by LUIS RODRIGUEZ
Starting an agricultural operation can be overwhelming. There are plenty of moving pieces that need to be in the right place for a farm to be a successful business. New or beginner farmers often need guidance to understand what they will need to do to run the farm successfully. This article is intended to provide tips for new beginner farmers about the most important things they will need to have for an agricultural operation.
Land and Zoning
One of the most important things in farming is land. Not only does the farmer need to find land, but it has to be the right land for the intended purpose. It is recommended before buying land to verify that it is classified as an agricultural zone. Areas zoned agricultural have been designated by local entities (counties/cities) with the intention of farming purposes. That does not mean that everyone in an agricultural zone will be farming, it means that people living in these zones can do farming activities that may not be allowed in other zones such as in urban locations. For example, most people living in agricultural zones are allowed to keep roosters, but people living in urban locations are very unlikely to be able to have roosters because these are considered a nuisance in urban locations.
Another important factor to consider before buying a property is the resources available on the land and how the farmer can utilize them. This includes natural resources such as lakes or ponds, any existing structures such as barns, fencing, wells, and irrigation systems, and accessibility to the property. There are also plenty of properties in Florida that may have areas designated as wet areas. Most of these locations are protected by law and it is most likely that no agricultural activity can be done in these wet areas. Knowing this before buying could be beneficial to understand how much of the land can be used for agricultural purposes.
Hardiness Zone
A hardiness zone is a geographic area with a distinct annual temperature that is important for plant survival. Hardiness zones vary between 1 – 13. The lower number represents cold temperatures while the higher number represents warm temperatures. Florida hardiness zones vary from 8 – 11, having lower numbers in the northern part of the state and higher numbers in the southern part of the state. When buying land, farmers must verify what is the hardiness zone of the area to understand what crops are suitable to grow. Plant survival and efficiency will be affected negatively if planted in the wrong hardiness zone. For example, star fruit hardiness zones are 10a – 12b, meaning you can grow them in southern areas of the state, but are not suitable for northern areas. For a map of Florida hardiness zones scan the following QR code:
Soil Characteristics
Soil characteristics such as pH, organic matter, and soil compatibility are important for crop production. Certain agricultural commodities grow better on specific soil conditions. It is the responsibility of the farmer to verify what conditions are present in a specific land. For example, citrus trees grow well in areas with good drainage. An area that accumulates excessive amounts of humidity or where flooding commonly occurs, may not be suitable for citrus production. Ask if a soil analysis is available (if possible) before buying land to verify pH and nutrient availability on the land. This could provide a guide on what crops may be suitable to grow on the land.
Agricultural Classification / Bona Fide Farm
A Bona Fide (agricultural classified) farm is a term used to describe commercial agricultural production and has legal significance in terms of agritourism protections and other business purposes. To become a bona fide farmer, you need to verify the agricultural guidelines for your respective county and meet the requirements. These requirements will vary depending on the agricultural commodity you wish to operate such as crops, livestock, nursery, or a combination of these. Bona fide farmers can obtain a tax reduction on their property, can benefit from the agritourism law, and can apply to specific federal, state, and local government programs intended for commercial farmers. Before buying land, commercial farmers need to review their local agricultural guidelines to see what the minimum requirements regarding a specific agricultural commodity are to obtain their agricultural classification. For more information about this, contact your local property appraiser’s office. For Polk County Agricultural Guidelines scan the following QR code:
Farm Business Plan
A business plan is a document necessary for any business. Farming is a business, which means that a business plan is needed for developing and managing the farm. A business plan includes 6 parts:
- Executive Summary – This part of the plan is a summary of the whole document, although it is the first thing on the business plan, it is the last thing that is written.
- Description of the Company – This describes the purpose of the business including, mission and vision statements, goals, organization type, and other important details of the business.
- Marketing Plan – This describes the methods and procedures the business owner will be using when selling their products. This includes a description of local sales, competitors, and demographic information of customers.
- Operational Plan – This includes the methods and procedures of production practices including materials and resources needed to obtain the final product.
- Human Resources Plan – This includes information about the workforce needed for specific tasks of the business including compensation.
- Financial Plan – This includes information about the budget of the business.
Having a business plan can help farmers operate their farms more easily, and most financial assistance entities require evidence of a business plan. Furthermore, a business plan is a living document that should be revised constantly, since market values and trends change over time. For more information about business plans access the ‘Ask IFAS” publication called: “Primer for Developing a Farm Business Plan.”
Resources for Farmers
Multiple government agencies can help farmers in the process of starting their new farm operation. Asking for help is better than planning something that may not work and losing money in the process. For more information about what agencies can help farmers access a past Central Florida Ag News article titled “Farming Isn’t Easy, but These 5 Resources Are On Your Side.”
Luis Rodriguez is the Polk County Small Farms and Pesticide Education Extension Agent. You can reach him at lrodriguezrosado@ufl.edu.
