Hobby Farms and Green Lifestyles
Greenhouse for collection of potted plants.
These pots are resting on a gravel base which provides drainage and warmth.
What is a home-based Hobby Farm?
A hobby farm is not a moneymaker but is meant to be an addition to your landscape and lifestyle. Otherwise, it would be considered a business and not a hobby. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service does not provide tax breaks for hobby greenhouses or goat sheds. Talk to your tax advisor about section 183 of the tax code for more on this.
But there are other benefits. For one it could be an excellent educational tool for all, including children, grandkids, and a combined family effort. Or it could enhance your home with beautiful flower arrangements that you offer to friends. Or maybe it is to improve your diet with fresh greens and other vegetables. Do remember to be sure that local ordinances and zoning will allow what this endeavor will require in your neighborhood.
Ponies on a hobby farm.
Types of Hobby Farms
There are essentially two general categories, livestock, and plants. From there, it is nearly endless choices depending and the niche you pick. The geographical location you live in dramatically defines what can be done and at what expense. Begin by listing what interests you and what can be done geographically and locally where you are. Then begin a list of what would be required for both materials and structures.
For Livestock Hobby Farms, the size of the critter affects everything. Because of this farms with chickens and ducks are popular Hobby Farm plans to hatch. Luxury Chicken coops are available with descriptives like Chick Chateau, Charming Hen Cottage, and so on. Ducks can get their floating versions ordered with a Duck Palace or Quack Yacht. Both chickens and ducks have many species, and some can get quite exotic in their egg colors and feathers. Others are known more for their reliability in egg production and ease of maintenance. Alternatively, fowl can be raised as juvenile nursery stock to sell to other hobby farm enthusiasts.
Larger livestock could include miniature horses, pigs, sheep, and goats to start. (Caution if you mix too many, it could become more like a petting zoo.) Miniature horse stables come complete with smaller windows, paddocks, and cute tack rooms. By staying with one species, you can customize housing, feed, and all other needs. Not to mention care would be much simpler if you were focused on one species.
Vegetables, ornamental plants, and more crops.
Again, your geographic location will determine what to raise. Seasonal climates and light levels are all essential to consider. Specialty products may require a particular greenhouse or garden design. After researching what crop to raise is complete, think about what you might enjoy for food, decoration, or more.
The variety of crops could be what you grow well already and then add a specialty spin on it. Automatic irrigation means electricity, a pump, and a water source. If located in cold temps, this will require a heat source and hot weather, cooling, and ventilation. Your choices range widely, but you could specialize just in herbs or heirloom carrots and beets. Or you could focus on more unusual crops like mushrooms, hops, or those specializing in specific flower species like orchids, African violets, bromeliads, fern, and more. For the collector and raising special plant varieties, you could build a plant conservatory off the home.
Any sales to the public will require special licensing and certification, and again that is a business, not a hobby.
For storing your garden harvests, the hobby farm plans can include a private cheese cave or root cellar. The choices are unlimited but keep it simple to start, and grow from there.
With In Green Living, Joni Keefe shares nature-based design choices for buildings, urban greenspaces, and Interior Design. Her interests follow Real Estate & housing sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly building products, and the latest trends in green design. She is a published writer with design work featured in national publications, this is her newsletter.