Expanding a farm with additional labor, equipment, and metal buildings and structures offers a way to increase revenue and enhance production methods. But as with any big plans, you should always carefully consider your goals and budget. To help you do that, below are a few important questions to ask yourself.

Key Questions Before Undertaking a Farm Expansion

What is the purpose of the expansion?

Understanding why you're expanding will shed light on the types of projects that need to be planned. Are you looking to make more money? Are you updating the property so it can someday be passed down to the next generation? Do you want to improve the property to make work easier or at least more streamlined? These are good subjects to ponder, as they will inform your mindset as you make decisions.

What buildings do I need?

Many farm expansions require the construction of additional metal buildings. Structures like grain bins and drying sheds might also be necessary to upgrade your business. Making a list of the physical structures needed to meet your goals is the first step to designing a budget.

How much can I spend?

It's no secret that it takes money to make money. Your investment in the expansion can pay off handsomely, but first you need to know how much the project will cost and what can realistically be spent. Once you've made a list of the metal buildings and structures required, figure in the other price tags of expansion; these factors include labor costs, the prices of new machinery and equipment, and building code, permit, and license fees.

What is the environmental impact of expansion?

Being a good caretaker of the land requires a consideration of how any expansion effort will affect the environment and ecology of your local area. This is especially true if your ultimate goal is to leave your farm for future generations to enjoy and make a living from. Places like the Department of Natural Resources can work with you to find solutions that have a minimum adverse impact on the land.

These questions will help you decide what type of expansion is best for your farm. Merritt Mechanical-Fabrication provides a full range of custom metal buildings and farm storage and handling systems. For over 50 years, they’ve been serving the Grady County, GA, area. To learn more or to obtain an estimate, contact them by calling (229) 377-5586, visiting them online, or messaging them on Facebook or Twitter.