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Homestead Planning
Planning Factors
1.Water Supply
2.Services
3.Fire
Prevention
4.Security
5.Space
Water Supply
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Most essential consideration
Does it need to be developed?
Account for present and future needs
Quality?
If an adequate supply of good water is
not available, find another location.
Services to consider
1. Road Access
• 2 entrances to farmstead
• Snow removal issues
• Install entrance gates at least 30-40 ft from
public road
• Design parking to reduce congestion
Services
2. Utilities (Electricity, Phone, Gas)
– Plan installation carefully, centralize
– Plan for future growth
– Consider underground line placement
– Record underground lines in great detail
Fire Prevention
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Use fire resistant building materials
Consider location of water hydrants
Space buildings properly
Keep grass and weeds mowed around
buildings
• Keep shelter belts free of fallen branches
Security
• Homesteads & small acreages are
vulnerable to theft, trespassing & arson.
• Maintain a clear view from house
• Evaluate location of fuel tanks and
portable property
• Strategically place lighting
• Be able to secure entrances
Space
Divide the homestead into 4
concentric rings or activity zones.
1. Family living
2. Machinery storage & service
3. Small animal buildings/nursery
4. Major livestock facilities
Major Livestock Facilities
Small Animal Buildings/Nursery
Mach. Storage & Service
Family Living
House, lawn, play areas, garden, guest parking, drive
 Operation center – vehicles, animals & materials
 Short distance to frequent work areas
 Make sure drainage is sloped away
 Orient the house to enjoy beautiful view
Family Living
• Shop, work yard, equip. parking, fuel, chemical, and
transformer pole.
• Isolate Fuel and chemicals to outer perimeter
• Need location for parking of mach. & stored snow
• Drainage must be away from building & parking areas
Mach. Storage & Service
Small Animal Buildings/Nursery
• Maternity arns, grain & feed storage, feed processing
equipment
• Be able to accommodate large bulk delivery vehicles
• Avoid overhead power lines where loaders are
operating
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Major livestock facilities
• Feedlots, livestock & horse barns,
manure storage, & pastures
• Furthest from house due to odors & flies
• Mngmt of waste important for you &
your neighbors
Off-homestead factors:
• Proximity to town, highways and neighbors
• Dust & noise from gravel roads
Conclusion:
• All considerations to Homestead planning
become a compromise of priorities.
• It is always difficult to settle on the
“one”best solution, but a good plan will
add value to the real estate, provide
functionality and meet most of your goals.
Contact Information
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Dave Ollila
SDSU Extension Sheep Field Specialist
Rapid City Regional Center
1530 Samco Road
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-394-0224
David.Ollila@sdstate.edu