Books that helped you lay out your stead?

[Dirtslinger]

Looking for different layout ideas for acreages. Only I know the lay of the land, and what should be closest/furthest from the home in my position. But looking at sketches has helped me, and hope to find more to view.
Thanks for any ideas.

[Windy in Kansas]

Reader's Digest "Back to Basics" offers ideas as to the best layout for a farm.
As I recall it mentions prevailing winds and farm odors for siting buildings in order to avoid always having your home filled with unpleasant aroma.

I also recommend that you consult with a fire department for proper building spacing. The spacing should be such to prevent spread of fire from one to another should fire break out.

May I offer you some opinions proposed by my great great grandfather in a book on agriculture he published in 1867. It is available as a Making of America series through the University of Michigan. They offer it on line at: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text...R0652.0001.001
Page 9 is where you may wish to start reading.

[turtlehead]

Our place was already laid out when we moved here (pretty well, too!)

One book I've seen that covers layout is Storey's Basic Country Skills. Here's a link to Amazon's "Search Inside" feature for this book. Click over to page 5 and you'll see a bit about setting up a homestead, complete with a layout sketch. The book is a very good one and covers LOTS more than just layout.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1580...08#reader-link

[doohap]

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

... May I offer you some opinions proposed by my great great grandfather in a book on agriculture he published in 1867. It is available as a Making of America series through the University of Michigan. They offer it on line at: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text...R0652.0001.001
Page 9 is where you may wish to start reading.

Thank you so much for this link. A most interesting and informative read!

Peace and smiles,
doohap

[BaronsMom]

Here is a link to an Acreage Owners Guide at

http://lancaster.unl.edu/acreageguide/

from the Univ of Nebraska

[Cara]

The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live it. By, John Seymour.

[jersey girl]

Check out books carried by the Small Farm Journal. They have one from early 1900's called "10 acres enough" Has lots of layouts and ideas to make a small farm profitable. We have used several ideas with great success.
Joanie

[Liese]

You might also want to look at permaculture sites and books - sometimes hard to find but thought provoking and helpful.

[Lizza]

Originally Posted by Cara

The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live it. By, John Seymour.

This is my recommendation as well. It is a very pretty book with lots of good info and his layout section is nice. If memory serves he has different set ups for different sized acreage.

[sros990]

1. Farmstead planning handbook : guidelines for planning and expanding agricultural facilities and operations (CD-ROM). MWPS-2

2. For 19th century and middle 20th century ideas about farm layouts, search Cornell University Core Historical Literature of Agriculture.

Steve

[Dirtslinger]

Thanks for all the help!
I have the Seymour book, his 5 acre plan has really helped me out. Being a rectangular lot does make for challenges.

[AnnieinBC]

Here is a link you may find useful, someone on HT posted the link awhile back:

http://www.ki4u.com/webpal/b_recover..._more_plan.pdf

The Have-More Plan, older book, but very interesting, by Ed and Carolyn Robinson.

We are also located in BC (in the Cariboo)

mrs fluidp

[vallyfarm]

The Have-More Plan. Written in the 1920's it gives very practical info. It has been updated, but the charts and conversions alone is worth the price. An extremely straight forward read. It gives both pros and cons for many types of endevors. Mike

[Lawbag]

Originally Posted by Liese

You might also want to look at permaculture sites and books - sometimes hard to find but thought provoking and helpful.

Permaculture: A Designers' Manual by Bill Molllison

A bit pricey $50 - bit worth every penny. This is the book on permaculture and more than any book out there will help you plan and design your homestead as it help you understand how things should work together in your system.

[haypoint]

"5 acres and independence" and "3 Acres enough". Lynn Miller, editor of Small Farmer magazine, reprinted the "3 Acres Enough" , maybe it was 5 acres enough?Both books have a lot to offer.

[TxCloverAngel]

Originally Posted by Cara

The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live it. By, John Seymour.

ditto!! I LOVE this book!!

[hengal]

Another vote for these two:

The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live It - John Seymour

The Have More Plan - Ed and Carolyn Robinson

Both are EXCELLENT resources.