How I Started a Small Suburban Farm

By Michael Brown
Published on July 21, 2017
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Once grass, this backyard has been made into an oasis that excites the senses.
Once grass, this backyard has been made into an oasis that excites the senses.
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The author, Michael Brown, stands near plants in his backyard farm.
The author, Michael Brown, stands near plants in his backyard farm.
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Michael Brown grows small fruits and berries, with a focus on vigor, resistance, and taste.
Michael Brown grows small fruits and berries, with a focus on vigor, resistance, and taste.

When my family moved into our suburban home in central New Jersey, our large backyard was dotted with an assortment of trees, and unruly hedges hugged much of our perimeter fence. While it did make for a pretty good soccer field, it wasn’t suitable for much else. Our children would play in the backyard, but it didn’t excite their senses, offer impromptu lessons in nature or botany, or serve as a home for insects or birds. It was a desert of grass that required constant care and gave nothing in return. Something needed to change.

I started the transformation to a small backyard farm with a vegetable garden and a couple of fig trees in a small corner of my yard. Now, after almost 15 years, I’ve transformed my entire 1⁄3-acre backyard into a productive and revenue-producing suburban farm.

I decided to expand past the food garden and create a suburban farm when it seemed clear that we weren’t going to be acquiring more land. We both needed to be able to commute to our jobs, and we needed my income as a school librarian to help with the expenses of raising a family.

The first few steps we took to set up a suburban farm were legal and administrative. I called my township to ask about any potential barriers I may encounter. Their response — “If nobody complains, we won’t bother you!” — helped encourage me to be a quiet and courteous neighbor. Our next step was to set up a legal entity. I chose to incorporate as a limited liability company (LLC). I arranged for insurance and filled out some paperwork, and then I was ready to go.

My yard has gone through a number of transformations. I’ve grown heirloom tomatoes, squash blossoms, herbs, pea shoots, kale — whatever seemed to be in demand. Though my suburban farm was profitable over the years, eventually I decided it was too difficult to compete with the diversity and quantity of produce from larger farms. I needed to find something that played to my strengths as a small-acreage grower in close proximity to a large and culturally diverse population.

The model I finally chose incorporates plants for berry production as well as a small nursery. It allows me to consistently earn up to $25,000 on a small acreage while holding down a full-time job as a school librarian. The free summers I enjoy as a school employee are a major help in running my farm. I don’t think I could do it with a demanding corporate position. However, I think this model is suitable for others who have flexible hours, work part-time, or perhaps don’t have a job at all. Along the way, I’ve developed some guidelines to help me focus on the best direction for my farm, keeping in mind my specific circumstances and markets.

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