How to design the farm shop for your future

As technology keeps advancing, so do your farm’s shop needs. Although the products and priorities within your shop may be changing, surrounding yourself with a competent team is still key as you consider the role of electric vehicles on your farm, rework your storage spaces, rethink your shop’s roof, keep your office current, and secure it all. Here are thoughts from industry leaders to get conversations started with your family and contractor.

Collaboration is key

“Good design begins with honesty, asks tough questions, comes from collaboration and from trusting your gut,” said automobile designer Freeman Thomas.

Honesty with other members of your farming partnership will help to keep priorities and budget expectations on the same page. Take time to hear from each generation to understand the technology or accessibility features that are important to them.

Transparency with your banker and insurance agent will also be critical along the way.
Tough questions are easier to address up front with your plumber, electrician, or other contractors than after construction has begun. Tackle uncertainties early in the planning to save time, money, and frustration.
Engage and collaborate with others as you plan. Borrow ideas from fellow farmers, online floor plans, and social media. Many resources are available. Take what makes sense for your farm and leave the rest.

Remember to reach out to the appropriate agencies in your region for any necessary permits or licenses. Double-check any zoning restrictions for large-scale solar or rainwater capture infrastructure. Grants or cost-sharing programs may also be available for certain projects, depending on your area.

Check out these Facebook groups for farm shop inspiration:

These Extension resources offer more farm shop plans:

Many of these plans are several decades old, but can be used as a starting place for conversations with your family and contractor.

Iowa State University: Farm Shop Plans
Iowa State University: Midwest Plan Service Building Plans
Colorado State University: Blueprints - Farm Building Plans
North Dakota State University: Machinery Building Plans
Purdue University: Planning Farm Shops for Work and Energy Efficiency
Purdue University: Planning Guide to Farm Machinery Storage

Trust your gut. You and your family know your farm business best. This is your space to live and work. Carefully consider your routines, preferences, and physical needs as you work with other parties to execute your plans. Just because a standard size or spec is popular, doesn’t mean that is the right answer for you.

Restructure farm shop storage

Less chemical storage?

Variable-rate spraying may mean farmers will need to store less volume of chemicals.

Greeneye identifies weeds in a field of young corn plants and sprays them in real time.
Greeneye

Nadav Bocher, CEO of Greeneye, a precision spraying technology company, says customers can reduce use of non-residual herbicides by as much as 88%. “Essentially, that’s getting 12% of the volume of the product as opposed to 100% of this product. That greatly impacts the logistical planning for the shop and their operations,” he says.

More technology storage?

Find a clean charging place to store devices. Consider a designated parking area for drones. Consult your drone’s manufacturer for storage guidelines.

Setting up your shop's drone zone

Nathan Mick is the owner of Humminbyrd Drones, an agriculture drone retailer based in Osborne, Kansas. After studying ag economics and agronomy at Kansas State University, then working in the industry for 10 years, Mick returned to his family's farm to start the drone business.

“We've got large farmers who buy them to do all their fungicide acres. On the other end of the spectrum, we've got smaller farmers that can't justify a half million dollar sprayer, but can buy a $30,000 spray drone and do a lot of their acres on their own,” he explains. Other customers have started side businesses, plant cover crops, or manage pasture with their drones.

Regardless of its role in the operation, a drone needs proper care to run efficiently. In addition to having a climate controlled area to safely store drone and remote control batteries, a space to wash the drone down may be a handy addition to your shop's design, Mick says.

“Depending on how many drones you have, or what your tender trailer set up is, you may want to have a spot to park that,” he adds.

A dedicated workbench space to charge and complete minor repairs when you come in at night will help you be prepared to hit the ground running the next morning, he says. A couple 110 outlets in this zone will be sufficient. A small tote or cupboard is enough to keep a few spare propellers or an extra pump on hand to minimize downtime.

Specialized parts storage?

As you adopt new technology, bolt bins and spare tires won’t keep you running like they used to. Consider upgrading your parts storage to accommodate extra camera parts and sensors that will become increasingly important.

Perhaps this is the time to ditch the notebook or “check the shelf and see” strategy of inventory management. A shared spreadsheet or software program may be a more efficient way to track what you have on hand.

Continually improving inventory and fleet management

Sabrena Thomsen has been the office manager for an Arion, Iowa trucking company and family farm since 2021. She acknowledges parts management is a work in progress for the businesses, but a few recent updates have helped the operation get closer to their goals.

Installing cameras pointed toward the parts storage area has helped Garrett Land and Cattle Company keep an eye on what is coming in and out of inventory. With multiple employees and machines to manage, seeing who took what, from where, for which vehicle, from your phone, can be handy.

For the trucking business, Fleetio, a fleet management software, helps Thomsen and team manage everything from fuel receipts to parts. When a truck in their fleet needs maintenance, a work order can be created within the Fleetio app, parts are allocated to that specific vehicle, and costs can be assigned to the job as well.

If you’re looking to adopt a system like this, Thomsen says, be proactive instead of reactive. “Do your research about the product before you implement it.” Changing systems or processes multiple times can be stressful and builds resistance to change within your team.

While adopting a new system came with challenges, and everyone has a different appetite for change, she says there's a return on investment. “New software can be scary, but in the end, most of the time it is going to be beneficial and time saving on everybody,” she says.

Her office work has been significantly streamlined thanks to the new software. For example, tabulating fuel expenses is no longer a time consuming, multi step endeavor. “Now I only have to do one step,” she smiles.

