Farms are a great way to grow food, raise livestock, and make a living. While farms will always require an adequate amount of land for livestock to graze or food to grow, there are many different structures and equipment typically needed for hobby or commercial farming. If you’ve got a plot of land in mind and are ready to start a farming journey, you’ll need to choose your farm’s purpose, layout, and structures. The best way to start is to familiarize yourself with all the structures a farm will typically use depending on their purpose and size.

Barns

There is a reason why the barn is a staple farm structure: it’s versatile, durable, and cost-effective, especially if you plan on hosting both livestock and crops on your farm. Pole barns are simple structures that are far more affordable than stick-frame barn structures. Wood is also the most popular material, as it’s durable and inexpensive. Metal, especially steel, is also a great choice if you prefer durability. 

Barns double as shelter for livestock and ample storage space for farming equipment. Barns typically utilize a second story as a hayloft and provide a lot more storage space than a shed alone. If you plan on skipping livestock or only planting a few crops, you don’t necessarily need a barn, but they’re ideal for multi-purpose farms. If you plan on hosting large animals like cows or horses, a barn is the way to go, as you can include storage, shelter, and grooming crushes. You will want to make sure your barn is large enough for its purpose; you can save money on large barns meant for horses, donkeys, and cows with DIY or local builders. Search terms like “horse barn builder near me” can help you view local builders and compare costs.

Sheds

If your farm is small or lacking livestock, you can swap the barn for a more affordable shed or two. Sheds aren’t as necessary if you have a barn, but if you need more room for storage, an additional shed is better if you want to save money. Drivesheds are also a larger shed option for farm equipment storage. The most durable sheds will be steel, but wood sheds are a stylish and traditional farm structure that only needs treatment against insects and water damage. Prefabricated sheds are convenient but may run you a higher cost than building yourself. Sheds are a great way to store equipment on the smaller side without taking up much space or money. 

Silos

A farm of reasonable size will need to utilize a silo if planning to ferment food for livestock or store grains. Silos are great for keeping grains or other foods fresh without spoiling. Most people picture the cylindrical steel silos as the stereotypical farm structure, but they can also be bunkers, bags, or trenches, too. Silos can cost a pretty penny, so you’ll need to plan financially if you’d like to utilize their benefits. On average, the typical silo can range $10,000 to $30,000.

Stables

If you don’t have a barn (or it’s filled with equipment), you may need to opt for livestock stables if you want animals on your farm. Stables are similar to barns in that they can shelter animals and store a small amount of equipment. Stables, depending on their size and construction method, will typically cost less than a full-size barn due to their smaller size and simpler structure. A stable with one to three pens will help smaller farms save on space and money, but you’ll be limited to the amount of livestock you can have.

Greenhouses

Most crops won’t yield or even survive year-round. Farmers will typically prepare for winter by protecting their vulnerable crops with thermal blankets, harvesting, and creating warmer conditions. Greenhouses serve as an excellent year-round warm and wet climate for smaller crops or plants that cannot survive lower temperatures. While a greenhouse isn’t necessary for every farm, it can add a lot of versatility to your crop yields without having to worry about the right time for planting and harvesting. Greenhouses typically use aluminum, PVC, or wood frames with glass or acrylic covering. A greenhouse doesn’t need to be a particular size, which is ideal for many types of farms. 

Fencing

While not a building structure, fencing is ideal for many farmers and will need to be constructed or installed on the property. Fencing allows farmers to know the limits of their land for crop planting and livestock grazing. For livestock, fencing is essential to keep animals safe and contained; it can also deter some predators, especially with taller fencing. Most farms typically utilize wire, wood, or vinyl fencing. It’s important to compare costs and your farm’s needs before choosing a fence material.

Conclusion

While this list provides the most common farm structures, it’s important to consider your farm’s size, purpose, and budget before choosing the right structures. The most popular structures aren’t always the best options for each farm. Farms with livestock will want to consider both equipment storage and animal shelter. Farms with only crops can be more versatile in the structures they include; you can cut costs with smaller sheds or drivesheds if your farm is on the smaller side. Constructing these buildings yourself will almost always save you money on labor, but it may be smarter to choose experienced builders if you’re unfamiliar with the territory. With the right planning, you can build a productive and successful farm on your property.