House & Home - Best States for Hobby Farms

 

Which states are ideal for establishing a backyard chicken coop and vegetable garden? To find out, Lawn Love ranked 2025's Best States for Hobby Farms. We compared the 48 contiguous U.S. states based on 4 farm-forward categories. More specifically, we looked at average yard size, number of growing days, and legislation impacting hobby farmers like rainwater harvesting laws, among 17 total metrics. Dig through the 5 best (and 5 worst) states for hobby farming below, followed by key takeaways. (Don’t see your state below? Check out the full ranking.)

Best States for Hobby Farms Rank State 1 Kentucky 2 Vermont 3 Virginia 4 West Virginia 5 Alabama     Worst States for Hobby Farms Rank State 1 Oregon 2 Massachusetts 3 Wisconsin 4 Utah 5 Colorado

Key Insights: Kentucky (No. 1) and Virginia (No. 3) land at the top with large backyards, plenty of farm veterinarians, and few restrictions on hobby farming. These states also feature better air and water quality, smaller numbers of bird flu cases, and fewer natural hazards to worry about.  States like California (No. 15) and Florida (No. 27) might have plenty of growing days, but the land is expensive and they face extreme natural hazards like hurricanes and wildfires. Northern states where ranching is popular like North Dakota (No. 35), Montana (No. 37), and Wyoming (No. 38) have affordable land and few natural hazards, but a short growing season for crops.   Read the full story here: https://lawnlove.com/blog/best-states-for-hobby-farms/  Other helpful links: Methodology Hire a local Lawn Love pro for a fall yard cleanup before you start tilling ahead of the next planting season. More from Lawn Love: How to Start Your First Vegetable Garden 101 Nectar Nation: 2024’s Best States for Beekeeping How to Build a Raised Garden Bed in 10 Steps Best Cities for Farmers Markets How to Heat a Greenhouse for Winter Gardening How to Compost for Your Lawn and Garden