As the operation looks to keep improving their parts and fleet management, Thomsen hopes to add details to their inventory records. “Right now, we don’t put in the quantity of parts, but we can see how much we’re spending on the parts as a whole. To get down to the nitty gritty quantity amounts is where we want to move forward.”

Increased climate control?

Be aware of temperature, light, and humidity in your designated storage areas. Biological products and batteries can be particularly sensitive to these conditions.

Electric vehicles in your farm shop

If you expect electric vehicles (EVs) to be part of your operation, incorporating the appropriate infrastructure might be something new to consider.

If your shop is powered traditionally and you’re tapped into a local electrical grid…

Running extra electrical when you build is likely cheaper than retrofitting your shop down the road.
“The standard right now is a 50 amp 220 service. That can be used to charge electric vehicles,” explains Brent Erspamer of Polaris. “For most electric vehicles, that will be fast charging.”
Consider placement of 220 service near each bay door. If you run extra 220 that isn’t used for charging vehicles, it may give you more flexibility to move your welder, air compressor, or other large tools around the shop.

If your EV charging is powered by an off-grid solar source…

This may help you avoid impact from system-wide outages caused by fires and natural disasters, notes Tom McCalmont of Paired Power.
An off-grid system for EV charging is also a way to avoid burdening older infrastructure you know is stressed but don’t have the capacity to upgrade.

Rethink your farm shop's roof

Additional infrastructure on your roof may be able to save (or even make) you money. Solar panels or rainwater harvesting systems are two options to consider.

Evaluate if solar panels are an option for your roof based on your geography and shop orientation.

“The best solar roofs have large areas with south or southwest exposure, little shade, and a roof in good condition,” explains Google’s Project Sunroof FAQ.
Free calculators are available online to analyze your roof shape and local weather patterns.
Connect with solar providers to get quotes and compare. Recent growth in this industry has prompted many new entries to the marketplace. Take the time to make sure you’re dealing with reputable companies.

The recent Inflation Reduction Act and other incentives may make considering solar power more attractive. Sit down with your current utility bills. Do the math to see if one of these systems may have a positive return on investment for your farm.
Even if a third party is handling the installation of your solar panels, communicate that with your building contractor. The roof may need to be strengthened or different materials selected to accommodate the weight of these setups.

State or local permits may be required to install your solar project. As you research, be aware that commercial and industrial solar economics can differ from residential rooftops because a different set of regulations, electricity prices, and installation costs often apply.

If you expect to generate more electricity than your shop uses, you’re connected to the local grid, and your state has net metering, you’ll need to set up an account with your utility, notes Google’s Project Sunroof website.

Your farm's connected, smart office

Start here: Internet connectivity and cell service throughout the shop is no longer a convenience: It’s a business need. If you’re in an area with poor service, resolving this issue will be key in maximizing your ROI from other technology investments.

Upgrade: Storing your data in the cloud is safe and accessible.

Level up: Basic smart devices such as Alexa or Google Home speaker system in the shop can control entertainment, lights, and climate.

Multiple offices: How many private offices make sense for your team? Think ahead about space for the next generation to grow into without kicking someone out. Invest in the necessary boosters to ensure your phone and internet services can keep up with a full office.

Office on the go: A Bluetooth headset paired with the smartphone in your pocket will help you work efficiently when being tied to a desk isn’t practical.

Manage meetings: A designated meeting room should be equipped to handle in-person and virtual meetings. A wide range of digital displays, microphones, and web cameras are available.

Workspace investment: A portable smart TV in the shop can be used to display security camera feeds, calendar/weather/markets dashboard, monitor field progress, or watch step-by-step YouTube repair tutorials.

Physical and digital security

6 tips for physical security of your farm shop

Visible location: Purdue Extension Agricultural Engineers suggest situating the shop on a lane that passes directly by the farm home for maximum visibility. If secondary access roads are necessary, or already exist, extra security measures are recommended.
Parcel receiving area: Consider a keypad-secured parcel receiving area to receive parts shipments or other supplies around the clock.

If that isn't an option for your space, a sturdy, secure mailbox may be a good choice. Dvault has a wide range of sizes and configurations and many home improvement stores have a selection as well.
Cameras: This technology isn’t new, but it’s advancing. Research the integrated systems that offer apps and notifications. As you build, consider where, and how many, you’d like to hardwire inside and outside your shop.
Lighting: While you’re talking to your electrician, consider your exterior lighting needs for safety and security. Programmable, motion-sensing, and color-changing lights may be appealing solutions.

Locks: Keypad or Bluetooth door locks have their advantages. If you go this route, change the PINs regularly.
Tracking devices: Tracking devices are very affordable now. Apple Air Tags or Tile Trackers are an easy and discreet way to keep tabs on large or expensive shop tools via Bluetooth technology.

3 tips for digital security in your farm shop

Farms today are more connected than ever. There are likely dozens of connected internet of things (IoT) devices in your shop. Every IoT connection is a potential point of entry for a cybercriminal, notes Carl Udler, senior marketing director of Hughes.

Regular password changes will continue to grow in importance.
Consider establishing a virtual private network (VPN) for the farm. “A VPN encrypts all of your data, effectively hiding any information about you from prying eyes,” explains cybersecurity company Surfshark’s website. Most VPN providers charge a monthly fee.
Just like a mechanic has traditionally been an important part of your farm’s team, a “managed security service provider” will be a new recruit to consider.

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