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Evaluation of Resources

Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching. Evaluation of Resources. 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

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Evaluation of Resources

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  1. Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching Evaluationof Resources What are the possibilities?

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

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

  4. Your Financial Resources What you have in mind… MS clipart What you can afford???

  5. Understanding your financial resources Click on image to start video

  6. Understanding your financial resources Click on image to start video

  7. Look at your natural resources • Land • Vegetation • Water • Climate MS clipart

  8. Land Resources • Soil • Soil types, texture • Organic matter content • pH • Vegetation • Timber area • Weed problem areas MS Clipart

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

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

  11. Climate Considerations Click on image to start video

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

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

  14. Provided by Living on the Land, Western SARE PDP

  15. Provided by Living on the Land, Western SARE PDP

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

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

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

  19. State / Local Regulations • Health regulations • Noxious weed laws • Animal issues • Nuisance laws • Right to farm ordinances • Zoning issues Click on image to start video CSU Extension

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

  21. Other Resource Considerations • 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? • Liability - Click on image to start video

  22. Market Resources • Demographics of area • Location of market outlets • Availability of processing

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

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

  25. Credits Presentation developed by Cultivating SuccessTM: Sustainable Small Farms Education. Photos provided by Cultivating SuccessTM staff, unless otherwise noted. Video segments taken from: “Affinity Farm: A Small-Acreage Farm Shares Strategies” produced by Ben Troka, University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Copywrite 2005, University of Idaho. “Meadowlark Farm: A Case Study of a Small-Acreage Farm” produced by Ben Troka, University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Copywrite 2005, University of Idaho. “Riley Creek Blueberry Farm: A Case Study of a Small-Acreage Farm” produced by Ben Troka, University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Copywrite 2002, University of Idaho Extension. “Nothing But Herbs: A Case Study of a Small-Acreage Farm” produced by Ben Troka, University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Copywrite 2001, University of Idaho Extension.

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