Welcome to Beagle Rock Farms
Starting a small farm later in life is not something most people expect to do. I’m in my late 50s. Not long ago my wife told me she wanted to move. The idea of starting over in a new place and a new career at this age felt daunting. It wasn’t something I particularly wanted to do.
So I made a counter-offer. I told her I would go along with the move if I could start a small farm instead of trying to re-enter the workforce. She agreed, with conditions.
The startup budget for the farm could not exceed $25,000. And I had five years to make it profitable enough to offset part of the income lost from leaving my job.
This website is the complete, transparent record of that challenge, starting a small farm later in life, on a tight budget, and documenting every step.
Every dollar spent and every dollar earned for the first five years will be documented here — from the earliest research and land search through planting, harvesting, sales, and the development of ancillary products.
Why I’m Starting a Small Farm Later in Life
After a long career in the energy sector, I wanted to return to my roots. I grew up on a small farm and missed the satisfaction of working the land with my own hands. More than that, I wanted to prove it’s never too late to build something meaningful, even later in life and on a tight budget.
This is not a polished farming blog. It is a real-time, honest account of starting a small farm later in life in a new location. You will see the wins, the mistakes, the money spent, the research, and the day-to-day reality.
Here you’ll find:
- In-depth research and guides on farming practices
- Ongoing planning and land research
- The full story of The Challenge
- Practical lessons as I build Beagle Rock Farms
Whether you’re interested in small-scale farming, homesteading, the practical side of starting later in life, or simply want to follow the journey, this is a good place to start.
Follow along.
— Feniks