the slower months (like snow plowing, seasonal retail, or substitute teaching).
  • Creating farm products you can sell year-round (like jams, jellies, baked goods, firewood, wool, or crafts).

Not Keeping Accurate Records

A big mistake new farmers make is not keeping good records. Think of records as a report card for your farm. They are the only way to know for sure if your farm projects (your “enterprises”) are working as well as you hoped.

Financial Records: All About the Money

  • Track every dollar you spend (expenses): This includes the cost of seeds, feed, fertilizer, fuel, equipment repairs, and even packaging for your products.
  • Track every dollar you earn (income): Write down how much money you make from every sale, whether it’s at a farmers market, at a restaurant, or from your farm stand.
  • Why? When you subtract your costs from your income, you find your profit. This tells you if your farm is a healthy business.

Production Records: This Is All About What You Grow and Raise

  • Crop Performance: How many pounds of tomatoes did you get from Field A? How many bunches of kale did you harvest from that one row?
  • Animal Performance: How many eggs are your hens laying each week? How much weight did your animals gain on a specific type of feed?
  • Why? This shows you which fields are your best, which crops grow well on your land, and which animals are your strongest producers.

Your record-keeping system doesn’t have to be fancy. It can be a simple notebook, a phone app, or a spreadsheet on a computer. The best system is the one you will actually use every day.

Learning to use a spreadsheet program (like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets) is a very powerful tool. Spreadsheets make it easy to:

  • Add up your costs and income automatically.
  • Compare your different projects side-by-side.
  • Answer essential questions like: “Did I make more money on carrots or on beans?” or “Did Field A produce more than Field B?”

By looking at these records, you can make smart decisions. You’ll know which farm projects are worth your time and money, and which ones you should change or drop next year.

Buying (or renting) Farmland That is Marginal or Not Suitable

A significant mistake for new farmers is buying or leasing land that is not suitable for farming. Finding good, affordable farmland is difficult, especially for new farmers. Because of this, it can be tempting to buy a cheaper piece of land that is “marginal,” meaning it has serious problems.

Keep in mind that not all land is suitable for farming. Land that looks like a bargain often needs significant improvements before you can plant a single seed.

Too Wet

The land might be swampy or have “poor drainage,” meaning water sits on top instead of soaking in. This can cause your plants’ roots to rot, making it impossible to use a tractor without getting stuck in the mud. Fixing this often requires expensive drainage work, like digging ditches.

Too Hilly

Very steep land can be difficult and sometimes dangerous to use equipment on. It can also lead to erosion, where heavy rain washes your valuable topsoil (and your seeds) down the hill.

Needs Clearing

The land might be covered in trees, large rocks, or old buildings. Clearing this is a huge, expensive job that takes a lot of time and heavy machinery.

Starting with poor-quality land can make your daily work much more difficult. It can slow your planting and harvesting, reduce crop yields, create safety risks, and even worsen pest problems. For example, wet areas can be a breeding ground for insects.

Renting or leasing land is an option many farmers consider. It allows you to farm without the considerable cost of buying. It can also be a smart way to “test” a piece of land or an area for a few years before you make the big commitment to buy it. For more information on finding and assessing farmland, visit the University of Maine Farmer Resource Network

Not Considering Personal and Family Health

A common mistake is forgetting that you are the most essential part of your farm. A farm can’t be “sustainable” (able to last a long time) if the farmer is burned out.

Owning any business is stressful, and farming is one of the most stressful jobs. You worry about things you can’t control, like the weather, pests, or market prices. The work is often physically exhausting and requires very long hours, especially during planting and harvest seasons.

This constant stress can take a toll on your physical health (making you tired or sick) and your mental health (making you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or depressed). It can also strain your relationships with family and friends, who may feel like you never have time or energy for them.

This is why you need a resiliency plan—a plan to help you bounce back from the stress.

