Farmboy1892

Hi Folks,

Quick Question.

1. Is it possible to purchase a farm in the U.S and set up home there running it as a business.

2. Can you join an existing U.S Agricultural business as a partner and live and work there as part of the business.

Very broad questions I know but I am sure somebody out there will have an opinion on it.
Many thanks.

Farm boy.

ian-mstm

Yes... because anything is possible. You can certainly purchase a farm and run it - because you don't need to be in the US to do that. The tricky bit will be you setting up house!


Yes... on the assumption that the business is willing to sponsor you for an appropriate visa. That's not a given... and it won't be inexpensive for them!

Ian

Farmboy1892

Thanks Ian.
I appreciate your prompt response. Perhaps you or others will put a bit more meat on the bones in the coming days.

I am particularly drawn to your comment of setting up home. If I owned a farm I would want to be on the ground tending the land and looking after the livestock etc.
The annoying thing is that I want to pay taxes and contribute to the most important industry in the world (feeding a growing population) not to mention the local community.
The red tape involved and stories on the forum just seem ludicrous at times.

ian-mstm

I appreciate your position... and your enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the US doesn't much care what you want... and there are only so many visa types. Have you seen this?


Well... it's the US' sandbox, and they make the rules. They're really not interested in whether or not their rules and regulations are convenient for you.

Ian

Guindalf

With respect, what you want has nothing to do with it and yes, it can be ludicrous. But them's the breaks.

Unless you're willing to throw an awful lot of money at it, the chances of actually realizing this dream are very slim.

Farmboy1892

Thanks guys!!

scrubbedexpat099

There are major agri businesses that must move employees around.

EB2 or EB5 otherwise comes to mind.

Pulaski

Given the cost of farm land, buying a farm for $1,000,000+ and employing enough locals would be a perfect self-directed EB-5 business. Something smaller on an E-2 should be a shoo-in, but does not lead to a green card.

Joining an existing business as a partner should be possible, but would need the guidance of an experienced immigration attorney.

scrubbedexpat099

Ooops put a B in there.

Yep a Farm should comfortably fit in EB5, just need to make sure it is not highly mechanised.

kimilseung

I know nothing about farming, other than the farms I see in the UK look to have little in common with US farms. There may be significant industrial cultural issues to over come.

Pulaski

That's something else that makes no sense to generalize from Oregon to Florida and Maine to SoCal, never mind that farming in the UK varies considerably from the South Downs to the wheat fields of East Anglia and the hill farms of Yorkshire and Wales, among many other distinct farming regions and crops in the UK - hops in Kent, sugarbeat in Lincolnshire, rhubarb in Yorkshire etc.

A lot of the farms in NC and VA are small fields of arable crops and small herds of cattle, that look very similar to the UK. Granted in areas there are crops of cotton, peanuts, and tobacco, but there is plenty of wheat, barley, and soybeans grown too. There are a few sheep farmers on the slopes of the Appalachians and given the price commanded for lamb, I would imagine that a mixed livestock farm could do well adding a herd of sheep.

ian-mstm

I live in Appalachia... and, as you know, we Scots are quite fond of our sheep! Indeed, I once knew a local guy who excelled at animal husbandry... until they caught him at it one day!

Ian

scrubbedexpat099

What do you call a Kentuckian with 6 girl friends?

Shirtback

Hi Farmboy,

Have you given up on your Canada plans?

christmasoompa

http://britishexpats.com/forum/us-im.../#post11796168

HTH.