What Should I Do With 5 Acres of Land?
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Collapse ▲This summary is intended to help new farmers decide what enterprises are feasible on five 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. Intensive production techniques such as raised beds, high tunnels and low tunnels can be utilized to maximize production. These enterprises have high labor requirements and new farmers may want to start with substantially less than 5 acres.
FRUITS/NUTS
If no on-site water source is available, it may be possible to grow blueberries, blackberries, grapes, figs and pawpaws, 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.
GREENHOUSE/NURSERY
These enterprises are only feasible if an adequate supply of water is available for irrigation and other needs.
LIVESTOCK/FORAGES
With an adequate water supply, five acres is suitable to raise poultry for meat or eggs, as well as small ruminants (goats and sheep). It may be possible to produce hay or silage, even on non-irrigated land, if harvest can be contracted out.
SPECIALTY GRAINS
Five acres is likely the bare minimum to produce a meaningful quantity of grains such as wheat, soybeans or corn.
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.
TIMBER PRODUCTION
Five acres is likely the bare minimum to produce a marketable quantity of timber. It may be challenging to find a logger who will harvest a tract of this size.