Mulch is the best

It would be a fun vacation either way. NH has been doing it’s thing for a long time so it can be pretty tough to break into especially in the ag scene. Another option instead of “buying the farm” would be to move up and work as a day laborer on one of the bigger farms to build a network and get a first hand feel for a while. Best case you love it and figure out a way to be an owner-operator. Worst case you hate it and then you haven’t sunk your egg in a basket you don’t like.

And coastal areas where the season is better the cost of land is prohibitive.

NH historically was a lot of sheep farming because it’s grow season is pretty terrible. That and potatoes upstate along the Connecticut river (lots of abandoned farms up that way if you are looking for cheaper land near Colebrook). There is a town hobby farm in Bedford that has a variety of livestock on an old sheep farm, that could be another good spot to call and get a feel. Most successful farms now have a tourism component since it’s easier to sell the idea of farming to folks than actual produce.

Ok cool. Calling some local farmers will be a great way to get out of the theoretical stage and see what it’s actually like, at this point that’s probably the best thing you can do other than doing a fact finding trip up to walk some local spots and get a better feel for the area.

Look up the grow season in NH. It’s not long. It’s not just snow that will slow you down, NH gets an hour less sunlight each day than GA. That makes a big difference, especially coming into the spring and fall even if you have greenhouses. There are a few functional hobby farms that pay their bills, look around google maps in the Hollis area and maybe try giving some of them a call to talk to the owner and get some perspective on the ground.

I might be able to afford a house if I take the lump sum.