Farm vs. Plantation: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 7, 2023
A farm is a land area for producing food and may involve various crops or animals; a plantation is larger, often monocultural, and historically linked with colonial or exploitative practices.
Key Differences
A farm is generally understood to be a parcel of land devoted to agricultural processes which might encompass various types of crops and animals. The farm doesn’t adhere strictly to the type or number of products it produces. The farm emphasizes agriculture but does not dictate a specific scale, crop, or historical context.
Plantations are often significantly larger than farms and typically engage in monoculture, meaning they focus on the mass production of a single crop, such as sugar, tea, or cotton. The plantation model, with its large-scale production, often employs a larger labor force and has historically been linked to exploitative practices, including slave and indentured labor.
In a farm, diversification is a notable characteristic. Many farms will include different crops and may also incorporate various animals, thus offering a diverse agricultural environment. The farm model is often associated with family ownership and smaller-scale operations, even though this is not a strict rule and farms can be quite extensive.
Contrastingly, plantations, with their substantial, specialized crop production, generally need vast land areas to cultivate and harvest their singular (or primary) crop. A plantation usually requires a structured management and labor system due to its size and the volume of its yield, which distinctively sets it apart from smaller, more varied farms.
The economic and social implications between farms and plantations also tend to differ. Farms, especially smaller, family-run entities, might focus on local or regional markets and can employ or be run by family members. Plantations, with their larger yield and monocultural focus, often target broader, even international markets, and frequently involve a hierarchical structure and sizable non-family labor force.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Can be varied, from small to large.
Typically large-scale operations.
Crop Diversity
May involve various crops and animals.
Usually monocultural, focused on a single crop.
Labor & Management
Often family-owned, may employ a smaller workforce.
Generally involves a larger, structured workforce.
Economic Focus
Can be localized or broad, depending on size.
Often targeted towards broad or international market.
Historical Connotation
Generally neutral or positive.
Can carry negative connotations due to historical exploitation.
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Farm and Plantation Definitions
Farm
An area of land for growing crops or rearing animals.
Our farm produces corn, wheat, and has a few dairy cows.
Plantation
A large estate or farm that primarily cultivates a specific crop.
The plantation produces sugarcane for international export.
Farm
To cultivate and produce a particular crop or product.
They farm olives and make olive oil for export.
Plantation
An area seeded with trees.
The organization established a new tree plantation to aid reforestation.
Farm
A tract of land cultivated for the purpose of agricultural production.
Plantation
A colonial settlement.
The British established a plantation in Ireland in the 16th century.
Farm
A tract of land devoted to the raising and breeding of domestic animals.
Plantation
A group or cluster of trees or plants.
A plantation of pine trees bordered the property.
Farm
An area of water devoted to the raising, breeding, or production of a specific aquatic animal
A trout farm.
An oyster farm.
Plantation
An area under cultivation.
Farm
A facility for the generation of energy by converting it from a particular source, usually by means of multiple electric generators
A wind farm.
Plantation
A group of cultivated trees or plants.
Farm
A place where a group of similar devices or storage containers are set up
A tank farm.
A server farm.
Plantation
A large estate or farm on which crops are raised, often by resident workers.
Farm
(Baseball) A minor-league club affiliated with a major-league club for the training of recruits and the maintenance of temporarily unneeded players.
Plantation
A newly established settlement; a colony.
Farm
The system of leasing out the rights of collecting and retaining taxes in a certain district.
Plantation
A large farm; estate or area of land designated for agricultural growth. Often includes housing for the owner and workers.
Farm
A district so leased.
Plantation
An area where trees are planted, either for commercial purposes, or to adorn an estate.
Farm
To cultivate or produce a crop on (land).
Plantation
(historical) The importation of large numbers of workers and soldiers to displace the local population, such as in medieval Ireland and in the Americas; colonization.
Farm
To cultivate, breed, or raise (plants or animals).
Plantation
(historical) A colony established thus.
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (former official name of Rhode Island, United States)
Farm
To pay a fixed sum in order to have the right to collect and retain profits from (a business, for example).
Plantation
The act or practice of planting, or setting in the earth for growth.
Farm
To turn over (a business, for example) to another in return for the payment of a fixed sum.
Plantation
The place planted; land brought under cultivation; a piece of ground planted with trees or useful plants; esp., in the United States and West Indies, a large estate appropriated to the production of the more important crops, and cultivated by laborers who live on the estate; as, a cotton plantation; a coffee plantation.
Farm
To engage in farming.
Plantation
An original settlement in a new country; a colony.
While these plantations were forming in Connecticut.
Farm
A place where agricultural and similar activities take place, especially the growing of crops or the raising of livestock.
Plantation
An estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)
Farm
A tract of land held on lease for the purpose of cultivation.
Plantation
A newly established colony (especially in the colonization of North America);
The practice of sending convicted criminals to serve on the Plantations was common in the 17th century
Farm
A location used for an industrial purpose, having many similar structures.
Antenna farm; fuel farm; solar farm; wind farm
Plantation
Garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
Farm
(computing) A group of coordinated servers.
A render farm
A server farm
Plantation
A large agricultural estate specializing in one crop.
The cotton plantation relied on the labor of enslaved individuals in the 18th century.
