Makes sense. This is our plan as well. The markets were a great start for us becuase it got us out there, connected to customers. It was difficult at the start to draw people to the farm, when no one knew who we were. Now that we have a core group of customers the plan is attract them to a farm store CSA membership like model. #culturalcapital
Thanks for this, very valuable information and advice for anyone taking the leap. Currently sowing seeds for spring and is the first time I’ve sown large amounts. I love the perspective of being able to build up slow and not depending on loans.
Pete Larsen from the "Just a Few Acres Farm" RU-vid channel has some great advice and videos of starting a farm. Start small. Also, for the small farmer, three components must be in balance: Infrastructure/product/market. If one gets too ahead of the other the farm is at risk for failure.
Oh boy does this interview resonate with me about ‘failing’ in my own backyard is what’s challenged me to learn what I’m doing wrong and make it ‘right’. I decided to turn my oasis yard into a temporary ‘test garden’ so I can fail fast in preparation for wanting to have a farm for a living in the future. With all our companies we started as a side hustle and did a slow grow which in my opinion is the way to go because it’s waaaaaay less stressful and risky. So I sincerely thank you for this reminder as my impatience is creating stress to make this leap. Taking a step back to design the context, plan priority buildouts, getting clientele prepped annnnnd I think I can resume breathing ? 🤔😅
I like this conversation. I started small while working full time at a farm. Each year as my home based farm stand has grown I've pulled time working for other farmers and put it towards my farm. I have also started doing pop ups around my town. The most important thing I've found is to start even if it's not perfect. Then each week I try to make it better. Working on farms for a few years before I started was also essential. Thanks again keep up the good work.
I was thinking to buy the greenhouse complete set which might cost a lot, thanks to this sharing, now I'm thinking about start with our bamboo greenhouse DIY first. Start small.! 🤩
Farm store seems good idea, if u have employees or dont have to run them. farm tours i have found as much as customers love them they are killers of production
The channel is filled with videos with tips and tricks and hacks. Check it out. The winter production videos are new territory and game changing. Dig deeper my friend.
