Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia PA
If you are just starting out in farming, you might have heard these words of wisdom: “Farms are started by idealists, and run by realists.” Based on our experience, the new farm success rate is greatly increased if farmers become realists sooner rather than later. Like, before they even put a shovel in the ground. When aspiring farmers swap their rose colored glasses for SPIN-Farming ones, here’s what they see.
First, they see the land they’ll be growing on (whether it’s owned, rented or borrowed), in total square feet. It could be 1,000 sq. ft. or it could be 40,000 sq. ft. Or it could be anywhere in between.
Next they divide up their total square feet of growing space into individual plots of either 50 square foot beds or 1,000 square foot segments.
Next they see how many crops they’ll grow in each bed or segment. Plots that are intensively relayed are planted to 3 crops per season. Plots that are bi-relayed are planted to 2 crops. Some plots will just be planted in a single crop.
Next they see revenue targets using SPIN’s pricing benchmark of $1/sq.ft. to $3/sq. ft.
Next they see how those revenue targets can be multiplied, using the high or low pricing benchmark, and based on the number of relays.
Next they see how much money they can make from their land.
Next they see reality. Sometimes it’s an exciting reality. Sometimes it’s a disappointing one. But they know what the potential pay-off of their farm is likely to be, before they invest any time, effort or money. For those who think starting a farm is going to be a dream, that is really eye-opening.
LEARN HOW TO START UP A FARM BASED ON CALCULATED CHANCES RATHER THAN HOPES AND PRAYERS WITH BACKYARD RICHES LEARNING PROGRAM HERE. OR IF YOU AREN’T SURE AND JUST WANT TO SEE HOW OTHERS ARE DOING IT,HANG OUT WITH US HERE.
