How to Start a Self-Sufficient Farm

A small 5 acre farm is ideal for self-sufficient farming.

Setting up a self-sufficient farm can save you money and provide you with most of everything you need. Self-sufficient farming requires more labor than other farms, since the crops and animals both are taken care of by you and without the use of high-tech machinery or help from outside sources.

Things You'll Need

• Small 5 acre farm
• Solar panels
• Wind turbine
• Seeds (flowers, plants, fruit and vegetable)
• Gardening books
• Cows
• Chickens

Instructions

1. Purchase a small amount of land for farming, preferably less than five acres in size, according to the Countryfarm Lifestyles website. Small-scale farming requires no help in running.

2. Sign up for a gardening course which will help you identify tools to use in farming and how to preserve and grow fruit, vegetables and grain. Purchase a few gardening books for plant and flower maintenance for both indoor and outdoor gardening.

3. Purchase or build a greenhouse to house your more vulnerable crops such as tomatoes or grapes.

4. Grow your own vegetables and fruit. Start with just a few crops to help you through the learning process before planting an entire orchard. Use the seeds and roots to grow more crops. Use rotted or damaged pieces of fruit or vegetables as compost to help grow new fruit, vegetables and plants.

5. Learn to can and jar your own fruits and vegetables. This preserves them outside of their growth season.

6. Purchase a wind turbine to supply power for your farm and farm house. Also install solar panels, which will provide you with solar power.

7. Build your own chicken coops and raise chickens for egg production. Sell the eggs or eat them yourself. Chickens can also eat some of the small insects that infest crops.

8. Raise cattle for dairy production. Use the cow manure as fertilizer for the soil.

9. Feed your farm animals some of your vegetation and grain.

Tips & Warnings

• Small farms are sometimes referred to as micro-farms and mini-farms.

References

• Self Sufficiency Club: Self-Sufficient Farm Living
• Eco Valley Foundation: Self-Sufficient Farm Communities – A Real Answer to Global Crisis
• Country Farm Lifestyles: Mini Farms