Phase 1: Planning the Dream Without Losing Your Mind

In our last post, we talked about the importance of just starting — even if everything isn't perfectly in place. But once you’ve started, it’s just as important not to get in over your head. That’s where planning comes in.

We’re tackling this farm project in phases, and yes — I’ve put my corporate project management experience to good use out here in the dirt.

Right now, we’re fully in Phase 1: laying the foundation. This includes getting the barn built, buying the tractor, preparing for our first plantings, and doing a lot of research. Of course, it’s tempting to start a dozen other projects at once — there are opportunities and ideas everywhere we look. But we’ve learned quickly: stay focused. Phase 1 first.

At the same time, I can’t forget all the other responsibilities that come with building a farm business — things like registering for business licenses, applying for tax and Farm IDs, and tracking finances. It’s a lot to juggle, so we’ve learned to pace ourselves — and delegate when possible.

For example, we’re lucky to have a fantastic marketing person helping with our social media and website: our son. It’s a win-win — he’s building his portfolio, earning money to chip away at student loans, and helping us tell our story online.

Here’s the big lesson: don’t try to do it all yourself. When you try to carry every piece of the dream alone, it quickly stops feeling like a dream — and starts feeling like just another job. Lean on your people. Take breaks when you need to. And remember: success is built in phases.