The layout of your farm is one of the most important decisions you will make. Stephen Covey said it best, "Begin with the end in mind". We found it valuable to take a sheet of graph paper and pre-plan our home site and locations of outbuildings. This plan affects all future land use issues on your place. Some of the factors that should be considered are the following;
Below are three plot plans old and new.
Tips:
If building new, a plot plan is part of your building permit and septic system application. Make copies and start planning.
Don't forget the dry lot. Taking the horses off of the pasture allows for regeneration and helps you manage your livestock's weight.
Check out the layouts below and read the caption for more details.
- Use e.g. home site, yard, pastures (including rotation),dry lot, arena, crops, etc.
- Safety (animal containment is important for their safety and your liability)
- Privacy
- Outbuildings (size, use, and location)
- Maintenance (the lower the better)
- Irrigation source (important to those of us who live in the West)
- Well/Septic location (truck access to well and septic locations should be maintained for future service)
Below are three plot plans old and new.
Tips:
If building new, a plot plan is part of your building permit and septic system application. Make copies and start planning.
Don't forget the dry lot. Taking the horses off of the pasture allows for regeneration and helps you manage your livestock's weight.
Check out the layouts below and read the caption for more details.