This plan should include:

  • Scheduling time off. You must plan for breaks, days off, and vacations, just like you plan your planting.
  • Taking care of your body. Try to get enough sleep, eat healthy meals, and see a doctor when needed.
  • Having a support system. Talk to your family, friends, or other farmers about how you’re feeling.
  • Having a backup plan. On small farms, the farmer often does most of the work. What happens if you get sick or injured and can’t work for a week? Who will feed the animals or harvest the crops? Your plan should include having someone you can call for help, or having some money saved for emergencies.

Remember, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s a key part of a successful business. For more information on farmer wellness, visit the UMaine Cooperative Extension Farmer Wellness website.

Ignoring the Layout of Farm Buildings for Needs and Product Flow

A common mistake is not thinking about the design of your farm buildings. A smart layout saves you time, energy, and money every single day.

This is often called “product flow” or “workflow.” It’s the path your product takes from the moment you harvest it to the moment a customer buys it.

  • You don’t want to carry heavy crates of vegetables all the way across your property just to wash them.
  • You don’t want to carry those clean (and now wet) vegetables all the way back to a cold storage cooler.

A good plan puts these steps in a logical line. For example: Field → Wash Station → Packing Area → Cold Storage → Sales Area

When your layout makes sense, your work is faster, easier, and more efficient.

Your farm isn’t just the land where you grow things. You also need to plan for what happens after the harvest. Ask yourself what you need for each of these steps:

  • Processing: Where will you work? You will likely need a clean, covered space (often called a “pack shed”) with tables, clean water, and electricity. This is where you will wash, sort, bunch, and bag your products.
  • Storage: How will you keep your products fresh? Most vegetable farmers need a walk-in cooler. If you can’t afford one right away, you’ll need several refrigerators. You also need a dry, pest-free area to store supplies like boxes, bags, and jars.
  • Selling: Where will you sell your products? If you plan to have a farm stand, think about where it will go. Does it have safe road access? Is there a clear, safe place for customers to park their cars?

Know the Rules and Regulations (they aren’t optional). This is a step you cannot skip. Before you build anything or sell your first product, you must learn the rules for your specific area.

  • Zoning Regulations: These are the local town rules. They control what you can build and where. For example, your town may have regulations about:
    • If you are allowed to have a public farm stand in your neighborhood.
    • How far must your buildings be from the road or your property line?
    • What kind of sign can you put up?
    • Always call your town office before you build.
  • Food Safety Regulations: These are state or federal rules that make sure your food is safe to eat. These rules are critical if you wash and bag leafy greens, sell to grocery stores or schools, or make “value-added” products like jam, salsa, or baked goods. They cover things like the cleanliness of your wash station, the temperature of your cooler, and what kind of water you use.

Conclusion

Starting a farm is a significant and exciting challenge. As we have shown, farming isn’t just a romantic idea—it’s a serious job that takes real money, skill, and hard work. You need to be a business person, a scientist, and a hard worker all at once.

It is normal to make mistakes when you are just beginning. But you can avoid many of the most common problems that cost time and money. Think of the mistakes listed, like buying the wrong land, not testing your soil, or having no sales plan. What do they all have in common? They can often be prevented with good planning.

Your most powerful tool as a new farmer is a written plan. A business plan acts like a road map for your farm, guiding your decisions about what to grow, how to spend money, and where to sell your products. Taking time to plan, keeping good records, and taking care of your own health are key to success.

Finally, remember that you don’t have to do it all alone. Building a network of advisors and asking for help is a smart move. By planning carefully and learning as you go, you can avoid these common mistakes and build a successful farm.

Resources

Bulletin #2286, Know Your Soil: Testing Your Soil
Bulletin #2433, So, You Want to Farm in Maine?
Bulletin #3005, A Fact Sheet for Small-Scale Business Owners: Your Business Plan
Bulletin #4800, Maine Family Farms: Life and Business in Balance
Bulletin #4801, Why Gratitude Matters
Bulletin #4802, Running Successful Farm-Family Meetings
Bulletin #4803, Farm and Family—Finding Balance
Bulletin #4804, Understanding Roles in the Farm Family
Bulletin #4805, Recognizing the Signs of Farm Family Stress
University of Maine Analytical Lab and Maine Soil Testing Service
University of Maine Cooperative Extension New Farmers

Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.

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