Evaluation of Resources Sustainable Small Acreage Farming & Ranching What are the possibilities?

Inventory of Resources You need to determine what you have… So you can see the possibilities of what you can do.

Human Resources, Skills & Interests Personal (and family) interests Personal (and family) interests Experience/skills that have prepared you for farming or other small acreage venture. Experience/skills that have prepared you for farming or other small acreage venture.

Your Financial Resources What you have in mind… What you can afford???

Look at your natural resources Land Land Vegetation Vegetation Water Water Climate Climate

Land Resources Soil Soil Soil types, textureSoil types, texture Organic matter contentOrganic matter content pHpH Vegetation Vegetation Timber areaTimber area Weed problem areasWeed problem areas

Water Resource considerations - Surface water (streams, creeks, or ponds) on your property? Surface water (streams, creeks, or ponds) on your property? Water rights for this surface water? Water rights for this surface water? Existing wells – Existing wells – Water capacity?Water capacity? Limitations on amount and type of usage?Limitations on amount and type of usage?

Climate considerations Growing season (first and last frost) Growing season (first and last frost) Minimum winter temperatures (hardiness zone) Minimum winter temperatures (hardiness zone) Precipitation Precipitation Micro climates Micro climates Winds Winds Sun – aspect and coverage Sun – aspect and coverage

Physical Resources Buildings – number, uses, condition Buildings – number, uses, condition Fencing – type, condition Fencing – type, condition Equipment – condition, uses Equipment – condition, uses Other?? Other??

Create a map of your property Helps you see the “whole” picture Helps you see the “whole” picture Identifies assets and problem areas Identifies assets and problem areas Allows you the option to look at different scenarios. Allows you the option to look at different scenarios.

Well Marshy Stream Weedy Septic Gate Fence Trees Legend Acres = 25 Animals: 6 cattle, 1 horse, 3 goats Pastures = 1 Months animals grazed = 9 Soils = sandy clay loam, silt Grasses present = T. fescue, orchard, clover, bent grass Weeds present = Canada Thistle, pigweed House Barn Property Map Manure pile Water trough Bare ground Barn

To include on your map Buildings – house, barns, shed, etc Buildings – house, barns, shed, etc Facilities – pastures, fences, wells, septic tanks, power lines, sewer lines, etc Facilities – pastures, fences, wells, septic tanks, power lines, sewer lines, etc Assets – existing vegetation, pastures, streams, ponds, irrigation features Assets – existing vegetation, pastures, streams, ponds, irrigation features Problems – easements, weed areas, etc. Problems – easements, weed areas, etc.

Resource evaluation includes knowing legal limitations: Water rights Water rights Regulations – federal, state, county, city Regulations – federal, state, county, city Zoning Zoning Other Other

State / Local Regulations Health regulations Health regulations Noxious weed laws Noxious weed laws Animal issues Animal issues Nuisance laws Nuisance laws Right to farm ordinances Right to farm ordinances Zoning issues Zoning issues CSU Extension

Zoning Issues limit or establish: The allowed uses for your land The allowed uses for your land The number and type of animals The number and type of animals A ratio of building to land A ratio of building to land Setbacks and/or easements within your zone Setbacks and/or easements within your zone

Other Resource Considerations Labor – availability, skills and expertise to contribute, potential sources for contact. Labor – availability, skills and expertise to contribute, potential sources for contact. Byproducts - If applicable, are there currently waste resources that could be turned to product? Byproducts - If applicable, are there currently waste resources that could be turned to product?

Market Resources Demographics of area Demographics of area Location of market outlets Location of market outlets Availability of processing Availability of processing

Community Resources Extension to help with production and marketing Extension to help with production and marketing NRCS, Soil & Water Conservation Districts can help with conservation NRCS, Soil & Water Conservation Districts can help with conservation Small Business Development Centers can help with business plans Small Business Development Centers can help with business plans Banks to consider loans Banks to consider loans

Summary Know what you have before making plans Know what you have before making plans Assess whole farm resources for current and future potential Assess whole farm resources for current and future potential Look at human, financial, natural, physical, market and community resources Look at human, financial, natural, physical, market and community resources