About Services Project Scale Specialties Free Consultation
Serving Pittsburgh & Surrounding Areas

Your land.
Your homestead.
Built for you.

From a backyard chicken coop to a full working farmstead β€” Backyard Farm Builder consults, designs, and builds it all. Start to finish. No experience required on your end.

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Complete Start-to-Finish Service

We handle planning, permits, design, sourcing, and building so you don't have to figure it out alone.

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Livestock & Animals

Chickens, goats, ducks, and more β€” sourced and set up for you.

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Gardens & Crops

Raised beds, orchards, and productive growing spaces designed for your yard.

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Ponds & Water

Aquaculture systems, spring development, and water features built right.

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Regulatory Guidance

Local zoning, permits, and HOA rules researched and handled for your area.

πŸŽ“B.S. Conservation & Wildlife Management
πŸ“ŠMBA β€” Project Management
πŸ› οΈHands-On Field Experience
πŸ“Pittsburgh, PA & Surrounding Region
βœ…Free Initial Consultation
10+
Industries of hands-on experience
2
Degrees β€” Conservation & MBA
100%
Custom to your land & goals
1
Call to get started β€” free
Built by someone who has actually done the work
Who We Are

Real experience.
Real results.

Backyard Farm Builder is led by Ben β€” a conservation and agriculture professional who has spent his career doing exactly what he now helps homeowners achieve.

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B.S. in Conservation & Wildlife Management Academic foundation in land, animals, and ecosystems
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MBA β€” Project Management Focus Every project planned, scoped, and delivered professionally
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Farmer, Zoo Curator & Agricultural Specialist Decades of real-world animal and land management
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Construction & Hydroseeding Foreman Everything gets built right the first time
Farmer Zoo Curator Divemaster Firefighter Hydroseeding Foreman Ag Specialist Construction Foreman
What We Do

Everything your
homestead needs.

Choose consulting and planning only, or let us handle the full build. Every project is custom-scoped to your specific land, goals, and budget.

Custom Pricing Every property is different. We don't believe in one-size-fits-all packages. After your free consultation and site visit, you'll receive a detailed proposal tailored to your land and vision β€” no surprises.
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Site Consultation & Planning

We visit your property, assess your space, soil, drainage, sun exposure, and listen to your goals. You receive a clear, actionable plan before any money is spent on materials or animals.

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Homestead Design

Custom layout and design for your specific property β€” maximizing efficiency, ease of use, and long-term productivity. From a single chicken coop to a multi-acre working farmstead.

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Regulatory Research

We research your local zoning laws, municipal codes, HOA rules, and permit requirements so you're never caught off guard. Animal ordinances, setbacks, water rights β€” we handle the homework.

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Livestock Acquisition & Setup

We source quality animals appropriate for your land, climate, and experience level. Chickens, goats, ducks, rabbits, and more β€” we set up the housing, explain the care, and make sure you're ready from day one.

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Crop & Garden Installation

Raised bed gardens, in-ground plots, orchards, berry patches, and herb gardens β€” designed, built, amended, and planted. We set you up to grow successfully from the very first season.

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Infrastructure Build-Out

Coops, runs, shelters, fencing, stables, compost systems, storage structures β€” fully designed and built to last. We do the physical work start to finish so you don't have to lift a hammer.

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Aquaculture & Water Systems

Pond design and construction, spring development, aquaculture system planning, fish stocking, and water feature integration. From a backyard koi pond to a productive tilapia or catfish system β€” we design and build it right.

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Project Management & Oversight

For larger projects, we provide full project management β€” coordinating materials, timelines, subcontractors, and deliverables. Your homestead project stays on budget and on schedule from groundbreak to handoff.

Project Scale

Small backyard to
full working farmstead.

We work with properties and budgets of all sizes. Whether you want a few chickens and a raised bed garden or a multi-acre homestead built from scratch β€” there is a path forward for your land.

01

Starter

Your first step into homesteading. Perfect for suburban lots ready to produce something.

Backyard chickens Raised bed garden Compost system Beehives
02

Growing

Expanding your property's productivity with animals, larger gardens, and supporting infrastructure.

Goat or sheep setup Backyard pond Expanded crop beds Duck & poultry runs
03

Established

A serious homestead operation with multiple species, water systems, and year-round productivity.

Aquaculture systems Spring development Orchard planting Multi-animal operation
04

Full Farmstead

A working farm built for serious semi-rural landowners who want maximum self-sufficiency and productivity.

Large livestock Full crop planning Barn & shelter builds Water infrastructure
Deep Expertise

Specialty project areas.

These are the areas where our hands-on background runs deepest β€” where you get not just a contractor, but a genuine expert.

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Poultry & Small Livestock

  • Chicken coop and run design and build
  • Duck and waterfowl housing
  • Goat and sheep shelters and fencing
  • Rabbit hutch systems
  • Animal sourcing and breed selection
  • Husbandry guidance and setup
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Aquaculture & Water

  • Backyard and farm pond design and build
  • Aquaculture system planning
  • Fish species selection and stocking
  • Spring development and water sourcing
  • Irrigation system design
  • Water quality and management guidance
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Crops, Land & Restoration

  • Raised bed and in-ground garden design
  • Orchard and food forest planning
  • Soil amendment and preparation
  • Erosion control and hydroseeding
  • Pasture and grazing land management
  • Crop selection by climate and season
How It Works

Simple process.
Real results.

We make it easy. Here's exactly what to expect from your first call to the day we hand you a working homestead.

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Free Consultation

Tell us about your land, your goals, and what excites you. No commitment required.

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Site Visit

We come to your property, assess the space, and start shaping your vision.

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Custom Proposal

You receive a detailed written plan and scope tailored to your land and budget.

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We Build It

Design, permits, sourcing, construction β€” we handle everything start to finish.

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Animals & Planting

We stock your homestead with the right animals and plants, ready to thrive.

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Handoff & Support

Full walkthrough, care guidance, and ongoing support as you get started.

Ready to build your
dream homestead?

Every project starts with a free, no-pressure consultation. Tell us about your land and what you want to grow, raise, or build β€” and we'll tell you exactly how we can make it happen.

Book Your Free Consultation No commitment. No pressure. Just a conversation.
Get In Touch

Let's talk about
your land.

Every homestead starts with a conversation. Reach out and tell us what you're dreaming of β€” we'll take it from there.

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Phone [Your Phone Number]
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Email [Your Email Address]
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Service Area Pittsburgh, PA and surrounding suburban & semi-rural communities
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Response Time We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours

Book a Free Consultation

Tell us a little about your property and what you have in mind.