Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
If the land you're looking at has a creek or small pond, watch out for clever language in the descrip-
tion before you assure yourself that it will be a year-round source of water for your animals. Phrases
like “flood-zone creek” or “seasonal creek” simply mean, when it rains you have a creek and when
it doesn't rain you don't have a creek. However, a creek or pond could be something to add to your
list of cons if it takes up a large amount of your useable land. Ultimately, that's what it comes down
to when considering a property for a backyard farm. How much of the land is useable? How much
can be productive?
thOrny MatterS
Having grown up in a big city, I never understood the importance of water. I turned the knob on the hose,
and water came out. Well, during the summer of 2011, I saw firsthand what can happen when wells fail and
water is scarce. The well at my in-laws' house, a 50-foot well that had been hand-dug by Sidney's grandfa-
ther 75 years prior, went dry. All of the water for the entire house (cooking, flushing the toilet, bathing) had
to be trucked in from a neighbor's house. Know where the water for your property will come from, and be
sure the quality
and
quantity is sufficient.
Zoning Restrictions
Of course, finding the perfect place for your backyard farm doesn't do you any good if it's illegal to
grow a garden there. It may seem preposterous that someone could actually get in trouble for feed-
ing their own family, but in some areas of the United States, that is exactly what is happening.
Take the much-publicized case of the woman who grew a garden in the front yard and faced
misdemeanor charges as a result. Her city planners vowed to pursue the case all the way to court,
if necessary, which would have landed her more than 90 days in jail! Thankfully the city dismissed
the charges when internet outrage was unleashed.
But that isn't the only case in recent history. The resurgence of self-sufficiency has butted heads
with archaic or vague restrictions in many suburban areas. Between zoning restrictions, home-
owners associations, and cranky neighbors, it seems almost impossible to live on your own land
sometimes.
I have an acquaintance who moved into the perfect house with the perfect yard, only to discover
that the homeowners association would not allow her to keep chickens, not even behind a privacy
fence in her own backyard. She may or may not have smuggled in “voiceless” ducks that don't
make as much noise so she could still enjoy fresh backyard eggs. They might live in a tidy little pen
behind her shed, privacy fence, and beautiful garden, and she might be at risk of being fined every
day as a result. But you'll never hear me give away her secret!
