I am an "outsider" when it comes to farming,despite being surrounded by family farms,some with thousands of acres of farm land.
Frankly,given the cost of farm machinery,taxes,and the almost total lack of reliable help at planting and harvesting time,I can't understand how most of these farms can still afford to operate.
After all,this isn't the 1950's and you can't buy a new tractor for a thousand bucks. Some of the new farm equipment can sell new for close to a million bucks,and 100 grand doesn't buy much.
And it is a FACT that you can't run a farm without skilled hired help,which just isn't there these days.