What Is a Hobby Farm? And How It Differs From a Homestead or Small Farm

Lots of people ask us what makes a hobby farm, and some don't like the term. So Steve and Brian explain how they define a hobby farm, and how it differs from a homestead, a small farm or a commercial farm.
.............................................................................................................................................................
Check out these Homesteader's YouTube channels:
...............................................................................................................................................................
#hobbyfarm #homestead #farminglife

[TheOldSwedesFarm]

This is such a divisive name. We consider our farm a hobby farm. I've called ourselves a hobby farm on our channel and gotten some nasty comments. Some people are Preppers and some are Homesteaders and some are Hobby Farmers. They all seem to overlap each other in some areas. Great video guys!

[revk]

Some chickens, vegetable gardens, some fruit trees and I will eventually gets some bees. It is a hobby that takes a lot of work, on top of my regular job. Just like most hobbies, it is something I enjoy and see the results of my work.
Keep up the great videos.

[FolseFarms]

We have called ourselves a hobby farm, and after hearing what you guys say, yes we're definitely a hobby farm. Great video

[thefrenchgardener]

Thank you once again! I raise organic veggies, some fruit, have seven bee hives and am getting my chicken coop ready for Spring. I do it all because I like it but a lot of friends and visitors often say, "Wow, that's a lot of guess some peoples fun is other people work. Happy New Year!

[cottoneyedarren]

personally I consider homesteading and hobby farming to be the same thing, But under your definition I have a hobby farm that is slowly becoming a homestead. My State considers my place a Homestead and I get a tax break as such, it is based on acers. A farm her has to have a certain amount of aches in production. If you ever want to do a video on hobby farming in different climates with in the US I live in the deep south Alabama and would love to be on your show, we can discus how thing work in one zone but not there other. I garden, free frange chickens and turkeys, raise rabbits and soon bamboo.

[FrankieG-M]

In the UK (& elsewhere) we'd add "smallholding" to the mix, possibly in place of homestead. The meaning being enough land to support the family, but not really employing outside labour other than for specialist tasks (drystone walling, living hedging, perhaps day-hire of a tractor & driver to turn over a difficult field etc). A level of self-sufficiency is implied, but it's often supplemented by other ventures (selling jams, value-added foods like street food at a farmer's market). Land is expensive here, we're a densely populated island, so often it's only a few acres.

Farming for the joy of it whilst having a secure income elsewhere seems a great approach, taking the fear out of subsistence agriculture that characterised it for centuries whilst still reducing our environmental impact in food miles etc

[bioswars]

Any type of farm is hard work, we work with the Eco Guards IES in eastern Canada, teaching the generations about a balanced approach to all eco issues, including small eco farms, very similar to hobby farms, but with very limited financial inputs. It has been a great experience thus far, even with the ups & downs. It truly give everyone a greater appreciation for larger farming operation, and where all our food comes from. Gratitude.

[kimiastewart]

Very interesting, I never knew what a hobby farm was until I watched this video, thank you for sharing

[vonstervlog]

I’ve never really considered it, but I guess I’m an urban hobby farm with dreams of homesteading!

[malissiajones]

I blundered my way in to being a chicken farmer. What started out as a few chickens for eggs well then chicken math kicked. I got covered up with eggs pretty fast. So I started selling them. Business is booming right now, meaning my chickens can barely keep up with the demand. That might technically make it a hobby farm, but my term is "microfarm". My brand is building nicely, too.

[brianbordenkircher]

I’m interested in a hobby farm being on one of my future properties. Thanks for your insight!

[OnlyTheChronic]

So.. this video puts it into perspective for me as to how to label what I'm doing, I'm a hobby farm too then lol. Great video! At this point I would consider my place a Hobby but I'm at the beginning stages so eventually I'm HOPING to make enough to just cover my feed costs lol.. I own 2 properties and this particular property just isn't big enough to do much, it's less than an acre and the other is a big 160 acre ranch all the way across the country in AZ (I'm in OH) but I've been investing in mostly Greenfire Chicks, I have about 150 rare breed birds right now but most are still chicks.. so hopefully I can make enough eventually to just support what I do. I just love breeding rare breed chickens and of course Gardening but I'm considering a couple goats. For many years I've grown a large garden and give the leftover crops to retirement homes, but this is my first year of gardening specifically just to supplement feed costs for the birds, every single bit helps lol.

[bioswars]

Any type of farm is hard work, we work with the Eco Guards IES in eastern Canada, teaching the generations about a balanced approach to all eco issues, including small eco farms, very similar to hobby farms, but with very limiter financial inputs. It has been a great experience thus far, even with the ups & downs.

[dazie]

Thank you now maybe I can get past my adult children’s arguing me about my retirement wish = a modern day off grid hobby farm is a walk in the park compared to my childhood farm chores & camping trip’s Then add my 20 years of single parenting
LoL in my opinion LoL you two have summed up this topic quite nicely

I get very low SS with 08 & covid enjoying my saving’s = I’m grateful modern day conveyance invented van living & off grid these are realistic solutions to modern day issues & right up my grizzly adams mentality 🙋‍♀️

[eugenelit]

Hey this is the first time I am hearing about it. I was I was winding where people sell what they grow? And if it’s possible to make some money and is it practical?

[thornwoodshirefarm]

We have a Hobby farm and have just started a "Brand New" youtube channel to share our journey!

[chriswillock]

Sounds like you guy's are pretty head on with the definitions

[massoblivion]

Wow, people who don't like the term "hobby farm", too bad- get over it.