Here are five widely useful ideas that will help on a small farm for the person with a physical limitation and 5 acres to do something with.

• Heated water hose and bucket or automatic waterers.
• An ATV with accessories to help with physical labor tasks.  Why use all your energy walking around the farm carrying things?
• Camera/monitor system to remotely observe barns, behind vehicles, into bins, etc.
• Two-wheel cart, wheelbarrow or sled for hauling small loads around the farm.
• Long-handled tools instead of ladders for reaching high places.  An Easy Lift harness can help support the tool weight if arm strength is limited.

I just read this review on the Hobby Farms website regarding an article about earning money on in a small farm environment.

“Just retired and wanted to return to my youth farm enviroment. Your article made me realize that I am too old to return to farming. Too late in my life. I’ll miss my horses and cattle for ever.”

jg, grayslake,, IL
Posted: 6/10/2011 5:56:06 AM

Is this you?  If your dream is to have a small farm or raise livestock again, but your back aches, you’re using a wheelchair, can’t lift a 5-gallon pail of water or 50-lb bag anymore, etc., don’t give up quite yet.  A quick review of the products on DisabilityWorkTools.com related to livestock and farming will be a puff in your farming sails.

You can read the Hobby Farms article and get a good overview of things to consider before starting out with livestock to earn some money.  I’ve done it all when it comes to trying small farm enterprises.  A flock of 200 laying hens, 9 pigs to sell for freezer pork, 4 goats to keep weeds down around the farm, a flock of meat ducks, vegetable stand by the road, maple syrup, etc.  My simple observation is the importance of selling direct to the end consumer if there is any financial profit to be made.  We live near a busy intersection, so with a nice sign we can draw in customers and sell our wares.  It can be done!

Just don’t forget that trusting in our Heavenly Father is the only way for secure provision.

Psa 50:7  Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.
Psa 50:8  I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.
Psa 50:9  I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.
Psa 50:10  For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
Psa 50:11  I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
Psa 50:12  If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.