SUSTAINABLE SMALLsmall ACREAGEacreage FINDING AND FARMING IN IDAHO: EVALUATING LAND IRIS MAYES, ARIEL AGENBROAD, JENNIFER WERLIN, SAMANTHA GRAFF BUL 932 Sustainable Small Acreage Farming in Idaho: Finding and Evaluating Land Iris Mayes UI Extension Educator Ariel Agenbroad UI Extension Area Educator Jennifer Werlin UI Extension Educator Figure 1. Rural Property in Latah County, 2017. Samantha Graff Teacher/FFA Advisor, Mt. Adams School District, Washington Introduction IDAHO HAS A LONG HISTORY of small acreage farming that allows people to produce their own food themselves and Contents also to develop various farm-based business enterprises. 1 Introduction Establishing a small farm (Figure 1) is worthwhile, but it 2 Farm Planning requires time and attention to many details. 2 Finding Land This publication provides an overview of important consider- 2 Natural Resources ations for prospective farmers when selecting land to establish a successful small farm or ranch. Evaluating farm goals, assess- 4 Topography and Slope ing potential markets, and thinking through lifestyle choices, 4 Climate family relationships and partnerships on the farm are among 6 Pest and Problems the central concerns for a profitable and sustainable business. 7 Physical Assets Before purchasing property, it is advisable to learn about the 8 Nearby Industry and Agriculture history of the land. If the soil has been treated with pesticides 8 Marketing Farm Products and fertilizers and/or is depleted, it may need a rest period while you amend the soil with organic matter such as manure 8 Site History or compost, before it can be put back into production. There is Legal and Regulatory 8 much to think about before you acquire land so that you can Considerations grow your farm dream into a successful small farm business. 9 Labor This publication reviews the following land evaluation topics: 9 Additional Resources farm planning, natural resources, topography, climate, pests 10 Land Evaluation Checklist and problems, physical assets, nearby activity, marketing farm products, site history, and legal and regulatory considerations. There are several stories of small acreage farmers describing how they selected their land. A checklist is included at the end, intended to help the reader think through the many facets of evaluating a piece of land. Farm Planning Your first step before aquiring land is to identify your goals for your farm. Please consider taking a Cultivating Success™ course on Whole Farm Planning or Exploring Your Small Farm Dream. Whether you want to raise goats, chickens or other livestock, or grow medicinal herbs, for example, all of these activities have different requirements. Your goals will determine what level of labor you will need, how you will proceed with marketing, and what type, size and location of land will best match your goals. Figure 2. Eastern Idaho ranch, with different soils related to Finding Land topography. There are various ways to search out and purchase or lease land. Some landowners are willing to let Your local Extension educator can help you analyze someone grow on their land for no charge or a nomi- the test results for your specific goals. nal fee, however, it is important to outline an agree- With few exceptions, crop plants prefer well drained ment in written form so that both parties understand soils. Poor drainage is usually associated with large the expectations. Consider having a real estate agent amounts of clay in the soil, high water tables, or or attorney assist you for your own protection. hardpans. Drainage problems are often indicated by Any real estate agent can help you buy property. Real very dark soils that are high in organic matter or that estate agents who are knowledgeable about small have gray-green streaks in their profile. acreage farming may help assist you in finding land The USDA Web Soil Survey can help you find out that fits, as closely as possible, with your desired generally what type of soil you have on site, although attributes. UI Extension and Rural Roots, under the it is difficult to get detailed information for small banner of Cultivating Success, created Idaho Farm acreages or areas (http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda. Link (farmlink.ruralroots.org), a website that helps gov/App/HomePage.htm). Since each small area of match land seekers with land owners. your farm or site can have different soil conditions, it is important to try and get a comprehensive overall Natural Resources snapshot of the many different soil types that may There are many environmental considerations in be found throughout your property (Figure 2). Many selecting your farm site. These include soil, water, people take several different soil samples from topography, climate, length of growing season, and different areas on their land. The more you know, the wind. better your understanding will be about what your Soil land can easily grow and sustain, as well as what