Finding Good Farmland : How to Evaluate and Acquire Land for Raising Crops and Animals. A Storey BASICS® Title

Buying farmland is a major investment, so be sure you make an informed choice. This practical guide covers every factor you should consider before making a purchase, including government regulations, residential concerns from the surrounding area, soil conditions, and savvy financing. Whether you intend to grow abundant crops or graze a robust herd of livestock, __Finding Good Farmland__ provides a roadmap to the land that’s right for you.

locally Grown Produce And Specialty Farm Products Are Finding Eager New Customers Every Season. Farmers' Markets Sprout Up Every Spring, Luring Tourists And Locals With Pasture-raised Meats, Organic Vegetables And Fruit, Artisanal Cheeses, And A Seemingly Endless Assortment Of Baked Goods, Handmade Condiments, And Craft Items. Restaurants And Grocery Stores Feature Products From Regional Farms With Pride. And Direct-to-consumer Marketing And Selling Is A Reality For Every Farmer With An Internet Connection.

To Help Farmers Position Themselves Well For The Opportunities Afforded By Today's Market, Sarah Aubrey, A Successful Farm-based Business Owner, Shares Her Years Of Research And Firsthand Experience In starting & Running Your Own Small Farm Business. Here Is Everything Readers Need To Know About Launching A Small Agricultural Enterprise, From Initial Start-up To Consumer Marketing. Begin By Fine-tuning That Bright Idea Into A Viable Business Plan, And Then Learn How To Go Out And Sell It. Secure Financing, Work Out The Legalities, Follow The Proper Usda Guidelines, And A Farming Business Is Born. Aubrey Explains Every Step Of The Process And Even Includes Samples Of The Required Forms.

Every Small Farmer Must Also Become A Skilled Salesperson And Marketing Professional. Aubrey Runs Through All The Selling Options — From Rural Farmstands To Web Sites To Food Service Wholesalers — And Explains The Pros And Cons Of Each. She Also Explains How To Create And Stick With An Advertising Budget, How To Develop Pricing Strategies, And The Importance Of Personal Asset Protection.

Aubrey Brings Her Business Advice To Life With Profiles Offarmers Successfully Crafting And Selling Everything From Small Batches Of Wine To Exotic Animals Such As Elk And Alpacas. Their Stories Are Minicourses In Successful Farming, Sure To Inspire Every Reader.

as The Organic Food Market Continues To Expand, So Too Do The Opportunities For Small Farmers. For The Farmer, The Benefits Of Running An Organic Operation Are Great. Organic Farms Conserve Nonrenewable Resources, Offer Better Conditions For Farm Animals, Produce High-demand Goods, And Boost Farm Income. As The Organic Food Market Continues To Expand, So Do The Opportunities For Small Farmers.

the Organic Farming Manual Is A Comprehensive Guide To Growing, Certifying, And Marketing Organic Produce, Grains, Meat, And Dairy. Beginning Farmers Committed To Launching An Organic Operation And Experienced Farmers Hoping To Transition From Traditional Farming Techniques Will Find All The Information They Need. The Organic Certification Process Is Lengthy And Demanding, But Author Ann Larkin Hansen Clarifies Every Usda Requirement And Offers Complete Advice On Selecting Equipment, Tending The Land, Caring For Animals, And Marketing Farm Products.

readers Will Also Find Profiles Of Successful Organic Farmers Throughout The Book. Their Experiences Provide Inspiration And Valuable Tips For First-time Farmers Looking For Real Success Stories. Hansen’s Thorough Coverage Of The Subject And The Positive Words Of Established Growers Will Set Countless Farmers On A Healthful, Organic Path.

Small Farms Can Equal Big Pay!

Choose the right products, process and market them effectively, and you too can join the ranks of top-earning farmers, some of whom gross nearly $100,000 per acre. Whether you're buying a new farm or jump-starting an old one, Ron Macher's down-to-earth advice on planning, farming, and marketing you'll soon make your farm profitable -- and find satisfaction doing it.

Macher shares proven methods for farming smarter and explores today's new crops, new livestock, and new markets that translate into new ways to make money. Making Your Small Farm Profitable explains how to:

• Exploit lucrative niche markets that others overlook
• Plan for optimal farm efficiency
• Determine equipment requirements and estimate machinery costs
• Compare costs against profit for common vegetables and livestock
• Sell your products a dozen different ways

A brief history: the story of organic farming Land: finding good earth Soil: the cornerstone of sustainability Equipment: choosing, using, and maintaining machinery Plants 101: basic organic growing Garden crops: vegetables from spring through winter Field crops: grains and forages on a large scale Orchard crops: fruits, berries, and nuts Livestock 101: basic organic husbandry Pigs and poultry: raising smaller livestock for meat and eggs Ruminants for meat: raising goats, sheep, and cattle on pasture Dairying: raising cows, sheep, and goats for milk Biodiversity: managing habitat for a thriving farm ecosystem Organic certification: preparation, application, and inspection Going to market: turning farm products into profit The larger context: organic farming's effect on the wider world.

“My advice is as old as the plow.” So says author, Karl Schwenke of his guide to making a full- or part-time living on the land, a book for anyone who plans to own a small farm. With sections on soil management, farm practices, cash crop selections, machinery, and many other topics, as well as comprehensive series of appendices, the author touches upon the basics of getting started with one’s own small-scale farm. Schwenke, himself a small farm owner, has provided a great practical resource for the beginning cash crop grower. Get started on acquiring “the hodgepodge of knowledge blended with a plethora of skills” necessary to becoming a successful organic farmer.

