LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CROPS THAT YOU COULD GROW
Corn
Of course, when you think about a farm, you probably think of rows and rows of corn, and large silos with sturdy concrete foundations. Corn is the most widely grown crop in the United States, and rightfully so. There are so many uses for corn, you can feed your animals, your family, and even make alcohol and sweeteners. It's even an active ingredient used to make drywall! This isn’t the crop that you will make millions with, but it is one that will help your farm succeed in many different ways.
There are different types of corn to grow, some that are better to eat, and some that are best for crops, these types of corn include:
Soy Beans
Another common crop is soy beans. These short stalks can be seen for miles in various parts of the United States. Did you know that the US is the leading producer of soy beans and other lentils? Well, now you do! Not only that, but there are many newspapers across the United States that use soy bean ink. With soy beans, you can make oils and other food products. You can’t really go wrong with the type of soy bean that you choose to grow, however there are some different varieties to choose from:
Vegetables
Depending on where you plan to farm in the country, vegetables can be a great food source and a wonderful profit for your farm. Those who live in the upper Midwest grow the most vegetables for processing, and states like Florida and California grow the best vegetables for selling at the local farmers market. Some vegetables that are best to grow in the Midwest are:
Tree Nuts
Whether you plan to grow an orchard or just have a few tree nuts on your property, these crops can be very beneficial. The variety of tree nuts that are right for your farm will depend on where you live, just like vegetables and fruit.
Some of the easiest nuts to grow for a small or medium sized farm are:
Fruits
Who doesn’t love a nice fruit tree in their yard? From apples to pears, fruit trees can bring many seasons of delicious flavors to your family and neighborhood. They are also great for selling at farmer’s markets or farm stands. There are certain fruits that grow well in specific climates, like oranges that only grow in the south. However, some fruits are perfect to grow anywhere in the US.
Of course, when you think about a farm, you probably think of rows and rows of corn, and large silos with sturdy concrete foundations. Corn is the most widely grown crop in the United States, and rightfully so. There are so many uses for corn, you can feed your animals, your family, and even make alcohol and sweeteners. It's even an active ingredient used to make drywall! This isn’t the crop that you will make millions with, but it is one that will help your farm succeed in many different ways.
There are different types of corn to grow, some that are better to eat, and some that are best for crops, these types of corn include:
- Dent
- Sweet
- Flint
- Heirloom
Soy Beans
Another common crop is soy beans. These short stalks can be seen for miles in various parts of the United States. Did you know that the US is the leading producer of soy beans and other lentils? Well, now you do! Not only that, but there are many newspapers across the United States that use soy bean ink. With soy beans, you can make oils and other food products. You can’t really go wrong with the type of soy bean that you choose to grow, however there are some different varieties to choose from:
- Green
- Red
- Black
- Yellow
Vegetables
Depending on where you plan to farm in the country, vegetables can be a great food source and a wonderful profit for your farm. Those who live in the upper Midwest grow the most vegetables for processing, and states like Florida and California grow the best vegetables for selling at the local farmers market. Some vegetables that are best to grow in the Midwest are:
- Carrots
- Cabbage
- Peas and Beans
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Lettuce
- Chamomile
- Broccoli
- Cilantro
- Pumpkins
- Kale
- Brussels Sprouts
- Beets
- Celery
Tree Nuts
Whether you plan to grow an orchard or just have a few tree nuts on your property, these crops can be very beneficial. The variety of tree nuts that are right for your farm will depend on where you live, just like vegetables and fruit.
Some of the easiest nuts to grow for a small or medium sized farm are:
- Macadamia
- Pecan
- Pine Nuts
- Walnuts
- Pistachios
Fruits
Who doesn’t love a nice fruit tree in their yard? From apples to pears, fruit trees can bring many seasons of delicious flavors to your family and neighborhood. They are also great for selling at farmer’s markets or farm stands. There are certain fruits that grow well in specific climates, like oranges that only grow in the south. However, some fruits are perfect to grow anywhere in the US.
- Strawberries
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
- Blackberries
- Apples
- Raspberries
- Bananas
Let's talk about Equipment
You can’t do much farming without equipment. Consider acquiring the following tools to make your hard-work a bit easier:
the long haul not for looks or gadgets. |
Some of the things you should consider in all of your high-cost equipment are:
It’s also necessary to have a variety of hand tools and power tools on your farm. You never know when something might break, or a goat headbutts a fence right out of the ground. If you are unsure of what types of tools to purchase, the best way to find out is to ask other farmers or drive around and look at the tools they use in their fields. That’ll give you a good sense of direction, especially if you have little to no experience with farming. |
There are so many things to think about when starting your farm. How many acres do you have for crops, animals, and other homesteading needs? Will you grow veggies or house dairy farms? Maybe both? Whatever you choose, make sure that your read up on all of the tips and tricks that will make your farm stand out, and provide you with good food and profits for years to come.
If you are just considering start your own farm, but aren’t sure if it’s the right fit for you, you can take the quiz (3) at Beginning Farmers to find out if you’ve got the heart for it.
Some farmers start small and build their farms up from the soil, while others take on big crop fields and barns full of animals. Whichever choice you make, always stay educated about farming, gardening, and raising animals. Owning a farm can be a lifelong commitment that takes perseverance, determination, and elbow grease. If that’s not something that you have in your vocabulary, then it might not be wise to start a homestead.
Often, we hear that the world runs on technology, but we forget that farmers start it all. We need hard working farmers in our country for food, oil, industrial tools, and many other daily necessities. That’s why it is important to have a passion for the field and a desire to help your community in any way you can.
Don’t go into farming empty handed, make sure you have a supportive family or community and decent knowledge of the world of growing crops and raising animals.
1. https://www.machinefinder.com/ww/en-US/faq/steel-plow-historyops.
2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/farmers-ranchers-and-other-agricultural-managers.htm
3. https://www.beginningfarmers.org/the-beginning-farmer-quiz-do-you-have-what-it-takes/
If you are just considering start your own farm, but aren’t sure if it’s the right fit for you, you can take the quiz (3) at Beginning Farmers to find out if you’ve got the heart for it.
Some farmers start small and build their farms up from the soil, while others take on big crop fields and barns full of animals. Whichever choice you make, always stay educated about farming, gardening, and raising animals. Owning a farm can be a lifelong commitment that takes perseverance, determination, and elbow grease. If that’s not something that you have in your vocabulary, then it might not be wise to start a homestead.
Often, we hear that the world runs on technology, but we forget that farmers start it all. We need hard working farmers in our country for food, oil, industrial tools, and many other daily necessities. That’s why it is important to have a passion for the field and a desire to help your community in any way you can.
Don’t go into farming empty handed, make sure you have a supportive family or community and decent knowledge of the world of growing crops and raising animals.
1. https://www.machinefinder.com/ww/en-US/faq/steel-plow-historyops.
2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/farmers-ranchers-and-other-agricultural-managers.htm
3. https://www.beginningfarmers.org/the-beginning-farmer-quiz-do-you-have-what-it-takes/