In recent years, my father and I have embarked on a project to establish a small haying operation with the hope of expanding into cattle farming in the near future. While we currently have limited farming experience, we are passionate and committed to making this endeavor successful. A major step in our journey was receiving a 40-horsepower tractor with a front-end loader from my grandfather, which has provided us with a critical piece of equipment to start. However, we still need the necessary implements and tools to make our haying operation fully functional. This proposal outlines our current status, future objectives, and the resources we need to bring this vision to life. We are seeking financial assistance to acquire the necessary haying equipment, with a long-term goal of growing our operation and expanding into cattle farming This project began as a shared dream between my father and me. Despite our lack of farming experience, we are driven by a desire to become self-sustaining and contribute to the local agricultural community. The gift of a 40-horsepower tractor from my grandfather was a pivotal moment for us, allowing us to begin laying the foundation for our haying operation. However, to fully realize the potential of this equipment, we need additional haying implements to perform tasks like cutting, raking, and bailing hay We aim to grow our haying operation into a viable, small scale business by selling quality hay in the local market In the second year, we plan to introduce a small heard of cattle which will add another income stream to the farm The number of cattle we acquire will depend on the availability of suitable pasture which we will evaluate as we progress Our primary goal for the first year is to fully establish a functioning haying operation. This will require purchasing essential equipment such as a sickle bar mower, rake, and small square baler. With these tools, we will be able to cut, rake, and bale hay, ready for sale. this will create our initial revenue stream and help us establish a presence in the local agricultural market. In the second year, we hope to expand the farm by introducing cattle. With a small herd of up to five cow depending on how much hay we can produce for a winter and pasture size we will diversify the farms operations creating new opportunities for revenue while simultaneously using our hay production to feed the herd. The number of cattle we acquire will depend on the available pasture space, which we plan to asses in the coming months At present, we have a 40-horsepower tractor with a front-end loader that we received from my grandfather, but this is not enough to carry out haying activities efficiently. To proceed, we need to acquire several key pieces of equipment Sickle Bar Mower – Ideal for cutting hay efficiently while being affordable and compatible with our tractor. Rake – Either a wheel rake or rotary rake to gather the cut hay into rows. Small Square Baler – We plan to produce small square bales, which are easier to handle and store, and in demand in our local market The cost of these items is expected to roughly be $5,000, particularly if we purchase used but reliable equipment. We are actively researching affordable options to fit within this budget. As we progress in our haying operation, we will carefully assess the available pasture for both hay production and the future cattle herd. Managing pasture properly will be key to sustaining both hay output and livestock. Good pasture management practices will ensure that we can maximize the productivity of the land for both hay and cattle feeding purposes in the second year. The financial needs of this project are focused primarily on the aquisition of haying equipment. In the first year, we expect to spend the bulk of our funding on machinery, maintenance, and fuel. Our projected revenue from selling small square bales of hay will depend on the size of the pastures we manage, local demand, and hay prices. However, even with conservative estimates, we believe that producing hay could generate steady income, allowing us to recoup our investment and cover operational costs within the first two years. In the second year, we plan to invest in a small cattle herd. Costs for this expansion will include the purchase of cows, fencing, and any additional feed required. Our strategy involves using our own hay production to feed the cattle, reducing feed costs and creating a more self-sustaining operation. A small herd of five cows will help us scale without overwhelming our resources, and we can adjust based on pasture availability and operational capacity while the timeline will depend heavily on market conditions and our initial output, we expect to achieve profitability within three to four years, assuming we secure the necessary funding. In conclusion, this small haying operation represents a significant opportunity for my father and me to build a sustainable, small-scale farm with room to grow into cattle farming. We are dedicated to seeing this project through and have already made progress with the equipment we’ve secured. However, without further investment, particularly in haying machinery, we cannot realize the full potential of our vision. We believe that with the right support, we can create a thriving farm that contributes to the local community, generates revenue, and sets the stage for long-term growth. We are excited about the future and remain committed to building a successful haying operation, followed by a small cattle herd. We respectfully request funding to help make this dream a reality.
We would like the ground already planted with alfalfa if possible or in a ready to seed state Or planted with another type of grass that's ready to be cut