What is a hobby farm?
The precise definition of hobby farming can vary depending on factors including the hobby farmer’s business objectives and the size, makeup and output of each specific hobby farm. Numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2012 Census show that almost 40 percent of farms in the country generated annual incomes of less than $2,500, with over half of the estimated two million farms reporting income other than farming as their primary revenue source. By this definition, hobby farming is an activity on the rise as rural land usage is shared among secondary farming activities, recreational activities like hunting as well as residential property development. In addition, with the rise in popularity of the farm-to-table and sustainable food movements, hobby farming is something embraced by everyone from urban agriculturists with chickens in their backyard to local farmers producing meat, cheese and vegetables for sale in your neighborhood farmers’ market.
Exact definitions aside, however, hobby farming involves the operation of a farm of some shape, sort and size, where the property owner’s principal income is not derived through farming activities. And with the increasing number of urban dwellers purchasing rural land as either their primary or secondary residence, or as investment property, hobby farms are increasingly part of the 21st-century country landscape.
See all land with hobby farms for sale
Should I start a hobby farm?
Let’s be clear, hobby farming is no whimsical undertaking. Successful hobby farming requires research, investment, time and commitment. What kind of livestock will you raise, and does your property have the right kind of shelter, soil and pasture for breeding and taking care of these animals? What are your property’s water sources and are they adequate to meet the needs of your livestock or food crop? What are the tax implications on the income-producing side of your new hobby-farming adventure? How much time—and money—are you willing to invest to ensure your hobby farm is both sustainable and successful? What will your neighbors think of having a field full of goats or chickens next door? What will local officialdom think, and are there municipal or county restrictions specific to animal husbandry on your land?
With all these (and more) questions answered, the rewards of hobby farming are clear: the joys of maintaining and working your land; the chance to produce farm-fresh food that goes on your table or can be sold to the community; an additional income source to help pay down the cost of your land purchase over time. To name but a handful!
I’m ready to start my hobby farm. What’s next?
As mentioned above, the keys to starting a hobby farm are research followed by commitment. As with anything these days, the Web is full of good (and not-so good) advice. Here are some helpful resources to get you started:
- HobbyFarms.com
- Guide to Starting a Small Hobby Farm (Southern States)
- 10 Tips for Starting Your Hobby Farm (About.com)
- 2016 Farmer’s Tax Guide (Internal Revenue Service)
Let us know in the comments section if you run a hobby farm, plus share your thoughts about your experiences with hobby farming!
