How to Choose Animals and Crops to Raise on Your Farm.

So you've made a decision to start a small farm. But you just aren't sure what animals to raise
, or what to plant. How do you decide?

What Appeals to People?

It seems obvious, but the most likely candidates for farm animals are those who you're drawn to naturally. If goats seem odd or unusual, maybe they're not for a person. Perhaps you have fond memories of petting cows on your own grandparents' farm, or have some sort of fondness for pigs.

If your goal should be to start a business with your own farm, think carefully about markets to your product, and do some research to see if you experience demand for it. If your own goal is self-sufficiency, you'll want to consider what kind of food your self like to eat. Don't raise pigs if you never eat pork!
Be Wary of the Unusual

Often, people are drawn to unusual or exotic animals. Their way of thinking is often that something this is simply not "what everybody else is doing" will likely be marketable. This isn't always some sort of logical conclusion. While specialty crops can be a powerful way to generate income, sometimes this can backfire. Be sure there's market for your unusual animal, natural herb, vegetable or fruit before investing a lot of cash in it.
Make a List

Make a list of your own potential animals and crops. Keep room for notes, and always list the reasons why you are looking for this particular animal or plants. Use this list to gather tidbits of information because you get further into the research process.
Read About It

See a library or your local independent bookstore and look at everything you'll find about the animals and crops on your own list. Use the Internet looking for basic information on raising just about every animal. At this point, you might start narrowing lower your list as you get more information details. Whenever you lose concentration, look back at your goals to your farm and ask yourself: does this animal or crop additionally my goals?

Talk to Farmers

You've pondered it, learned about it, and thought some more about this. Sometimes you just have to experience things to understand your path, and nowhere is usually this more true than producing.

Find some local farmers who're raising the animals or plant life you're considering. Ask them regarding their successes and their issues. Go pet the animals, view the housing and fencing that the particular farmer has chosen, experience the particular animals in three dimensions.

Now you've had a chance to thoroughly explore some potential animals and crops for the farm. You're ready to choose some in the first place! How exciting!