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By A Homesteading Neophyte
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We shall call this post a waste of time for me, yet a time saver for you.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 3:30

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(Before It's News)

Yep, that’s the ticket.

I just got off the phone with the USDA rep. Nice fellow. He took the time to explain things and ask me some questions.

My opinion. The beginning farmers/ranchers program in the State of Kansas is not worth it. Hands down waste of your energy . Unless. . .

You own 40 acres min.
22 heads of cattle min.
And have three recorded years of farm experience ( you can earn that on leased land) and no more than 10 years
You can not own or have a percentage in more than 30% of the counties medium farm land size.

Then maybe they will help you out. They are more than happy to give loans for livestock and equipment. Property however is tricky.

(With the above requirements, I wouldn’t be seeking their help.)

See every year over the next thirty years you will be reevaluated and your loan modified. If you do not see an increase in profits yearly, they can terminate your loan agreement and you lose the land. Even if you are paying back the loan, as it gets modified yearly.

He informed me that the homestead is a hobby, no offense. And that I should lease pasture, put my cows out on it then get a livestock loan from the bank. After three years I can call him back.

On top of that he had never heard of a Long Legged Kerry.

As many of you know I loathe the concept of indentured servitude. You never really earn enough credit for your freedom. You are required to get into debt, to get into debt, to get into debt to have something nice that can be taken away at someone else’s whim. I am a cash and carry gal. Only debt, besides medical now, is our mortgage, and no way will I allow us more debt.

This spiral they put farmers under is ludicrous. I know fully understand factory farming. They have little give. Too much debt.

But don’t think this is over. I expect the prize patrol on my doorstep on my birthday.

We will come back to this after some more research, new land, not this program that is.