Farm
(obsolete) Food; provisions; a meal.
Farm
(obsolete) A banquet; feast.
Farm
(obsolete) A fixed yearly amount (food, provisions, money, etc.) payable as rent or tax.
Farm
(historical) A fixed yearly sum accepted from a person as a composition for taxes or other moneys which he is empowered to collect; also, a fixed charge imposed on a town, county, etc., in respect of a tax or taxes to be collected within its limits.
Farm
(historical) The letting-out of public revenue to a ‘farmer’; the privilege of farming a tax or taxes.
Farm
The body of farmers of public revenues.
Farm
The condition of being let at a fixed rent; lease; a lease.
Farm
(historical) A baby farm.
Farm
(intransitive) To work on a farm, especially in the growing and harvesting of crops.
Farm
(transitive) To devote (land) to farming.
Farm
(transitive) To grow (a particular crop).
Farm
To give up to another, as an estate, a business, the revenue, etc., on condition of receiving in return a percentage of what it yields; to farm out.
To farm the taxes
Farm
To lease or let for an equivalent, e.g. land for a rent; to yield the use of to proceeds.
Farm
To take at a certain rent or rate.
Farm
To engage in grinding (repetitive activity) in a particular area or against specific enemies for a particular drop or item.
Farm
To cleanse; clean out; put in order; empty; empty out
Farm out the stable and pigsty.
Farm
The rent of land, - originally paid by reservation of part of its products.
Farm
The term or tenure of a lease of land for cultivation; a leasehold.
It is great willfulness in landlords to make any longer farms to their tenants.
Farm
The land held under lease and by payment of rent for the purpose of cultivation.
Farm
Any tract of land devoted to agricultural purposes, under the management of a tenant or the owner.
Farm
A district of country leased (or farmed) out for the collection of the revenues of government.
The province was devided into twelve farms.
Farm
A lease of the imposts on particular goods; as, the sugar farm, the silk farm.
Whereas G. H. held the farm of sugars upon a rent of 10,000 marks per annum.
Farm
To lease or let for an equivalent, as land for a rent; to yield the use of to proceeds.
We are enforced to farm our royal realm.
Farm
To give up to another, as an estate, a business, the revenue, etc., on condition of receiving in return a percentage of what it yields; as, to farm the taxes.
To farm their subjects and their duties toward these.
Farm
To take at a certain rent or rate.
Farm
To devote (land) to agriculture; to cultivate, as land; to till, as a farm.
Farm
To engage in the business of tilling the soil; to labor as a farmer.
Farm
Workplace consisting of farm buildings and cultivated land as a unit;
It takes several people to work the farm
Farm
Be a farmer; work as a farmer;
My son is farming in California
Farm
Collect fees or profits
Farm
Cultivate by growing, often involving improvements by means of agricultural techniques;
The Bordeaux region produces great red wines
They produce good ham in Parma
We grow wheat here
We raise hogs here
Farm
A facility for particular purposes.
A fish farm facilitates the breeding of various fish species.
Farm
To allocate a task to someone.
The company farms out IT tasks to a local service provider.
Farm
To engage in a focused, often repetitive action, usually in gaming contexts.
He farms gold coins in the online game by defeating the same creature repeatedly.
FAQs
What is a farm?
A farm is a tract of land used for agricultural purposes to produce food, such as crops and livestock.
Are all farms rural?
While most farms are in rural areas, urban farming is also practiced in city environments.
Is a farmer’s market related to a farm?
Yes, farmer’s markets often feature produce directly from local farms.
What is farm-to-table?
It refers to a movement where restaurants source ingredients directly from local farms.
What is a “farmhouse”?
A farmhouse is a residence located on a farm, often where the farmer lives.
What defines a plantation?
A plantation is typically a large-scale estate specializing in the production of a specific crop.
What are common types of farms?
Common types include dairy farms, crop farms, and poultry farms, each specializing in respective produce.
Can a farm be of any size?
Yes, farms can vary widely in size, from small family operations to large corporate farms.
Can "farm" be used as a verb?
Yes, "farm" can be a verb, meaning to cultivate land and raise livestock.
Is a farm only for commercial production?
No, farms can also be for personal use, producing food primarily for the farmer’s family.
Are there different farming methods?
Yes, such as organic farming, conventional farming, and vertical farming.
Is a plantation always large?
Generally yes, plantations are notably large, focusing on mono-cropping on a large scale.
Can a plantation exist in any climate?
No, plantations typically exist where their specific crop can grow best.
Why is "plantation" sometimes viewed negatively?
Historically, plantations are often associated with slavery and exploitative labor practices.
Can "plantation" refer to trees?
Yes, it can refer to large estates of particular trees, like a rubber plantation.
What crops are commonly associated with plantations?
Sugarcane, cotton, and rubber are often associated with plantations.
Are plantations involved in global trade?
Yes, historically and presently, plantation crops are often significant in global trade.
What is a plantation economy?
It's an economy based on agricultural mass production, typically of a few commodity crops.
Is a plantation managed differently than a farm?
Often yes, due to its size and single-crop focus, plantations commonly have structured hierarchical management.
Is a plantation always for commercial use?
Typically, yes, plantations are designed for large-scale, commercial crop production.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