you will need to do in order to become an excellent soil The health of the soil is important for growing steward on your property. produce. If you will be grazing animals, the health of the soil in pastures will be important for productivity. Water Consider taking a representative soil sample to a lab Farms may or may not have water rights and this is to be tested prior to purchasing land. Understand important to understand before signing a lease or what kind of soil, and its condition, that you are purchasing land. Various farm enterprises require starting with, since changing the soil will often take differing amounts of water. Determine what sources time, money, and other resources. A soil test can of water are available and what your water rights will tell you the nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and be. Wells, springs, streams, lakes, and farm ponds are potassium), organic matter, and pH of your sample. all used to supply water for livestock and irrigation in 2 Idaho (Figure 3). For your water source(s), determine if the water is seasonal or year-round, the capacity, whether you have legal access to the water, and how much accessing the water will cost. Wells can be localized, meaning one neighbor may have very little water and another may have an abundance. Attempt to find out what the water supply is throughout the seasons, from the existing landowner. Photo courtesy of Sarah Bennett & MaryJane Butters. Skylines Farm Melissa Lines of SkyLines Farm in Harvard, Idaho, set a goal to locate property for a livestock farm to produce premium sheep wool and breeding stock; grass-fed lamb, beef, and pigs; and livestock guardian dogs, as well as provide on-farm educational opportunities. To accomplish her goals, she evaluated the resources available on prospective properties, focusing first on assessing natural resources. Adequate pasture Figure 3. Example of an irrigation system pulling from an open space, fencing, and animal shelters were important. water source, on a farm in south-eastern Idaho. Melissa also worked to find land that had year-round Irrigation water access. After much searching, she located property with a seasonal creek and pond, a year- Some parts of the state that have an abundance of round pond, and an adequate well. She researched water have used furrow irrigation and also over- the local climate because she wanted to be able to head sprinkler systems. Newer technology in drip graze livestock for seven months of the year. She also systems helps those areas with limited water to use discussed her plans with the local Extension office, that water more efficiently for vegetable row crops neighbors, and area feed stores to better understand and fruits. Drip irrigation systems are very efficient the environment of the land. at placing water exactly where you want and use With the major resources assessed, Melissa began much less water to produce a crop than overhead or to evaluate other resources she would need for furrow systems. Disease problems are reduced when a successful small farm. Assessing the available compared with overhead irrigation systems because market for her commodities led Melissa to survey the foliage and fruit are never sprinkled with water. the local area food centers, animal dispatching Weeds can be minimized as they do not receive facilities, livestock sale yards, and internet sales water. Drip systems, however, can be expensive to for the premium wool produced at SkyLines Farm. install and maintain, and require clean, high quality She concluded the area could support her desired agri-business ventures. water to prevent the emitters from clogging. Plugged drip emitters are much harder to spot than plugged “Every farm and every farmer is different,” Melissa overhead sprinklers, and maintaining uniform irri- says and she advises all beginning small farmers and gation requires constant scouting and maintenance. ranchers to do a lot of planning, especially regarding Drip tape can be cleaned out at the beginning of each resource evaluation. She encourages others “to know your farm and resources and create a farm plan that season to prevent clogging. Drip systems generally ei- works for you.” ther require level fields or must be laid across slopes to maintain an even level on each line. 3 Forest Topography and Slope Some farm sites have forested land that can be The slope, orientation, and surroundings of a site have used for income or in other ways as part of a farm a profound impact upon the land’s suitability for crop business or homestead. Consider whether this is a and livestock production (Figure 4). Is the site level priority for you in selecting land—you may want enough to accommodate the agricultural operation to plant forest trees, windrows or other types of you are planning? Although a slope can improve air buffers. You will want to decide if you need acreage and water drainage, steep slopes increase erosion and that has room for trees.