Why Hobby Farming?

Hobby farming and some of the reasons for this movement For thousands of years farming and ranching were done at home, by the family that was to use the products of their own collaboration with the land. This continued until human ingenuity produced a rudimentary form of the division of labor, and farming began to be seen as a separate occupation just like woodworking or stone cutting. Please note that this is a drastic oversimplification, and there have always been self sufficient groups who raised their own food, and built their own homes. The modern tendency is to look at those groups as being subsistence level farmers, although that carries the wrong connotation. It is true that some people in some areas of the world eked out a bare living from the soil, and lived in what we might see as deplorable conditions, but it is equally true that some communities thrived while doing so. There is nothing wrong with this system, and there is nothing wrong with the modern division of labor model.

Why hobby farming?

So, why is hobby farming gaining such widespread popularity today? It is not that our farmers cant feed us. Quite the contrary. The American farmer has done a near miraculous job of feeding us and a lot of the rest of the world. The fact is, that with about 2 percent* of the population producing food, we have become obese as a society, and we suffer from the diseases once common only to kings and nobles! As sad as this may be, you have to applaud the ingenuity and genius of the American farmer. Gone are the days of the hayseed farmer once so erroneously depicted on screen. He never really existed. Had this characterization been true, our waste lines wouldnt be so large, and we wouldnt have such fascinating entertainment as The Biggest Loser. American farmers have been innovative and have adapted to many different situations with incredible genius. Todays farmer can often be found with computer controlled equipment metering his fertilizer and pest control applications through grids mapped out using global positioning systems for precision. Possible reasons for the home hobby farming movement: Much of the reason for this movement is to be found in economic conditions, the1960 s green revolution, and the even more recent green movement.

Economics
Economics are always a good reason to return to self sufficiency. Periodically we are reminded that we may be too dependent on a system which might fail in one way or another, and we move back to providing our own basics. Some hobby farmers do so for profit. Hobby farming for profit is a natural outgrowth of our entrepreneurial spirits, and can lead to some nice paydays if managed well. Whether it is to supplement the family income, or supplement the family diet, there is plenty of motivation.

The green revolution

The green revolution of the 1960 s initiated by the work of Dr. Norman Borlaug and his plant science work enabled starving people throughout the world to become self sufficient and avoided a global famine. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work, and according to the United Nations, was responsible for saving more lives than anyone in history. Since that time, famine in the world is no longer the result of poor food production capabilities, but has been the result of political engineering, rather than natural conditions. There was a backlash to this movement. Some have said that this created a world population explosion beyond what the resources of our planet can handle. The backlash which relates most to our topic is the reaction to what some have called Frankenfood. The fear of genetically modified foods has reach major proportions, and sent many back to growing their own using heirloom varieties.

The modern green movement

Partially due to the green revolution and the reactions to it, and partially due to other factors related to the fear of the overuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, organic gardening, and organic farming have taken the forefront in modern food production news. This has spawned a multimillion dollar industry here and abroad. This has also fostered a return to home food production, and encouraged micro farming for profit. *That is around 2% of our employed population. If this does not surprise you look at it this way, executive and managerial comprises 13%, and our sales force about 12%. We do seem to be a bit top heavy!

Companion Planting for Home Farming Native American companion planting methods for home farming
The ancients have stolen all our best ideas. A.T. Robertson A lot can be learned by studying the past. Modern people are obviously not the first organic farmers, and the lessons from the past can translate well into our own age. Ancient Native Americans and other early agrarian and semi agrarian societies developed farming techniques based on companion planting which still make sense today. Whether these developments occurred as a result of religious beliefs, or whether the religious beliefs were used to explain the method were developed as a result of the methods and a need to develop ideas to perpetuate this knowledge is a source of debate among modern thinkers, but either way, the fact that the methods exist, and work, is not in question. A common companion planting example is the method known as the 3 Sisters technique. We are not able to assign a precise age to this practice, or an exact time period when the terminology, and religious significance came into being, but it seems to have been widespread in a variety of Native American cultures since very early times. Similar practices have existed in other cultures, along with the pairing of foods that compliment each other in ways that science now understands as being necessary for the utilization of plant nutrients for the human body. Whether this combination came about for religious reasons, nutritional reasons, or agricultural reasons, or a combination of all may be a matter for cultural anthropology, but whatever the reason, the modern gardener can benefit from the practice in the same manner as his agrarian predecessors. The 3 Sister farming concept is very simple. Corn or maize is planted in a block for the purpose of self pollination. Vine, or pole beans are planted between the stalks, and squash are mixed into the garden providing living mulch.

