WHAT IS A SMALL ACREAGE FARM IN UTAH? 

There’s no unique definition, so we just asked our Utah small acreage owners.  This is what we learned:

• ​The majority are less than 40 acres in size and 25% are less than 1 acre.
• Half of the small acreage owners consider themselves “hobby farmers.”  Only 12% were full time farms.
• Many of these are in semi-rural areas along the Wasatch front, but small acreage farms can be found around the state.
• Over 1/3 of these farms have been in operation for 1 to 5 years. Over 25% have farmed their property for over 20 years.
• Small acreage owners are diverse.  Some raise food only for themselves, while others sell their vegetables, fruit, eggs, flowers, and more at local farmer’s markets.
• Almost 2/3 raise chickens,  50% raise horses, about 1/3 raise sheep and beef cattle and less than 15% raise pigs or milk cows.

This “word cloud” includes all the different goals and motivations of our Utah small acreage farmers.   Click here for more about the small farms survey.

the good neighbor

• ​Limits animal access to waterways.
• Provides animals a watering facility.
• Encourages natural vegetation along streambanks.
• Stores manure away from water.
• Gets soil tested before fertilizing.
• Protects bees, birds, and pets from dangerous pesticides and hazardous materials.
• Uses water efficiently​.

the problem neighbor

• Does not restrict animal access to streams, canals, and other waterways.
• Removes natural vegetation from stream banks.
• Stores manure too close to water.
• Over-fertilizes lawns, gardens and crops.
• Lets pesticides and hazardous materials  endanger bees, birds and pets.
• Wastes water.

Neighbors are at risk of

• A contaminated well.
• Sick animals.
• Excessive weeds.
• Poor pollination of plants​.
• Less usable water available.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR...
​DON'T SHARE!

are you a good neighbor?

Find out Here

PROTECT YOUR WELL

SEPTIC SYSTEMS

FERTILIZERS

MANURE MANAGEMENT

PESTICIDES 

FUEL STORAGE

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS