Adjusting to Farm Life: 6 Tips to Embrace the Fresh Start

Transitioning from city life to farm life is tough.

I wouldn’t be honest if I said I didn’t miss any of my life before. The grocery store was a 5-minute drive. Going out of town didn’t require as much planning. Staying in bed (or at least indoors) when you’re under the weather was the norm. But even though I missed these conveniences, our goal of taking charge of our food and its nutrition before it lands on our plate encouraged me to not give up. This is a change I’m really glad we made.

Of course, there have been challenges along the way—like when our pigs decided to go on a walkabout and refused to go back in their pen (we don't give them enough credit for how smart they are). Or when we found out Justin was going to be traveling (3 months turned into almost a whole year). And there are plenty more.

Now that we've been here over a year, it's been a mix of encouragement, frustration, growth, and learning. But, we also feel super proud of all that we've accomplished, and I know you will too!

So, if you're thinking of making the switch from the city to the farm, I hope these 6 tips help you in your adjustment.

Tip 1: Find your Why

It’s so important to know WHY you’re making the change. For us, we wanted a deeper connection and ownership towards our food and nutrition. We craved the freedom and space to raise our kids in. We wanted to grow closer as a family. Whatever your reasons are, when life on the farm gets tough, remembering your "why" can help you push through the challenges.

Tip 2: Start Small

Don’t try to do everything at once. We didn’t go from city life to farm life overnight. We started with a small vegetable garden and a few chickens, then gradually added more animals as we felt comfortable. Starting small doesn't mean thinking small though. Dream all you want about what you want your farm to be like! When you're experiencing tough days, you can look at these to remind you that there’s a lot to look forward to.

Tip 3: Educate Yourself

Learning about the ins and outs of managing a small farm can be incredibly helpful. If we were starting 10 years ago, things would be different. There are so many resources available to us now that weren't readily available before. We've learned from so many books and websites, watched many YouTube videos, and joined lots of Facebook communities. There are so many places to get advice from. We’ve found that the more we know, the more confident we feel in our abilities and in our journey.

Tip 4: Find a Community

Right alongside educating yourself is finding a community and cultivating friendships. There are so many people who have made the same transition you’re making! Seek out others who are living the farm life and learn from their experience. It can be incredibly helpful to have a community to lean on when you’re feeling discouraged or need advice. There were a few times when Justin was traveling where our neighbors came and helped me wrangle the cows back into their field. Get to know your neighbors and look for local Facebook groups that share your interests.

Tip 5: Don’t Be Afraid to Fail

You will definitely make mistakes, some more costly than others. But that’s okay! Embrace them as part of the learning process. The more you do, the more you’ll learn and the better you’ll get. You can check out some of the mistakes we've made and our takeaways here. (Hint: you might feel a little better after reading them.)

Tip 6: Be Patient

Change takes time. Give yourself grace as you adjust to your new lifestyle. Rome wasn't built in a day, and your farm won't be either! There are days full of wins (your garden is thriving, and you're getting a full basket of eggs) and there are days full of challenges (the cows have escaped and your UTV has two flat tires). Stick with it and keep moving forward. Stay positive, embrace the journey, and enjoy the process.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Making the transition from city life to farm life is a big move, but it can be so rewarding. I hope these tips help you as you make the adjustment and encourage you to keep going. And when you're feeling proud of your accomplishments, I hope they'll remind you of how far you've come.

If you've made this transition yourself, what other tips do you have to add? I’d love to hear them in the comments!