Hobby Farm Enterprise - Experience Is Important

Starting A Hobby Farm Enterprise

 

The idea of developing a new and often novel hobby enterprise can lead to much excitement and frenetic activity soon after purchasing the farm. It is easy to get carried away with the excitment and run into the activities without careful planning.

 

Experience Is Important

 

In most cases the availability of money is an important issue and hence rushing forward can be a costly affair.

 

Unless one has had considerable experience working in a chosen field, for example - a plant nursery worker may have run and operated a business for the owner for many years and be fully prepared to establish such an enterprise on the farm, one should approach any new enterprise with caution.

 

Be Prepared For Hard Work

 

Quite often an enterprise will be developed slowly and worked on weekends or after retirement from a full time job. A wise option is to start with a small scale.

 

Since there is an endless array of possible enterprises, generalizations need to be made. However, the basics will always apply;

 

Budget For Initial Investments

 

Plants need to be matched to their physical requirements such as soil or the growing media, climate, water quality and availability, wind and extremes of temperature. Highly perishable crops often require extra treatment during harvest.

 

Aspects related to packaging, storage, transport and marketing must be investigated. When dealing with issues related to birds, flying foxes, vermin and insect damage, disease control can be an expensive requirements. Initial investment is usually heavey on fruit plantings. It can be highly costly if time is wasted on trying out plant varieties and understanding plant culture.

 

Market Condition And Competition

 

Research regarding the supply and number of local or overseas competitors growing a similar crop should be undertaken. Market timing may be adverse during harvest and nothing is more disheartening than to receive a return way below the cost of production. During harvest, same marketing principles would apply for all plants and flowers. The distance from markets can also be an important factor - should you want to set up a farm stall, then passing trade is needed and time is required dealing with customers who want to chat for long periods.

 

Local Regulations And Law Compliance

 

Animal production has its own unique and general requirements. Check with local council on environmental related laws, especially on noise and odours. When considering hobby enterprise, animals requires closer attention than plants. Animal farming can be costly on medicines and vaccines, especially if a vet is needed in the case of large animals. Livestock can be attacked by wild and domestic dogs, snakes, people or may even be stolen. Local council laws may require fencing and housing to be in place.

 

Logistics, Marketing And Other Considerations

 

Transport and marketing issues will also need investigation as with plants.

 

Once the research is done then issues such as insurance and the availability of capital need to be resolved, not to mention you general health and determination to overcome obstacles. An ability to negotiate change and unforeseen circumstances is required. It will be a great bonus to be able to deal with people and government agencies. Make an informed decision upon thorough research.

 

Remember, some people have become quite successful having started out with a small enterprise on a hobby farm

 

Wishing you every success, and the best of luck!