7 Ways to Protect Your Farm from Intruders

Farming can bring great joy to your family, but it also comes with plenty of challenges and risks to take into account, not least of which is farm security. If you live on a farm and the land is part of the same property that your residence is situated on, then protecting your farm is also a matter of protecting your home. When it comes to keeping your crops and your family safe, it makes no sense to cut corners or put expenses off because these investments could wind up being the saving grace of your income or your family’s safety. With that said, here are 7 ways you can protect your farm from intruders more effectively:

1. Install a Home Security System

If you don’t already have surveillance on your farm, this is definitely a step you should consider taking to ensure you can always keep watch of the property and the interior of your home at all times. State-of-the-art home security systems can be connected to the internet to provide a constant stream that you can access from any device that’s connected to the web, so you can be shopping at the grocery store while checking on your farm through an app on your phone. Having cameras installed will help you not only catch intruders in the act but also conduct retrospective reviews of footage to discover any weak spots in your current security. 

2. Use Fencing Strategically

Building a standard picket fence might seem like the most aesthetically pleasing and traditional option, but it certainly isn’t going to give you top-notch security. Consider installing electric fences, barbed wire, motion sensor alarms and lighting, privacy fences, or other forms of fencing that will deter intruders from trespassing. 

3. Reinforce Gates and Barn Doors

One excellent way to deter trespassers is to reinforce your gates and barn doors. If a gate looks easy to break and open, it’s easy for someone to try and force their way in, and nothing is stopping them from doing so. What’s more, adding more gates to your farmland will restrict the number of ways to get onto your property, and the fewer ways there are to enter, the better. You can reinforce gates by adding additional locks and also repairing any cracked or broken gates and doors promptly. 

4. Invest in Good Lighting

Lighting your farmland effectively is a key way in deterring trespassers, especially if you add reliable, bright security lights. One reason why farms, in particular, are often targeted is that there are unlit areas which are easily accessible. However, by ensuring crucial areas of your property are adequately lit, primarily during the night, it will discourage those who wish to take something from the land, creating a secure farm. 

5. Post ‘No Trespassing’ Signs

If your farm is situated on a large property that’s bordered by forest or other properties, there’s always a possibility that a group of teenagers or hikers could accidentally trespass on your land without even realizing it. Obviously, you don’t want people wandering around on your farm and setting off your alarms or stepping on your cover crops, so it’s best to post ‘No Trespassing’ signs in places where people might try to enter. Having signage posted will also deter many criminals because they know that they could be charged with trespassing for even stepping foot past the posted area. 

6. Conduct Frequent Inspections

The best way to keep everything under control is to stay on top of your security with frequent inspections. Try to inspect the integrity of your fencing periodically to ensure critters or criminals haven’t created any new holes or workarounds. Additionally, check your farm buildings to ensure every entrance and exit is secure, and if it’s not, work on fixing the issue promptly.  

7. Use Landscaping in Your Favor

Take advantage of the land around your farm and use it to ensure your property is secure and safe at all times. You can use privacy hedges to block visibility from the road, which can help to keep potential thieves from coveting your farm equipment and other valuables, for example. 

Farm Protection Should Be a Top Priority

Let’s face it; many farmers are still somewhat old-fashioned when it comes to technology and haven’t taken the initiative to install many advanced farm security features. Remember that protecting your farm is about securing your livelihood and the safety of your family, so all the above steps are well worthwhile. 

 

*This is a collaborative post