Subsistance farming

1. Subsistence Farming
By Ciaran Reddy

2. Benefits of Subsistence Farms
● A sustainable source of food
● A place to practice sustainable methods of
growing, gathering foods and using natural
resources
● Good for the soil and local ecosystems
● Very affordable as long as the work is put in

3. Family Based
● Small farms
● Workers made up of immediate
and sometimes extended family
members
● All produce goes to the family
● All the income gained goes back
into the farm
● Sustainability is practiced avidly
● Processes that reduce manpower,
money and taxed utilities are
used
There are two main types:
Community Based
● Somewhat larger establishments
● Farmers gather a small
community that all live on a farm
or plot of land
● Most of the produce is used by
the community, some is sold
● More time to spend on perfecting
sustainable practices
● Many minds bring many
oppinions to the table

4. Where Subsistence Farms are Found
Impoverished
Areas/Developing Nations
● These farms support families or
communities who are barely
getting by
● Every inch of land is used and all
the product goes back into
feeding the family
● Very patriarchal family settings
and not many opportunities for
schooling
Developed Nations
● These farms can sustain larger
communities
● Focused on developing
sustainable living methods
● Money plays a larger part in the
upkeep of the farm and
development of methods
● Forms of selling produce are
used to gain money for the farm
and provide the community with
alternatives in food

5. Tajikistan America

6. Methods of Farming
● Part of subsistence farming is using the
littlest space to produce the most
● Different methods are used to acquire such a
goal
● These beds a tiered garden beds
o They utilize a hilled area that would otherwise be
difficult to farm
o Water uses gravity to travel between garden beds

7. Methods Cont.
● Intercropping
o Maximizes variation and use of space
o Plants work together to provide each other with
nutrients and distribute water between levels
o Creates a medley of dead material to revitalize the
soil

8. COMPOST!
● Deteriorating organic materials add
nutrients and minerals to the soil
● Provides each new bed a new layer
of health and richness
● Easy to make and a very sufficient
process
CHICKENS
● Natural fertilizer
● They are used to clear an area of
grass and weeds
● They then poop on the soil, adding
more nutrients to the soil and
churning it in
Fertilizer

9. Rain Barrels
● Very inexpensive and easily
assembled
● A sustainable, free water source
Natural Wells
● More difficult to build but much
more rewarding
● Sometimes drinkable
Water

10. CSAs provide income for the farm that can be used
for more seed and starts
It also provides an alternative food option for locals

11. Farmers markets are another source of income and gives the
local community healthy food and jobs
Farmers markets can also be a place for local arts and crafts

12. Summary
● With all these forms
and methods of
farming, such
practices could be a
medium for the next
generation of
sustainable living.
● Not only is the work
visibly satisfying but
it brings people
together and nurtures
ideas.
● It is a great way to
conserve our planet
and live fully.