Start a hobby-farm

All about owning a hobby-farm

Hobby farming has as many issues and problems as large broad acre farms and ranches. This website will run through the range of issues and offer practical answers on most subjects. It may be a hobby but it can be profitable and enjoyable

On thing that a person starting a hobby-farm often brings to rural areas is new ideas, innovation, of course money, and change.

Many traditional farmers and ranchers who have been on the land generations greet newcomers with skepticism and not always welcoming words. Of course these same traditional farmers have a dearth of multi generational knowledge and that is invaluable.

The new hobby-farm small farmer brings an open mind, often niche market driven rather than main stream agricultural, and market driven business ideas.

What are the Hobby-Farm Issues

No matter if it’s a primarily a lifestyle driven decision or a baby boomer second life activity, your problems are the same as the big farm next door. The one thing that often makes the hobby farmer more profitable than the big guy is that the bank is not involved. Sometimes the return on investment is the same.

The size of the property is an important driver in deciding whether you can do anything commercial with the place. A small 5 to 10 acre property has limited potential although I have seen highly successful goat dairy and intensively farmed dairy goats on just 5 acres. If you are just going to run a few cows, goats and hens, and grow your own vegetables then some of the same issues still apply.

What about the hobby-farm land quality

Bad soil is hard to turn into productive farmland. You may have bought a cheaper and larger farm and maybe it’s suitable for goats. The soil may be parched and in a low rainfall area with little scope to improve, so the options are limited. The first thing you have to do is to invest in a soil sample and see what you are dealing with. The soil profile may offer some option or it may simply be economically not viable. Your raw material is your soil, know about it, look after it and reap the benefits

What about the water

On any small farm water is the key to success, just like large farms. Rainfall is always a key element and if no water resource management schemes have been implemented, they will need to be. The farm dam is the first important asset to invest in. Strategically located to maximize rainwater harvesting, they will carry you through dry spells. You may also need this to supplement your homestead water supply when the rainwater runs out. If you are really fortunate you will have a spring and if not drilling a bore may be the next step. Whatever you do drought proofing is a valuable investment.

Hobby-Farm Animals

So what animals are you farming? Goats, cattle, sheep, alpacas, ostriches, hens and ducks, donkeys or horses, or fish farming in your dams or tanks, they all need specialist knowledge. If you already know your animals then good, if not go and get books, talk to others, go to shows and talk to others, as you cant have too much advice and information. Many go into stud level breeding and this requires a lot more additional skills. Farming animals can be heart breaking as well as very rewarding and being a goat farmer I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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All about Hobby-Farm Machinery

Tractors, both large full scale and small hobby farm units, ride on mowers, ATV’s, diesel water pumps, air compressors, brush cutters and chainsaws and a lot more are found on the hobby farm. Looking after them isn’t a simple task and calling in the serviceman will keep you poor. Many moving onto the hobby-farm are from different vocational backgrounds with often limited technical skills. Well its time to learn and save yourself money and help self sufficiency

Diversifying your Hobby-Farm Income

Whether you are growing fruit, making cheese, growing lavender, breeding Alpaca, making goat soap, growing chillies, wool, or making preserves, olive oil, growing herbs, whatever your hobby-farm choice, diversification is important if you depend on it for your income. All agricultural activities are at the mercy of the elements, supply and demand and many other factors. I am diversifying into farmstay bed-and-breakfast tourism, although the investment only really pays off if your location offers good tourist potential.

Many new hobby-farm people are computer and internet literate and I make a valuable daily income off my websites, click here if making 20-100 dollars a day will help your finances out. There is no get-rich quick formula but when you have time on your hands you can convert that to income.

My Hobby Farm
Alf has more than 40 years of experience working on many wild and cultivated plants in Australia. He is developing a 5-acre hobby farm in Melbourne.

Make a Real Off Farm Income!

Useful Hobby-Farm Resources

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Antibiotic-free Quality Shrimp And Prawn Farming Aquaculture
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Dog Allergies
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Alaska Hunting Guides - Arctic North Guides is a true full service Alaska Hunting Guide & Outfitting service operating Alaska. Hunting trips in two locations including the Brooks Range Hunting and The Alaska Peninsula.

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Sitka Alaska Fishing Lodges - Sitka is home to some of the best fishing in the world for both Salt-water and fresh-water fishing. The best catch rates for both salmon and halibut according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game

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Anchorage Hotels - A short 45 minute drive from Anchorage Airport, private cabins in a pristine, quiet and semi-remote setting with breathtaking views of mountains and glaciers. And right on the way to Denali

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Dog Supplies
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Start a hobby-farm