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The Joy of Hobby Farming: Grow Food, Raise Animals, and Enjoy a Sustainable Life
When the farm is a lifestyle, not just a way to earn a living, that’s hobby farming. Most of us want to live a sustainable life in which we protect the land and keep it safe from development and overproduction. But we can take this a step further by learning how to grow and savor what we can produce ourselves—while still maintaining an alternative career to fund this passion. Michael and Audrey Levatino here share how to:
• Grow your own food.
• Raise chickens, horses, llamas, bees, and more.
• Practice being (a little) off the grid.
• Sell the bounty in your local community.
• Balance a professional career with a rural lifestyle.
The Joy of Hobby Farming is a book that will excite armchair farmers and inspire any do-it-yourselfer.
• Grow your own food.
• Raise chickens, horses, llamas, bees, and more.
• Practice being (a little) off the grid.
• Sell the bounty in your local community.
• Balance a professional career with a rural lifestyle.
The Joy of Hobby Farming is a book that will excite armchair farmers and inspire any do-it-yourselfer.
- GenresNonfictionGardening
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
7 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 6, 2016
A nice entry level book for the aspiring hobby farmer. There was fantastic information about soils and crop rotation, that I had not been able to find in any other books. I also really enjoyed how they provided tips on how to make money at it. That is not really something that I had given thought to before, but now a little display at the local farmers market sounds inviting!
However... I found the animal section enraging!! There were several pieces of information that were vastly incorrect, that would cause great harm if actually done the way they instructed. For starters, horse and donkey hooves are wildly different, and "trimming the same," could lame your animal in a hurry. Equine hoof care is a very, very delicate task- it is not something I would trust to someone with so little experience. . I was also a little sad that there were many other popular "hobby farm" animals that were not mentioned at all.
However... I found the animal section enraging!! There were several pieces of information that were vastly incorrect, that would cause great harm if actually done the way they instructed. For starters, horse and donkey hooves are wildly different, and "trimming the same," could lame your animal in a hurry. Equine hoof care is a very, very delicate task- it is not something I would trust to someone with so little experience. . I was also a little sad that there were many other popular "hobby farm" animals that were not mentioned at all.
March 29, 2016
This was a pretty good book overall. Michael and his wife Audrey have written a book that is very informative with their own personal experience with hobby farming.
The information that they offer is very practical and personal; they've gone through several different experiences, good and bad, and can offer their "two cents" on multiple areas of hobby farming.
I learned quite a bit about the acquisition of land itself and all that it entails that I hadn't known prior to reading this book, and it's great information to know.
One thing I particularly enjoyed about this book is the amount of resources they provide the reader with! There is so much information (that may be new material to some readers or hobby farmers!) that it is so beneficial to have the resources on acquiring more information. I have personally taken note on some of these things and will certainly be using them to my own benefit some day!
The only thing I wasn't too hot on was their obvious disdain for raising animals for food. They're vegetarians and make it a clear point in the book. My impression was that no matter how you slice it, if you choose to raise animals for your own meat, that you're partaking in something negative that isn't beneficial and that you're attributing to the horror of animal factories... I personally disagree with their thoughts/feelings on this, but they make their case and don't hide anything, which is good and honest.
Overall, a wonderful read about real folks offering their experience as advice to us aspiring hobby farmers. Definitely recommend!
The information that they offer is very practical and personal; they've gone through several different experiences, good and bad, and can offer their "two cents" on multiple areas of hobby farming.
I learned quite a bit about the acquisition of land itself and all that it entails that I hadn't known prior to reading this book, and it's great information to know.
One thing I particularly enjoyed about this book is the amount of resources they provide the reader with! There is so much information (that may be new material to some readers or hobby farmers!) that it is so beneficial to have the resources on acquiring more information. I have personally taken note on some of these things and will certainly be using them to my own benefit some day!
The only thing I wasn't too hot on was their obvious disdain for raising animals for food. They're vegetarians and make it a clear point in the book. My impression was that no matter how you slice it, if you choose to raise animals for your own meat, that you're partaking in something negative that isn't beneficial and that you're attributing to the horror of animal factories... I personally disagree with their thoughts/feelings on this, but they make their case and don't hide anything, which is good and honest.
Overall, a wonderful read about real folks offering their experience as advice to us aspiring hobby farmers. Definitely recommend!
November 30, 2017
This book is a lot of fun to read, these people really love what they do and make me want a farm of my own. Each topic is thoroughly covered with explanations and experiences, giving an enjoyable fresh perspective. The only hiccup is the fact they seem to be a bit more extreme about some topics than I might be, which cause me to roll my eyes. To each his own, but it was a joy to read.
December 31, 2019
Looking at having my own farm someday. This book gives an overview and opened my eyes to a few things I haven't thought of before!
January 12, 2014
This book is really for people just starting out exploring moving to the country; not for people who are planning to move.
It covers in depth about gardening flowers, mushrooms and about keeping llamas, while it just skims over the rest.
**It does NOT talk about keeping goats, sheep or water fowl.**
The authors "have been hobby farming for 10 years now", and I've been hobby farming since 2005 and I disagree with several things in this book.
