Small Farms and Ranches

photo by Christine Booth

For the past century the trend in North America and globally has been to move away from small farms and ranches and into cities. Those who want to retain their self-sufficient way of life struggle against policies and strong market forces that favor big agribusiness. For decades, constant stress has led to a current severe mental health crisis among farmers. Farming and ranching families need and deserve our help. We’ve listed below some ways to sustain those currently operating.

Many farmers prefer to sell to those who want to farm, instead of selling off to real estate developers. Some of the featured consultants listed below can help soon-retiring farmers to profitably transition the care of their land to younger caretakers, possibly with the option that the sellers stay on their land for their retirement years. As another option, farming families can invite in seasonal or long-term workers to form a farming team. Incoming members can learn from farmers as they gradually take on more tasks. Long-term work contracts might include gaining a share in profits, rent-to-own, or a lifetime housing lease.

Many are interested in ways to set up a new small farm or ranch. Those may find purchase more feasible through collective ownership of the land or the farming business.

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Ways to save small farms and ranches

1. Side businesses

Examples

  • Farming While Black is a documentary film about the organic and regenerative Soul Fire Farm.
  • Brooklyn Farmer is a documentary film about mid-size rooftop gardens and farms that found a thriving market selling to upscale restaurants, available free with public library subscription to Kanopy.
  • The Biggest Little Farm is a heart-warming and encouraging film about a young idealistic group creating a thriving and profitable organic farm after purchasing a worn-out orchard.
  • A residential ranching community was founded by the Modern Elders Academy.
  • Wendell Berry wrote extensively of his small Kentucky farm, and the community life that surrounded them.

Consultants for Small Farms and Ranches

See the consultants page to sign up if you have experience with cooperatively-owned agricultural work and want to consult groups interested in establishing one.

Ardell Broadbent

Gen X

Female

Rocky Mountain U.S.

Bill Martin

Pacific Coast U.S.

Members Interested in Small Farms and Ranches

Coordinator

FarmsActivist

Mixed ages

Female + male + dependent(s)

Santaquin, UT
Coordinator

EarthMother

Younger boomer

Female

Victoria BC
Coordinator

PineTreeDisco

Millennial

Non-binary pair

New Haven, Connecticut

BuildItandTheyWillCome

Older boomer

Male

otto, nc

Resources

Grants for farms in the U.S.: This list is organized by state. These grants or scholarships can be applied for by individuals. You do not need to have non-profit status or be under the umbrella of a government agency. We are working on further refining the list by topic. See more grants and grant writing information, see the Financing link in the footer.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program: funded by the USDA, this program provides grants to organizations for education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers

Emergency timeshare contract: Intentional communities adjacent to but not within a metropolitan area can offer disaster relief and temporary shelter as a contracted prepaid service. Many disaster victims will likely seek and be given refuge freely, but sometimes supplies and spaces run out. A contract for a prepaid service ensures that you have the resources to prepare for such a scenario.

small-scale farming and ranching: Read more about the need for local food security.

Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet: by George Monbiot