There are many considerations to starting a hobby farm. Questions you need to answer include: Do you have enough land for the type of farm you want? Do you really have the time to devote to the farm upkeep and maintenance? Does the land have a good pasture for managed grazing? Does the pasture have reliable fencing for your animals? (Remember, what is suitable for poultry, may not be good for horses or larger livestock.) What about a good water source? Do you have adequate year-round shelter for animals and livestock? Do you need to purchase farm equipment to care for your land and livestock?

Once you ask these questions and have an idea of the type of farm you want, then do some research. Talk to your neighbors. If they already have a productive farm, they can be your best source of information on the ins and outs of raising crops and animals in your area.  

The one piece of advice that remains consistent from veteran hobby farmers is: start small. Begin with only one or two projects a year. That way you'll find out if you're cut out for the things like the management of bee keeping, goat herding or if dealing with large cattle is too much for you financially. Also, keep in mind that your farm may continuously evolve as you learn what you enjoy most and best fits your personality, schedule and pocket book. Read books like The Joy of Hobby Farming by Michael and Audrey Levatino or The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It by John Seymour for steps on beginning and maintaining your hobby farm. Check with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System or online groups such as HobbyFarms.com to gain valuable information and insight.

Whether you plan on just growing crops or raising animals, get your soil, water and pasture forage tested first. The Soil Testing Laboratory at Auburn University will test samples and give you information on the quality and sustainability of your land which will help guide you in developing a pasture management plan.  

If you choose to raise livestock, know what animals will fit comfortably on your farm. Do you have 2, 10 or 100+ acres? How many heads per acre can you support on your farm? Remember to start small.

Let's take a look at some basic livestock owner requirements:
1) Financial costs involved with livestock include: purchasing the animal, transportation, fencing, shelter, food, vaccinations and vet checks.   

2) You must be on call 24/7, 365 days per year to care for your animals when something goes wrong or they're sick. If you like to frequently travel the world, you might want to reconsider. Animals need care, so someone needs to be available to attend to them at all times.

3) Will your animals become pets or do you intend to raise them for food or profit purposes? If you get easily attached and can't stand the thought of selling or eating your animal, then breeding and marketing livestock are not for you.

4) Expect the unexpected with your livestock. Markets can falter, food costs can rise and disease can strike an entire herd. Do you have the resources to deal with owning and caring for livestock?

Livestock Options

Cattle 

Beef cattle are popular for their meat and dairy. Though costly, cattle are said to be low maintenance and do not require elaborate facilities. However, you must have good, strong fencing. If they will graze on pasture, plan on about two acres per animal. If you do not have a water source on the property, a stock tank and water heater will give your cattle water year-round. Raising-Cattle.com is one of the many sites to will give you some insight.

Chickens 

Chickens are a must for small hobby farms. They provide meat and eggs or can be raised as great pets. A safe, clean place to sleep, feed and water are all that's required to raise chickens. Plan to spend some time each week cleaning the coup and gathering eggs. BackyardChickens.com is good resource for more info.

Goats   

Goats can be picky in their eating styles. Contrary to popular belief, they are not grazers like cattle and horses. They tend to forage for their food preferring weeds more than grass, but will still eat both. One acre can sustain approximately six goats They do like to climb to high places, natural or man-made. They are also great escape artists. Good fencing is a must. Quality goat meat demands have risen in the U.S. over the last several years. Approximately 70% of the world's population regularly dines on goat meat. Goat milk has also become popular as an alternative to cow's milk. A Simple Guide to Raising and Milking Goats by Danelle Wolford gives you some good basic information on goats.  

Horses 

Horses and their cousins, donkeys and mules, are hard-working farm animals. The cost of purchasing a horse can be relatively low depending on the breed compared to the cost of upkeep, however long-term horse owners say it's worth the expense. Since a horse can consume 1.5-2.5% of their body weight per day, a lot of forage is necessary. Typically one to two acres are necessary for a horse. Regardless, the horse market is growing. Breeding and raising horses as pets continues to be popular amongst small farm owners. For more information on raising horses read Graze Anatomy: Handling horses on a small acreage.

Pigs 

Even though the name is synonymous with filth, when pigs are raised in a stress-free environment, they can be the cleanest and easiest animals to raise. Organic pork is in high demand now, so the meat is marketable. However, as everyone knows from Charlotte's Web, pigs make great pets, too. They are also great composters--eating just about anything left from the kitchen table. Pigs need a dry, safe place to sleep and a pen about 50 square feet for each that provides adequate shade. Since they consume a lot of water, make sure there is plenty available. For more info, read How to Start a Small Pig Farm.

Sheep 

Sheep are good for their meat, wool and dairy, depending on the breed. They also make great pets. Like other livestock, sheep need adequate shelter for protection, pasture for grazing, a good water source and good fencing to keep them contained and eating out of your garden. Deciding how much land is needed for sheep varies wildly due to land, location and pasture type. Since sheep are big grazers and can get most of their food from the pasture, more land may be needed for them. For more info, take a look at sheep101.info.

Rabbits 

Though rabbits can be fun pets, they can also be raised for their meat and fiber. Rabbits need proper indoor housing, like a barn or large wire mesh cages. They can be prey for dogs and raccoons, so make sure they're kept in a safe place. The cost of raising rabbits is relatively low. However, if you aren't careful the rabbits may breed like, well, rabbits and you'll have more than you can handle. For more information on raising rabbits read A Beginner's Guide to Raising Rabbits.  

Alpacas and Llamas 

These endearing livestock are great for small farms. Llama hair is popular for yarn. Alpacas are known for guarding livestock and serve as pack animals--able to carry about one-third of their weight over rough terrain or high altitudes. Alpacas and llamas require more care than other livestock. About two or more acres of pasture can provide enough food for five to ten alpacas and llamas. They will eat just about anything, so care is needed to keep them from eating poisonous plants. For more info, read All About Raising Llamas.

Owning and operating a hobby farm is a rewarding experience on many levels. Not only do you have the opportunity to become more self-sustaining through growing and raising your own food, there are also many ways to make a profit. However, be sure to learn about Alabama Livestock Laws before purchasing your animals and check the IRS guidelines for small farms before claiming your farm on your taxes.  

For information about farm equipment for your hobby farm check with your friendly staff at Cahaba Tractor.