You have a garden and/or pets, and you use them for your purposes, but a children’s zoo or small farm is a commercial enterprise that provides access to it to other people, as a rule, for money. Here are a few ideas, which you can use to start your own business.
Is This Relevant in the 21st Century?
To take the first step towards creating your farm, you need to choose a niche.
How to build a farm? Firstly, the cost of meat in stores is very high, and secondly, the percentage of vegetarians depends from country to country. All this guarantees profitability and stable demand for products. Of course, this type of farming requires large investments, especially when it comes to cattle breeding. But the net profit of an average farm starts at $1500 a month. With a competent approach, the payback period will not exceed six years. Starting a business in pig farming will be cheaper, and the business will pay off in 2–5 years. At the same time, the demand for this product is higher in most countries in Europe due to a more democratic cost than beef. Another option is poultry farming. Eggs and chicken are those products that are always in the refrigerator of most people. Besides, the breeding of birds does not require large investments and space. It can take 2-4 years to get actual profit from this business.
Crop production is a kind of seasonal business. However, this does not apply, for example, to cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, strawberries. They can be grown year-round in greenhouses. Such a business will be especially beneficial in the winter when the price of fresh vegetables increases significantly. Payback on such a business can take around12-18 months.
What You Need to Create a Farm
Here are some things you are going to need when creating a farm.
Land and money
How to become a farmer? You need land and money. These are not the most pleasant or interesting things to discuss, but you cannot build a farm on a piece of land that doesn’t belong to you, and even if you would, you need quite a lot of money to build any type of a farm, this is not a game, building a farm is about serious investments of time and money.
Something to begin with
What is one of the first things a farmer should do when starting a farm? They have to figure out their niche and what to start with. For example, you can collect a large number of seasonal vegetables from a small garden: tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, beans, and others. A nice little garden will be a great option to kick off your farming business. Also, it is good to have someone by your side. If you are single and you want to meet someone in your life and have them help achieve your dreams – you can find single brides online from the comfort of your home.
Buildings
What should you consider when starting a small farm business? For a small children’s zoo, you will need small corrals with satisfactory conditions, with a wide pedestrian walkway, washing equipment, parking and, possibly, a gift shop. For a small farm, you will need to have a warehouse for storing the harvested crop, a place for its processing, as well as a place where your products will be sold and, most importantly, the area under crops.
Some way to assure your farm’s safety
Often, farms or children’s zoos need help. A farm may need a guard dog, an electric fence and other warning devices to protect small animals from flying or creeping predators.
Now that we know what you need when it comes to starting an agricultural business, let’s talk about a plan for the future.
How to Create a Plan for the Next Few Years
How to start a farming business? Once a niche is identified, you must create a business plan. This point is very important because, on its basis, you can calculate the costs of creating a business strategy, figure the moment you will get payback out of your investments, and measure your profitability.
How to start a farm business? To assess the prospects of the project, the following points should be indicated in the business plan:
- funds (the starting capital needed);
- land (you can get it for free, buy or rent);
- expenses for the purchase of animals or crops;
- construction costs (this is stable for livestock or a greenhouse for growing vegetables);
- equipment costs (e.g., dung removal system, pipes, heating systems);
- staff costs (even a relatively small farm will need it);
- utility costs, taxes;
- marketing costs;
- product sales markets;
- net profit.
How to Create Your Farm
Here’s a short guide on how to create your farm.
Buy or rent a plot of land that will be suitable for the realization of your goals
How to start a small farm business? You need a plot of land. As a rule, it should be divided into zones (if required by local rules and regulations) for use in agriculture and commercial purposes. The plot must be sized to fit your requirements.
Plan your project
How to start a farm? When planning to create a small farm or zoo, you should consider several issues, including the question, “How will you use the territory?” For example, in a children’s zoo, there should be places where animals will eat, swim, take shelter in case of bad weather, as well as contact with visitors. Consider which crops or breeds you will grow and then sell if you decide to manage a small farm.
Pay attention to the legal requirements for the implementation of your business
How to own a farm? You need to provide liability insurance if you have open access to your premises, and you must also have a license to conduct commercial activities, including a license to carry out professional activities. Mandatory availability of certain documents depends on the norms of local legal regulation.
Analyze what people in your area are willing to spend money on
How to start a farming business? If you are engaged in entrepreneurial activities – farming or managing a children’s zoo, you will still try to give people what they want. In zoos, as a rule, there are cute, witty, and tamed animals: sheep, mountain goats, wild boars, ponies, and others. Avoid aggressive breeds and very large animals, such as cows and horses, until you learn how to deal with them correctly.
Equipment Tips for Your Farm
Here are the things you are going to require kicking off your farming business.
Avoid alcohol
Any farm work, especially those types of work that require the use of heavy-duty equipment and machinery, should not go together with alcohol. One small mistake can cause you a limb or your life.
Read manual
Never try to improvise something on the go, especially when it comes to machinery, it can end up costing you lots of money, and potential damages.
Keep animal and children away from equipment
Keep an eye on children when they are near machinery, loose gates, or near livestock. Never allow your child to play in a place where it is unsafe and be sure to explain that you can play in certain places, such as the backyard, in a specially equipped playground or the house.
Always stay focused
Negligence arises from the fact that a person deviates from the usual routine, ceasing to pay attention to possible dangers. A false sense of security and trust in mechanisms, animals, and tools are very dangerous, because anything can happen at any time, and the time of your reaction depends on your vigilance.
Don’t forget about rest
Take care of your state of mind. If you feel tired, stop and go for a coffee or take a nap. Fatigue, as a rule, is the main cause of accidents, serious injuries, and fatalities on farms. A lunch break is a good way to renew your strength, besides, there is still a lot of time left until the end of the day, and you can manage to finish all things. Starting agriculture business takes a lot of time and effort, but hard work and dedication will beat any troubles that can arise on your way to a profitable business.