Customer Reviews
Makes an AMAZING gift for people with hobby farms 
2008-02-18
I bought this as a gift for my step-brother who lives on a very small farm and has lots of little animals running about. He absolutely loved it and called it the best present he got for Christmas, so it was totally a great gift. If you know someone who lives on a little farm or even someone who wants to, this is a great magazine for them.
guinea hens 
2007-12-15
don't be put off by the reviewer who complained about corrections. I haven't read the magazine yet, but it was recommended yesterday by a woman farmer I was visiting. Her small flock of guinea hens demonstrated their "watch bird" skills by flocking together and trying to intimidate my leashed Bichon. And talk about a racket! They were LOUD! She commented approvingly "wow, watch them work him! A flock of 30 would be really intimidating!" So perhaps both the original article AND the correction were true -
Wonderful for Hobby Farmers! 2007-09-23
I have subscribed to Hobby Farms magazine for the past three years and enjoy every issue cover to cover! The articles are written so those with little to no experience can understand and use them as well as those with more experience may learn helpful hints they might not have known or sources and facts newly available. Though corrections may be added or information post scripted to an article(as one of the reviewers mentioned), this is a strength in my eyes not a weakness! A magazine should not spend its time and space trying to encompass every single detail possible. Instead it should give readers enough information to gain a basic foundation and a beginning guide or helpful tips for along the way on a hobby farmer's journey and this magazine does a wonderful job! From "How to" articles to "Did You Know" write-ups complete with web site and book reference information for further exploration to full color pictures, if you own or dream of one day owning a Hobby Farm, this magazine is for you!!
I'd rather have a bag of manure 
2007-04-17
I subscribed to Hobby Farm and after reading two issues I cancelled it.
I read an article in the March/April issue about show birds. Then, I got my May/June issue. Don Schrider, the Communication Director of ALBC, wrote in to correct the story. The article claimed "over 1000" birds at the show, the correction was 11,640 birds were present. The other correction was regarding earlobe color and egg shell color stating there are exceptions to the red earlobe/ brown eggs white earlobes/white eggs.
In the Mar/Apr issue I read an article about Guinea hens. In the May/June issue I read another letter from a reader (Dana Manchester a member of the Guinea Fowl Breeders Assoc.) correcting the article in the previous issue. Apparently, Guineas aren't the "watch fowl" they are portrayed to be, but fall victim to predation often. Dana Manchester also corrected the mislabeled photos of Guineas.
These may be small errors but how goods is a resource that isn't reliable?
If errors were the only issues, I may have given the mag 3 stars but the article on manure management in the May/June issue was lacking on many levels. The advise in a nutshell was buy a manure spreader that you can pull around your field, fill'er up and drive. One word of caution according to the article- only use well rotted manure in the garden, but there wasn't one word on how to rot manure.
I liked the article about smaller breeds of cattle, "Bigger is Not Better" May/June but we'll have to wait for the next issue to see if any readers step forward with corrections.
I am not waiting around.
There are a lot books and magazines dedicated to small farms. I like Mother Nature News and I just subscribed to Countryside (my nephew recommended it he owns a small farm, as well). I also like John Seymour's book Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It. He has an upbeat attitude with a can-do spirit.
Enticing look at rural life 
2007-01-06
Hobby Farms magazine provides an enticing look at rural life, giving advice to people who are new to country living. There are lots of sources for making this transition easier. The emphasis is on 'hobby' as no one expects to make much of a living on a small farm today. The advertising section also provides many sources of livestock and other 'necessities' of rural life.
Could use less advertisements & more feature stories 2006-09-12
A must-have magazine for rural enthusiasts. Hobby Farms embraces the growing segment of the population that is returning to farm life in search of a more meaningful existence. It is ideal for everyone from pocket farmers looking to make a profit from their part-time farming endeavors to hobby farmers who have a passion for farm life. Articles address the basic and core information these newcomers need to succeed, but also delve into advanced how-to information.
Just Say Moo 2006-06-17
I read Successful Farming, Progressive Farming and Backwoods Home for years. They are all fine magazines. But if you want to do a little hobby farm this magazine really fits. They have a wealth of information in each copy. I'm really impressed. It's really targeted to those people who have five to thirty acres, a few animals and may or may not want to make a little money on this side or as minimum have fun but do it the right way. My first copy was their tractor issue. Very good info. And I'm an engineer.
HOBBY FARMS 2006-03-11
Love this magazine! Just wish it came out more often. Great for more than those with farms or homesteads. Articles on gardening, building projects, animals. Buy It!
A MUST HAVE magazine for the land owner 2005-01-21
This magazine is absolutely wonderful. After receiving my first copy, i went to their website and backordered about 10 copies...excellent reading and information regarding ideas on what people are doing to successfully make money off of your land...alpacas,flower growing,chickens, small and larger animal livestock, etc! lots of neat advertisements too, on things you just didnt know existed.....i will never be without this magazine, it is inspirational!
Farming is Fun 2004-01-30
This magazine is my dream magazine. I subscribed to it immediately after reading a few articles while my parents were shopping at the tractor supply store. It has quite a few useful articles covering everything from animal health to hoof trimming, to special breed information and generators. I think it's a must for anyone who has ever been interested in farming or ranching, or just getting back to the country life.
