The First Steps in Designing a Small Farm

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The First Steps in Designing a Small Farm You have finally purchased the land and you’re ready to begin farming! You’ve dreamed of a farm that has a brook near the house, and tall trees growing in the front yard. There is an orchard next to the garden, a field of corn growing off to one side of the house, and the barn is close enough to make for a nice stroll. But reality is sinking in, and your land doesn’t quite fit that dream. The question is how to turn your land into the farm of your dreams. Where To Start The first thing you need to do is decide what you want out of your farm. Do you want to be self-sufficient, or just raise vegetables? How about raising animals or growing cash crops? Be precise in what your goals are and write them down. Know Your Resources Goals can be well-defined and still be unrealistic. The next step is identifying your resources. Walk the farm to see what you have onsite and make a detailed inventory. Include soil types, water supplies, canal water availability, ponds, the lay of the land, existing vegetation, microclimates, and geological features. Now you have both your goals and resources in writing. Does the dream and reality match up? Do you have

the pasture you need for the cows/buffalos you want to raise? How can you use the steep hillside for a corn crop? After review you may have to adjust your original dream just a little. Remember that a good design will take advantage of all your land's resources. Land Function Every bit of land needs to be used to its best advantage - think function

and practicality. Consider the location and size of any existing features, like a pond, field, or orchard. Now think about the other things you want to add to your farm and consider the location. A kitchen garden will be placed closer to the house than a market garden, but both will require good soil. Try making a sketch of your farm and then do some paper cutouts of basic farm features. Include everything you want on your farm - a barn, chicken coop, vegetable garden, pond, fruit and herb gardens, tool shed, compost pile, etc. The list is up to you; just remember to follow some basic small farm design principles: · Garden rows need to run north and south for equal sunlight. · Provide enough space between rows to work easily. · Sheds are needed for garden tools and small farm equipment. · The barn should be a nice stroll from the house, yet close enough to supervise any animals. · Orchards should not shade the garden space. By following these simple guidelines you can increase both the productivity, and enjoyment of your farm.

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