This discussion started in the comments for the New Gardener post on Tiny Farm Blog.
Mike (tfb): I'm very much into the "keep it tiny" thing, and a (slightly unrealistic, perhaps) part of that is being able to keep things going myself if I had to, with just spot help. You know: one farmer, one field. From all of my reading and talking to people, it seems to take about 2 full-time people per acre for really highly efficient, intensive, organic market gardening (that's including fieldwork, sales, everything). That may sound like a lot, but I can already see from what I've done (and not done) how much you can get from a small plot, if you're good with the timing and have a solid feel for your crops and soil. Last year, with Conall full-time (and mostly living on the farm, IOW, REALLY here, 5-6 days a week), we got a lot done, and there was still lots more that could've been done. So there's a pull both ways for me, to stay small and really self-reliant, and to expand by counting on others to help fully work the 2.5 acres…
Alan Roberts: I have the same debate about growth quite often. There are so many things one could do. In my area the opportunities seem endless, especially if you are willing to drive a bit. Finding reliable help is a big limitation. Quality of life is another, at least for us. I've gone the hard route in other places, growing because the demand was there. I'm with you 100% on keeping it local and keeping it small enough that you can do it yourself. It's not easy though! For me it's the dairy. The local demand is there, the pasture is easy to come by, and most of the equipment available is sized for larger scale production. However, I know I can run a seasonal goat dairy with up to 12 does and do it all my self. I can do it and still have a life. But the temptation is there. With goat milk bringing $16 per gallon retail, and natural food stores within 70 miles of me screaming for suppliers, it is really tempting to float a loan and get bigger. I fight it every day.
The same opportunities exist in the gardens. In fact, my latest inner battle has been about a tractor. My friend and fellow farmer up the road from us has a collection of Farmall Cubs with a wide variety of attachments. He keeps telling me that I should buy one and put more of my 5 acres into gardens. Having the horsepower and the tillage equipment would make it simple. Getting things watered, weeded, harvested, packaged, and sold would definitely require more help. I'm tempted anyway, it would be nice to be able to mow some hay when the pastures get ahead of the goats, but …
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