Hobby Farming For Dummies - For Dummies Math & Science Author:Theresa A. Husarik The fun and easy way to set up a small-scale farm for pleasure or profit More than 71 percent of rural counties in the U.S. have recently seen population gains, and much of this growth is coming from retirees and professionals fed up with the daily grind of life in big metropolitan areas. These urban and suburban refugees are attracted by the ... more »slower rhythms of rural life, and many are taking up farming, for fun and maybe even to earn a little money; fully 58 percent of all farms now fall in the hobby farm category, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. This friendly guide shows would-be gentlemen and gentlewomen farmers how to get started without getting in over their heads. It offers straight-shooting advice on the pros and cons of small-scale farming, tips on evaluating and purchasing rural properties, and guidance on deciding what to farm. Readers get practical pointers on every aspect of small-scale farming, from growing crops, raising livestock, and enjoying the fruits of their labor to marketing and selling farm products. It's just what first-time farmers need to dig in and start growing! Theresa A. Husarik (Herriman, UT) is a freelance writer and photographer. Since moving to ten acres on the edge of civilization with her veterinarian husband about ten years ago, Theresa has learned that getting away from it all comes with both its joys and challenges. From raising animals to planting small crops, country life has been an education, the highlights of which she shares in this book.« less