Do you long for the country life? Get back to nature and feel your toes in the dirt with this friendly guide to a new farming lifestyle
Don't know the first thing about how to handle the basics of small-scale farming, from growing healthy crops to raising livestock and managing your property? Hobby Farming For Dummies is the no-nonsense guide you need to decide what to farm, find the right piece of property, set up utilities, select plants and livestock, protect your investment, and so much more.
You'll get a realistic look into what it really means to move from your current lifestyle to a life farming in the countryside, starting with figuring out if the farming lifestyle is right for you. From what you need to know about maintaining country property to how to access a power supply, you’ll get help with major decisions of hobby farming:
Whether you're better off with subsistence farming or a more ambitious project Which outbuildings you'll need for shelter and storage What tools are best for various types of farm labor Which animals you want to raise and care for Where to buy the land and how to acquire it
This comprehensive and user-friendly guide also shows you how to:
Avoid common farming pitfalls Choose plans for your farm Get along with your neighbors Maintain your equipment and machinery Raise and care for animals, including caring for sick or injured animals Get creative by turning fiber into scarves and making cheese or yogurt Enrich your soil with manure and compost Reap the benefits of preserving fruits and vegetables
Additionally, you can read about opportunities for fun in country communities and the top ten misconceptions about farm living. Grab a copy of Hobby Farming For Dummies and discover how you can live the simple life.
By:
Theresa A. Husarik
Imprint: John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 183mm,
Spine: 28mm
Weight: 544g
ISBN: 9780470281727
ISBN 10: 0470281723
Pages: 388
Publication Date: 25 July 2008
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction 1 Part I: Hobby Farms 101 7 Chapter 1: Heading for the Country 9 Chapter 2: Before Taking the Plunge: Is This the Life for You? 19 Chapter 3: Finding Your Place in the Sun 33 Chapter 4: Getting Along with Your Neighbors 49 Part II: Down on the Farm: Getting Your Property in Order 63 Chapter 5: Getting Out of the House: Outbuildings and Enclosures 65 Chapter 6: Gearing Up with the Right Tools, Clothes, and Equipment 77 Chapter 7: Saving, Using, and Making Power on the Farm 101 Chapter 8: Managing and Accessing Your Land and Natural Resources 115 Part III: Calling In the Critters: What’s a Farm without Animals? 133 Chapter 9: What Kinds of Critters Should You Get? 135 Chapter 10: Acquiring Animals for Your Farm 165 Chapter 11: Caring for and Feeding Your Animals 177 Chapter 12: Critter Care: Providing Medical Attention for Your Animals 197 Part IV: Choosing and Growing Plants and Crops 215 Chapter 13: Deciding What and How Much of It to Grow 217 Chapter 14: Getting Those Plants Started 241 Part V: Using the Fruits of Your Labor 259 Chapter 15: Preserving and Using Food Items 261 Chapter 16: Where’s the Beef? From Hoof to Table 281 Chapter 17: Preparing Fiber and Making Crafty Goods 287 Chapter 18: Dealing with the Less Desirable Stuff 307 Part VI: The Part of Tens 317 Chapter 19: Ten Opportunities for Community Fun 319 Chapter 20: Ten Misconceptions about Farm Living 327 Part VII: Appendixes 333 Appendix A: Helpful Resources 335 Appendix B: Glossary 343 Index 351
Theresa A. Husarik is a writer, photographer, crafter, fiber person, and animal lover who lives on a small plot far away from the heart of the city. When she is not tending to her brood (which includes llamas, alpacas, angora goats, cats, dogs, peacocks, and chickens), she can usually be found either behind the computer writing something or in the craft room making something.
