Food Needs and Yields

My family consists of six people but for this exercise I only included the four of us that eat full meals on a regular basis. My younger two kids were also incorporated into some of the calculations based on what they will eat in the future. I was surprised by the amount of space that crops take up since the square feet added up very quickly but I was shocked in the end that all my calculations came out to under an acre. I know that this could be possible to fit into that space but would require some manipulation of the current landscape and elements to get the adequate amount of water and sunshine to grow the crops. I believe these estimates are pretty accurate considering that I also plan on having chickens for meat and eggs, goats for milk, and bees for honey…..and eating out every once in awhile.

Vegetable Needs and Yields

Crop Servings/Year Pounds/Year Square FeetBroccoli 104 33 100Carrots 208 74 100Corn 208 122 500Garlic 1200 9 24Irish Potatoes 208 74 100Lettuce 468 70 100Snap Beans 208 47 200Spinach 208 17 50Sweet Potatoes 208 67 100Tomatoes 156 67 100

Fruit, Grains, and Legumes, Needs and YieldsCrop Servings/Year Pounds/Year Square FeetApples 520 185 400Blackberries 520 126 900Blueberries 416 101 800Raspberries 520 126 900Strawberries 208 34 35

Crop Servings Pounds/Year Square FeetOats 832 52 1000Rice 208 13 100Wheat 832 52 850

Crop Servings Pounds/Year Square FeetBeans, Black 208 13 350Chickpeas 104 8 200Lentils 208 15 500

MicroclimatesBased on the microclimates I observed at my home, the majority of the crops needed to sustain my family would be grown in the front yard. I do not have enough space to grow everything we would need in terms of calories on this piece of property but, I am sure if I kept my desired livestock and poultry here, I could barter for a small plot of land to grow the crops I cannot include.

ConclusionMy current rental property (.12 acres) isn’t quite big enough to completely sustain my entire family of six for a lifetime but could be a great start. The backyard, which is almost completely shaded would be a great space to setup poultry and crops that do not require full sun in raised beds. The trees in the backyard could be cleared in the future to add more sunshine but would also reduce the amount of compost generated. The front yard, which gets almost full sun, would be the main source of food, and I believe it would also generate interest from the surrounding community, in turn, positioning everyone's land and resources into a great barter system. Fruit trees would be impossible here due to lack of space but berry bushes could thrive, grains simply do not have the space or sunshine, vegetables and legumes would probably be the main crops grown.