Is it possible to support yourself and expand your farm without falling into a spiral of further debt?

This time, we visit Krzysztof Kaczmarczyk, also known for his work on the Rogate Ranczo canal, who farms in Górne Pomiary in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, near the Vistula River.

In 2015, Krzysztof took over his parents' 14-hectare farm. However, he also had approximately 360,000 PLN in debt.

Today, the farm covers 47 hectares, the debt has been fully repaid, and Krzysztof emphasizes that he currently has no outstanding loans. He and his fiancée paid off the last large installment – ​​over 100,000 PLN – in 2022.

In our conversation, we return to the beginnings of his business. Before taking over the farm, Krzysztof was involved in agricultural services and cattle insemination. He saved his earnings and invested them in, among other things, new land.

One of the highlights was receiving a PLN 100,000 bonus for young farmers. After adding about PLN 5,000, they managed to purchase 3.5 hectares of land.

We also discuss land prices and leases. Krzysztof recalls the times when he bought land for PLN 15,000-30,000 per hectare. Today, he says openly that, given his circumstances, around PLN 1,000/ha is the limit for lease profitability, while locally, rates can reach as high as PLN 3,500.

An interesting element of the farm's strategy is selling some of the poorest land for building plots and using the capital to purchase better land.

Wheat, barley, triticale, rye, oats, corn, and legumes are appearing in the fields. Krzysztof carefully analyzes costs and admits that, at current prices, oats may be a more economically attractive alternative to wheat.

The farm also raises dairy cattle. The herd currently numbers around 20 cows. The average yield is around 7,800 liters, with the best results reaching 8,700 liters. The herd includes HF cows, Simmentals, and Krzysztof's favorite Jersey cows.

The most important element in reducing milk production costs is grazing. Krzysztof consciously doesn't strive for maximum cow yield these days. He says that with higher production, costs for feed, veterinary services, hoof trimming, and reproductive issues also increased.

The machinery is impressive. Instead of new tractors, we find Zetors, Ursus tractors, and Bison tractors, among others, which he has been working on the farm since 2011. In a record season, the combine harvester cut 86 hectares for his services.

Krzysztof tries to do as much work as possible himself. He even harvests his own corn for silage with a single-row forage harvester. Last season, it took him three days to harvest about 6 hectares.

The interview also brings up a more challenging story. In the fall of 2019, a fire destroyed the interior of the family home. During the day, Krzysztof worked on the farm, and at night, he and his friends finished the second house. They moved in in February 2020.

But above all, this is a conversation about their approach to money, investing, and life.

Because, as Krzysztof says, you can always work more, buy bigger machines, and increase production. But at some point, it's worth asking yourself why we're doing all this.

I invite you to the Homeless Ranch.