In hindsight, I absolutely wish I knew more about farmland when I purchased my first farm property. A handful of knowledge and sage input from seasoned farmers in the family was helpful to have, just not enough to completely understand the ins and outs of what we were acquiring and how to judge if it would be the best place for us.
The land looked lovely with two nice pastures, a fenced-in garden and a picturesque creek. Fortunately, it has turned out to be an ideal location for our farming purposes but has certainly had it share of surprises!
Picking up a copy of Finding Good Farmland: How To Evaluate and Acquire Land for Raising Crops and Animals would have been the best investment we could have made. This handy guide takes the guess-work out of matching farm property to your specific needs.
Whether you are seeking a reliable supply or clean water, good drainage, or the right soil for farming, author and long-time organic farmer Ann Larkin Hansen offers comprehensive details on how to conduct your search.
You’ll also find plenty of practical advice on the best locations for livestock, building assessment and even funding.
One of my favorite features in the guide is the reminder to check out the neighborhood. We often get so caught up in the beauty of our location, that we don’t seek out information regarding riding trails, environmental restrictions, ordinances and other helpful information to making our purchase decisions.
Whether you are seeking new property or would simply like a thorough understanding of the farm property you already own, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Finding Good Farmland. It’s definitely a keeper on my Rural Mom bookshelf!
Thanks to Storey Publishing for providing a preview copy to help facilitate this conversation. All thoughts and opinions are that of Rural Mom.
