Can Farming Become A Hobby?

Farming hobby

People focus on farming nowadays, including hobby farming. Urban dwellers bought land in the countryside to grow crops and raise livestock. They find solace and extra income in agriculture. 

Hobby farming has become a popular farming choice for retirees and seniors. They find it easy to squeeze in their time to feed the animals while relaxing on the farm. People have different reasons why they prefer hobby farming. 

This article will guide you if hobby farming is suitable for your lifestyle. 

What is a Hobby Farm? 

A hobby farm goes by different names. Aussies call it rural residential or acreage living, while Kiwis call it lifestyle block. 

Generally, a hobby farm is a small farm or landholding maintained not as a source of living but for recreational purposes. It does not require a large piece of land to have a hobby farm to keep horses, chickens, and farm animals. 

People engaged in hobby farming do not have to spend full time on the farm. They can still have a day job and hire a worker to care for the animals. It is a lifestyle choice worth their investment because they are passionate about running it for pleasure and not as a primary source of income.

Is Hobby Farming Suitable for You?

Hobby farming is not for everyone. If you plan to establish a farm for business purposes or want to focus on it for a living, then it is not for you. But it does not mean that you cannot sell the eggs and meat of poultry in hobby farming. The first thing that comes to mind in hobby farming is passion and pleasurable experience. 

In hobby farming, you will discover many things, like learning new skills, meeting new friends, and relaxing your mind. When planning to put up a hobby farm, you have to set a goal to accomplish your purpose in hobby farming. When planning, you have to ask yourself the following questions:

  • Should I raise crops or animals on the farm?
  • What kind of vegetables or animals should I grow?
  • Is the place suitable for hobby farming?
  • What are the local regulations involved in hobby farming in my state?
  • Do I have time to tend my crops and stock?
  • Can I find a helper or assistant on my farm?
  • How much money am I willing to invest in my farm? 
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When you have found answers to the above questions, you must find out your purpose for establishing a hobby farm and the benefits you get from it. 

Even if your hobby farm is a small homestead, you still have to determine the amount of money you are willing to spend and whether or not the farm becomes a successful venture. Since this is not an income-generating venture, you should not borrow money or use your lump sum to start the project. 

The key to avoiding frustration is to take baby steps. Take things one at a time to give time to yourself to think and adjust your project. For example, you can begin by conducting a soil test and finding the best crop to grow on the farm. 

Try planting one row of vegetables, and see the result. You can grow different crops one after the other. You may try raising a hen and a rooster if you love animals. 

Beginners in hobby farming have to spend a lot of money to build the farm, especially if they do not have land. Familiarizing the ins and outs of hobby farming is vital rather than regretting later. As months pass by, you will realize what values you most. 

Think about the money you will spend on buying a piece of land, gardening tools, building a coop and coop heaters, fencing, and permits from the local authorities. 

Aside from these things, you have to consider the following when creating a hobby farm:

  • Food and vitamins for your livestock
  • Water sources
  • Type of soil
  • Fertilizer
  • Farm or gardening equipment
  • Livestock
  • Type of crops 
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Think of the more significant scenario and challenges you will face in your journey as a hobby farmer. Problems may arise along the way, so you must prepare by mapping out your goals and expectations for this project. 

Advantages of Hobby Farming

Hobby farming has its flaws and benefits that you must take a look at before venturing. Here are the benefits of hobby farming:

It is a Stress-Reliever & Therapeutic

Spending time on a farm provides a perfect ambiance to relax your mind. The greens, vegetation, and animals bring relief to your system. Watering the plants, tilling the ground, feeding the animals, and cleaning their shelter might require much effort, but it brings positive outcomes. 

It keeps your mind busy and forgets your problems, eventually changing your mood. You find yourself addicted to farm work as time progresses because it is exhilarating, welcoming, and relaxing. 

It Provides Healthy Produce

Growing crops and livestock provides fresh produce, which benefits your health. It sustains your food needs if you have many crops, fruits, and livestock on the farm. You can prepare and tweak many dishes to your heart’s desire knowing that the ingredients are free of chemicals and they are clean, fresh, and organic. 

It Improves Family Relationships

A hobby farm is a great way to spend your family day instead of going elsewhere. It also instills your kids’ minds to appreciate nature’s beauty, eat organic foods, and learn gardening skills. You can stay on the farm for vacation, picnicking, harvesting, horseback riding, and water activities. 

Disadvantages of Hobby Farming

It Requires a lot of Time

The downside of maintaining a farm is that it requires a lot of work and responsibilities. The responsibility of running a farm is not a joke. You must dedicate your time, effort, and dollars to maintaining a clean and productive farm. The time for caring for the plants and animals requires patience on your end. 

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Costly

Putting up a hobby farm also requires money, depending on your goals. You need a lot of money if you plan to have a large farm. But even then, prices of materials, stock, feed, nutritional supplements, equipment, and other expenses keep increasing. You have to set a budget before deciding to build a hobby farm. 

It May Affect Relationships in Some Ways

Since you will visit the farm regularly, it can also affect your family relationship. To compensate, try to bring your partner and kids to the farm at least once a week so they can also help run the farm and understand better why you do not have much time with them.

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