Farming & Animal Husbandry — My Time at Sandrock Guide

Farming & Animal Husbandry

While Sandrock is a desert, a skilled Builder knows how to make the most of limited resources. Farming and animal husbandry are excellent ways to generate passive income, gather crafting materials, and even provide gifts for your favorite townsfolk. This guide will walk you through establishing a thriving agricultural operation on your workshop.

Getting Started with Farming

Unlike other farming sims, traditional soil plots are not the primary method in Sandrock. Instead, you'll utilize specialized planters and water-efficient techniques.

• Acquiring Planters:
  • Basic Planter: The simplest option. You can craft these early on at your Assembly Station using Wood and Stone. The blueprint is usually available from the start or purchased from the Commerce Guild Store.
  • Advanced Planter: Offers better yields and sometimes special bonuses. Blueprints become available later in the game, often through commissions or by increasing your Builder Rank. Materials typically include Iron Bars, Bronze Bars, and Hardwood Planks.
  • Hydroponic Planter: The most efficient for water conservation. Unlocked much later, these require advanced materials like Steel Bars and Rubber.
• Water Management: Water is precious!
  • Dew Collectors: Essential for early-game water supply. Craft several of these at your Assembly Station using Wood and Stone. Place them around your workshop.
  • Water Tanks: Upgrade your water storage by crafting Water Tanks. These hold more water and can be connected to your planters for automated watering. Blueprints are often available from the Commerce Guild Store.
  • Water Towers: A late-game solution for large-scale water needs. These require significant resources and are typically part of a larger town upgrade project.
• Seeds and Crops:
  • Purchase Seeds: Most common seeds like Lettuce Seeds, Potato Seeds, and Corn Seeds can be bought from the Bygone Saloon's store or sometimes from Owen.
  • Forage for Seeds: Certain wild plants, when harvested, can drop their respective seeds. Explore the Eufaula Desert and surrounding areas.
  • Crop Rotation: While not as critical as in other games, rotating your crops can sometimes yield better results or prevent soil depletion if using advanced farming techniques.

Animal Husbandry: Raising Livestock

Animals provide valuable resources like milk, eggs, and wool, which are crucial for cooking, crafting, and commissions.

• Building a Coop/Barn:
  • Coop: For chickens and other small fowl. The blueprint is typically obtained from Cooper after completing certain early-game commissions or story quests. Requires Wood, Stone, and Duct Tape.
  • Barn: For larger animals like yaks and sheep. The blueprint becomes available later, often after expanding your workshop or completing specific main quests. Requires Hardwood Planks, Bronze Bars, and Glass.
• Acquiring Animals:
  • Purchase from Cooper: Cooper, located near the Bygone Saloon, is your primary source for buying animals. He sells Chicks, Lambs, and Yakmel Calves. Prices vary.
  • Special Events: Occasionally, special events or side quests might offer opportunities to acquire unique animals.
• Animal Care:
  • Feeding: Animals require food daily. You can grow Alfalfa in your planters or purchase Animal Feed from the Bygone Saloon. Place feed in the troughs inside your Coop or Barn.
  • Petting: Interact with your animals daily to increase their happiness and production quality. A happy animal yields more and higher-quality products.
  • Cleaning: Keep your Coop and Barn clean to prevent sickness and maintain animal happiness. Use your Dustpan to clear out waste.
• Harvesting Products:
  • Eggs: Collect daily from your chickens in the Coop.
  • Milk: Use a Milker (craftable at the Worktable or purchasable from Cooper) on your Yakmels.
  • Wool: Use Shears (craftable at the Worktable or purchasable from Cooper) on your Sheep.

Optimizing Your Agricultural Output

• Automated Systems: As you progress, invest in automated systems.
  • Automatic Feeders: Place these in your animal enclosures to automatically dispense food, saving you time.
  • Automatic Waterers: Connect these to your Water Tanks to ensure your crops are always hydrated.
  • Harvesting Robots: Late-game technology that can automatically collect crops and animal products.
• Skill Tree Investments: Prioritize skills in the "Gathering" and "Social" trees that boost farming and animal husbandry efficiency, such as increased yield, faster growth, or better animal product quality.
• Workshop Upgrades: Expanding your workshop area allows for more planters and animal enclosures, significantly increasing your production capacity.
• Commission Fulfillment: Many commissions from the Commerce Guild will request agricultural products. Keeping a steady supply will ensure you always have items to fulfill these lucrative requests.