Why do a yearly review?
Many problems on small farms start with something that changed quietly. A coop was added that nobody told the insurer about. A zoning rule was updated. A fence line drifted. One scheduled hour with your paperwork and a walk around the property can catch these before they cost you.
Pick the same time each year, such as after harvest or during a slow winter week, and keep the results in your records folder.
Treat the review as a conversation with your future self. Leave notes about what you decided and why, so that next year you are not repeating the same research from the beginning.
What insurance and liability items should I check?
Read your policies, not just the declarations page. Ask your agent whether your coverage reflects the animals, buildings, equipment, farm stand or visitors you now have. Coverage for outbuildings, livestock and farm activity is often handled differently from the house, and what is covered varies by policy and company.
If you host visitors, sell products or hire help, ask specifically what is and is not covered. Do not assume a homeowner policy fits a working farm.
Make a list of everything on the farm that has monetary value or creates risk, then check each item against your policies. Equipment, tools, stored feed, hay and animals are all commonly under or over looked. If something is excluded, you can then decide whether to insure it separately or accept the risk.
Which permits and local rules should I recheck?
Local rules change through town and county meetings. Call or visit your zoning and building offices once a year and ask whether anything has changed regarding animals, structures, signs, farm stands, setbacks, burning, water use or home occupations. Rules are local and vary by state, county and town.
Check that every permit you hold is current, and that any required inspections were closed out.
- Zoning and land use
- Building and electrical permits
- Septic and well records
- Animal and nuisance rules
- Farm stand or sales licenses, where required
- Right-to-farm or agricultural district status, if your area has one
What about boundaries, easements and neighbors?
Walk your boundaries and look for changes in fences, encroaching trees, drainage issues and signs of trespass. Review any easements for utilities, access or conservation, and confirm what they allow.
If something is unclear, a licensed surveyor and a local real estate attorney are the professionals to ask. A calm conversation with a neighbor early is usually easier than a dispute later.
How should I review records, plans and goals?
Update your site map, project folder and animal and crop records. Review your written goals and ask what worked, what cost more than expected and what you would change. Build the coming year's budget by category rather than guessing a total.
If you rely on others to run the place during illness or travel, write down the routines, contacts and emergency numbers. Include your veterinarian, utility providers and a trusted neighbor.
Do not forget the small items that expire: registrations, licenses, testing certificates and warranty periods. Put each expiration date on one list so nothing lapses without notice.
Should I plan for succession and emergencies?
Wills, powers of attorney, ownership structures and farm transfer are legal and tax matters that need an attorney and, where relevant, a tax professional. Many extension offices and farm programs offer succession planning workshops that explain the questions to ask.
Also check that you have a plan for fire, flood, storm and power loss, including water for animals and a way to move them. Your county emergency management office can tell you about local alerts and hazards.
Many families find the hardest part is the conversation itself. Start with one question, such as who would run the place if you could not, and write down the answer. That single page is a useful starting point for the attorney and the family.
What tools make the review easier?
A simple checklist on paper or a spreadsheet is enough. List each topic, the person to call, the date of your last check and what you learned. Add a column for the next action and a due date.
Keep the checklist in the same folder as your insurance policies, deeds, permits and maps. If two people share the farm, review it together so that both know where everything is. Revisit the list after any big change, such as a new building, a new enterprise or a change in household.
- Topic and responsible office
- Date last checked
- What changed
- Next action and due date
Key takeaways
- Schedule a yearly review and keep notes in the same folder.
- Tell your insurance agent about every change in animals, buildings and activity.
- Recheck local rules and permits with your county or town each year.
- Use an attorney and tax professional for ownership and succession questions.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.