Brandon Halsey

Ellen Schwab wrote:No one is asking for 20 hours of HARD labor . . . .

I completely agree. I don't call it hard labor either. However, I have 5 teenage sons (1 set of twins). The younger three have taken to the land much better than the older 2. The 2 eldest say a chore as simple as gathering eggs is to "hard" and they should be entitled to lie around all day and do whatever they want while others do the 'hard' work. This younger generation think anything that doesn't involve sitting around eating pizza and Twinkies while playing on the computer is too hard. This was my point. Though there are many who are willing to go outside and enjoy the time, fresh air, quiet, tranquility, and peace of farming/gardening/permiculturing most, alas, do not.

I know people who have advertised for similar at 2 places and have had success.
1. your state ag school, or school with an ag department. Post some fliers on post there. There is usually the young married or engaged couple looking to break into the farming world, but unsure how to get started.
2. the second way was already mentioned, homeschooling. There are many home schooling groups, especially in rural areas, that meet as groups. There is always young bobby who just finished up and got engaged to little Peggy and are wanting to do just that.

Ellen you have a great point. No one wants to work more than 20 hours a week hard labor, much less 40. Those not willing will try, fail, complain, and make it that much more discouraging for those who really can make a go of it succeed.
Most of us are coming into this with another job to pay the start up bills, and then hope to one day make that leap into self sustainment. I am active duty army, work 50 hours a week (will retire in 2 years), and then get home and add an average of 3 hours of work a day on the farm we just purchased.
Labor of love and ideals at first.
Labor of love and income second.
I don't think there is any other way to do it, lottery winners and tycoon inheritances excepted.

1. Get 2 beehives established.
2. Complete first terrace.
3. Begin rotational grazing of my 7 new cows.
4. Start milking my 2 new dairy cows.
5. Begin turning forested areas into a food forest.