Micro farms are popping up across the country at an unprecedented rate. Many are located in urban or suburban areas that lack open acreage but these farmers would argue that operating a profitable farm doesn’t necessarily require a huge amount of land.
How Does It Work?
Micro farms are typically under 5 acres in size but can produce a surprisingly high yield of crops relative to their size. Most focus on short season crops like baby spinach or rocket which can be re-sown multiple times in one season using the same plot of land.
Other successful micro farmers target niche markets or luxury products and are on the pulse of local tastes and demands. Growing popular herbs or gourmet mushrooms takes up relatively little space and these can fetch high prices when marketed effectively.
Transforming a small plot of land into a successful farming business is undoubtedly a challenge. Micro farmers need to embrace the latest farming technology and invest time in planning to boost their productivity and generate profits.
Launching a Micro Farm:
The costs of launching a microfarming business are a fraction of those associated with a traditional, larger scale agricultural operation. The purchase price of the land is typically much lower due to the smaller size of the plot. The outlay for machinery is also vastly reduced since smaller plots can largely be managed by hand and with hand tools rather than major machinery.
Of course, there are some drawbacks to micro farming businesses too. The process can often be very labour intensive. There is a limit to how much can be grown in a small area and there may be a shortage of experienced agricultural workers, particularly for urban farms. However, with advances being made in the fields of hydroponics and vertical growing, microfarming looks set to remain a growth area in the agricultural industry.
