There are a lot of benefits to running your own hobby farm, which is why more and more homeowners are jumping on this revived trend. Unlike a for-profit farm, a hobby farm is something that people take on as a hobby and is usually less than 10 acres. A hobby farm is done for the enjoyment of tending to the land and animals, rather than something that is done in an effort to make money.
Whether you have an acre of land or more, homeowners with plots of land of all sizes are realizing the advantages that hobby farming comes with. From health benefits like increased physical activity and fresh fruits and veggies, to mental benefits like spending more quality family time together and less screen time, there are a lot of reasons to transform the extra land you have into a hobby farm.
If you don’t have enough extra land, then The McLemore Group | United Country Real Estate can help you find a home that not only fits your family’s needs, but also has the extra land you want to make your dreams of a hobby farm a reality. If the thought of a hobby farm is intriguing - but maybe a little intimidating - to you, then you’ll be glad to learn that there are some easy steps you can take to get your hobby farm started. Keep reading for some helpful steps that will help you bring your dreams of hobby farming into reality.
1. Research, Research, Research
As much fun as it can be to dive into something right away, to make sure you have a smooth hobby farming journey it’s highly recommended that you start with some all-important research first. Before you commit to anything, it’s important to have an informed understanding of what exactly you want your hobby farm to be. This is also a good time to get the thoughts of your other family members so you can start to get an idea of what everyone is comfortable with. For example, if no one but you is on board to pitch in regularly, then you might not want to invest in plants or animals that require too much care. On the other hand, if everyone is excited to put in time on the hobby farm, then you may have more flexibility with your plans. This is also a good time to think through what you’d like to have requires in terms of space, structure and maintenance. Once you know this information it will be easier to plan the layout of your hobby farm in the confines of your space.
2. Plant a Garden
One of the main aspects of any hobby farm is the garden. The garden is a big reason why many homeowners get into hobby farming because growing your own fruits and vegetables can be highly rewarding while also providing practical sources of food your family will be excited about. When planning your garden you’ll want to take into consideration your land - including how much sunlight and water your plants will need, as well as your region, since some plants grow better in certain regions than others. You can also get your kids involved in the decision process of what will go into the garden. When children have a part in growing fruits and vegetables they’re often more excited to actually eat them! Depending on what you’ll be growing, you may also want to look into preservation methods, such as pickling or canning, so none of your crops go to waste.
3. Invest in Livestock
Tending to livestock is another fun part of hobby farming that the whole family can play a role in. Depending on the size of your land, you may be limited to only keeping small animals, so you’ll want to make sure that you have the room and resources for whatever animals you decide on. Chickens are a popular choice among hobby farmers because they don’t require much space, and even a small flock can serve as a regular and dependable source of fresh eggs. If you just want enough for your family, then 4-5 hens will be enough. Some hobby farmers also opt to take on larger animals like goats or cattle as well. Of course these animals will have different needs in terms of space and food, but they can provide your family with fresh dairy and goats are highly efficient at taming the landscape.
4. Optimize to Save
The costs associated with hobby farming can add up, but luckily there are things you can do to save money and dramatically cut the costs of maintaining your farm. For example, putting together a rain catchment system that you can use to water your plants is an easy way to save on your water bill, while composting can help you turn your food waste into food for your garden.
5. Divide and Conquer
The key to sustaining your hobby farm without burning yourself out is to divide the responsibilities up between you and your family members. If one person tries to do everything themselves, then it won’t be long before your dream of a hobby farm feels more like a chore. It can be helpful to sit down with your family regularly and evaluate who does what, how often each task needs to be done and how long each task takes. This will allow everyone to have an understanding of what everyone else is doing. Staying organized is also key, so implementing a chore chart or a system of rotating tasks between the family can help take the stress out of divvying out the necessary work.
Now that you know the first steps to take, hobby farming doesn’t seem so intimidating, right? This growing trend can be a great way for families to come together while getting the most out of their land. If you’re ready to start looking for more land to take your hobby farm dreams to the next level, our experts can help you find the perfect space for you.
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Kevin McLemore is a second generation real estate broker, having grown up in the business. The McLemore Group is centered around the strong bond that Kevin has with his father, Dan McLemore. They have been working together selling land, homes, and commercial projects for over 20 years.
Kevin specializes in helping sellers of unique properties get maximum value for their property with as little headache as possible. He has brokered transactions throughout the greater Charlotte region including the upstate of South Carolina.
Copyright © 2024 The McLemore Group - All Rights Reserved.