Planning for Facilities and Equipment

The facilities (structures) as well as the equipment (tractors, implements, machinery, tools, etc.) of a farm operation play an important role in the productivity and profitability of the farm. Facilities and equipment are typically thought of as investments and labor savers, but they can become a source of financial ruin for the farm. It is essential for the farmer to design or adapt, utilize and maintain all farm facilities and equipment for optimum use, efficiency and safety. This section lists resources by category to help farmers gain knowledge and understand how best to utilize space and equipment on the farm for housing, storage, and productivity.

Resources

Farmstead Planning

• A Farmstead Planning Handbook: Guidelines for Planning and Expanding Agricultural Facilities and Operations (CD-ROM) – the 12 chapters of this CD show how to locate, plan, build, and expand a farm, from a small acreage to a large operation. More than 100 illustrations and tables plus an expansion plan example complete the instruction.
• Dairy Facilities – University of WI Cooperative Extension
• State Environmental Laws Affecting Maine Agriculture – Maine Department of Environmental Protection
• Check with your local municipal planning board at your city hall/town office.

Power (electricity, solar, wind)

• USDA National Agricultural Library – Farm Energy Options
• eXtension Farm Energy Community Page
• Renewable Energy – Purdue University Cooperative Extension
• Energy and Your Farm – University of Missouri Cooperative Extension

Biosecurity

• USDA-APHIS Animal Health – Veterinary Services include preventing, preparing, responding and recovering from emergency animal disease and disaster situations. Dr. Fred Cantor 508.363.2290 or VSMA@aphis.usda.gov
• Biosecurity for Farms – Colorado State University Cooperative Extension

Structures

Design & Construction

• On-Farm Construction fact sheet – University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
• MidWest Plan Service (MWPS) – Publications from Iowa State University about agricultural engineering, building design, air quality, manure management, agribusiness, tillage, and grain handling
• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (CPS) – series of plans in PDF format from Canadian network of agricultural engineers and livestock specialists concerned with the planning, design, and construction of modern farm buildings
• Universal Design on the Farm fact sheet – University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Building Plans from Land Grant Universities 

• Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
• Louisiana State University Cooperative Extension
• Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension
• North Dakota State University Cooperative Extension
• University of Tennessee Cooperative Extension

Building Maintenance and Use

Greenhouses/Hoop Houses

• Greenhouses and Similar Structures (PDF) – University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
• Portable Field Hoophouse – Washington State University Cooperative Extension
• Hoop Houses in Rural Alaska – University of Alaska Cooperative Extension

Sales Areas

• Roadside Markets, Stands and Equipment (PDF) – ‘Idea Plan’ Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension
• Garden Center Design Guidelines – University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension

Feed Storage

• Feedstuff Handling, Storage and Feeding Systems for Livestock – Mississippi State University Cooperative Extension

Wash Stations/Packing Sheds and Food Safety

• Food Safety Considerations and Designs for Packing sheds. 
• Reducing Food Safety Risks in the Packing House
• Preparing for the Audit

Product Storage (dry storage, refrigeration, root cellars)

• Energy-Efficient Refrigeration for Farms – eXtension.org
• Vegetable Storage in Root Cellars – University of Alaska Cooperative Extension

Automation

• The Science and Technology of Agriculture – ‘Iowa Pathways’ Iowa Public Television
• Automated Farm Equipment and Small Scale Farmers – Slate.com article

Tractors and Implements

Machinery Selection

• Using Tractor Test Data for Selecting Farm Tractors – Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension
• Fuel Efficiency Factor for Tractor Selection – Iowa State University Cooperative Extension
• What Size Tractor Do I Need? (PDF) – University of Georgia Cooperative Extension

Machinery Purchase or Lease?

• Leasing vs Buying Machinery (PDF) – University of Tennessee Cooperative Extension
• Replacement Strategies for Farm Machinery – Iowa State University Cooperative Extension

Farm Machinery Maintenance

• Tractor Maintenance to Conserve Energy – Iowa State University Cooperative Extension
• Five Strategies for Extending Machinery Life – Virginia Cooperative Extension
• Machinery Maintenance for Energy Efficiency

Farm Equipment Safety and Use

• Tractor and Field Operations Energy Efficiency Checklist and Tips – eXtension.org
• Tractor Resource Hub – The University of Vermont Cooperative Extension
• Assistive Technology and Tractor Modifications fact sheet – University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Farm Shop

• Farm Shop Plans Book teaches users how to plan and build farm shops – University of Missouri Cooperative Extension
• Farm Shop Energy Efficiency and Tips – eXtension.org

Manure Handling & Storage

• Dairy Practices Council Manure Management
• Manure Storage: Small scale solutions for your farm.

Waste Water Handling

• Dairy Practices Council Wastewater Management

Composting

• Maine Compost School
• Cornell Waste Management Institute
• On Farm Composting Handbook – NRAES publication