Sick of my job, I'm going to grow potatoes instead.

bigned · 01-08-2023 1:30pm #1

Sorry in advance but this will be a bit long.

Ok so first off, I know I might get some people saying I'm mad and that it won't work, but I'm going to say it here anyway 😃😃😃

I'm a qualified stainless steel fabricator, been working at it for the past 7 years and apart from it being bad for the health, I'm sick of it. It's becoming a struggle to get out of bed in the morning and face into the day.

I'm 31 years old and not getting any younger. I did my green cert in 2010 with the intention of doing something like this in the future.

I don't own any land but have the option of renting land from two uncles of mine, 140 acres to choose from in total.

I was always considering growing a few acres of potatoes on their land, possibly 5 or 6 acres and sell straight to shops or where ever I could manage to sell them.

I have access to a shed to store machinery but nothing that could store potatoes long term. So I'm going to have to rely on storing them in the ground and digging them when I require them. I know this would be weather permitting but it's the only option.

Regards machinery, I've got the use of a 100hp tractor, fertiliser spreader, 3 sod reversible plough, 12 ton grain trailer.

Id have to purchase:

- 130-150 hp Tractor (possibly rent)

- Ridger

- Destoner

- Planter

- Sprayer

- Harvester

- Bale Trailer

- Grader

- Bagger

- Potato Boxes

There is lots of second hand potato equipment on done deal as I'm obviously not going to finance new machinery.

My plan would be to still work as a fabricator part time whenever I can as I don't think the growing of 5-6 acres of potatoes would be a full time job. Selling them might be a different story 😂😂

I've got some savings that I'm willing to put up along with getting a loan of money from the bank.

Thanks for reading this, please reply and tell me I'm mad and bring me back to reality 😀😀

893bet · 01-08-2023 1:51pm

It’s a long list of machinery needed……

You are mad. But aslong as you don’t bankrupt yourself…..

Furze99 · 01-08-2023 2:02pm

Sure, you may as well give it a go and see how it works out, give it 2-3 years though. Maybe you'll be able to borrow some machinery from neighbours when starting out and keep costs down.

tom1ie · 01-08-2023 2:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058307529/sick-of-my-job-im-going-to-grow-potatoes-instead

So you seem to know how to plant them and what machinery is required etc, but where are ya gonna make money off them?

Who are you selling to?

How much will you get per potato and will that pay for your time, tax, fuel, maintenance of machinery, new seed, paying rent for the land?

Sugarbowl · 01-08-2023 2:10pm

Is it good soil?

have heavy wet land here and does not grow nice potatoes

mr.stonewall · 01-08-2023 2:10pm

Start small with an acre. There is a lot of older vintage gear that would get you over the line for small money. This will give you a chance to feel your way into the market and see will it work.

The biggest thing in this idea is having an outlet that will leave margin for the spuds. This would involve you having to sell at farmer's markets etc. Are you prepared for that.

Donald Trump · 01-08-2023 3:01pm

You are about 40 years too late to be arsing about with 5-6 acres of potatoes.

Your list of machinery is also a bit too much.

bigned · 01-08-2023 3:30pm

You could say that about any farming enterprise!

Donald Trump · 01-08-2023 4:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120926302#Comment_120926302

I wouldn't be talking about buying a 130-150HP tractor for 5-6 acres of spuds that you are going to be taking out in small amounts. Or be bothering with a destoner.

Buy an MF135 and an old Ransomes potato digger and pick them by hand and come back to us in a year to let us know if you still prefer it to the 9-5 😉

We still had small acerage of spuds here 25-30 years ago and were an anomaly even at that time. And there was hassle getting a market for them back then. There might be some logic to you putting in small acres if you are otherwise doing veg anyway full time. But not as a standalone hobby

Your money though and you'd be free to prove us wrong

roosterman71 · 01-08-2023 4:25pm

Start small, and forget the machinery list. Initially you'll need to be able to get from seed to shop with the least expense possible. Ploughing money into all that machinery for 5/6 acres is crazy talk.

