Micro livestock farm in NJ, is it possible?

[Mattdohn]

Hello! I am completely new to the world of agro and was looking for some advice on a dream of mine. I graduated college two years ago and have been working a good paying job but I know it’s work that I don’t want to do forever. Me and my fiancé planned on having a hobby farm when we do get a home so I got a part time job on a dairy farm to learn. Seeing how it is this families full time job working on their land really inspired me to look deeper into this and maybe create my own full time farmstead.

Can I own a profitable full time livestock farm in NJ with Goats, Pigs and Chicken? From the research I’ve done (no first hand knowledge) those are the most profitable livestock that require the least amount of land. From my research I can sustain 12-16 goat, 50-70 pig, and whole lot of chicken on 5 acres? I am open to have more but I would be the only person maintaining it so its important not to overwhelm myself, also NJ land is not cheap.

I would love to produce organic meat from animals who I can ensure were raised ethically and even educate a suburban community on livestock. Responses I’m really looking for are all based on income and property size, can I make a living (50K year) raising and selling wholesale (or by cut) organic livestock with those numbers?

 

[JP1]

Hello! I am completely new to the world of agro and was looking for some advice on a dream of mine. I graduated college two years ago and have been working a good paying job but I know it’s work that I don’t want to do forever. Me and my fiancé planned on having a hobby farm when we do get a home so I got a part time job on a dairy farm to learn. Seeing how it is this families full time job working on their land really inspired me to look deeper into this and maybe create my own full time farmstead.

Can I own a profitable full time livestock farm in NJ with Goats, Pigs and Chicken? From the research I’ve done (no first hand knowledge) those are the most profitable livestock that require the least amount of land. From my research I can sustain 12-16 goat, 50-70 pig, and whole lot of chicken on 5 acres? I am open to have more but I would be the only person maintaining it so its important not to overwhelm myself, also NJ land is not cheap.

I would love to produce organic meat from animals who I can ensure were raised ethically and even educate a suburban community on livestock. Responses I’m really looking for are all based on income and property size, can I make a living (50K year) raising and selling wholesale (or by cut) organic livestock with those numbers?

Good luck. Not many TFFers stateside on here

You may have a nice lifestyle but you'll probably have to have a full time job along side it like I do

Quite a few friends on the eastern seaboard with Belted Galloways too

 

[Danllan]

Hello! I am completely new to the world of agro...

Welcome. Firstly, and as JP has already alluded to it, you may not have noticed that this is a UK based forum; lots of members from elsewhere, but overwhelmingly we're British, which means we have a pretty different range of experiences from most faming in the US. There are probably some US based fora that specialise in smallholdings and the like, and it is most likely that they will be of more help to you.

That written, with a holding that size and wanting the income you do, you must look at the things that will give the most 'added value' to you. I know people who grow culinary and medicinal herbs on an acre or so and make a very comfortable living, but any livestock or plants that can be farmed on such a small scale will be as good, if you have the market for them.

And 'marketing' of your produce will be a big thing; I guess that you aren't too far from a large population centre, that is key to success for the sort of venture you propose.

To finish... have a think about complimentary things e.g. will poultry or livestock provide manure of the right sort for your plants; unusual and high value produce e.g. various mushrooms; and, what you can do to add even greater value e.g. cure your own bacon.

Good luck.