The document discusses the concept of 'farm hacking,' which focuses on using innovative and cost-effective methods to enhance farming efficiency and productivity. It includes cost analysis for various equipment, emphasizing DIY solutions and the benefits of unconventional strategies. Additionally, it highlights workshops and resources available for farmers interested in agroecological practices and improving their farming operations.

1. Farm
Hacking
Grant Schultz
www.VersaLand.com
organicgrant@gmail.com

2. #Moses2016
with @VersaLand
#farmhack #versaland

4. What is Hacking?
Using the least amount of force to
achieve the greatest net benefit.
Oftentimes the least expensive
option
Typically considered
‘unconventional’ by society as a
whole.

5. Equipment Hacks
Cutting Edge/Old School - Either Way It’s Not Mainstream
Never Pay Retail
Innovation - Building What Doesn’t Exist
Production Hacks
Systems - Leverage Appropriate & Accessible Technology
Data Hacks
Get Land - The Unconventional Way
Distribution - Pricing - Wholesaling
What IS Farmhacking?

6. farmhack.org

9. Lots of Inspiration

12. Farming for Fun,
Health, and Profit
• Farming is a creative endeavor. Anything
deemed ‘Work’ shall be eliminated.
• Make Time for More: Eating,Athletics,Art,
and Engineering
• Hack: Equipment, Landscapes,Transport,
Marketing

13. EFFECTIVE
EFFICIENT
FUN

14. Ineffective, Inefficient
FUN

15. Effective, efficient, not fun

17. EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, FUN

19. Jiffy Hitch

24. $289
$750

25. Jiffy Hitch:
Ridiculously Expensive?

26. Jiffy Hitch Cost Analysis
Standard Quick Hitch
imp change per week 5 5
time (minutes) 15 2
total hours 1.25 0.17
$/hour $25 $25
weekly labor expense $31 $4
Total Annual Hours 65 8.6
Total Annual Cost $1,625 $215
Annual labor savings $1,410.00
Hitch System Price $2,100.00
ROI - GREAT! 67.1%
What if you sell the extra tractors?

27. FarmHack.org Saves The Day

29. Build Your Own
convert whole farm for $400

30. Step-By-Step Instructions

31. Build Your Own
$15-150

32. $15-75/ea

33. Bolt or Pin On and Off
Use On ALL TRACTORS

34. $15-75/ea

35. Farm Hack Hitch Cost Analysis
Standard Quick Hitch
imp change per week 5 5
time (minutes) 15 2
total hours 1.25 0.17
$/hour $25 $25
weekly labor expense $31 $4
Total Annual Hours 65 8.6
Total Annual Cost $1,625 $215
Annual labor savings $1,410.00
Fabbed Hitch $400.00
ROI - SUPER GREAT! 352.5%
You keep another $1,000/year AND
you can sell the extra tractors?

36. All Done.
adds 1.5 weeks to your year

37. Jiffy Hitch Cost Analysis
Standard Quick Hitch
imp change per week 5 5
time (minutes) 15 2
total hours 1.25 0.17
$/hour $25 $25
weekly labor expense $31 $4
Total Annual Hours 65 8.6
Total Annual Cost $1,625 $215
Annual labor savings $1,410.00
Hitch System Price $2,100.00
ROI - GREAT! 67.1%
What if you sell the extra tractors?

38. Farm Hack Hitch Cost Analysis
Standard Quick Hitch
imp change per week 5 5
time (minutes) 15 2
total hours 1.25 0.17
$/hour $25 $25
weekly labor expense $31 $4
Total Annual Hours 65 8.6
Total Annual Cost $1,625 $215
Annual labor savings $1,410.00
Fabbed Hitch $400.00
ROI - SUPER GREAT! 352.5%
You keep another $1,000/year AND
you can sell the extra tractors?

39. Get Plans RIGHT NOW:
versaland.com/farmhack

40. Get Plans RIGHT NOW:
versaland.com/farmhack

41. Hacking Urban Ag
• Hoorays
• Distance-to-Market
• Technology Access
• Utility/Infrastructure
Access
• Urban Lot Database
• Media
• Challenges
• Scale
• Security
• Housing
• Equipment
accessibility

42. DIY Greenhouse Monitors

43. Receive Text Alerts

46. Anatomy of a Farmhack
Code Data Accessibility+ =

47. data crunching
Beacon/County Assessor Website
Absentee Landlords
WHOIS Lookup
(meeting strangers on the internet)

48. THE AMERICAN SCHOOL BUS
FARMING’S MOST VERSATILE TOOL HTTP://MIDWESTTRANSIT.COM
HOME STORECOOP
HARVESTPICKUP TRAVEL

50. • Livestock Transport
• Mobile Farmers Market
• Weatherproof Mobile
Shop
• Melon/Pumpkin Harvest
• Poultry Coop
• Heavy Hauler
Do-Anything Bus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JDuZyyjqjMI

51. Hacked Labor = Happy Labor
25lbs/hour $10/hr+ $$$$+???

52. Hacking PAYS!
Hand Machine
lbs to crack 2,000 2,000
lbs/hr 25 500
total hours 80 4
$/hour $15 $25
annual labor expense $1,200 $100
Annual labor savings 1100
Machine construction cost 3000
ROI 36.7%
What if done in a co-op model?

53. Anatomy of a Farmhack
Parts Fabrication Automation+ =

55. Straw Blower
Manual Mechanized
Man hours 300 50
$/hr 15 25
Annual 4500 1250
Savings/Year $3,250
Cost New $7,500
ROI 43.33%
Jang Planter
Manual Mechanized
Man hours 40 10
$/hr 15 15
Annual 600 150
Savings/Year $450
Cost New $400
ROI 112.50%
USE METRICS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO!

56. Farm Hack: Midwest
@ Versaland
Iowa City, IA
Sunday, July 17th 2016
Farm Hack Tools Show & Shine
versaland.com/farmhack

57. Farm Hack: Midwest
at Versaland
Iowa City, IA
Sunday, July 17th 2016
Farm Hack Tools Show & Shine
versaland.com/farmhack

59. Grow Agroecologically
Farmscale Permaculture Course
5 Days - Sept 28 - October 4th, 2016
www.Versaland.com

60. NewFarmSupply.com
100 Chestnut Trees
for
$297

61. NewFarmSupply.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Versaland
Twitter: @VersaLand
Instagram: grantschultz
Web: versaland.com
Email: organicgrant@gmail.com
#maxpermo
VersaLand.com