How To Start A Farm

How To Start A Farm: Key Questions To Ask Yourself

Find related startup resources at the end of this article

Whether you want a career where you can work independently and spend more time outside, or just want to see tangible results for your hard work, you can fulfill your ambitions if you know how to start a farm.

Farming has certainly changed since the days of TV’s Green Acres’. While you can certainly have livestock on your farm, you can also now build a business around a number of other products.

These will depend on your interests, skills, and available resources including money, land and farm equipment.

Why Learn How To Start A Farm?
Why do you want to start a farm? Will it be your main source of income? If so, you’ll need to have a well researched business plan that lays out exactly how you’ll make your farm profitable.

Do you just want to make extra money from your current garden? Do you want to improve the environment through eco farming or organic farming? Your reasons for farming will help you determine the type of farm to pursue. If you’re starting purely for business, you’ll need the land necessary to house livestock or grow produce that will keep you going all the year round.

You’ll need help running the farm too, either from family or from employees. If you’re looking for a side business – maybe growing ornamental plants or vegetables – you can use much less space and run a business from items grown in your backyard or on your rooftop.

What Will You Need?
What skills do you have? A farmer needs to understand much more than how to milk a cow. Knowing how to take care of animals and plants is important, but being able to plan land use, estimate costs, and market your wares effectively are all essential skills for success.

If you don’t have enough farming experience, consider working on a farm for a year to be certain you want to be a farmer long term. Take business classes including accounting, financial planning, and marketing.

Do you have the money needed to start a farm? If not, you can look for help. Your state’s Department of Agriculture may have a Beginning Farmer Loan Program or other farm grants that can help you to get started.

Land And Equipment Required
Once you have the funds, it’s time to look for land. The type and amount of land you need depends on what you’re going to do with it. Certain land types, soil profiles, irrigation conditions, and climates lend themselves to support particular animals or vegetables. Are you able to relocate if necessary to ensure your land supports the type of farm you want to have?


Another consideration for land location is the community around the farm. If you want the farm to market to the community, your location needs to be strategic. Let’s say you want to grow gourmet vegetables and sell them to local restaurants: you’ll need enough restaurants with enough customers who want to dine on gourmet vegetables if you want to be sustainable.

Depending on the type of farm you have, you’ll also need various types of farming equipment. By renting this you can have more money available to purchase the other farm supplies you’ll need.

With desire, hard work, good planning, and a little help from Mother Nature, you may find that farming is indeed the life for you. Now that you know how to start a farm, what’s stopping you from giving it a go?

Related Startup Resources
Check out the following related resources that can help you learn more and get started with this small business (will open in new window)...


Organizations and Associations

International Farm Management Association
The Humane Farming Association
American Farmers Association

Business Plans and Financials

Research Reports For The Farm Management Svcs Industry
Industry Report - Crop Support Services In The US
Need help creating your business plans? Our planning software can help.
BizMiner Industry Financial, Market, and Competitive Analysis

Small Business Bookshelf (powered by Amazon)

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