6 best generators for small farms During Power Outages

The hum of the freezer suddenly goes silent, the well pump won’t kick on, and the brooder lamp keeping your new chicks warm goes dark. A power outage on a small farm isn’t just an inconvenience; it can quickly become a crisis that threatens your livestock, your food stores, and your hard work. Having a reliable generator isn’t a luxury—it’s a critical piece of farm insurance.

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Why Backup Power is Crucial for Small Farms

For a small farm, a power outage is more than just a matter of resetting the clocks. The most immediate concern for many is water. If you rely on a well, no power means no water for livestock, which can become a life-threatening situation in a matter of hours, especially in hot weather.

Beyond water, electricity powers the systems that protect your most vulnerable assets. Incubators maintaining precise temperatures for a new hatch, brooder lamps keeping young chicks or piglets warm, and aerators in fish or aquaponics tanks all depend on a steady current. A prolonged outage can wipe out a generation of new animals or an entire system before you can react.

Finally, consider your larder and your business. Freezers full of processed meat, poultry, and harvested produce represent a significant investment of time and money. Without power, that investment begins to spoil. For those who sell at markets, losing power can also mean losing the ability to process orders, communicate with customers, or run point-of-sale systems, bringing the business side of your farm to a halt.

Choosing Your Farm Generator: Key Factors

Selecting the right generator requires looking past the marketing and focusing on the practical demands of your farm. The most important factor is wattage, which is broken into two numbers: starting (or surge) watts and running watts. Equipment with motors, like well pumps and refrigerators, requires a large surge of power to start up, so your generator’s starting wattage must be high enough to handle that initial load.

Fuel type is another critical decision with significant tradeoffs. Gasoline is widely available but has a short shelf life, while propane can be stored indefinitely in tanks, making it a superior choice for emergency preparedness. Dual-fuel generators offer the best of both worlds, providing flexibility during an extended outage when one fuel source may become scarce. For those with a tractor, a Power Take-Off (PTO) generator is a robust, low-maintenance option that leverages an engine you already own.

Don’t overlook portability and noise. A heavy, stationary generator might be perfect for powering the main barn, but a smaller, portable unit could be invaluable for running a tool in a distant pasture. Inverter generators are significantly quieter and produce "clean" power safe for sensitive electronics, but they come at a premium price. Consider where you’ll use the generator and what you’ll be powering to strike the right balance for your operation.

• Wattage: Do you need to run a high-demand well pump (high starting watts) or just some lights and a freezer (lower starting watts)?
• Fuel Type: Is long-term fuel stability (propane) more important than immediate availability (gas)? Do you have a tractor to power a PTO unit?
• Portability: Will the generator stay in one place, or do you need to move it around the farm for various tasks?
• Noise Level: Is the generator near your house or sensitive livestock? Is it powering delicate electronics that require an inverter?

Generac GP8000E: Top Pick for Well Pumps

If your number one priority is keeping water flowing to your animals and home, the Generac GP8000E is built for the job. Its standout feature is the significant surge wattage provided by its PowerRush™ Advanced Technology, which delivers over 30% more starting capacity. This is exactly what’s needed to kickstart a demanding submersible well pump, a task that can cause smaller or less robust generators to trip their breakers.

This is a no-nonsense, gas-powered workhorse. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of quieter inverter models or the fuel flexibility of dual-fuel units, but it excels at its primary function: delivering reliable, high-surge power. The electric start is a welcome feature on a cold morning, and its hardened steel frame is designed to withstand the bumps and bruises of farm life.

Bottom line: If your main concern is powering a well pump, a freezer, and other high-draw motor-driven equipment, the Generac GP8000E is your most reliable and purpose-built choice. It’s designed specifically for handling the kind of demanding startup loads that are common on a farm.

Champion 100297: Versatile Dual Fuel Power

For the farmer who values preparedness and flexibility, the Champion 100297 dual-fuel generator is an outstanding option. Its ability to run on either gasoline or propane is its greatest strength. This means you can keep a stable, long-lasting supply of propane on hand for emergencies while still having the option to use readily available gasoline for everyday tasks or as a backup.

With 4750 starting watts and 3800 running watts, it has enough power to handle the essentials during an outage—a small well pump, a refrigerator, a freezer, and some lights. It’s not a whole-farm solution, but it’s a powerful and reliable lifeline. The integrated "Intelligauge" helps you track voltage, hertz, and run-time hours, making maintenance schedules easier to manage.

Bottom line: If you want the peace of mind that comes with fuel flexibility, this Champion model is for you. It’s the perfect generator for the farmer who plans ahead and wants multiple options when a power outage hits.

Honda EU7000iS: Quiet Power for Electronics

The Honda EU7000iS is in a different class altogether, and its price reflects that. This is an inverter generator, meaning it produces clean, stable electricity that is safe for sensitive electronics like computers, modern incubator controls, or medical equipment. It’s also exceptionally quiet, operating at a level that’s more like a conversation than a roaring engine, which is a huge benefit if it needs to run for days near your home or livestock.

Featuring fuel injection, this model offers greater fuel efficiency and eliminates carburetor problems that can plague generators that sit for long periods. With 7000 starting watts and 5500 running watts, it has plenty of power for most small farm essentials, including many well pumps. It combines raw power with refined, clean output.

