Set Goals For Your Small Farm.

Whether you have your land or are still dreaming almost daily when you can move over to your small farm or homestead, you can set goals for what you wish to accomplish.

For many people, their own vision and ideas are clear-cut. They may know already that they need to grow a small yard, or that they want to obtain sheep, but not goats. Some might be clear that they want a smattering of countless species of animals, a "barnyard within their backyard, " just for entertainment.

If you aren't sure however what your overarching goals are on your small farm, ask yourself these kinds of questions.

Do I want to generate money with my farm, or maybe is this purely for fun?
This is truly the most significant question to ask. A small farm that's a business is very different from one that's a hobby farm or even pertaining to self-sufficiency. All of your decisions and planning will stem coming from a business perspective, even if your only goal is always to sell some lettuce and eggs at the farmer's market.

Is my target self-sufficiency?
There's a distinction between a pastime farm and a homestead. An activity farm isn't concerned with to become a quantity of food (vegetables, fresh fruit, dairy and/or meat) for the family. The animals and garden may possibly produce food, but it's more a byproduct in the goal, which is to have animals and a garden for enjoyment. A homestead, or perhaps a farm whose goal is ultimately to produce most of its very own food, looks at this as the primary goal. The fun part of the animals and garden is important, but the focus is shifted to self-sufficiency, and that drives decision-making.

What are my priorities so far as quality of life?
This may help you end up picking your overarching goal for your small farm or homestead. It might seem about starting your very small farm along with slowly adding animals and yard space, so that you can adjust the total amount of work and play more readily.Do you enjoy farm work as part time?
How much time do you want to put off or forego alternative activities and things to expand your small farm? If you could afford to secure a dairy cow but that meant quitting your weekly night out, wouldn't it be worth it ? Or would you feel lacking? These are things to think of and analyze as you consider quality of life questions.

What is my overarching existence philosophy?
Sometimes you have to take this into account deeply as you move forward with your small farm venture. If you see farming as atradition, and your attitude is that you will be "dabbling" in farming, you are much more likely to give up when things get tough -- when they inevitably will.
Spend some time now to consider the "big picture" things which can be driving the decision to village. Maybe the belief that we have to live more lightly on planet earth, and that peak oil and the food crisis are bearing decrease on us, is driving your own preference to homestead. Perhaps it's just reconnecting that has a sense of contentment and well-being you felt as a kid with your grandparents' farm that you're aiming to recapture with a hobby farm within your retirement. Or, maybe the driving force is connecting your son or daughter to where their food derives from.

Whatever the philosophy that is underpinning your own preference to farm, write it down. It may be more than one thing - that's fine. Having your philosophy written down may help when you get lost in the details. You have something to show to, a tangible reminder of why you're doing this.