Using the 3 Sisters farming method

All the normal methods for soil preparation, like adding and incorporating organic matter should be done in advance, and planting should begin after the danger of frost is past, and when night time low temperatures exceed 50 degrees.

  

Plant the corn in hills 5 feet apart, with 4 seeds per hill. When the corn reaches 4 inches, the plot should be weeded, and the beans should be planted, 4 per hill around the stalks. The squash should be planted at the same time as the beans, centered between the corn and beans, with 4 seeds per hill. The squash will need to be thinned to 2 per hill after they developed leaves.

The 4 seed planting process is similar to the old folk saying; one for the mouse, one for the crow, one to rot, and one to grow or some other variations of this old saying. The corn will develop ahead of the beans, providing a natural pole for the beans to grow onto. The beans will add nitrogen into the soil for use by the other crops, and the squash will provide a growing ground cover for shading out grass and weeds. The food produced from this garden is complimentary as well, with the beans, providing protein, carbohydrates from the grain, and mineral nutrients and oils from the squash for a well balanced meal. Companion planting and nutrition work well together on the table.

Starting a Backyard Farm

Home farming has come about as a result of the convergence of several different ideas related to economics, health and environment. Interestingly, it coincides with the emergence of another movement related to backyard native habitats, and minimal landscaping. Can these exist together? The answer is a rousing yes! In fact, starting a backyard farm may be the perfect answer to the resource hungry lawns to which we have grown accustomed!

Starting a backyard farm: Where do I begin?

Backyard farm planning
Well the best place to start anything is with some good solid planning. Determine what it is that you hope to accomplish and decide whether you have the resources to accomplish it, make adjustments, then set a plan in motion.

Backyard farming goals

If your goal is to add enough vegetables to the family table to avoid the vegetable aisle at the supermarket, you can accomplish that goal with a small area and a minimum of time. You might even be able to grow all you need in containers. If your goal is to have all you need, and sell enough of the excess to pay for the venture, even this can be accomplished without taking much more space, and time. If your goal is to produce enough food so that you never have to leave your own property again, this will take a more substantial investment in both space and time, and a commitment to a lot of work. Start with a goal in mind, make a plan to reach it based on good research, and move to the next stage.

Backyard farming resources

We have some great resource materials listed in the upper right hand of the sidebar. The resource page listed in the navigation section at the top of the site also contains some great information sources for the backyard farmer. Of course, we cant provide space for your backyard farm, but we can offer some great ideas on how to find space or make it.

Home Farming Ideas and opportunities

Home farming, it goes by several names, including micro farming, hobby farming, and in some cases, even just plain old gardening. Any way you slice it, it is about home food production. The fact is that this is nothing new. It has been in existence since man first scratched the ground with a stick and planted some seeds from his favorite plants, and began to domesticate animals for food production. In common with his ancient ancestors, the modern home farmer tends to be organic in his philosophy of growing fruits and vegetables, although he tends to be more urban or suburban than rural.

Home farming: Vegetables

Vegetable gardens are the thing that most people equate with home farming. It is possible to raise a substantial quantity of root crop vegetables, and top crop vegetables on a very small area of land, or even in containers. The smaller the area, and the more consistent the need for production, the more labor intensive it becomes. You may need to replant the minute that one crop becomes inviolable, and have the new crops already growing and ready to transplant. It takes some serious planning and preparation, but it works.

Home farming: Grains

Home grain farming may seem a little out of reach for the micro farmer. To produce enough wheat to feed an average family will require some serious acreage, but there are other options. Corn can be produced on minimum acreage in blocks, and a small block can produce enough grain for home use.

Home farming: Fruits

Fruiting vegetables are the easiest way to produce fruits for the home farmer with small acreage. Melons, cantaloupes, and strawberries can be grown in small areas, and can even go vertical. With a a little ingenuity and careful use of space, a reasonable quantity of food can be produce from small fruit trees, and fruiting vines like grapes. It is even possible to grow some small fruit trees in large containers.

Home farming: Animals

Depending on the size of your mini farm, you may be able to practice animal husbandry. You will need to have a serious amount of space, or a well designed barn if you intend to raise cows or goats for milk, or calves, goats, or pigs for meat production. The most common animals for small farms are chickens. Both chickens for egg production, and fryers can be raised in a relatively small space with careful management techniques, but a wider area for free range is preferred. Depending on your tastes and preferences, other small animals such as rabbits can also be raised for food production.

