First Generation Farmer Encourages New Farmers To Pursue Dream

Farming is typically a family affair, land, equipment and knowledge is handed down from one generation to the next.  But occasionally, new blood jumps into the industry.  Josh Steward, a dryland wheat farmer in the Harrington area is one of those first generation farmers.  He told the Washington Ag Network he first caught the farming bug, watching his dad work for a large ag operation near Odessa.  As he got older, he chatted with more experienced farmers about getting into the industry.  He said it took several years before he had an opportunity to purchase land and start farming.

The biggest challenge for a new farmer, he said is getting that foot in the door.

“Next would be financial, but first you have to have that opportunity before you can worry about the finances side.  But, getting that foot in the door was our biggest challenge”

Steward said he enjoys trying to out think Mother Nature and glean knowledge and information from fellow growers who have “been there, done that”.  What advice does he have for potential first generation or new farmers?  Go for that dream.

“So we were putting money away, and I think that’s what really allowed us to get off to a really decent start, we had a nest egg of money, so when we jumped into this, we didn’t accrue as much debt as somebody might think you do to get into farming.”

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