Smallholding

A smallholding is a farm that is so small that it is inefficient in terms of making a profit. It can also be used to indicate "a means of achieving self-sufficiency with the ability to supplement income by selling surplus produce and meat."

Why the definitions? Because we are most definitely a smallholding! We have exactly one acre. Well, to be precise, we own exactly one acre. Then the subtractions start:

• 16½ feet for the easement across the front of our property for neighbors' access to their property
• 25 feet front setback and 10 feet for both sides and the rear setback
• Water well and clearance around it
• Septic tank, sand filter, and drainfield and all their clearances
• Cistern (2000 gallons), propane tank, generator
• Our heathy house with a kitchen to process harvests, both animal and vegetable; an office; and an exercise room. (The rest of the rooms are ancillary.)
• Accessory structure, or outbuilding, that houses an art studio for Marbeth, a wood shop and repair center for Ken, a storage area for "stuff," and a pole barn for our tractor and implements

So, when we get right down to it, we have much less than an acre to work with. What's left has to accommodate

• Pasture/ranch for our meat goats
• Garden/farm for our veggies
• Some space for our chickens (both meat and egg-layers) where they will be "free-range" and not "cooped up"
• A place for our meat rabbits

As you can see, our holding is very small, and just about every square inch is accounted for.