Hobby Farming For Dummies

Do you long for the country life? Hobby Farming For Dummies is a practical guide that will show you how to handle all the basics of small-scale farming, from growing healthy crops to raising livestock and managing your property. You'll see how to decide what to farm, provide shelter and utilities, select plants, and protect your investment. It's all you need to dig in and start growing!
You’ll get a real idea of what it really means to jump from your current lifestyle to a life farming in the countryside. You’ll get the information you need to decide if the farming lifestyle is right for you and your personality. You’ll learn everything you need to know about property and how to access a power supply. You’ll get practical advice on which animals would work best for your farm and you’ll learn how to acquire them and what you need to know about caring for them properly. You’ll get help with all of the major decisions like whether you’re better off with subsistence farming or a more ambitious project. Find out how to:
Make from change to a farm lifestyle
Get along with your neighbors
Find and buy rural properties
Select and maintain equipment
Raise and care for animals
Use and preserve food items
Avoid common farming pitfalls
Choose plans for your farm
Complete with lists of the ten unique opportunities for fun and the top ten misconceptions about farm living, Hobby Farming For Dummies will help you discover how you can live the simple life.

Theresa A. Husarik is a writer, photographer, crafter, fiber person, and animal lover who lives on a small plot far away from the heart of the city. When she is not tending to her brood (which includes llamas, alpacas, angora goats, cats, dogs, peacocks, and chickens), she can usually be found either behind the computer writing something or in the craft room making something.

Introduction.
Part I: Hobby Farms 101.
Chapter 1: Heading for the Country.
Chapter 2: Before Taking the Plunge: Is This the Life for You?
Chapter 3: Finding Your Place in the Sun.
Chapter 4: Getting Along with Your Neighbors.
Part II: Down on the Farm: Getting Your Property in Order.
Chapter 5: Getting Out of the House: Outbuildings and Enclosures.
Chapter 6: Gearing Up with the Right Tools, Clothes, and Equipment.
Chapter 7: Saving, Using, and Making Power on the Farm.
Chapter 8: Managing and Accessing Your Land and Natural Resources.
Part III: Calling In the Critters: What’s a Farm without Animals?
Chapter 9: What Kinds of Critters Should You Get?
Chapter 10: Acquiring Animals for Your Farm.
Chapter 11: Caring for and Feeding Your Animals.
Chapter 12: Critter Care: Providing Medical Attention for Your Animals.
Part IV: Choosing and Growing Plants and Crops.
Chapter 13: Deciding What and How Much of It to Grow.
Chapter 14: Getting Those Plants Started.
Part V: Using the Fruits of Your Labor.
Chapter 15: Preserving and Using Food Items.
Chapter 16: Where’s the Beef? From Hoof to Table.
Chapter 17: Preparing Fiber and Making Crafty Goods.
Chapter 18: Dealing with the Less Desirable Stuff.
Part VI: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 19: Ten Opportunities for Community Fun.
Chapter 20: Ten Misconceptions about Farm Living.
Part VII: Appendixes.
Appendix A: Helpful Resources.
Appendix B: Glossary.
Index.