Building the Farm[]
MultiFarms are multi-block structures that are built using special Farm Blocks and building blocks (stones/bricks). The smallest multi-farm is 11×11 while the largest is 17×17.
Multi-Farms also support specialized Farm Blocks to add functionality, the Farm Gearbox being the only one required (as it's the only way to supply power to the multi-farm). There is also a Farm Valve, Farm Hatch and Farm Control. See Farm Structure for more information.
GUI[]
The MultiFarms, once built, have the following GUI: [1]
The GUI is divided into seven areas:
I - Water Input Slot Place Water Buckets/Cans/Capsules in here in order to fill the Water Tank (II).
II - Water Tank This shows how much water the MultiFarm currently has. It can be filled through (I) or through Farm Valve blocks connected into Buildcraft Waterproof Pipes.
III - Current Configuration and Circuit Board Socket This area shows the current configuration of the MultiFarm. It has a socket in the center for you to place (or remove, using a Soldering Iron) Circuit Boards in order to place Electron Tubes that will alter the MultiFarm's behaviour. See Configuring the Farm for more information.
IV - Fertilizer Slot Most farm configurations will need Fertilizer for operation. Place Fertilizer in here or pipe it into the MultiFarm using Farm Hatch blocks connected into Buildcraft Transport Pipes.
V - Soil Inventory This is where you will place the necessary soil for the farm to either lay down the farmland (if it's a Managed Farm) or to replace decayed soil blocks. Items can be piped in through Buildcraft Transport Pipes connected into Farm Hatch blocks.
VI - Germlings Inventory This is where you will place the germlings (Saplings, Seeds, Cactus, etc.) for use in the farm. Items can be piped in through Buildcraft Transport Pipes connected into Farm Hatch blocks.
VII - Output Inventory Any waste or harvested resources end here. Farm Hatches will automatically eject them into inventories or Buildcraft Transport Pipes directly below them.
Required Resources[]
Due to soil erosion caused by overharvesting on an industrial scale, farms need to be supplied with fertilizer to replenish their soil's mineral content. The amount required varies for different types of farms (see below). Though compost and mulch can both replace fertilizer anywhere else, only phosphorous fertilizer ground from apatite gems statisfies these needs of a farm. A single unit of fertilizer equates to 2.000 mU1) on default settings.
Most farms will also require a steady supply of water to keep crops and soil hydrated.
Configuring the Farm[]
If, for any reason, you want to modify the farm's behaviour (for example, to change the crops it will harvest), you can do so by soldering Electron Tubes into Circuit Boards with a Soldering Iron.
More information can be found at Farm Configuration.
1) Value can be freely adjusted in gamemode settings. Server side config overrides client side.