So, you have decided to venture away from the busting city life and give it a go out in the country. It really isn't all that uncommon these days, as more and more individuals, couples and families are beginning to head to rural areas to make a living on the farm. Whether you are looking to take up gardening, canning or take a hand at the cattle business, you are going to need some land. Here are a few things to consider before packing your bags and buying a farm:
What Will You Do with the Farm?
Before you decide to buy a farm, you must first think about its purpose. What will you use the farm for? Will you use it primarily for gardening and/or residential use? Are you going to put livestock on it? Do you plan to use the farm to make a living? If you are planning to live off of the farm, then you ultimately need to be able to have something that you can sell each week, such as eggs, hay, cattle, wool, etc.
The great thing about farms is that they can almost always be multi-purpose, but it is important that you determine what you are going to do with it ahead of time rather than purchase it and make a plan later.
How Much Land Do You Need?
Once you have decided the purpose of the land, you will need to figure out how much land you need to purchase. If you decide to raise animals, you will need to base the acreage off of them and the number of animals that you intend to keep at one time. For example, according to the National Resources Conservation Science, you would need 20 acres of pasture for 11, 1,200-pound cows. With the right balance of rotation, you may be able to go with a little less acreage per cow.
Are There Property Amenities and Structures?
Depending on the animals that you are raising, you will probably need to consider whether or not the property already comes with amenities and/or structures. If they don't, there is a good chance that you will need to budget accordingly since you will need to add them. Amenities include things that potable water for the animals to drink and at least one pond for the livestock to take a dip in.
As for structures, you will need somewhere for your vehicles and equipment to be stored, not to mention the possibility of chicken coops, horse barns, etc., depending on the animals that you intend on raising. The more structures that are present on the property when you buy it, the easier it will be for you to start making a living.
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