Stay-at-home moms have found hobby
farms to be a great educational tool for
their children, because running a hobby farm involves learning about math,
business ethics, organization, record
keeping,;and;many;other;life;skills.
You may be interested in going be-yond;having;a;backyard;garden.;How;do
you get started with a hobby farm? How
much land do you need? Whom do you
contact for help? How much money will
it require up front? Should you expect to
make;a;profit?;I;will;try;to;answer;these
questions for you.
Getting Started
First, you should decide what you want
to raise or grow. The options are as di-verse;as;humankind!;For;example,;there
are;beekeepers.;Beekeepers;can;do;many
things besides simply sell honey. Numerous beeswax products can be made and
sold. Bees require flowers, and people
love;to;purchase;fresh;flowers.
Gardening requires only good soil.
You have to determine how much room
you have and how many different crops
you can grow. Many people rotate a gar-den;with;a;chicken;coop.;You;can;fence
two to three areas, rotating the spring
garden;and;fall;garden—chickens;in;one
side, garden in the other. Then switch.
The;chickens;fertilize;the;soil;while;pro-viding eggs or meat.
There are cows and goats to raise for
meat;or;milk.;Quail;can;be;grown;in;a
small pen and used for meat and eggs.
Young piglets can be purchased inexpen-sively,;fed;out,;and;sold;as;market;hogs.
As you can see, the possibilities are limited only by how much time, money, and
resources you are willing to invest.
Make;visits;to;all;local;farms,;which;al-
lows;you;to;observe;the;workings;of;each
one.;Talk;to;as;many;people;as;possible
about the pros and cons of each option.
Another;benefit;of;this;step;is;that;you;will
learn about where to purchase local food
and how to help your family eat better.
Money requirements can be minimal
to start. Your local library can provide
plans and blueprints of animal enclosures and raised garden beds, and you
may even be able to borrow a tiller for
use;in;the;garden.;Most;people;don’t;use
tillers often, except during planting season. Sharing farm machines is a great
way to save money and get the most use
out of a piece of equipment.
My son has two Jersey heifers that are
about to calve. We will milk them by
hand;and;then;use;some;of;the;milk;to
feed orphan calves. With the money he
raises when he sells the calves, we will
purchase a milking machine. Farming
should at least pay for itself, if not pro-vide;an;extra;income.;Be;careful,;though.
It’s;easy;to;get;carried;away;at;first;and
spend way too much. Go slowly and pay
for things as you can.
Profit;will;depend;on;so;many;things.
You will have expenses in order to get
started.;Be;sure;to;keep;a;ledger;and;re-
cord each expense. Feed for livestock,
Set;a;budget;and;stick;to;it.;Plan;for;an
emergency fund, because you may lose
your crops due to a drought or have an
illness;in;your;herd.;Get;to;know;your
local;livestock;veterinarian;and;county
extension agent. They will save you time
and money in the long run.
Do your homework, learn what to
expect, and allow for mistakes. Some
animals;are;more;difficult;to;raise;than
others. You may need more or less hay
than you expected. Your crops may get a
late frost and you will have to start over.
Farming is not predictable.
If you decide to venture into this,
please do so slowly. Start with just one
thing. Choose a crop, get a beehive, or
purchase one pair of breeding animals.
Learn;how;to;fertilize,;care;for;plants,
keep;healthy;animals,;and;find;an;outlet
for your product. As you learn, your farm
will expand, and demand for your quality
products will grow, but always remember
that hobby farms are not meant to be a
primary source of income. For most people, they are maintained for enjoyment
and;health;benefits.;For;homeschooling
families, they can be a source of 4-H
projects,;business;basics,;work;ethic,;and
agriculture class. Teach your children as
only you can.
Get outside and grow your own piece
of America!
Sonya Brouillette
Sonya Brouillette is a veterinarian, but
that takes second place to being a home-school mom of Paycen ( 12), Owen ( 9),
Landry ( 5), and a wife of fifteen years to
her husband Marty. There’s no better way
to use her education than raising up her
children in the way they should go.
At our small farm, we
butcher our own pigs
and calves, grow our own
garden produce, and
raise;our;own;chickens
for meat and eggs.
