If you have been considering the homestead lifestyle then I am sure the thought of a farm has crossed your mind. After all, with the current prices of eggs who wouldn't want to have their own chickens? If you've been considering starting a farm with your family then these are some things you should know before you dive in. Here are 10 things you should know before you start a family farm.
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Starting A Farm: Know The Types
I am making a bold assumption here that if you are just starting out, or just had the idea to start a family farm, you want to take things slow. The average person does not go from no farm to huge, commercial farm overnight. Instead, you'd want to start small. There are two types of farms you can consider, small farms and hobby farms.
Small Farms
While small farms are...well smaller...than commercial ones they are still a decent size. Additionally, a small farm can be a huge undertaking. When you hear the word small you probably think of something minescule. However, the Census of Agriculture states that about 91 percent of U.S. farms are considered small farms. So allow that to give you an idea of how big these 'small' farms are. The USDA defines a small farm as "an operation with gross cash farm income under $250,000." Within that category there are commerical and noncommercial subsets.
Hobby Farms
Hobby farms can be thought of as the more 'low key' option. Rather than being focused on gaining income, the main point of this type of farm is to lead a sustainable lifestyle. Compeer Financial describes a hobby farm as the following. "No matter the name, hobby farms are generally small-scale agricultural operations used for exploring personal satisfaction, self-sufficiency and enjoying a rural lifestyle more than producing a primary source of income."
Things You Should Know Before You Start A Family Farm
For the purpose of this article I am going to assume that if you want to start a family farm, it will more closely align with a hobby farm. After all, as time goes on if you want to grow it into a small farm that is great. However, starting off with a hobby farm is a good place to begin. So what should you know before getting started?
Lucrene Farms shares a great list of things that you should know before starting a hobby farm. Some of them are self explanatory, while others may surprise you. I have provided you with a summary of their list.
1. Define Your Goals
Understanding your goals helps you to plan. For example do you want to grow vegetables or raise livestock? Or both? You cannot plan for things you do not know.
2. Assess Your Resources
You need to be realistic with three things. The amount of land, time, and money that you have. Without those three things farming can be pretty difficult. Plan based off of how much you of each resource you have.
3. Choose the Right Location
This is where planning comes in again. Different animals and crops require different things so you need to pick the best place for each. Lucerne Farms suggests, "Factors such as climate, soil quality, and proximity to essential services should be considered."
4. Educate Yourself
Hobby farming is not something you should just wing. Do your research. You should have at least a basic understanding of gardening, animal husbandry, and sustainable farming practices before getting started.
5. Start With a Solid Plan
Organization is key. Detail your plan, goals, resources, timeline, where you plan to have crops, how you plan to rotate them etc. The more you have planned out the better it will be.
6. Consider Zoning and Regulations
Don't assume you can just buy a cow and live happily ever after. Different regions have different laws regarding livestock and agricultural practices. Be sure you know the rules and regulations before you start a family farm.
7. Invest in Essential Equipment
While you don't need the biggest or fanciest equipment to have a successful hobby farm, there are some things you will need. Lucerne Farms suggests the following. "Basic gardening tools, fencing materials, animal shelters, and bedding, like chicken coop straw, are among the items you'll need."
8. Build Sustainable Practices
While in your planning stage be sure to think about how your family farm with be sustainable. After all, that is one of the main reasons to start a hobby farm. How will you conserve water? What sorts of eco-friendly practices will you use etc.
9. Start With Manageable Crops and Animals
Don't start off with the most challenging crops and animals. Start where you are with what you have. If you need help getting started, Garden Tech says these are some of the easiest crops to grow: Bell peppers, Cabbage, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Zucchini and Squash. Similarly, the Farmer's Almanac states that these are some of the easiest livestock animals to care for for beginners: Chickens, Bees, Goats, Rabbits, and Ducks.
10. Connect With the Community
Finally, last on the list of things you should know if you want to start a family farm, get in with the community. Attend farmer's markets, join local farmer's groups and get yourself out there. The more people you connect with the more you will learn and the more support you will have.
