Diary of Becoming A Farmer. Success at Last!!??
The story of a young mans efforts to become a farmer without the aid of inheritance.
So we had seen a plot of land for sale. A little distance from where we currently live but not too far. It was about the right size and more importantly about the right price. The hedges were in good condition and it seemed what we where looking for. The trouble was we didn't have all the money and would have to borrow some. I contacted the agent and made an offer.................
Damn it was accepted without question. A sure sign you've offered too much.
But I still needed some money. So Where from? The first signs of the recession had been around for twelve months now, Northern Rock was a mere memory, greater problems were starting to rear their head.
I looked up several lenders and plumped for a well known agricultural mortgage lender. They obviously wanted to have an interview to see how barking mad I was? Never having made a business plan before I put the figures down I had persuaded myself with, as succinctly as possible, and went for the meeting expecting to be laughed out of the office. At least if that's what I was expecting it wouldn't be too much of a shock when it did happen. !
So what qualities do I have? Errr well I have no experience or qualifications yet! I am at college, I have life experience a loving wife and three kids, the eldest two of which fight me for Farmers Weekly each time it arrives through the post! Oh and passion by the mixer wagon full. But I can't put down that I blog for Fwi to show that passion. Oh well here goes.....
They were keen! It's the best plan he has seen by someone wanting to start up for a while. It was looking hopeful.
The recession was starting to hit hard and the banking collapse seized the banks up completely. But then the company I had chosen said in it's literature that it supported farmers and all the press where saying that agriculture was the one market that was bucking the trend.
The kids were waiting for Santa, so was I. Only my Santa was a big jolly bank manager with a sack full of cash. Christmas was coming and the goose was getting fat, whoopee, we'll be farmers by the new year. But I had to keep my feet on the ground and stick with the day job. The children kept me distracted. The postman kept me waiting.
Christmas came and went. A fabulous time was had by all. Lunch was superb thanks to Mr Paul Kelly....Although personally I think much of the thanks must go to the chef for the preparation of a wonderful feast...Who was the chef? Me of course. He He.
Finally the postman arrived. The bank must have taken my application to the Christmas party as entertainment for the night. What with all the cutting back on expenditure due to the banking crisis my application must have been a dream to them. In fact the conversation must have gone something like this.
“Miss Jones”
“Yes Mr Manager”
“Cancel the Entertainer for the Christmas party, I've just got a mortgage application from Farmers Weekly Interactives View From The Other Side Of The Fence.”
Oh Well, it was nearly my Birthday. What a Birthday present that would be. I've wanted to become a farmer since leaving school twenty years ago.
I ripped open the letter just like the kids had done a month ago with their Christmas presents...................
What did it say? Well you'll have to keep watching this blog. RSS to this blog and you'll get the next installment delivered to you as soon as it's posted.