How to Make a Demonstration Farm

Demonstration farms are used to present examples of certain kinds of management practices in farming, sometimes including a research element. The farm is open to the public and showcased during tours or special open houses. Although the details of starting a demonstration farm vary according to the type of farm it is, the general process is the same.

Things You'll Need

  • Inventory of resources
  • Demonstration proposals
  • Management plan
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create an inventory of resources that you already have to create the farm, such as acres of land, farming equipment and facilities. This will help you gauge your initial capabilities before having to make substantial investments. Make the same list if you're buying an existing farm to turn it into a demonstration farm.

    • 2

      Seek out agricultural corporations and educational institutions that may be interested in contracting a demonstration farm as a way of promoting their products. Seed companies are often interested in having a demonstration field where local farmers can view their plants while they are growing, and some agri-technology businesses want to allow farmers to see their products in action. In some cases, the company may ask you to conduct research.

    • 3

      Draft proposals and submit them to companies that expressed an interest in the demonstration farm. The document should be as thorough as possible, including the precise management practices used. For example, a farm demonstrating seed quality will have to detail when the seed is planted, the equipment used, the soil type, the planting depth, the amount of land available, and how it will be displayed to the public. A company contracting the demonstration farm will also make its own list of demands.

    • 4

      Create a management plan after successfully contracting companies for which to demonstrate products. The plan should be a thorough guide that details every management practice, such as how the ground will be prepared for planting and how much fertilizer it will receive. This is necessary to ensure you are being consistent with the practices on the farm, as well as being able to explain the techniques used to observers.

    • 5

      Create a publicity campaign. This will include making the farm open to public, especially during guided tours throughout the year. Many demonstration farms hold open houses with free food and drinks to attract the public or picnics with live entertainment. The more people that see the demonstration farm, the more other companies may be enticed to participate.