Table of Contents
Preface x
1 Place
1 Introduction 3
Why Hobby Farming?
Slowly Farming
2 The Search for a Farm 9
Renting or Leasing
Location
Realtors and Other Resources
How to Look
Finding the Silver Lining
Evaluating a Farm's Water Profile
Zoning, Property Rights, and Easements
Taxes
Insurance
3 Your Farm 19
Where to Get Information
Wells, Springs, and Cisterns
Septic System
Generators
Heating with Stoves
Farm Safety
Guns and Hunting
Farm Equipment and Tools
Fencing
Gates and Cattle Guards
Outbuildings and Barns
Firewood
Ponds
2 Growing Things
4 Where and How to Garden 65
Garden/Farm Journals and Record Keeping
Our Gardening Philosophy
Soil Tests
Garden Placement
Garden Layout
Bed Preparation
Compost
Cover Crops
Weed Control and Soil Building
Pest and Disease Control
5 The Food Garden 85
Popular Crops and Best Practices
Crop Rotation
Growing Berries
Growing Mushrooms
6 The Flower Garden 107
Growing Flowers for a Cutting Garden
Planning and Constructing the Cutting Garden
How to Choose the Right Blooms for Your Farm
Elements of a Cutting Garden
7 Extending Your Growing Season 123
Growing for the Selling Season
Cold Frames
Row Covers
Hoop Houses and Greenhouses
3 The Care of Living Creatures
8 General Animal Care Basics 131
Our Philosophy of Raising Animals
Animal Care Basics
Where to Find Animals
What Do All Animals Need?
Preparing for Animals
9 Small Creatures for the Hobby Farm 141
Chickens
Honeybees
Dogs and Cats
10 Large Grazing Animals 169
Handling Large Animals
Shelter
Food
First-Aid
Dealing with Death
Donkeys
Llamas and Alpacas
Longhorn and Grass-fed Beef Cattle
Horses
4 Running Your Farm as a Business
11 Bringing it All Together 201
Bartering and the Farm Community
The Importance of Hobby Farming Businesses
Starting a Farm Business
12 The Farmer's Market and Other Sales Opportunities 209
What Will You Sell?
Market Management
Fees, Payment, and Sales Taxes
Establishing Your Farm Brand
Setup and Location
Selling to Retail Markets and Restaurants
Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs)
Websites and Social Media
Afterword 224
Resources 231
Bibliography 233
Acknowledgements 237
Index 239