Farmer played college football at Baker University in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and was their first All-American.
[2] He later moved to the U.S. and attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, New York, where he played football as a tight end.
[2] He became a starter and played two years at Eastern Arizona, but was a member of teams that were described by The Salina Journal as having "terrible records ...
[2][3] He started for the Wildcats as a junior, being named the United Press International (UPI) Midlands College Offensive Player of the Week following a five-catch, 104-yard performance with a touchdown against Kansas Wesleyan.
[3][6] After not being selected in the 1978 NFL draft, Farmer signed with the Baltimore Colts as an undrafted free agent on a two-year contract.
[10] He caught two passes for 29 yards during preseason, but was released by the Jets on August 21, as they already were "overloaded with talented wide receivers", according to coach Walt Michaels.