By Saltanat Mambetova
Starting a new farming venture is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming—especially for beginner farmers who are learning as they go. This article shares a new grower’s experience in their first season. The goal is to provide realistic expectations, highlight common challenges, and offer practical lessons that may help others who are just beginning their farming journey.
Every farm, site and grower is different, so your experience may not look exactly like this one. However, many new farmers face similar challenges such as soil preparation, equipment needs, irrigation setup, crop selection and overall planning of the fields. By reflecting on this case example, narrated by the new farmer, hopefully readers gain insight to avoid preventable mistakes and make more informed decisions as they develop their own vegetable production systems.
Michigan State University Extension offers resources, workshops and technical assistance to support new and beginning farmers. If you need guidance at any stage of your journey, MSU Extension is here to help.
How it all started
In 2023, after watching YouTube videos of smiling farmers making a living at their local markets, I began imagining what a small-scale vegetable grower’s life might look like. To me, farming represented a blend of physical work, business development, community engagement and a chance to contribute directly to the local food system.
Source : msu.edu