We paid for the land. My wife and I worked full time as well. That’s the definition of “hobby” farm; though there wasn’t anything “hobby” about it. That’s what it took to feed everyone—16+ hour days just about year round.
It ain’t the money that makes small-scale farming nigh impossible; it’s just most folks these days aren’t willing to work that hard or be tied to the land and animals. You don’t get to take off whenever you want — it’s rather hard to find someone to farm-sit. There’s no delaying planting, harvesting or butchering. You start when it’s ready, and you work until it’s done.
Why I have no animals that can't go to kennels.