Bottom line: If you need to power sensitive electronics, value quiet operation, and are willing to invest in top-tier reliability and efficiency, the Honda EU7000iS is the undisputed premium choice. It’s a true investment in quiet, clean, and dependable power.

Westinghouse WGen9500DF: High-Wattage Value

When you just need a massive amount of power without the premium price tag, the Westinghouse WGen9500DF delivers. Boasting an impressive 12,500 starting watts and 9,500 running watts, this generator can run nearly everything on a small farm simultaneously—the well pump, the barn lights, multiple freezers, and the house. It’s a powerhouse designed to minimize the compromises you have to make during an outage.

The dual-fuel capability adds significant value, allowing you to switch between gasoline and propane. It also comes with a remote start key fob, which is a surprisingly useful feature for starting the unit from inside your house on a stormy night. While it’s louder and produces less "clean" power than an inverter, its raw output for the price is unmatched.

Bottom line: For the farmer who needs to power a lot of equipment and wants the best wattage-per-dollar value, the Westinghouse WGen9500DF is the clear winner. It’s the practical, high-output solution for keeping the entire farm operational.

NorthStar PTO Generator: Tractor-Powered Pick

For farmers who already own a compact or mid-size tractor, a PTO generator is often the smartest choice. The NorthStar PTO generators connect directly to your tractor’s power take-off shaft, using the tractor’s reliable and well-maintained diesel engine to generate electricity. This eliminates the need to store, maintain, and potentially repair another small engine.

These units are built for heavy-duty, long-term use. Because they rely on a powerful tractor engine, they provide clean, stable power that is often superior to standalone gas generators, making them safe for sensitive equipment. They are available in a range of sizes, but a 16,000-watt model can easily run an entire farm and household. The primary investment is upfront, but the long-term reliability and low maintenance are significant advantages.

Bottom line: If you have a tractor of 30 horsepower or more, a PTO generator is the most reliable, powerful, and low-maintenance backup power solution you can buy. It leverages equipment you already own to create a robust electrical source.

WEN 56380i: Portable Pick for Small Tasks

Not every power need requires a massive, loud generator. The WEN 56380i is a super-quiet, portable inverter generator perfect for smaller, targeted tasks. With 3800 starting watts, it’s not designed to run your whole farm, but it’s ideal for powering a few critical items like a freezer and a brooder lamp, or for taking power out to a remote fence line for repairs.

Its main advantages are its portability and quiet operation. You can easily move it where it’s needed, and it won’t disturb livestock or your family. As an inverter, it produces clean power, so it’s perfect for charging phones, laptops, and other sensitive devices. It’s an excellent complement to a larger generator or a sufficient primary unit for a very small homestead with minimal power needs.

Bottom line: For targeted tasks, ultimate portability, or as a backup for a small-scale homestead, the WEN 56380i provides clean, quiet power in a compact package. It’s the right tool for specific jobs, not for running the whole farm.

Generator Safety Tips for Your Barn and Home

A generator is a powerful tool, and it demands respect. The single most important rule is to never, ever run a generator inside a home, garage, or barn. Generators produce deadly carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas. Always operate your generator outdoors in a well-ventilated area, at least 20 feet away from any doors, windows, or vents.

Properly managing electricity is just as critical. Avoid "backfeeding," which is plugging your generator directly into a wall outlet. This is extremely dangerous and can electrocute utility workers trying to restore power. The safest method is to have a licensed electrician install a manual transfer switch, which safely isolates your home from the grid before connecting it to the generator. If using extension cords, ensure they are heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords that are properly sized for the electrical load you’re running.

Finally, handle fuel with extreme care. Never refuel a generator while it is hot or running; let it cool down completely first to prevent a fire. Store fuel in approved containers away from any potential ignition sources. Regular maintenance, including oil changes and checking spark plugs, not only ensures your generator will start when you need it but also keeps it running safely.

Sizing Your Generator for Farm Equipment

Choosing the right size generator starts with understanding your farm’s essential needs. Make a list of everything you absolutely must power during an outage. This typically includes a well pump, a freezer, a refrigerator, and perhaps a brooder lamp or incubator. Don’t worry about non-essentials like a TV or clothes dryer for this calculation.

For each item on your list, find its running watts and starting watts, which are usually listed on the appliance’s data plate or in its manual. The key is to add up all the running watts of the equipment you plan to use simultaneously. Then, identify the single highest starting wattage among all your items (this is almost always a well pump or freezer). Add that single highest starting wattage to your total running wattage to determine the minimum surge watts your generator needs.

For example, if you need to run a freezer (500 running / 1500 starting watts), a well pump (1000 running / 3000 starting watts), and some lights (200 running watts), your calculation would be: (500 + 1000 + 200) = 1700 total running watts. The highest starting wattage is the well pump at 3000. So you’d need a generator with at least 1700 running watts and 3000 starting watts. It’s always wise to choose a generator with 20-25% more capacity than your calculated needs to avoid overworking it.

In the end, the best generator is the one that’s ready to run when you need it most. Investing in the right backup power system is a deliberate act of resilience, ensuring that a storm outside doesn’t create a crisis inside your barn. Choose wisely, maintain it properly, and you’ll be prepared for whatever the weather brings.