Cost of power and machinery is often a serious problem to the small-scale farmer. If you are going to farm for extra cash income on a part-time basis you must keep in mind the needed machinery investments when you choose among farm enterprises.

You can keep your machinery investment down by buying good secondhand machinery, by sharing the cost and upkeep of machinery with a neighbor, and by hiring someone with machinery to do certain jobs. If an expensive and specialized piece of machinery is needed -- such as a spray rig, a combine, or a binder -- it is better to pay someone with a machine to do the work.

Before you look for a farm you'll need to know (1) the kind and scale of farming you want to undertake; and (2) whether you want to buy or rent.

Information on pages 8 to 14 may help you in deciding on the kind and scale of your farming venture.

If you are not well acquainted with the area in which you wish to locate, or if you are not sure that you and your family will like and make a success of farming, usually you would do better to rent a place for a year or two before you buy.

Discussed below are some of the main things to look for when you select a part-time farm.

Choose a location within easy commuting distance of both the regular job and other employment opportunities. Then if you change jobs you wonn't necessarily have to sell the farm. The presence of alternative job opportunities also will make the place easier to sell if that should become desirable.