Environmentally Friendly Options for the Farm or Rural Home

 

If you live on a large rural patch or land, or better yet, run a farm, you are likely already doing everything you can to remain environmentally friendly. Just the act of running a farm or living in a rural space, doing things like gardening and cultivating land is inherently living a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle. 

Photo Credit: Binyamin Mellish

 

But many of us feel like we could be doing more. How best to take care of your land and keep everything running smoothly on the farm while still utilizing resources, tools and materials that are friendly to the planet, reduce waste and keep you healthy? We’ve got a few ideas below. 

 

Eco-Friendly Equipment, Appliances, and Tools

Sometimes helping the environment is as simple as buying machines and appliances that do their part to reduce wasted energy, or that are made of recycled or sustainable materials. Even purchasing a machine that is built to last and doesn’t need to be replaced every couple of years is doing your part to save the environment. 

 

For example – using energy efficient appliances might cost you a little more upfront, when you first buy that energy-efficient dishwasher, thermostat or washer/dryer, but the money you’ll save in the long run is worth it, both in the form of rebates you’ll likely get from your electric company as well as the money it’ll shave off your monthly bill. And that’s to say nothing of the environmental impact it will have, in that these appliances save so much energy. 

 

Another great way to help the environment while running a farm is to invest in a good, eco-friendly water tank. These days, you can even find plastic water tanks that are made of recycled or organic plastics, and non-recycled water tanks are BPA free and built to last, so you won’t have to worry about replacing them every few years. Having a water tank on your property is very important to any farm or large family; water tanks reduce the amount of water you waste every time you flush a toilet or rinse out a glass, they keep a water source close to home/farm, reducing the amount of water you need to use in emergencies or when watering crops and livestock, and they can reduce site runoff, too. These can also save you money, for all the aforementioned reasons! 

 

Planting and Landscaping

Many farmers and landowners are starting to implement all-natural gardens and plots, choosing to plant regional and seasonal plants, flowers and crops that coincide with the area in which they’ve been planted. This helps the environment by not putting too much strain on the land, by not using delivery trucks or traveling to far-away stores to get plants that aren’t native, and making it easier for these items to grow in a native climate. You won’t need to use as many fertilizers or plant foods, many of which contain toxic chemicals and additives that you don’t want on your plants. 

 

So, too, are many farmers and landowners being more selective about their lawns and landscaping practices. Many still mow their grass, of course, but are being more selective about the amount of weeding they do and letting things occasionally “go to seed”, a practice which is good for native wildlife and necessary creatures such as bees, and more. It also cuts down on the amount of emissions from things like driving lawn mowers and weed eaters, which is always a good idea. 

 

If you turn crops for a profit, consider going organic. Organic farming is a transition that is much easier than you think, with many helpful guides to consult. Organic crops are in high-demand, are much healthier not only for the consumer, but for your farm. 

 

Going “Cage Free”

Among those who own chickens and other dairy-producing animals, a trend in recent years is to go “cage free”, allowing hens and other animals to roam freely in designated areas where they aren’t cooped up in cages and forced into confined areas. There are many arguments to be made for this much more humane practice. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re being kinder to your beloved creatures, and they pay off is generally good, too: cage-free eggs and organic, free range milk often draw a larger price and many people argue that they taste much better, too (not to mention they are healthier). 

 

Eco-Friendly Materials

When building structures for the farm, whether it’s a new barn or lean-to, a structure for your horses, or if you’re just building that back deck you’ve always wanted, consider using eco-friendly, sustainable lumber and other materials. Choosing building materials that haven’t contributed to deforestation and are made with recycled and durable materials will ensure that any structure you build will be secure and sturdy as well as environmentally friendly. 

 

Change your Lifestyle

Now that you’ve built an eco-friendly farm or home, it’s time for your actions to follow. Implementing good practices like recycling, conserving energy and water, composting, eating organic when you can, using all-natural products in the home (making what you can rather than buying), are all good ways to live a natural, eco-friendly life and support your farm. Buying sustainable goods and materials from local friends and fellow farmers is another good way to support local, and use sustainable materials. Everything from soaps and cosmetics, to hand-made clothing, crafts, furniture, art, and even the food you eat can come from locally-sourced creators and vendors who carry the same values you do. 

 

None of us are perfect, and it’s hard to live a completely environmentally-friendly lifestyle. There’s always more we can do. But with just a few small choices you can make a real difference, and that’s worth a lot. It’s much easier than you think to be eco-friendly with just a few easy hacks and resources at your disposal. Why not implement a few changes to make your home or farm much more environmentally friendly today?