Hello from the Show-Me state

Just wanted to say I'm a long time lurker and about time I'd join. I'm the kid that was always playing in the dirt and would hope to make it my career. I live on a small family farm and would like to become a heavy equipment operator after high school. My dream would to someday own my own dozer and hoe. Any advice on where to start? I guess I wouldn't mind moving away and working in the city for a couple years but not sure I could do it my whole life being away from the farm.