Pragmatic, expert advice for anyone owning (or planning to own) a small farm.

Buying your first farm can be a challenge. This practical guide contains all of the information you need to have before purchasing farmland, covering everything from the characteristics of the land (soil type, slope, water sources, drainage) and the surrounding area to permits, codes, taxes, roads, loans, mortgages, government assistance programs, and more. Checklists and questionnaires are included to help you decide exactly what you need and how to find it. This ebook contains bonus material not included in the print edition, including the stories of eight farmers who've successfully acquired farmland and an expanded resources section

This introductory resource explains how to sustainably manage a wooded property, whether it’s a few acres in the suburbs or a small commercial forest. Readers will learn how to identify the type, health, and quality of their trees and woodland; how to plant, prune, and thin trees; how to improve their ecosystem by creating trails, adding water, and diversifying; how to improve wildlife habitat; and how to enjoy and use the land by harvesting timber, cutting firewood, building wildlife blinds, making maple sugar, growing Christmas trees, hunting, and more.

A community of more than 5000 young farmers and activists, the Greenhorns are committed to producing and advocating for food grown with vision and respect for the earth. This book, edited by three of the group's leading members, comprises 50 original essays by new farmers who write about their experiences in the field from a wide range of angles, both practical and inspirational. Funny, sad, serious, and light-hearted, these essays touch on everything from financing and machinery to family, community building, and social change.

The Greenhorns are a community of more than 5,000 young farmers and activists committed to producing and advocating for food grown with vision and respect for the earth. This book, edited by three of the group's leading members, comprises 50 original essays by new farmers who write about their experiences in the field from a wide range of angles, both practical and inspirational. Funny and sad, serious and light-hearted, these essays touch on everything from financing and machinery to family, community building, and social change. Running your own small farm is demanding enough, but making it profitable presents a host of further challenges. In this business-savvy guide to farming on a small scale, Sarah Aubrey covers everything from financial plans and advertising budgets to web design and food service wholesalers. Learn how to isolate your target audience and craft artisanal products that will delight and amaze customers. With a solid business strategy in place, you can confidently turn your passion into a productive and profitable venture. Offering proven techniques and practical advice, this inspiring handbook covers all aspects of successfully running a small organic farm. With expert tips on everything from buying land to creating a niche market for your products, Karl Schwenke shows you how to naturally enrich your soil, acquire necessary equipment, consistently grow abundant crops, and manage farm finances. Youll enjoy learning essential skills like haying and fencing as you turn your organic farming dream into a profitable reality. Turn your farm into a cash cow! Ron Macher offers a host of simple strategies for increasing your farm earnings, from purchasing durable equipment to growing economically viable crops. A seasoned expert in farm efficiency, Macher shows you how to locate a lucrative niche market for your products, optimize sales, and minimize costs. Whether you're buying a new farm or jump-starting an old one, Macher's savvy tips will help you turn your enterprise into a profitable business. Find and purchase rural property for the perfect small-scale organic farm of your dreams. a reliable supply of clean water, good drainage, and the right soil for the farming you want to do are a few of the things you'll need. Longtime organic farmer Ann Larkin Hansen describes how to conduct your search. She also recommends investigating what's happening in the neighborhood - now and in the future - and she offers plenty of practical advice on funding your purchase.--COVER. With entrepreneurial drive, a practical business plan, and some marketing savvy, you can run a successful small farm business that brings your products to your target audience. The demand for fresh, local, organic, naturally raised, lovingly crafted, or sustainably produced small-farm products is on the rise. With seasoned farmer Sarah Beth Aubrey as your guide, discover how you can make the most of these opportunities.--COVER Providing expert tips on tending the land, caring for animals, and necessary equipment, Ann Larkin Hansen also covers the intricate process of acquiring organic certification and other business considerations important to a profitable operation. Discover the rewarding satisfaction of running a successful and sustainable organic farm. In a comprehensive guide to growing, certifying and marketing organic produce, grains, meat and dairy, the author clarifies every USDA requirement and offers complete advice on selecting equipment, tending the land, caring for animals and marketing farm products, in a book that includes profiles of successful organic farmers. An introduction that shows small landowners how to practice sustainable forestry on their land, whether they have 1 or 100 acres. It also shows them how to manage woodlands to maintain their appearance and value, improve wildlife habitat and tree health, and create income from sustainable timber harvests and other cash crops. Whether you have a few acres of trees in the suburbs or a small commercial forest, you can encourage a healthy and sustainable ecosystem through proper woodland management. This introductory guide shows you how to identify the type, health, and quality of your trees and suggests strategies for keeping your woodland thriving. "Beginning with an explanation of the natural processes governing forest development, the authors present active steps you can take to guide your woodland toward a state of health and beauty and sustainably produce one of the world's greatest renewable resources -- wood."--Page 4 of cover Why manage your woods? How forests grow Taking a woodland inventory Establishing management goals Working with a forester Working in the woods: landowner projects Starting a new forest The logging industry Harvesting timber Finances and legacies. Features voices from the new farmers' movement and the challenges of farming organically, from finding land and financing to raising crops and animals, creating community, working with family, and weathering the physical challenges of farm work. Build a plan Test the waters Get the money Choose your business type Follow the rules Protect your assets Price your products Select your selling venues Spread the word Reflect and revise. Instructs the biginning farmer in evaluating and preserving the soil, acquiring and maintaining machinery, and raising a successful crop through sound farming practices An introduction to the harsh realities and real potential involved in making a full-or part-time living on the land "Apply 25 guiding principles -- Develop new crops & new markets -- Maximize net profits per acre."--Cover