Buying the Farm — How To Cultivate Your Dream
There is no denying the satisfaction that many find from working the land on which they live. If you are one of these people, you may already be considering how you can add a bit more cultivation to your future. Since farming dawn-to-dusk, 365 days per year is certainly not for everyone with a green thumb; it’s worth exploring the different agricultural lifestyles so you can choose the best way to make your dream a reality.
Agricultural Small Business
Starting a small business farm is just the thing for the green berets of an agricultural society. These farms make a profit from agricultural products and are the owners’ primary source of income. Successful farming operations almost always begin with solid business plans that usually include the following elements:
- Introduction: Farm operations summary, history, goals
- Finances: Revenue projections, financial reports, bank statements
- Sales Overview: Target buyers, products, markets, logistics
- Inventory: Livestock numbers, breeding plans, health care schedules; list of equipment
- Land Resources: Environmental sustainability monitoring, crop rotations, grazing management
- Human Resources: Personnel structure, management hierarchy
The USDA provides excellent resources for anyone interested in farming for a living.
Homestead
Homesteading is living on and cultivating a tract of land. In the most nostalgic sense, it is where a family or small community lives and works together to provide for themselves. When many think of homesteading, they often think of a self-sufficient operation. Some find rural farms for sale in Ontario, intending to live 100% “off-the-grid.” However, homesteading can be as simple as growing a garden or raising a few chickens to supply a portion of your food. There are even techniques for creating a homestead in an apartment or an urban setting.
Hobby Farm
Hobby farms have similar functions as business farms and homesteads; however, the ultimate goal is enjoyment. While many hobby farmers harvest the crops for their own consumption, they are not attempting to provide all the sustenance for the household. Many hobby farms are profitable, but the owners generally have independent wealth or income. The beauty of farming for fun is that you have the opportunity to make it whatever you want it to be. Whether you wish to bring your yield to the weekend farmers’ market or cultivate a vast, meandering garden open to the public, a hobby farm can be a fulfilling experience.
Imagine watching the sunrise from atop your combine. Plan how you’ll teach your children how to live off the land. Develop original canning recipes and take your fruit jellies to the county fair. North America has a strong farming heritage, and you can help make agriculture a part of the future.
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