It can be overwhelming to think about what types of crops your farm will grow, but there are ways to narrow this decision down. The majority of agricultural crops grown in the United States are grain crops, such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. If you live in an area with a demand for it, organic vegetable production can also be a good choice, as it is one of the fastest-growing sectors in American farming.There are many resources that can help you decide what crops are best for you and your area.  The New England Small Farm Institute provides a wealth of links to help you conduct research on crop planning.  The National Agriculture Library is also a good place to start for information on regional crops.  Contacting your state or province department of agriculture will help you determine specific information for crop planning in your area. Most beginning farmers cannot afford to buy their own land, at least at first. In addition, 80% of America's farmland is controlled by owners who are not farmers. Most expert sources recommend that beginning farmers "start soft," by managing someone else's farm, leasing farmland (from private owners or from land trusts), or take over an existing (and hopefully, profitable) farm from someone else.  Word of mouth is still one of the most powerful sources for information about finding farmland. Cultivate your network of farming connections and do your research. Sources such as the "Farm Link Program Directory", "Farm On", and the "Farmland Information Center" may help you find farms to take over or farms that need managers. You may need to relocate in order to find affordable, plentiful farmland. You may fantasize about a farm in the Hudson Valley or the Bay Area, but keep in mind that such areas are also highly desirable to others and thus nearly prohibitively expensive. Look for farmland in an area that is populated enough to buy your products, but not so heavily populated that farmland is out of your price range.  Modern Farmer recommends areas such as Lincoln, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; Boise, Idaho; Mobile, Alabama; and Grand Junction, Colorado as potential locations. They are close to populated areas, but not so prestigious that you won't be able to afford land. There are many loan and grant programs available for beginning farmers, including federally backed loans from the USDA. Many of these vary by your state, so do research by beginning at an online resource such as FarmAid or Start2Farm. The "Farm Service Agency Beginning Farmer Loan Program", National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs, Farm Credit Services of America, and the American Farmland Trust are all good places to begin your funding search. One way to control your initial startup costs and limit your risk of failure is to start small and develop your farm gradually. You don't need a bunch of fancy, expensive equipment to begin farming. Your principal focuses should be your soil and your product. While experimentation is great, when you're first starting out, start by cultivating what you have experience with. If you apprenticed on a berry farm, grow berries. If you trained on a pig farm, raise pigs. You can diversify later if you choose, but beginning with some expertise and experience in your area will be invaluable as you get your farm up and running. Your network of personal and community connections will be your single biggest way to promote your farm products, but fortunately, you can also take advantage of other marketing options too. Place coupons in the local paper, create "pick-your-own" events, even cold-call restaurants in your area to see if they want to purchase your locally grown goods. Market yourself heavily on Facebook and Twitter. Post pictures of your beautiful farm and gorgeous crops on Flickr and Instagram. Create an inspirational Pinterest board. While these social media tactics may not seem related to tilling the earth with your hands, they are very useful ways to get your farm into the public consciousness. As an added bonus, they're almost always free! These are usually organizations that connect people living in the area who want to buy locally grown produce with the farmers who produce it. Most often, people will buy "boxes" at a subscription rate, and you will deliver whatever fresh produce you're growing at that time. In addition to providing sales, this can be an excellent way to spread word-of-mouth about your farm. While this route may seem like "selling out" to you, many city dwellers are eager to learn more about farming and get their hands (just a little bit) dirty. Consider promoting farm tours and gardening classes. You could even advertise as a wedding venue. Maximizing every revenue stream you can think of will help you stay afloat even if your crops don't do well one year. Wedding budgets are usually great news for farmers, as plenty of brides and wedding planners are willing to spend big to have their wedding in a picturesque rural locale. Prices for simply using your farm as the wedding venue can run into the thousands of dollars, which could be a significant chunk of your annual income.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Determine what crops to grow. Find land to farm. Be honest about your potential locations. Secure financing for your farm. Limit your initial development. Grow what you know. Promote your products. Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) society. Consider farm tourism.


If you don't already speak the language from your cultural background, learning it is a great way to celebrate your family heritage. Sign up for languages courses at your school, cultural centre, or local community college. You can also look for free courses online and download helpful language apps for your phone (e.g. Duolingo). Ask for help from friends or family members that already speak the language. Wearing a traditional outfit from your heritage is an excellent way to show off your cultural pride and identity. Begin by asking your family if they already have a traditional outfit or costume that you can use, or research online where you might buy or rent one. If you are adept at sewing, you can look online for sewing patterns to make your own garments to wear. For example, you can rent or buy a kilt to wear if you’re from a Scottish background, particularly for an important event like a wedding If your family has history near where you live, ask them to take you to spots where they grew up and hung out. Seek out locations that reflect your cultural heritage if your family does not have personal heritage near where you live. If it is financial possible, plan a trip to the region where your ancestors are from to fully experience the roots of your heritage. It can cost a fair amount of money to visit your ancestral hometown, especially if it is far away. Plan months or even a year in advance to make the trip. After all of your hard work and research, the ultimate way to celebrate your family heritage is to throw a party. You should begin to plan the part at least a month in advance and send out invitations accordingly. Invite friends and family to share in the music, cuisine, dress, and spirit of your family heritage.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Try to learn the language. Dress in a traditional outfit. Take a field trip. Plan a party.