What is Micro Farming?

Crop production and animal husbandry are closely linked on organic farms - Research Institute of Organic Agricultue - FIBL

From a farmer's perspective, I can tell you the answer to the question 'what is micro farming' is about more than just the size of the farm.  Micro farming means producing a surprising amount of food or income from a small area by combining intensive growing, careful planning, and often small livestock.

I like to use the acronym MICRO - Many Integrated Crops Raised Organically.

That captures much of the real meaning of the term. Micro farming is a method of farming that involves using small plots of land to grow crops efficiently. It's based on the idea of maximizing productivity on a limited amount of space, by using intensive planting methods, crop rotation, companion planting, and other sustainable farming practices.

In the picture below you can see our 'micro farm'. Although we actually own a bigger plot of land, our farming activity was conducted on about 2 acres. This included raising pastured pork and poultry and rotating them through our one acre garden site.

There are good reasons to include small livestock in your micro farm plans. See more about that below.

The main garden at New Terra Farm just over one acre

What is Micro Farming's Appeal? 

There are several reasons why micro farming is becoming more popular. You don't  need a huge farm to start producing food, earning income, or building a more self-reliant lifestyle. Besides the opportunity to earn extra income by selling their produce at local farmers' markets or through Community Supported Agriculture, you reduce your reliance on grocery stores. 

Earn Extra Income

For many people, micro farming starts as a side hustle. You can sell vegetables, eggs, meat, plants, or other farm products through farmers markets, CSA, roadside sales, or directly to local customers.

The advantage is that you can start small, test demand, and learn what actually sells before investing heavily.

Grow More of Your Own Food

Micro farming also gives you more control over what your family eats and how that food is produced. You decide what varieties to grow, how the soil is managed, what inputs are used, and when the food is harvested.

That can mean fresher food, less dependence on the grocery store, and more confidence about where your food came from.

Start Without a Huge Investment

You do not need a tractor fleet, a massive barn, or 100 acres. A small micro farm can often get started with basic hand tools, simple irrigation, modest infrastructure, and a lot of planning.

That matters because keeping startup costs low gives us room to learn without putting the whole farm at financial risk.

Keep Your Day Job While You Test the Idea

This may be one of the biggest advantages. Micro farming can be done part-time, which means you can keep another source of income while you learn the business.

That gives you time to answer the questions that really matter:

• What grows well on your property?
• What do customers actually buy?
• How much can you realistically produce?
• Which enterprises are worth expanding?

You don't  have to bet everything on the first season.

Farm in a More Sustainable Way

Micro farms are well suited to practices such as composting, cover cropping, crop rotation, mulching, natural pest control, and integrated livestock. These methods can improve soil health, reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and make better use of limited land.

For many growers, that is part of the appeal. For customers, it can be part of the reason they choose to buy from a small local farm.

Combine Crops and Livestock

A micro farm does not have to be vegetables alone. Chickens, pigs, or other small livestock can fit into the system and add another income stream while contributing manure, weed control, and useful crop rotation.

At New Terra Farm, we raised pastured pork and poultry and rotated them through areas connected with our one-acre garden operation. That kind of integration can make a small property work much harder.

Build Community

One of the benefits that is easy to overlook is the people you meet. When we sold at the Merrickville Market, we connected with other growers and customers who cared about local food and sustainable agriculture. Those relationships made the work more rewarding and created a useful network around the farm.

Bring the Family Into It

Micro farming can also be a practical way to involve children in growing food, caring for animals, and understanding where food actually comes from.

There is a big difference between explaining farming to a child and letting them collect eggs, plant a row of beans, or help harvest supper.

Get Outside and Do Real Work

There is also something to be said for simply getting outdoors and doing useful physical work. Farming gives us fresh air, exercise, and a visible result at the end of the day. Not quantifiable on a spreadsheet, but still valuable.

Bottom Line - The Real Appeal

Micro farming gives you room to start small, learn cheaply, and grow only when the results justify it. You don't need to own a large farm first.

You just need a workable piece of land, a realistic plan, and the discipline to prove what works before scaling up.

Micro Farming as a Side Hustle

You want a practical side hustle you can test without quitting your job, buying a tractor, or betting the farm you do not own yet. 

You don't need a big farm to find out whether growing for income can work for you. The Backyard to Income Starter Pack helps you start with the land, tools, and time you already have, choose practical crops and income ideas, and build a small system you can test without taking on unnecessary risk.

Move from “maybe I could make money from this” to a workable first plan. 

Why you MUST Consider Raising Small Livestock on Your Micro Farm

Integrating livestock into your micro farm can bring several benefits, including:

Soil Fertility: Livestock can contribute to soil fertility through their manure, which is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients essential for plant growth. This can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers, saving money and reducing environmental impact.

Crop Rotation: Integrating livestock into a micro farm can also take your crop rotation, which helps to improve soil health and reduce pest and disease pressure, to the next level.

Weed Control: Livestock can also help to control weeds by grazing on them, reducing the need for herbicides.

Diversification: Integrating livestock into a farm can also help to diversify the farm's income streams. Naturally raised pork, chicken and eggs are popular with customers.

Want to See What a Micro Farm Can Actually Look Like?

Get my FREE One-Acre Farm Plan and learn how to raise pigs, chickens and more, integrated with an organic market garden, to make more money from your small property.

Imagine building a profitable and sustainable mini-farm even on a small piece of land.

My Free One-Acre Farm Plan gives you a practical example of how one acre can be organized for:

• Vegetable production
• Small livestock
• Access lanes and work areas
• Crop rotation
• Efficient use of limited space
• A mix of food production and income opportunities

Use it as a starting point to compare enterprises, think through your layout, and build a plan that fits the land, labour, and time you actually have.

Enter your best email and the Plan will be sent to you right away.

Micro Farming as a Business

Getting started with micro farming is a lot like starting any other farm business. There is a right way to go about launching your business that will enhance your chances for success.

Following this sequence doesn't guarantee success, but ignoring it is likely to cost you in time, money and wasted effort.

Best Next Steps

See how crops and livestock can fit together on limited land. Free One-Acre Farm Plan. 

Grow for maximum profit Grow the Top Ten Most Profitable Vegetables

Best next step for someone testing micro farming as a side hustle. Backyard to Income Starter Pack. 

Launch your first $10,000 market garden. Bootstrap Market Gardening

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