Most farms in the United States are family farms - nearly 96 percent, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Census of Agriculture.įamily farms have to carefully plan for succession as generations age out of the trade. Family farms exclude farms organized as nonfamily corporations or cooperatives, as well as farms with hired managers. The USDA classifies family farms as any farm organized as a sole proprietorship, partnership or family corporation. Family farm Photo by Julia Baylyįamily farms are farms that are owned and operated by a family, handed down from one generation to another, rather than by a company. Other crops that smaller and quicker to mature than those grown under more humid conditions are also suited for dry farms. Drought-resistant crops, such as sorghum, emit only small amounts of moisture and will pause growing during periods of drought. Selecting the right crops is also essential for dry farming. ![]() Ideally, the soil surface should be weed-free, but with enough dead vegetable matter to prevent runoff and erosion. Dry farm Photo by Rizknas from Pexelsĭry farming, also known as dryland farming, involves the cultivation of crops in regions of limited moisture, typically less than 20 inches of precipitation annually, without irrigation.ĭry farming depends on soil that efficiently stores moisture. They may also breed and raise heifers to sustain their dairy-producing populations. Some dairy farms grow and harvest feed for their cattle on-site. Some dairy farmers own their cowherds and their land, but others work on large dairy farms owned by corporations. ![]() Most dairy farms have primarily cows, but some dairy farms raise sheep and goats for milk as well. ![]() Dairy farms can be small-scale or large, commercial-scale operations. Dairy farm Photo by Gabor Degreĭairy farms are dedicated to the production of milk. Each member of a cooperative farm also has a vote in business decisions. Cooperative farms are owned by its members instead of not by outside shareholders or investors. Cooperative farm Photo by Gabor DegreĪt cooperative farms, farmers pool their time and financial resources on a farm and share the profits amongst themselves. Commercial farms are also owned by a corporation instead of a family or cooperative. Farms with smaller incomes that sell agricultural products are considered residence farms or intermediate farms. The USDA Economic Research Service defines commercial farms as farms with $350,000 or more gross cash farm income. Some aquaculture operations are also designated to restoring habitat, replenishing wild fish stocks and rebuilding populations of threatened and endangered species. It involves breeding, rearing, and harvesting fish, shellfish, aquatic plants, algae and other organisms to produce food and other commercial products. Aquaculture Photo by Nick Sambides Jr.Īquaculture is, put simply, aquatic agriculture. Some apiarists will transport their hives to suitable, profitable locations - pollinating the almond crop in California, for example, requires nearly 60 percent of managed honey bees in the United States - which is known as mobile beekeeping. An apiary may refer to a hobby beekeeper’s hives or those used for commercial agriculture, education or research.Īpiaries come in many sizes and can be located in rural or urban areas. ![]() Apiary Photo by Gabor DegreĪn apiary, sometimes known as a “bee yard,” is an agricultural enterprise where beehives of honey bees are kept. Here are 20 types of farms that you should know.
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