The Ideal Farm

The quantitative aspect of it is based on discussion with experienced farmers, keeping in mind the parameters for a small farm mentioned before.  We are diagramming the ideal farm and then holding up each farm that is interested in selling food through SFNM, in its current state, beside this ideal.  The ideal farm then, for our purposes, is composed of:

• A 200 share CSA

• No mechanical aids

• Ideal fertility and weather

• 60 acres apportioned as follows:

               
This ideal farm is assuming perfect climatic conditions and land fertility, and a minimum of four experienced farmers running the operation with no aid of any mechanical or electronic equipment at all.  That means hand stirring and application of preparations, animal power, etc. 

The sustainability of the "ideal farm" has been considered as follows:  4 farmers at $50,000 / yr salary totaling $200,000;  $5,000 / mo operating expenses totaling $60,000 / yr; total budget $260,000 / yr.  Divide this by 200 shares to equal $1,300 / share or $50 / week / share.  If we consider that each share should cover the needs of a 4 member family and that the share includes dairy products, fruit, bread, etc. in other words most of the food that the family would use for one week that would be $12.50 / person / week.  These amounts would be adjusted according to the cost of living of each region.

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