They claim that, unless you plan on breeding your hens don't get a rooster "we've both got scars from rooster spurs", and that roosters do not get along well together that they with fight each other to a bloody death.
I disagree 100% on that, I've have my flock since 2005 (no scars) and right now I have a flock in a pen that has three roosters and 20 hens that get along great.
I also have a chicken tractor that has a 3 rooster 'bachelor pad'. And they too, get along fine. They establish who's boss, now, yes, they did fight and a comb or waddle did bleed but the loosing bird backed off, he didn't "fight to the death"...
They also said that "in their experience white chickens are more calm and docile"...they're really basing a personality trait on a chickens color not breed?? (I.e. going on what they said Leghorns are a white chicken breed and I've had several-they're flighty and not calm at all...)
The authors are "practicing vegetarians" who, though they eat fish, they don't eat chicken or beef, and they go through why they don't in the book, and I feel even though they "don't have a problem with people raising their animals for meat", that they did try to put a little guilt in the writing.
My honest opinion is that the authors should of waited to get more experience hobby farming before writing a book, especially since it is written how they do things and in their experiences.
But as I said, if you are just toying with the idea of moving to a farm, this is probably a good book to read...but I'd still advise you read other hobby farming books first.
It covers in depth about gardening flowers, mushrooms and about keeping llamas, while it just skims over the rest.
**It does NOT talk about keeping goats, sheep or water fowl.**
The authors "have been hobby farming for 10 years now", and I've been hobby farming since 2005 and I disagree with several things in this book.
They claim that, unless you plan on breeding your hens don't get a rooster "we've both got scars from rooster spurs", and that roosters do not get along well together that they with fight each other to a bloody death.
I disagree 100% on that, I've have my flock since 2005 (no scars) and right now I have a flock in a pen that has three roosters and 20 hens that get along great.
I also have a chicken tractor that has a 3 rooster 'bachelor pad'. And they too, get along fine. They establish who's boss, now, yes, they did fight and a comb or waddle did bleed but the loosing bird backed off, he didn't "fight to the death"...
They also said that "in their experience white chickens are more calm and docile"...they're really basing a personality trait on a chickens color not breed?? (I.e. going on what they said Leghorns are a white chicken breed and I've had several-they're flighty and not calm at all...)
The authors are "practicing vegetarians" who, though they eat fish, they don't eat chicken or beef, and they go through why they don't in the book, and I feel even though they "don't have a problem with people raising their animals for meat", that they did try to put a little guilt in the writing.
My honest opinion is that the authors should of waited to get more experience hobby farming before writing a book, especially since it is written how they do things and in their experiences.
But as I said, if you are just toying with the idea of moving to a farm, this is probably a good book to read...but I'd still advise you read other hobby farming books first.
October 14, 2012
Lot's of good info, but not the best book on the subject. A bit preachy for my taste. I'm going to raise and eat meat and love it.
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September 4, 2017I have some experience on a farm, but since I decided to start my own homestead in the near future I knew I needed to educate myself. This book was valuable in that I have a better idea of what to expect and it served as a good reality check. This book has amazing full color photography and it covers a lot of topics. However, they "preached" a lot and though I agree on some points, I got tired of it. Overall, a well done book.
April 3, 2019
This was a solid book. I liked the flow from chapter to chapter and the beautiful farm pictures. I did get a little annoyed with some of the attitudes about what morally acceptable in farming. Apparently, it’s never okay to breed an animal 😒 I don’t mind reading about the framework of information the author used to make their choices, but it really irritates me when thing like this are presented as *the only right way to do things*
December 23, 2017
Odd to have a book about hobby farming written by people who don’t eat animals.
January 6, 2021
Definitely explains how to kill a chicken.
Rented from the library.
Rented from the library.
July 9, 2023
So informative!
October 7, 2025
Very informative, is getting me excited for some new animals. Learned tips about raising goats, sheep, donkeys, horses, cows, and chickens all together in a big happy family.
February 6, 2017
Excellent overview of hobby farming as a whole. Starting with buying or renting the land itself to cultivating a vegetable or flower garden, caring for easy animals like llamas, donkeys, and chickens as well as turning a profit—this book covers a broad overview of it all.
If you have done much research in hobby farming, it is likely you already know or have differing opinions to those expressed in this book. Everyone has their own way of farming and this book represents just one of them. The authors Michael and Audrey Levantino are organic farmers and even go as far to express their belief in a sustainable vegetarian diet in the book. This is relatively short and not preachy which I appreciated.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who believes hobby farming will just be fun and no work. This book, while not as detailed as needed in places, will definitely provide a good overview for anyone looking into becoming a sustainable hobby farmer.
Added benefit: great pictures!
If you have done much research in hobby farming, it is likely you already know or have differing opinions to those expressed in this book. Everyone has their own way of farming and this book represents just one of them. The authors Michael and Audrey Levantino are organic farmers and even go as far to express their belief in a sustainable vegetarian diet in the book. This is relatively short and not preachy which I appreciated.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who believes hobby farming will just be fun and no work. This book, while not as detailed as needed in places, will definitely provide a good overview for anyone looking into becoming a sustainable hobby farmer.
