Do you work elsewhere too?

[OhSusanna]

Just wondering how many of us have a day job outside the farm or bring in additional income through other means. I don't work elsewhere, but I give piano lessons to bring in a little more money. I love playing music and it allows me to buy extras for the kids.

 

[FarmHand]

I do some construction on the side during the summer. My wife works as well. All in all we pay the bills but our farm has been paid off since my parents so not having a mortgage makes it easier. With a mortgage I would not be farming. Not with milk prices being under 17 for the past 5 years.

 

[The Big Cowhuna]

No, I'm strictly in the cattle business. There's just isn't time to add anything else to the mix. Well, my wife makes botanical beauty products to sell at the farmers market, but I'm assuming you count that in with farming since we grow the crops and use the milk from our livestock.

 

[markusarilus]

I own an optical company that is three generational. Founded in 1967 , in the town of Barboursville. We fabricate eyeglasses, examine eyes and sell contact lenses and eye wear. I also operate a tool restoration and sharpening business and refurbish old vintage power equipment and small tractors. We used to have horses, pigs, chickens and rabbits but all we have now is a small flock of free range chickens.

 

[rockinbbar]

In addition to the ranch and cows I also have an agricultural brush control business. I shred ranches and control brush problems for them.

There's also that saying "Behind every successful rancher, is a wife with a job in town."

 

[Farmallh]

My wife works outside the home and on the farm too (just not as much as me). I do side jobs, electrical. My brother is an electrician so I help him out.

 

[Wildlife]

I'm retire now but mow 3 farm field twice month repair owners driveway when needed...little extra coins for wildlife feed.

 

[Henderson]

I'm retired now, but I was a pharmacist. I'd go mad if all I had was farming. It's lonely work at times and it's too much of a gamble for me to plan my finances around it.

 

[Julianna]

I'm a teacher during the regular school year. I supplement that income by working at the local community college as a research assistant during the summer months. None of it pays well, obviously.

 

[Smarty Plants]

No, the plants are our livelihood. That involves selling from the greenhouse, running a landscaping business, doing some weddings, and maintaining the plants at several businesses in town, so it's a lot to keep up with.