Owning an acreage home can come with many benefits, such as increased privacy and access to land. But did you know that you can also use your acreage to produce food or other agricultural products? Whether you have a small backyard or a sprawling property, there are many ways to maximize your acreage's potential. Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities. 

Farming & Gardening Opportunities on an Acreage Property

Growing your own produce is a great way to teach kids about where food comes from. It can also earn you a little extra money at your local farmer’s market.

If you have access to open fields, growing crops is one of the most obvious uses for your land. The type of crops you grow will depend on where you live, since different crops have various needs for sunlight, soil, drainage, irrigation, pH, etc. 

Much of Colorado’s soil is clay-based, which can make it difficult to grow certain fruits and vegetables. But there are still plenty of options! Crops to plant in a clay-based Colorado garden include:

• Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, bok choi)

• Onions and leeks

• Celery

• Root vegetables, like beets, carrots, and parsnips

• Potatoes

• Leafy greens like spinach and arugula

• Melons and pumpkins

• Cucumbers

• Peppers

• Zucchini

• Baby tomatoes
  
  

Growing your own food is not only rewarding and delicious, it can also be a nice source of income! If you are able to turn over a good amount of extra produce, you might try your hand at selling some of it at a local farmer’s market. 

If you have a particularly large property that supports berries, herbs, fresh flowers, pumpkins, or other easily harvested items, you could also consider opening your property some of the time for “U-Pick” opportunities. This can be a great way to connect with your community and ensure none of your produce goes to waste. 

Animals on an Acreage Farm

Wool from alpacas is highly prized for its warmth and durability. 

Many individuals with an acreage home opt to raise animals, such as goats, chickens, or bees. In Colorado, you’ll likely see alpacas roaming around several acreage homes in Douglas County (especially Parker) and further southeast in Elbert County.  

Animals can provide valuable by-products, like milk, wool, fresh eggs, and honey-all of which can be sold. You can also use the by-products yourself to make soap or hand-knitted items for sale. Local honey is also a particular favorite at farmer’s markets in Colorado.

Of course, raising animals is not without considerations. You will, first and foremost, need to check with local ordinances regarding keeping animals on the property. As the owner of an acreage home myself, this is something I can assist with. If it is allowed, you will need to carefully research the needs of the animals you intend to raise. You may need to build special housing, source food, and invest in certain processing equipment, for example. Keep in mind that animals on the property may also attract predators, like coyotes and bears. You will need to take steps to keep both the animals and people on the property safe. 

Foraging on Your Acreage Home

You may have valuable resources growing freely on your property. Look for mushrooms, herbs, and other wild edibles. 

Harvesting natural resources from your acreage home can also provide additional income opportunities. Depending on where you live, you may be able to harvest timber from your land to sell as firewood or lumber. 

Foraging has also become extremely popular. Wild plants are an exciting and sustainable source of both food and medicine. Examine your property for sources of wild edibles, such as mushrooms, roots, berries, and nettles. These can be dried and sold, or processed in various ways to support a complementary medicine regimen. 

Of course, you will want to carefully research each item before you attempt to ingest it or sell it. If you are truly interested in herbal medicine, it will be well worth it to take a course to help you learn how to responsibly harvest, identify, and process these plants and roots.

Keep your eye out for the following herbs and roots on your property in Colorado:

• Dandelion

• Burdock

• Wild hops

• Red clover

• Alfalfa

• Shepherd’s purse
  
  

These are great “beginner herbs” for foragers since they are easily identifiable by their flowers and do not resemble anything toxic! 

Horse Stables on an Acreage Property

Building stables can be a highly lucrative endeavor. Horse owners will always need a place to house their animals, and you can charge a significant amount for rent and upkeep. On average, it costs about $400 per month to board one horse, but full-care stables can charge as much as $700 per month! This means that even a simple, two-horse stable could net you at last $800 extra per month.

Generally speaking, owning or boarding horses requires a good amount of land. One horse needs at least 2 acres to graze and run. If you plan on hosting more than that, you will need an additional 1.5 to 2 acres per animal.  Horse pasture also needs to be meticulously maintained to offer adequate nutrition sources, and you will likely need staff to assist in looking after the horses. Again, if you have never raised or boarded horses before, it will be worth it to consult with an expert. 

RV and Boat Storage

RVs and boats are notoriously difficult (and expensive) to store. If you have extra land and are looking for an alternate revenue stream, offering storage to these kinds of vehicles can be a great option. It can be an expensive upfront cost to build storage space from the ground up, so try to gauge the need for storage in your area before you proceed. If your location is in high demand for storage, the upfront cost may be worth it. (A single, class C RV can cost $200 per month to store!)

Acreage Homes in Colorado

Colorado is known for its natural beauty, and it is home to some truly incredible acreage properties. If you are searching for your dream home on land, contact Jennifer Gaines with the Gaines Advantage. As an award-winning RealtorⓇ, Jenn has years of experience buying and selling acreage homes in Colorado. She can help you find the perfect home for your needs, whether you are looking for a place to raise the kids or the perfect area to start an alpaca farm. Call or go online today to get started. 

Denver CO Real Estate Agent Jennifer Gaines The REALTOR® that WORKS for you! #thegainesadvantage Specializing in matching people to homes and professional home, new build and resale services in Aurora, Castle Rock, Centennial, Parker, Elizabeth, Franktown and surrounding areas. While helping you find the home of your dreams or sell your home for top dollar, your experience will be beyond phenomenal. New beginnings are one move away! Call or text me: 303-906-8218 To receive my mobile business card ~ TEXT soldbyjenn TO 85377  JenniferGainesReviews