Hobby Farming
There’s an exciting trend in farming. It’s been called Hobby Farming and it’s beginning to gather many practitioners. What is “hobby farming” and is it something you or a family member or friend might consider?
Hobby farming means that you are not trying to run a small farm business. That’s where the term “Hobby” comes in. It means that your goal is not total self-sufficiency like a homesteader. So, if you’re planning for your primary income to be generated from running your farm, then you have got a business.
So, you’ve decided on becoming a hobby farmer – now what? What things should you consider as you move forward?
Planning Your Farm
If you want to pursue a hobby farm, it smart to begin by planning your operation and setting goals. Consider what animals and crops you would like to raise. Assess your land and resources or get an idea of what you are looking for when buying a farm. Write out a one-year plan.
After setting goals, choosing animals and crops, and making the first-year plan, it is time to act. Look at how you go about achieving your first goal, which may be finding and purchasing an existing farm.
If you already live on your soon-to-be hobby farm, your next step may be to seek out farmers who are already doing what you want to do. Ask them about their experiences. The information you gather can be invaluable for how, when, and where you start your farm.
Caring for Livestock
Caring for livestock may be one of the Hobby Farmer’s largest challenges. The constant need for nutrients and fresh water make livestock farming a time and labor-intensive pursuit – even for the Hobby Farmer. Livestock animals may be able to graze or feed themselves on hay or grain while the hobby farmer is away earning income, but access to on-demand fresh water year-round is the very thing you can’t leave to chance.
For automatic watering, year-round we recommend a Drinking Post automatic waterer. A Drinking Post is a frost-free automatic waterer that provides an unlimited supply of water for your animals even in the coldest winter weather conditions.
Best of all – you can connect your Drinking Post to any pressurized waterline. The whole trick to staying frost-free in the winter is installing the operating valve 18 inches below the frost line. A Drinking Post waterer works and installs like the more familiar frost-free year hydrant, providing water when your animals need it. No more the need for you to haul buckets of water to a watering trough, and no need to worry about your livestock watering needs while you’re away from home. Check out Drinking Post’s Ultimate Guide to Waterers today at: https://dpwaterer.com/automatic-waterer-guide/