When visiting with the ag professionals in Texas and Southern Oklahoma, we are hearing a common theme from the people moving from the "city" to the "country."  "I am buying this 40 acres, building a house, owning some livestock and will have this pay for itself..." or "You know those vegetable producers are making so much money.  With the land I have, I bet I could too!" are very common statements we hear on a weekly basis.

Is it wrong to think that way?  No, not at all.  You must do your homework and even then other factors can and will influence your economic outcome.  Asking questions and researching the answers for your enterprise or purchase is the best use of both your time and money at this stage.  Many times, we know people that have taken the "Field of Dreams" approach.  This approach is if we build it, they will come.  When a person takes this approach, they usually find their operation has become the "Field of Screams."  Solve your problems before you begin where it is less expensive.

We prefer you have a basic knowledge of agriculture before you buy the land and have a basic understanding of what questions you need to ask. Otherwise, remember that CAVEAT EMPTOR is Latin for "buyer beware." 

Lets throw out some basic rules of thumb:

In the NF3 service area you can run anywhere between 1 animal unit (a 1000 lb bovine) on anywhere between 3 acres of highly managed tame pasture and 40 acres of heavily brushed, poor native range.  Without the proper management, you can have overgrazing problems and may contend with weed problems.

For vegetable production (truck crops), labor costs are usually cost prohibitive.  The next question, can you find and hire the laborers you need?

For any enterprise, if you don't have a market already created and some written assurances from your buyers, you probably will have a major economic problem.

Just because you buy the land doesn't mean that you can get water to it cheaply or easily.  The best person to consult on drilling a well is usually the most experienced water well driller you can find.

Just because you buy the land doesn't mean that it will produce for you (low soil nutrient levels, unsuitable soil types, etc.)

This may sound like we are attempting to talk you out of purchasing land in the country or starting any enterprise.  We are here to provide our cooperators with research based, non-biased information to assist them in reaching their goals.  There may be times when your goals don't match your resources and we must look at different goals or the acquisition of resources.   In the end, the decision belongs to you.