Home farming: Fish

If you own a pond or small lake of a quarter acre or more, you can practice the fine art of home fish farming. Fish farming presents a unique opportunity for the micro farmer to stretch his skills, and augment his diet. You may not be able to produce your favorite fish type, but you will be able to produce something for the table. If you like catfish, you are in luck, because they are easy to raise even in very small ponds. Tilapia might also be a good choice for home fish farms.

Organic Farming Pest Prevention Tips

Pest prevention for organic farms is really a matter of keeping your plants healthy. This is accomplished by taking a few steps that most organic farmers do instinctively. These 6 tips for pest prevention in organic farms can serve as a reminder for those who have been involved in organic farming for a while, and as a checklist if you are new to the craft. 1. Choose the right varieties. Choosing a variety of plant that is resistant to your local pests is a great first step in avoiding pest problems down the line. The right plants will favor insects which pollinate, and those that eat other insects. Talk to other gardeners and even your local county extension agent to learn what works and what doesnt in your area. 2. Group for water and sunlight. Some plants need more sunshine than others, some need wet conditions, some need dry. Grouping your plantings according to their elemental needs will go a long way toward keeping them healthy, and free of pests. 3. Water properly. Properly balanced watering according to the needs of the plant, will strengthens plants, while under watering weakens plants and makes insect attacks inevitable. Over watering can cause the same problems, and create a few new pest problems in the process. 4. Plant at the proper times if a plant is trying to grow in opposition to what its genetics are telling it to do, it will be weak and pest prone. Try to match your plantings with your season. 5. Improve soil structure Organic gardeners automatically have a head start on pest control, since organic gardening tends to have some aspects of pest prevention built-in to the process, due in large part to the emphasis on good soil structure. Loose, well aerated soil, with plenty of organic matter creates a healthy environment for plant roots 6. Balance soil fertility Good fertility leads to healthy plants, and healthy plants are less susceptible to pests. Overly lush, over fertilized plants are easy targets for garden predators, and under fertilized plants are weak and susceptible to unwanted insects.

Organic Farming Pest Control Methods

First, if you have a farm or garden, you will have pests. There is always some little critter looking for a free meal, and your luscious produce looks a lot like a buffet to many insects.

Pest control
Pest management can be broken down into 2 parts, the first of which is, or at least should be, pest prevention. The second is pest control. Prevention is always better than dealing with the aftermath. Control is what you do when you failed to prevent. We understand this with auto accidents, and disease, but often forget when it comes to our homes and gardens.

Pest prevention
Pest prevention for home organic farms is really a matter of keeping your plants healthy. This can be accomplished by:

     

Choosing the right varieties Grouping plants according to elemental needs Attention to the plants internal calendar Soil structure Soil fertility Soil moisture

If these factors are balanced, your plants will be healthier, and more disease and pest resistant, thus preventing the majority of pest problems. Failing this, or if other factors have conspired to bring on a pest invasion, or if some pests just managed to get through the prevention barrier, it may be necessary to resort to pest control.

Pest control types

Organic pest management methods are separated into 3 types, biological, and botanical and physical.

Biological
Biological pest control is one method suitable to organic farming. Biological pest controls include lady bugs, spiders, praying mantis, and other bugs that feed on the insects feeding on your garden.

Botanical
Botanical pest management agents are made from plant oils and naturally occurring pyrethrins. There are products available to target and safely kill unwanted pests, but like most commercial insecticides, they will kill beneficial insects as well, so caution should be exercised.

Physical
Physical pest control is the removal of pests by hand. This is often done with a stream of water, a net, or by picking the bugs from the plant using the fingers. This method is often slow and tedious, and may be impossible for very large home farms, but can be effective in many situations.

Balancing Organic Farming Elements

Balance in soil fertility and plant material
Balance in soil fertility is important for the healthy growth not only of the plants themselves, but also the soil microbes necessary for the continuation of proper soil structure and fertility. Organic growing involves the recycling of decaying plant material for soil structure and nutrients. Proper balance between the nitrogen needed for microbes to break down the decaying plant matter and the decaying plant matter itself must be maintained to continue the cycle.

Balance in variety
Variety in the insect world is needed. Insects that pollinate plants should be present in sufficient abundance pollinate the garden. Insects that eat other insects such as ladybugs, spiders, and the praying mantis perform pest control work. Some plant types ward off bugs with natural insecticides and repellents, and some, like sweet potatoes, even keep other plants and weeds away. Having a diverse selection makes success more likely.

Balance in varieties
Having the proper plant varieties, at the proper time, and in the proper places goes a long way toward the balance needed for successful organic produce production. Weak plants invite insects and disease, and plants grown out of season or in other situations that compromise their health will be susceptible. Balancing these factors is the key to organic farming for real people like us.