This summary is intended to help new farmers decide what enterprises are feasible on 20 acres of cleared and fertile land. It is a companion article to this overall resource on enterprise selection.

VEGETABLES/HERBS/CUT FLOWERS
These enterprises are only feasible if an adequate supply of water is available for irrigation and other needs. They also require fertile, well-drained soils. These enterprises have high labor requirements and new farmers may want to start with a small fraction of the total available acreage.

FRUITS/NUTS
If no on-site water source is available, it may be possible to grow blueberries, blackberries, grapes, figs and pawpaws on a small portion of the acreage, but only if it’s feasible to haul in water periodically during the first year after planting and in times of drought. Where an adequate supply of water is available, other fruit crops become feasible, including strawberries, apples, peaches/nectarines, pears, persimmons, chestnuts and pecans. These enterprises have high labor requirements and new farmers may want to start with a small fraction of the total available acreage. They also require fertile, well-drained soils.

GREENHOUSE/NURSERY
These enterprises are only feasible if an adequate supply of water is available for irrigation and other needs. Greenhouse and nursery crops are very labor intensive and new farmers may want to initially produce significantly less than 20 acres.

LIVESTOCK/FORAGES
With an adequate water supply, 20 acres is suitable to raise poultry for meat or eggs, as well as small ruminants (goats and sheep). A very small herd of beef cattle might also be possible (probably less than 10). Forage production (e.g. hay or silage) is feasible even on non-irrigated land, but at this scale most farmers would likely choose to hire out the harvest due to the prohibitive cost of purchasing equipment.

SPECIALTY GRAINS
While it’s possible to produce grains such as soybeans, wheat, corn, oats and barley even on non-irrigated land, the equipment for a mechanized operation may be cost-prohibitive for most small farmers.

NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS
In shady areas of the property, it may be possible to raise woodland botanicals and/or log-grown mushrooms. In both cases, irrigation is essential. Small amounts of firewood might also be harvested.

TIMBER PRODUCTION
Raising trees for timber is an excellent option on 20 acres, even if no water is available, as long as the soil is suitable.