Hobby Farms

History

Hobby farming, or small-scale niche agriculture, is a broad umbrella term for any traditional farming activity that is undertaken more for pleasure than for profit. In its broadest sense, it can encompass aquaculture, small-scale beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, viticulture, and other agricultural specialties, although it more commonly refers to raising chickens, rabbits, sheep, or other farm animals, or growing fruits and vegetables, often to support another hobby. For example, a cook who makes specialty salsa might grow tomatoes and hot peppers, a knitter might raise sheep or alpacas, and the crafter who enjoys making dried arrangements might specialize in growing plants with special textures. Animals can also be bred for pets or for show or be raised for their eggs, meat, pelts, oils, or other by-products.

As with commercial farming, hobby farming used to be limited to rural communities, where 4-H clubs and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) cultivated talents and skills and where county fairs served as showcases for farm crafts. The term "gentleman farmer" came to refer to the owner of the country estate where small-scale farming was often equated with the more "refined" hobbies of wine making or horseback riding. During the 1960s, the back-to-nature movement and its emphasis on homesteading revived an interest in beekeeping, raising chickens, and "living off the land." In recent years, however, hobby farming has been moving into urban and suburban communities as the local, fresh food movement gains momentum and people desire more control over food production. Globalization and the emphasis on worldwide travel have incited new interest in the food of other cultures and exotic plants and animals, such as emu or Nigerian dwarf goats. Traditional crafts and hobbies, including canning, knitting, and soap making, and interest in gourmet foods and condiments, including artisanal breads or specialty vinegars, have spawned the challenge of producing such items from scratch. Many people also take up hobby farming simply as a way to enjoy nature or connect with animals, whether growing a garden to attract birds and butterflies or raising rabbits for show or as pets. Hobby farming has also been gaining interest as a means for supplementing income or retirement funds during a period of economic downturn.

Animals

• Suitable housing or shelter (with heating and cooling systems, if necessary)
• Fencing

• Food, water, and feeding equipment
• Litter and soiled litter removal tools
• Cleaning supplies and tools
• Grooming and bathing tools
• Medical supplies
• Additional tools for shearing, skinning, butchering, and other processes
• Incubators
• Carrying cages or trailers for transporting

Plants

• Gardening tools
• Watering system
• Soil conditioners such as peat moss, fertilizer, or compost
• Insecticides or organic pest control products
• Wheelbarrow or garden cart
• Greenhouses, cold frames, and/or containers
• Fencing and/or raised-bed frames
• Trellises, tomato cages, or other supports for climbing plants
• Tool shed

Things to Look For

All plants and animals purchased from nurseries or breeders should be free of pests and diseases and be healthy. Novices should consult experts for advice about buying specific animals, as each breed has both desirable and objectionable characteristics. When applicable, buyers should also consider whether the animal is good for breeding, has been vaccinated, is at ease with people, is compatible with other animals, or will be comfortable in the space available. Pedigrees should come with proper paperwork. When selecting a crop, gardeners should consider the soil type, available sunlight, climate, zoning, drainage, and other factors.

Time

Raising animals typically requires time for daily feedings and for routine grooming, exercising, cleaning cages or shelters, and other chores. Raising animals for slaughter or breeding purposes is a long-term investment. Crops typically require blocks of time for soil preparation, planting, and harvesting, as well as a few hours each week during the growing season for pruning, weeding, fertilizing, watering, and other chores. Some seeds can take two or three years to produce plants or flowers, while maple trees can take decades before they yield maple syrup. Likewise, nut and fruit trees may take several years to produce.

Trends

Hobby farming has soared among retirees who still have plenty of energy for other productive activities. Farming has grown among women and, to a certain extent, among younger millennials and older generation Z members. Many have chosen to convert their suburban or urban backyards into productive minifarms rather than investing in expensive rural property. The trendiest animals tend to be exotic, such as emus and llamas, and a number of plants are grown to produce trendy homemade beauty products, gourmet vinegars, hot sauces, chutneys, and other processed foods often sold at farm markets and gift shops. Heirloom plants are also gaining in popularity, as are butterfly gardens, tea gardens, and other themed gardens.

Perhaps the greatest trend in the 2000s and 2010s was to add a chicken coop and a few chickens to the backyard; along with that trend, however, came a greater risk of salmonella infection from improper handling as well as the increasingly common practice of abandoning chickens when the birds stopped laying after a couple of years.

In the late 2010s, agritourism, foraging for wild foods, and hop growing all become more common. Drone technology, sensors, and smartphone applications for high-tech agricultural monitoring were also introduced around this time. At the same time, small-scale farmers have also taken to retrofitting older agricultural equipment with newer technology, such as electrifying gas tractors, and adopting traditional tools and practices like wheel hoes that are effective and well-suited to their farm size.

Hobby Farming for Fun vs. Profit

For those seeking to make a profit, the size and scale of an operation is usually indicative of its possible financial return. A backyard hen house might supply enough eggs for a neighbor or two, but those looking for a greater return will need to invest in more hens and, thus, more supplies, food, and time, if not additional land. The jump from a self-sufficient hobby to profit-making business may require additional training in marketing, finances, and business management. An aspiring for-profit farmer should learn about any applicable land-use or food regulations and relevant tax implications. Farmers' markets, fairs, craft shows, community-supported agriculture programs or food hubs, and other local outlets can be good places to get started selling homemade and homegrown products.

Learning More

Books

Aubrey, Sarah Beth. The Profitable Hobby Farm: How to Build a Sustainable Local Foods Business. Hoboken: Howell, 2010. Print.

Bernstein, Sylvia. Aquaponic Gardening: A Step-By-Step Guide to Raising Vegetables and Fish. Gabriola Island: New Society, 2011. Print.

Levatino, Michael, and Audrey Levatino. The Joy of Hobby Farming. New York: Skyhorse, 2011. Print.

Nelson, Melissa. The Complete Guide to Small-Scale Farming: Everything You Need to Know about Raising Beef and Dairy Cattle, Rabbits, Ducks, and Other Small Animals. Ocala: Atlantic, 2010. Print.

Weaver, Sue. Llamas & Alpacas: Small-Scale Camelid Herding for Pleasure and Profit. Irvine: Hobby Farm, 2009. Print.

Woginrich, Jenna. Chick Days: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens from Hatchlings to Laying Hens. North Adams: Storey, 2010. Print.

Magazines

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Small Farm Today