Seeing as you have a plough, plough a bit of ground. Maybe a 2nd hand rotovator or something to fine the seed bed (a new 2m one could be bought for around 3k). Pick stones by hand. Find an old drill maker on donedeal or somewhere to make drills. Same for an old seeder and get someone to help you sow them. you have the gear for fertiliser. Get someone in to spray, or borrow a sprayer. And the kicker here is the harvest. That might be a manual job and only harvest what you need for your customers as you go.

massey 265 · 01-08-2023 4:30pm

Great to see a bit of enterprise but i doubt potatoes would be the answer.Imo leave the large acerage to the big lads and rent a couple of acres for horticulture eg.salad leaves are ideal for small enterprises as they are easily grown,a large market and good profit too.May need a tunnell but no big outlay needed for machinery.best of luck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058307529/sick-of-my-job-im-going-to-grow-potatoes-instead

Siamsa Sessions · 01-08-2023 4:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120926583#Comment_120926583

Was just going to suggest similar - seems to be a few success stories of people selling lettuce and other veg locally to supermarkets, restaurants, and at farmers markets.

How much work would be involved in getting 2-3 acres of veg drills set up? You could plant spuds in the same area. Sow that much, harvest it, and sell it.

You'll know a lot more after that much was done.

ThreeGreens · 01-08-2023 4:41pm

31 is definitely not too young to restart your career. Plenty of people only start their career around then.

But you don't want to get it wrong this time and be attempting to restart it again as you approach 40. So give it some serious thought.

I'd be surprised if there was much money to be made from 5/6 acres of potatoes. I've see to see anyone make lots of money from a small farm.

So I'd suggest that you do give serious thought to getting into a career / business that you do like or have some prospect of liking. But this might not be the best of choice if you are financially motivated.

Danzy · 01-08-2023 4:55pm

Lad in North Cork selling spinach, think he is making a fair go of it.

I think a 100 acres is now small with spuds.

You might be on to something but a different type of veg.

Ask a fancy chef what he has trouble getting or is dear.

Curtain's haggart, rockchapel is the spinach man.

bigned · 01-08-2023 4:58pm

Replying to massey265.

Ive thought about strawberries before as it's a crop I know a lot about my grandfather grew strawberries for jam years ago and I've worked on the biggest strawberry farm in Wexford from when I was 16 up until I started welding, even through college when I could. Problem with them is they are a logistical nightmare for a small grower and a lot of set up cost initially. Very good profit in a good year however.

Regarding the vegetables, I know nothing about them so I've not considered them. I've considered doing a horticultural course in the past however.

pgj2015 · 01-08-2023 5:18pm

https://www.independent.ie/farming/rural-life/how-this-26ac-of-abandoned-forest-in-laois-is-now-producing-premium-meat-for-irelands-top-chefs/42273708.html

This guy is doing well, saw him on tv lately. he said he gets 1000 euro from 1 pig as its biodynamic.

As a previous poster said, sell something that is expensive and sought after.

I left a job I hated a few years ago, set up a business, phone hardly rang at the start but if you work hard you will succeed, its great working at something you enjoy and for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOMazrvNq20

enricoh · 01-08-2023 5:36pm

A fella locally grows spuds n sells them on the side of the road 12 to 6 around 5 days a week, does well with earlies. I'd be bored sitting there but he has built up a good trade. Sells timber , turf , eggs etc.

SouthWesterly · 01-08-2023 5:51pm

There's someone near ardfert in north Kerry who started off with a veg garden and now sells mainly salad leaves to supermarkets and restaurants in the area. You'll find her on FB Leagh Farm

Eves Leaves in cahersiveen makes relishes and has a thriving business run from 5 tunnels on a bed of rock.

Thing is to find the niche. I sell new potatoes at my gate. The novelty soon runs off for people . Got about half my cost of seed potato covered this year. Planted 50kg of potatoes, early and late and was fighting blight

Ended up with 15kg of green tomato as they got blight in the tunnel and I lost half the crop

DownByTheGarden · 01-08-2023 5:54pm

I thought the same as you about work at 30. Never did anything about it. Here i am the guts of 2 decades later and im finishing up on Friday.

Not growing potatoes though. Just going on the dole for a year and traveling. Dont think i'll bother going back to work ever. I think i'll just travel when the fancy takes me. The hardest part was figuring out how to hide money and get the dole. Not planning on drawing my pension for another 10 years, so i'll live on my taxes til then.

So my advise is just do it, because you'll just be stuck in the job and hate it more every day. If you hate it now, wait til you see yourself n another 10 years. I say go for it.

yosemitesam1 · 01-08-2023 7:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058307529/sick-of-my-job-im-going-to-grow-potatoes-instead

That as a plan wouldn't be great. The whole market has changed so much now that finding a market for those potatoes where you will actually make a reasonable return is near impossible.

