farm

Farm refers to a tract of land used for the production of crops and/or the raising of animals for food, fiber, fuel, or other agricultural products. Farms vary in size, ownership, and specialization, ranging from small family plots to large commercial enterprises. Common types include arable farms, dairy farms, livestock farms (cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs), poultry farms, horticultural farms, and mixed farms that combine crops and animals.

Operations on a farm typically include soil preparation, planting or seeding, irrigation, fertilization, pest and weed control, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. Animal farms involve breeding, feeding, housing, and health management. Labor may be family-based or hired, and many farms rely on machinery and technologies such as tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems, and farm management software.

Historically, farming began with domesticating plants and animals, followed by developments such as crop rotation, mechanization in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the Green Revolution. Farm structures range from owner-operators to corporate farming and contract farming, with varying capital requirements and risk profiles.

Economically, farms operate within markets, credit systems, and regulatory environments that may include subsidies, tariffs, land tenure rules, and environmental standards. Farm income can be sensitive to weather, pests, disease, and commodity prices.

Environmental considerations include soil health, water use, nutrient management, biodiversity, and emissions. Practices such as conservation tillage, crop diversification, agroforestry, and sustainable livestock management aim to reduce negative impacts and increase resilience to climate change.

Globally, farm structures reflect regional development. Smallholders remain common in many parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, while larger, technologically intensive farms predominate in North America and Western Europe.