Curricula - Hobbies
Farming
An Interview with Martha R.
How did you get started? I spent my teen years on a farm. Prior to that we had a small amount of land (1-2 acres) and had animals and a garden. A few years ago we bought a larger tract of land so we could have cattle. Why do I call it a hobby? Most people do not have the land or time to make it a profitable full-time job.
What materials and costs are involved? You can farm on any amount of land -- even a city lot. You do have to check city/county ordinances to make sure that you won't get complaints and visits from law enforcement! Start with a garden. You can do a container garden in buckets or do a raised garden bed. If animals are allowed, you could raise a few rabbits, chickens, or other small animals. One goat can provide milk. Of course, if you have more land, you can get a milk cow. Costs -- You need a shelter for the animals to protect them from predators and weather. That would involve fencing and a locked stall or pen for night. Goats and cows need grass, grain, hay, or other things to eat. Chickens eat table scraps and peelings/waste from the kitchen or grain. (Seriously, chickens will eat almost anything.) A garden has really minimal costs -- just seeds, fertilizer, and containers.
How does it bless you or others? It is always a blessing to work with the land and with animals. Our animals provide fresh, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat, eggs, and milk for us and for our customers. Farming does not pay in money. It's really something that you just get by with; however, the rewards of knowing that your food is healthful and that you are helping others eat well are tremendous! And if anything happens with the food supply in this country, we'll still be eating!
How would a young person find out more about this? Find a farm near you and ask if you can volunteer to work with them or do an apprenticeship. Most farms don't have money to hire you. (Maybe you'll get lucky on that!)
