No matter who you are or where you live, there are plenty of good reasons to start your own small farm. Farms can be a lucrative business venture or simply a way to put fresh, homegrown food on your kitchen table. Even in the middle of Los Angeles, you can grow fruits and vegetables, keep livestock, and turn your small space into a successful hobby farm. However, there are a few things to consider before getting into urban agriculture. Here are three tips for starting a small urban farm.
Make Your Business Plan
Running a farm is a hard job, especially if you want to make any profits. Before you begin, you need a solid plan. The more you prepare for the business side of farming—budgeting, marketing, and so on—the easier it is to stay up and running for more than one season. And one of the best tips for starting a small urban farm is to set up potential buyers before you put your first seeds in the ground. You can join a farmers market, partner with local restaurants, or obtain the proper licenses to sell directly from your property.
Get Clever With Your Space
One of the challenges of urban farming is the tighter space. Traditional farms have acres upon acres of land to work with, but you have a single backyard. How do make the most of your space while giving your plants and animals room to flourish? Clever hacks like vertical gardening and hanging plants can expand the space you have. If you want livestock, look for smaller animals that don’t require as much space. Pygmy goats are a great way to get dairy without raising a full-sized goat or cow. Rabbits are popular livestock for their meat and fur. Alternatively, you can fill a coop with cute and friendly bantam chickens so you can sell meat and eggs. Smaller livestock are a great way to build experience and expand your farming skills even in a small space.
Navigate City Regulations
Small space isn’t the only challenge urban farmers face. You must also navigate the city’s laws and regulations. While a surprising number of urban areas allow residents to keep livestock, you should know all the details about these rules. For example, though hens are popular among urban farmers, roosters are less welcome in most areas. Learn the rules of your area and obtain any necessary permits. This will ensure that your farm stays compliant with the city and respectful to your fellow residents.
