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Thinking About Starting a Farm?

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Thinking about quitting your ‘real job’ to become a farmer? There are a lot of considerations you need to keep in mind before you move to Maine and buy a farmhere are a few of the things you should process before you purchase:
The Startup Costs: Aside from any land and housing you buy there’s going to be a lot of STUFF. From farm equipment to your utilities you need to think about things like water usage, ENERGY SAVINGS and even what types of animals you’ll want.
The Seasons: Farming is totally unpredictablewhat if you have a dry year or all your crops get lost to a disease? You’ve got to have enough savings to get you through the hard times before you ever make a movethink about that before you buy.
The Work: Farming is literally a 24-hour a day job. When the sun goes down you’re still worrying about your land and when it’s up, well, you are too. Figure out if you and your family are willing to make that kind of commitment before you jump.

The Pros And Cons Of Farmers Markets

admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Farmers markets are not a new concept to selling vegetables, meat produce or fruits. This kind of marketing has been in existence for many years and are a vital way for farmers to make an income. These markets are found all over the world. The operation can be a small or one that has many members. There are both pros and cons to consider. Here are just a few positive thoughts when considering buying from a farmers market. (1) The produce and goods sold are fresh and can be bought in bulk for a reasonable cost. (2) Selling is on a personal level and a gives both the buyer and farmer an opportunity to develop a friendship. (3) Money earned stays in the community and value of the commuinity is increased. There are negatives also. (1) If small purchases are made it may be more feasible to buy at the local grocery store. This is especially true if a person is single or a couple has no children. (2) There are instances where a farmer may purchase items at the store and try to sell them as his own. (3) Strict rules for pricing or labeling meat are not enforced.

Products That Keep The Pests Away From Your Crop

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you have a garden, you need to know how to keep pets away from your crops. There are several ways to keep unwanted mammals, insects and other assorted pests away from your crops. The most common way for a farmer to control pests is to use insecticides. A small gardener may use insecticides as well. The amount of insecticide used by the farmer and the small gardener will differ greatly. The power and method of delivery will vary as well. Some people do not like using chemicals in their garden.The whole story can be found at http://www.fastcompany.com/1783853/a-solar-powered-alternative-to-insecticides They want to use organic products instead.

One of the most common used organic means of controlling insects is the use of friendly insects. The organic uses may include friendly plants that are known to repel certain insects. The idea of using friendly insects is to keep the population of the insects that harm your crop down. Nematodes and ladybugs are two types of insects that are known to prey on the harmful insects.

There are many different types of friendly insects that can be used in the a small garden. Organic farmers will use these methods on a much larger scale. Using organic methods takes time and practice.

The Best Online Programs For Farm Management

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Farm management is critical in establishing effective operations of the farming environment. The best on-line programs provide education in the way of management of crops which allow the agricultural professional to reduce the risk of crop failure. The latter topic is particularly important knowledge during volatile economic periods. Sources, too, should be considered in the way of (properly) insuring your farm’s assets inclusive of farming equipment, crops, and livestock.

A place to begin in becoming organized in the process of farm management is finding a software solution right for your operation. The best solution is specific to the entirety of the operation. In other words, it provides flexibility as to use, and is highly relevant to the farming operation as a whole. Suffice it to say, not having the proper software in place will make it a great deal more difficult in organizing the farming operation. Probably, one of the first tasks you need to perform when addressing farming operations is to find a satisfactory software solution.

Also, it is advised you find venues where you may properly market your agricultural products. The latter is yet another aspect of proper farm management. Web casts and other farm management materials are availalbe on-line; so a wealth of knowledge regarding the subject is readily attainable. The preceding resources make it possible for you to determine the best programs relative to your agricultural, operational requirements.More info here: Weeds are vital to the existence of farmland species, study finds

How To Become A Great Organic Farmer

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

With all the scares of E.Coli, added growth hormones and pesticides, you never really know what you’re going to get when you pick out your food. The best option is to grow your own food organically. If you’ve never done this and are looking for some pointers, here are some great things to consider.

Choose an area: Find an area in your yard that makes a great space for gardening. This area should be well drained, get a lot of sun and be safe from destructive creatures.

Use compost: In order to give your soil the nutrients it needs, adding leftover food and turning it into compost is a great idea. This helps your plants grow strong and provide more food.

Water regularly: In order for plants to grow, make sure they’re getting enough water. Whether you rely on the rain or the hose to water them, make sure they don’t get too dry.

No sprays: For your produce to be organic, it must have no sprays, chemicals or anything artificial added to it.

Read books: To get even more tips, read books from the pros themselves.

As you can see, there are some easy ways to learn how to become a great organic farmer. Like anything, it will take practice, but at least you know you’re eating healthy and safe food.Want to know more? Go ahead: Composting 101: An Eco-Friendly Option for Organic Waste