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The Benefits of Hobby Farming and Gardening!

Updated: Jun 25





Every morning, I wake up to find my brood of chooks out of their run and every morning I take time to fix whatever whole the chooks managed to dig in their early hours busyness. And every morning I curse at the stupid things. Despite my cursing, that brief, frustrating morning routine is actually good for me. Like many of us who live and work in regional centres, I’m not a farmer, but that doesn’t mean that agriculture…growing things, planting things, and producing shouldn’t be and can’t be a part of our life.


Beyond the benefits of saving at the grocery store, being involved in agriculture, even on a small scale, can be good for your health and mental wellbeing



. Those sweat inducing and often swear word inducing interactions with animals, soils, and plants can have lasting benefits. Whether it is keeping chooks, tending a large veggie garden, or even just trying to keep a windowsill herb garden alive long enough to impress your dinner guests, tending to things is worth the effort.


Working with the soil and plants, on a small scale or large scale can offer significant emotional benefits, enhancing overall well-being and life satisfaction. Engaging in agricultural activities can reduce stress levels, promote mental clarity, and provide a sense of accomplishment. Studies have shown that interacting with nature and animals can lead to lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, thereby fostering a calmer state of mind (Beetz et al., 2012). Additionally, the physical activity involved contributes to better mental health, as exercise is known to release endorphins, which are natural mood lifters (Fox, 1999). The routine and purpose provided by caring for a hobby farm also instil a sense of responsibility and fulfillment, leading to improved emotional resilience and happiness (Hartig et al., 2014).


Owning chickens, no matter how loud, messy or how sharp their claws are, can significantly enhance emotional well-being, providing a range of psychological benefits. The daily care of chickens fosters a routine that can create a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which is crucial for mental health (Hartig et al., 2014). Interacting with these animals can also reduce stress and anxiety, as animal-assisted activities are known to lower cortisol levels and increase oxytocin, the hormone associated with stress relief (Beetz et al., 2012). Moreover, the presence of chickens can promote social interaction, whether through shared activities with family members or conversations sparked with neighbours, enhancing feelings of community, and belonging (Wood et al., 2017).


So, whether you have 2 metres or 2000 get out there and plant something, tend to some animals. It may save you on groceries, but it also may have lasting benefits to your wellbeing. At Tara Rural Supplies and Condamine Seeds and Tyre we have the products and expertise to get you started.


  • Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H., & Kotrschal, K. (2012). Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: The possible role of oxytocin. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 234.

  • Fox, K. R. (1999). The influence of physical activity on mental well-being. Public Health Nutrition, 2(3a), 411-418.

  • Hartig, T., Mitchell, R., de Vries, S., & Frumkin, H. (2014). Nature and health. Annual Review of Public Health, 35, 207-228

  • Wood, L., Martin, K., Christian, H., Nathan, A., Lauritsen, C., & Houghton, S. (2017). The pet factor - Companion animals as a conduit for getting to know people, friendship formation and social support. PLoS ONE, 12(4), e0172820







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