A more diversified setup could potentially work. Multiple vegetables and or multiple fruits, especially if you went to a big farmers market in Dublin/cork every week.

What part of the country are you in?

What is the soil type like on farm?

Is it reasonably sheltered?

What sort of budget could you throw at it?

Do you have any big commitment ls, family, mortgage etc?

Would working long hours on your own be something you're used too?

Have you any accommodation to put up a student for additional help?

Also time is ticking, can you potentially hit the ground running next year or do you have to actually figure out how to grow stuff first?

Also maybe going back to education with a view to just getting a job related to ag/Hort might be an option?

screamer · 01-08-2023 9:29pm

Microveg, fancy mushrooms, nettles, salad leaves and snails. All things I’ve heard people farming and making a go of it. Good luck, much as I’d love to change career, I’ve small mouths to feed and just couldn’t.

Water John · 01-08-2023 9:39pm

Looking at the multi veg option is good. Consider instead if you rented 10/15 acres from the uncles. Research guys who are doing this.

Do a course with Klaus Laitenberger;

https://nots.ie/events/organic-horticulture-with-klaus-2023/

or Jim Cronin;

https://nots.ie/events/organic-market-gardening-2023/

Not saying it should be organic but they have been there, done that.

funkey_monkey · 01-08-2023 9:48pm

You considered doing a Clarkson and opening a farm shop or going to the markets selling beef, eggs, veggies and spuds? Maybe a pick your own or do boxes like Phil.

It would be a lot of plates spinning but all your eggs wouldn't be in one basket in regards to crop.

What about opening a clay pigeon shoot on some of the land?

A natural burial area where folk get to be buried or scattered in a natural setting.

ruwithme · 01-08-2023 11:00pm

Fair play to you op for admitting your sick of the day job.it's refreshing honesty. Undoubtedly your not alone in that.I've no advice on the spuds.

Good luck

ruwithme · 01-08-2023 11:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120927565#Comment_120927565

Was there not lads, saying they were quitting the milk after the "wettest July " since Adam & eve?

StupidLikeAFox · 01-08-2023 11:52pm

Grow the spuds and turn them into artisan crisps. Probably a whole host of other issues to manufacture and get the product in shops but you might get a few grants and at least the yields would be good for a small site (you'd get 2 or 3 bags of crisps out of a single potato)

Feets · 01-08-2023 11:59pm

You wuld be surprised by some land owners supporting you, try it out and ask as many people as you can you farm their land for free, you may get someone interested. Not all landowners are farmers and just want their land tended to.

MacDanger · 02-08-2023 9:16am

Would be worth going to a few farmers' markets (maybe not too locally) and talking to a few potato farmers about what they'd advise.

One thing you could consider would be growing things people can't generally get in the shop e.g. purple potatoes, red/yellow/purple carrots, purple broccoli, etc. maybe talk to some good local restaurants and see if there'd be any interest in those types of niche offerings.

One thing to consider is pest control - you could easily come out some morning to have your entire crop decimated by blight, carrot fly, etc. It's a balls when you have a vegetable patch but if it was your livelihood, it'd be a disaster

Good luck with it

techman1 · 02-08-2023 9:45am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120926842#Comment_120926842

Did revenue ever buy any potatoes from him on the side of the road?

enricoh · 02-08-2023 10:18am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120928883#Comment_120928883

Ah he's there a long time now- I'm sure he gives them what he feels is appropriate!

Frankie Machine · 02-08-2023 10:44am

I'm in precisely the same position, but with over two decades on you.

I have spent the last seven years trying to build up a honey producing business in the hope of even seeing a way out of the loathsome toxic hole I'm in. Started from scratch, haven't borrowed a single cent. I would have had to, to scale up sufficiently.

Maybe I should have, but this year has made me so glad I didn't. The poxy month of July has blown the whole thing for this year, and while I'll cover my expenses and a bit to spare, an income it certainly ain't. I love every second of it, and if I could sensibly make it work, I'd do it in the morning.

You have a long working life ahead of you. Now is the time to change direction. If I were you, I would prioritise leaving that job, not only for the obvious health concerns. Otherwise, you'll get to your fifties and curse yourself. In my experience it doesn't get less regretful. You just numb and succumb a little bit more every year.

But do it smart. And I think that means, 'don't dive in' headfirst into anything. Except maybe textbooks, if you have any inclination that way.

The feeling of moving forward is very sustaining anyway, even without guaranteed outcomes.

Good luck.

Sick of my job, I'm going to grow potatoes instead.

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