More and more people are investing in their properties and starting farms to grow their own foods and crops.
This article will go over everything you need to start your own urban farm.
Here’s How To Start Your Own Urban Farm
When you think of urban farming, perhaps a person with denim overalls and a cowboy hat comes to mind, but that’s not reality. Urban farming is something that everyday people — teachers, doctors, tradesman and tradeswomen — engage in.
The reasons why you may be interested in urban farming include:
- An interest in sustainability
- A desire to eat organic foods
- A desire to support locally sourced fruits and vegetable producers
This article will tell you the ins and outs of urban farming and whether it’s worth it. We’ll start with the basics and work our way to everything you need to know to start your first crop in your own yard.
What Is Urban Farming?
Urban farming refers to growing, tilling or working a small plot of land either for commercial gain, as a hobby or for agricultural or horticultural reasons. The “urban” part of urban farming doesn’t have to mean that you farm in the big city. You can do it anywhere.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold across America in March 2020, people have taken a renewed interest in urban agriculture. But which parts of farming are you truly interested in?
Urban farming basically covers two segments of agriculture:
- Gardens
- Farms
Let’s talk about both of these aspects of urban farming to get a better understanding.
Gardens
Across places like metro Atlanta, gardening has become one of the favorite pastimes in the pandemic.
Plant nurseries and home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s have experienced a boom in sales as more people look to beautify their yards with blooms and shrubs.
There is also a movement to build and maintain community gardens throughout Atlanta. Here’s a list of some community gardens in Atlanta.
Top Community Gardens In Atlanta
- Cabbagetown Community Garden
- Blue Heron Nature Preserve
- Gilliam’s Community Garden
- Grove Park Community Garden
- Little Nancy Creek Park Community Garden
- Stone Mountain Community Garden
If you want to join a community garden, you can sign up by doing research on the organization that sponsors it. To find a community garden near you, visit CommunityGarden.org.
Farms
Community farming has also become a social movement across many neighborhoods. It used to be a rare sight for the neighbors to have chicken eggs or cow’s milk for sale, but that’s no longer the case!
Atlanta is the site of the nation’s largest food forest, which is largely maintained and serviced by volunteers.
Other private farms are looking to align with like-minded people to collaborate on food and soil projects.
“We are working hard to train more urban growers to help us produce an abundance of fresh food for the community during this time,” according to the website of Gilliam’s Community Farm. The Gilliams operate a three-acre farm on Atlanta’s west side.
Here are some urban farms you need to know about in Atlanta:
How Much Do Farmers Make A Year?
The average urban farm brings in less than $54,000 a year, according to a survey from the British Food Journal.That figure includes Europe and North America.
For perspective, 75% of U.S. farms pull in less than $50,000 a year in sales, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
That may not be a lot of money for all the effort it will take, but we’ll talk about that later.
Is Urban Farming Expensive?
You may be wondering if urban farming is an expensive endeavor. When you add up the supplies you need to get started with a farm it can be very costly.
You could pay $500 to $800 for supplies, but spend up to $15,000 on land improvements, so it just depends.
Speaking of land, do you happen to have one to five acres of your own Georgia red clay, or do you need to buy it?
As you may know, unless you’ve inherited some heirs property, getting your hands on a viable piece of land could be difficult.
Still, don’t let that deter you. Georgia has plenty of cheap land you can use for your farm.
You also want to consider what natural features the land has. Does it have a creek or ravine trenching through it? Is there a pasture area? Is it hilly or in a flood zone? These are all questions you will need to know.
Places To Look For Cheap Land
Because of its climate, Georgia is an especially fertile place to grow fruits and vegetables.
Here are some online resources to research plots of land in Georgia.
Here’s what to know about buying land in Georgia. Once you’ve purchased your plot, it’s time to think about what you need to get growing.
How Do I Start An Urban Farm?
Before you even start to buy supplies for a farm, there are some expenses you will incur just to find out if you have adequate and productive land.
- You’ll need a soil test
- Also, you’ll need to test the site’s water quality
- A sizeable plot based on what you plan to grow
- Government resources for funding, etc. See pandemic resources here.
Here’s a helpful tool kit from the USDA.
Speaking of tools, here are some basic tools you may need when you’re just starting out.
5 Essential Tools For A Small Farm
Pickup Truck
You’re going to need to haul many things, including soil, feed or even more equipment. You can find a cheap truck on PickupTrucks.com for less than $3,000.
Garden Tools
You’ll also need a lot of tools. You can pick up some items that you can use around your farm at your local tools store or on Amazon:
Tractor
Yes, you may want to buy a tractor so that you can work your land as quickly and efficiently as possible. You can find tractors for sale online with prices going from $7,000 to $30,000.
Decide What You Want To Plant
When it’s time to choose which crops to plant in your urban farm, remember to pick those that grow well in the region you live. Here’s what grows in Atlanta, Georgia.
You also need to know what crops need plenty of sun and which ones take shade. Plan accordingly. Here’s an example of some vegetables you may be able to plant in the city.
- Lettuces
- Tomatoes
- Spinach
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Onions
- Leeks
- Squash
Do You Really Want To Be A Farmer?
Do you have a green thumb? What is it about urban farming that inspires you? These questions are important because you may find that what you really want to do is plant a few vegetables in a flower bed and call it a day.
Before you spend big money on farming supplies, it might be a good idea to micro-farm first to see if you enjoy it and have the fortitude for a bigger endeavor.
I started planting bell peppers and tomatoes on a small piece of land in my backyard. They came out good!
Here’s what to plant in Georgia depending on the time of year.
Final Word
Have you always dreamed of starting an urban farm? With today’s technology and tools, planting your own crops is as easy as ever — but it takes a lot of work.
