You want your small farm business to succeed.
But do you know what will give it the best chance at success?
It all comes down to…
Infrastructure
Starting a small farm operation is always exciting. But after the joy wears off…
Most new farmers quickly learn a hard lesson…
If you don’t have the right infrastructure in place, your farm is destined to struggle.
Things fall apart. Hay gets spoiled. Machines stop working. And before you know it, you’re driving yourself into debt.
The good news is that smart infrastructure investments can drastically increase your farm’s efficiency, protect your equipment, and help you build a more profitable business for the long haul.
Here’s what you’re going to learn…
- Why infrastructure is so important for small farms
- Why portable storage buildings are the best investment
- Other infrastructure ideas that provide a high return
- Mistakes to avoid when making infrastructure investments
Why Infrastructure Is So Important for Small Farms
When it comes to American agriculture, small family farms are everything.
The United States Department of Agriculture reports there are over 900,000 farms in the U.S., and 85% of them are considered family farms.
The problem?
Most family farms don’t turn a huge profit.
Higher expenses, unexpected weather, and equipment failure are just a few of the things that eat into their margins. That’s why investing in infrastructure is so important.
Take farm equipment, for example.
A tractor sitting out in the rain:
- Doesn’t just get wet
- Loses value at an accelerated rate (depreciation)
- Rusts
- Breaks down more quickly
The same principles apply to:
- Feed and grain
- Hay
- Crops
- Tools / Equipment
Investing in infrastructure to protect these assets will save you money over time.
Portable Storage Buildings Are the Best Investment
If you could only make one infrastructure investment for your farm…
Building portable storage buildings would be it.
They’re cheap. Functional. And they can be easily customized to meet your farming needs.
New farm owners that purchase barns from Keen’s Buildings can keep equipment dry and protected from the elements. Not to mention, use them to house livestock or store hay bales.
Here’s why portable storage buildings are so valuable:
When you buy a portable storage building from Keen’s, you can move it wherever you want.
Your farm operation changes over time. Maybe you want to move the barn closer to a different pasture. Perhaps you want to start using it for different equipment.
Portable storage buildings let you do that.
Instead of being stuck with a rusting barn animals never use. You can adapt to the changing needs of your farm operation.
They Protect Your Investment
Do you know how much farm equipment costs these days?
- Tractors start at $20,000 and go way up from there.
- Combine harvesters cost farmers between $125,000 – $300,000
- Corn pickers range from $60,000 – $220,000
- Small farm equipment (seeders, sprayers, etc.) cost $10,000 – $80,000+
Farmers shouldn’t have to worry about their equipment rusting when they leave it outside.
But that’s exactly what happens.
Portable storage buildings protect equipment from:
- Rain / Moisture
- Sunlight / UV Rays
- Snow / Ice
- Windy Debris
Covered equipment lasts longer which means you’ll save money on maintenance and replacement costs.
Versatility Gives You Multiple Options
Whether you’re farming livestock or crops, portable storage buildings can handle it all.
Here are just a few examples of the ways you can use them:
Livestock Farms
- Store hay
- Keep feed dry
- Protect farm equipment
- House livestock
Crop Farms
- Hold harvested crops
- Store farm equipment
- Gather tools / materials
If you have a small farm operation, don’t overlook the value that portable storage buildings offer.
Other Infrastructure Ideas that Offer High Return
Portable storage buildings should be the first infrastructure purchase you make.
But they shouldn’t be your last.
Here are a few other ideas to consider:
Fencing
Good fencing does more than keep your animals in one place.
It creates sections for rotational grazing. Protects your crops. And keeps you from getting sued if a cow wanders into town.
Investing in quality fences can pay off big time.
Water
We all know how important water is to any farm.
You need it for livestock. Growing crops. Processing vegetables.
If there’s one area of your farm that you should invest in, it’s water infrastructure.
That includes things like wells, ponds, and water distribution systems.
Equipment / Truck Shelters
You may also want to look into equipment shelters.
These structures are similar to portable storage buildings. But instead of fully enclosed, they’re open on several sides.
Equipment shelters give you some protection from the elements while making it easy to access your gear.
Grain Storage
If you farm crops, having grain storage might be a game changer.
When harvest season comes around, you’ll be able to sell your grain at higher prices.
According to FoodPrint, between 2017 and 2024, 160,000 farms went out of business.
If you want your farm to be around for the long haul, grain storage could make all the difference.
Mistakes To Avoid When Making Infrastructure Investments
Investing in infrastructure is smart.
But you don’t want to squander your farm’s hard earned money.
Avoid these four pitfalls:
Don’t Build Too Quickly
When you first start out, it can be tempting to build the biggest farm possible.
Start with what you need and grow from there.
Portable storage buildings are great for this reason. You can easily add on to them or buy new ones as your farm expands.
Consider Location, Location, Location
Where you place your infrastructure is critical.
Think about how water drains throughout the year. Where you’ll have access roads. How far things are from where you work everyday.
Misplacing a storage building can cost you time and money.
Buy Something You Won’t Outgrow Quickly
Don’t buy cheap.
Cheap storage buildings will fall apart. Cheap fences won’t last through the first storm. Cheap shelters will harbor mold that destroys your equipment.
Buy quality, durable items that will stand the test of time.
Research Permits Before Building
Before you build that perfect farm, make sure you’re following your local laws.
Some areas require permits for farm buildings. Don’t get fined or forced to take down a structure by taking the time to research your local zoning laws.
Wrapping It Up: Starting a Small Farm Business
If your farm doesn’t have the right infrastructure, it doesn’t matter how hard you work.
Your money is going to disappear.
But when you make smart investments at the right time, you protect your equipment and give your farm the chance to prosper.
Portable storage buildings are one of the best places to start.
They’re cheap. Versatile. And they protect your equipment from the harsh weather we see here in the Midwest.
As your farm grows, look into other infrastructure investments that will protect your business.
Fencing, water distribution, equipment shelters, and grain storage are all worth looking into.
Just remember…
Invest money into your farm’s infrastructure now and it will save you money later.
