Crop and field history – Different crops have different nutrient requirements.Organic matter – Organic matter makes up a small proportion of the soil, but has significant impact on its productivity.Physical structure – A well-structured soil is important for maintaining good aeration and water-holding capacity.Texture – Soil texture influences a number of properties, including drainage, aeration, susceptibility to erosion, organic matter content, ability to retain nutrients, pH buffering capacity, and more.Find out more about soil pH in this fact sheet. Nova Scotia’s soils are naturally acidic and low in organic matter, but farmland can be highly productive under a good management regime. Some crops like lower soil pH, others will not thrive. Soil pH – Soil acidity is measured by pH.This video will give you some information on ways to evaluate your soil, find its history, determine its best uses, and match your goals to the soil’s capabilities. Many different factors affect soil formation, and soils can differ from region to region, and even field to field. Soil is the basis of farming, so it’s essential that you choose a farm with soil suitable for the crops you wish to grow. This video will tell you what some others have experienced. Before you buy a property, think about what you need from it, and consider all the factors. Not every farm is suitable for every type of farming, or for every farm business. You will also refer to your plan as your business goes along, so you can ensure you are staying on track and meeting objectives, or in need of making some changes.įind out more about what your plan needs to include, and resources to help you write yours, in this Business Plans Fact Sheet and by reading this Guide for Beginning Farmers in Nova Scotia. It will spell out the steps you need to take to make it happen, and identify the resources you need, such as equipment.Īll lending institutions will require a plan so they can decide whether to give you financing or not. Writing your farm business plan will help you see if your idea will work. Have you ever heard the expression “if you fail to plan, you have planned to fail”? That holds true for every business-including farming. Or get to know the farmers in your community by joining the appropriate commodity association or county federation of agriculture. Have some experience but want to learn more by working on a well-run farm? Check with the Career Services office at the Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture.Want a longer-term commitment? There are two programs in Atlantic Canada: the Stewards of Irreplaceable Land (SOIL) Apprenticeship Program and the Grow a Farmer Program.You’ll receive room and board in exchange for your labour. A small registration fee will get you access to listings of participating farms across Canada. Interested in working for a week or two? Try World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF).Working with someone who has mastered skills in the agricultural world will save you from learning the hard way, and possibly spending your money in the wrong place. If you are new to farming, or are transitioning from one type to another, you will benefit greatly from some practical experience or a mentorship. If you already have experience farming, that will help you know what characteristics you need in a farm. plan to sell through a U-pick or farm stand? In that case, choosing a farm on a well-trafficked road is essential.Īt this stage, just write down a few sentences or bullet points describing your farm, including the business elements of it, and make sure they all fit with each other.īefore you invest a lot of money in a farm, look at your background experience.value community? A property on a busier road with neighbours, especially other farms nearby, might suit better.value quiet and privacy? A farm at the end of a dirt road might suit you.This vision will contain elements that will help guide your farm purchase. But just start with visualizing what you think your life will look like on a farm. So let's get started! Start with a VisionĪt some point, you should write down your farm goals, create formal vision and mission statements, and include them in your business plan. how much money you need to make from your farmįarming can be both incredibly rewarding and challenging.This resource will help you uncover all the details you need to consider before you buy, such as: Whether you're planning on becoming part of the agribusiness sector-or just farming to produce food for your own family-finding and choosing the right farm is one of the most important steps you can take. Many of our local foods are praised for their unique qualities. Demand is growing here at home, across the country, and around the world for the products of Nova Scotia's rural and agricultural businesses.
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