Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia PAÂ We are frequently asked to assess farm start ups. Long wordy business plans usually indicate a lack of understanding of what is most likely to determine success. For beginning farmers, the shorter the plan the better. Traditional ag training has made a fetish out...
Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia PA  With more SPIN farmers cropping up, we’re being asked, what is the optimal number  that can be supported by the market? Given the growing demand for fresh, local food, saturation should not yet be  a concern in most urban and suburban markets, which...
The post below was in response to an opportunity many dream about, and one lucky guy has actually found. Tom answered a craigslist ad for a farm hand position, but it turns out there is no farm, just residential property that a landowner would like him to turn into vegetables....
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Saskatoon, SK So many people are reluctant to ask the first question that should be answered before starting a new farm. And it’s probably not the question you are thinking. It’s not: “How much money can I make?” It’s: “How much money...
Courtesy of John S, Blue Ribbon Eggs, Franklin, NC The single most important thing you said was, “We really need to start bringing in an income as work around here is slim pickins.” If you need income don’t spend capital. What you need is some reasonably good ground, a strong tiller,...
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Saskatoon, SK Talk to some vendors at your local farmers market or the market manager. Even if local farmers markets are not open yet for the season in your area, there should be some contact information. You might also want to think...
Courtesy of John S. , Blue Ribbon Eggs, Franklin NC A good place to check in on legal issues is your state’s dept of Agriculture. They will have info on marketing and possible legal issues that may affect you. Food safety is an increasingly important issue as it affects your...
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Â Saskatoon, SK If you are just starting out your first year, you need to know about the customers who come to the farmers markets you are going to be selling at. What kind of income do they have? For first year crops...
Courtesy of John S., Blue Ribbon Eggs, Franklin NC Babies plus anything else. BIG change. Give yourself and Viola the opportunity to get acquainted. Her patterns will emerge. I had one that never slept and one that never woke up and one in between…hard to say. She will rule your...