Added benefit: great pictures!
August 3, 2011
This is a good all-around look at hobby farming. They really do cover just about everything, from raising cut flowers, to vegetable gardening, to animals, mushrooms, etc.. I appreciate their hobby farming approach--they're in it for lifestyle reasons and don't expect to make a living, so farming in an economical way, both in terms of cash and time, is important for them. They're a bit shy about dealing with animals, and I'm not sure I totally agree with their take on CSAs versus farmer's markets (there are other models of CSA that don't have to be quite to big that have some potential for hobby farmers, I think). But overall, this is a great overview/intro book for people thinking about trying their hand at farming with still keeping an off-farm job.
October 5, 2022
i really like how this book isnt as condescending as others in this genre. I've read many of these books and they always mention how using things like generators instead of a wood burning stove or using a vehicle to get around your property instead of walking means you're not a "true" farmer and that you dont respect the lifestyle. id love to not rely on stuff like that, but as someone with a physical disability i cant really and the levatinos dont shame you for that! they even mention like "if you cant do this, that's alright" which i thought was very nice!!
i picked this book up at a library but im planning on buying my own copy since it has such great info!
i picked this book up at a library but im planning on buying my own copy since it has such great info!
June 12, 2013
A great book for those looking at the idea of hobby farming.
It provides a realistic outlook on the good and the bad things that people can expect from when they first start on this journey.
There are plenty of ideas on different avenues you can explore, sound advice on safety and some good pictures.
Some people may find this book to be written in an instructional format but if you look beyond how it is written (an account of personal experience and personal recommendations)and take from it what you want, then you will find it as rewarding and eye opening as I did.
It provides a realistic outlook on the good and the bad things that people can expect from when they first start on this journey.
There are plenty of ideas on different avenues you can explore, sound advice on safety and some good pictures.
Some people may find this book to be written in an instructional format but if you look beyond how it is written (an account of personal experience and personal recommendations)and take from it what you want, then you will find it as rewarding and eye opening as I did.
July 7, 2011
This book is about a little of everything and a lot of nothing. If you do not garden or have any animals and you think it would be really fun to start then this will be a great book for you. If on the other hand you have a couple of chikens, you garden and are already on the path to hobby farming you can skip this book. Read the section on the mushrooms and write down the websites listed in the back of the book.
The pictures are beautiful
The pictures are beautiful
April 2, 2016
This book is a good book if you are interested in gardening or if you want to start your own hobby farm. It takes a lot about how you can start up your own hobby farm and what you may need financially. It also has a lot of tips and tricks for growing food. It even talks a lot about raising livestock and selling it too. it also tells you how to be successful at the farmer's market and make a little extra money there.
June 24, 2014
This is a good overview of things you can do with a hobby farm, replete with pearls of wisdom like "don't rush farm work lest you get hurt or botch it up" -which sounds like common sense unless you've previously tried to rush your farm chores and regretted it (personal experience here!)
Learn from other farmers' advice!!
Learn from other farmers' advice!!
October 20, 2015
This book gave some good insight into things that other books don't always cover. I especially liked the sections on legal matters and growing mushrooms. I felt the sections on animals was rather vague and it seemed obvious that the authors didn't know a whole lot about livestock. I did like some of the personal anecdotes about the trials of farming.
December 28, 2015
Well written and interesting - except the sections on keeping/raising animals. The author admits that he's not really into keeping animals on a farm, and urges everyone to consider following his example. Then he goes ahead and gives some basic info on animal-keeping, and in several cases, he gives incorrect info. Find a different book if you're wanting animal info.
July 9, 2012
Certainly far from inclusive, but an easy read that covered minimal basics- I was looking for more on barn cats, bees/honey, etc.
But, I enjoyed the basic premise- and it got me daydreaming about owning more land and what I could do with it!
But, I enjoyed the basic premise- and it got me daydreaming about owning more land and what I could do with it!
February 16, 2014
This book had some interesting info on how to use the land to advantage while supporting yourself with a full-time job. There were some good tips on how to get started and on keeping things simple and scaled to a reasonable workload, but it was just a little bit boring.
July 28, 2014
It would be a great intro to farming book for someone just starting the thought process of starting a hobby farm that doesn't have a clue as to what is involved. The whole not raising animals for meat preachy vegan thing got annoying real fast.
May 28, 2014
Not too much about animal care. Good for a quick read or tips without overwhelming detail. I was seeking a larger animal care and benefit section.
August 15, 2011
Don't ask me why I read this book! I just tried reading this and I found it a really interesting and it's a rather interesting book for farming!
April 3, 2012
Very inspiring and informative. Now I want a farm!
July 14, 2012
Easy to understand, good tips, well laid out. I learned much from this book.
September 14, 2012
One day!
October 19, 2013
I would give it four, but I felt that some of the information was uneven. While they would lay out costs for some animals, in the same chapter they would not give any estimates related to cost.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews