Turn your farm (or future farm) into a reliable income stream with practical models, simple numbers, where to sell, a 12-week launch plan, and ready-to-send emails for buyers.
CHOOSE A MONEY-MAKING MODEL (PICK 1–3)
• Market Garden (mixed vegetables/greens on small plots)
• Microgreens (fast turnaround; weekly restaurant/CSA sales)
• Mushrooms (oyster/lion’s mane; steady demand)
• Cut Flowers (bouquets/subscriptions/events)
• Herbs (fresh culinary + dried blends, teas)
• Pastured Eggs/Meat (egg subscriptions; chicken/pork/beef with deposits)
• Fruit/U-Pick (strawberries/berries; value-add jam)
• Value-Added (pickles, sauces, ferments, dried herbs, microgreen powders)
• Agritourism (workshops, farm dinners, photo sessions, tours)
Tip: Diversify with 1 primary model + 1–2 add-ons for resilience.
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WHAT TO GROW (HIGH-MARGIN, FAST-TURN)
• Greens: salad mix, arugula, spinach, kale (weekly plant/harvest cycles)
• Microgreens: sunflower, pea, radish, broccoli, basil
• Herbs: basil, cilantro, parsley, mint, rosemary, thyme
• Mushrooms: oyster, lion’s mane
• Cut flowers: zinnia, sunflower, lisianthus, ranunculus (seasonal)
• Berries: strawberries, blueberries (pair with U-Pick or CSA)
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WHERE TO SELL (CHANNELS THAT PAY)
• Restaurants & Cafés (steady weekly orders; chef relationships)
• CSAs & Subscriptions (prepaid bundles; veg, eggs, flowers, mushrooms)
• Farmers’ Markets (retail pricing, great for brand building)
• Grocers & Co-ops (wholesale—consistent but lower margins)
• Online/Delivery (weekly order form + local drop points)
• Farm Stand/U-Pick (cash flow + community loyalty)
• Events/Workshops (tickets and product bundles)
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SIMPLE NUMBERS (EXAMPLE UNIT ECONOMICS)
Use these as examples to understand pricing and scale. Your results depend on yields, inputs, and market.
• Microgreens (small start)
– 80 trays/month × average sell $20/tray (mix of wholesale/retail) = $1,600 gross
– Seed + medium + packaging ≈ $8/tray → $960 costs
– Approx. $640/month gross margin (before overhead/labor)
– Scale knob: add 20 trays to increase by ~+$160 gross / +$80–$100 margin
• Oyster Mushrooms
– 50 lb/week × $10/lb wholesale = $500/week gross (≈ $2,000/month)
– Substrate/spawn/utilities ≈ $3–$4/lb → $600–$800 costs/month
– Approx. $1,200–$1,400/month margin (before overhead/labor)
• Cut Flowers (bouquets)
– 40 bouquets/week × $15 × 20 weeks = $12,000 season gross
– Inputs/packaging/seedlings ≈ 30–40% → $7,200–$8,400 margin (before labor)
• Market Garden (¼ acre, mixed veg)
– Typical gross potential: $12,000–$25,000/season
– Net depends on efficiency, crop mix, and sales channels (retail > wholesale)
Pricing rule of thumb: track all-in cost per unit (inputs + labor + overhead) → add target margin (e.g., 40–60% retail; 25–40% wholesale).
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STARTER EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST (MINIMUM VIABLE)
• Hand tools: broadfork or tiller alternative, hoes, knives, harvest totes
• Irrigation: drip lines + timer, hose filters, quick-connects
• Benches & trays (for microgreens/starts), small rack, fans
• Soil/soilless mix, seeds/spawn, sanitized containers/packaging
• Scale, label printer (optional), cooler/cold room or chest freezer (ice packs)
• Basic wash/pack area: tables, sinks, sanitizer, drying racks
• PPE: gloves, aprons; first-aid kit; cleaning logs
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12-WEEK LAUNCH PLAN (SMALL FARM OR SIDE HUSTLE)
• Week 1: Pick 1–2 core products. Set prices. Order inputs. Make a simple brand (name, one-page site or FB page).
• Week 2: Build a buyer list (10 restaurants/grocers; market manager). Draft email (see template below).
• Week 3: Plant first successions (greens/microgreens/mushrooms). Create a 12-week crop schedule.
• Week 4: Set sales channels (1 market + 2 restaurants + 1 subscription). Post a weekly order form.
• Week 5–6: First harvests. Deliver samples to top 5 buyers. Collect feedback. Adjust varieties/prices.
• Week 7–8: Add one add-on (herbs/flowers or value-added). Start CSA/subscription sign-ups.
• Week 9–10: Improve wash/pack flow. Standardize labels. Capture photos for listings/social.
• Week 11–12: Review numbers; drop low-margin items; double down on winners. Plan next 12-week cycle.
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MARKETING IN ONE HOUR/WEEK (KEEP IT SIMPLE)
• Post 3 photos (field/harvest/bundle) + 1 price list update.
• Email one short weekly note: “What’s fresh this week + order link.”
• Thank top buyers publicly (tag restaurants/partners).
• Capture 1 customer quote/review monthly.
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COMPLIANCE & SAFETY (BASICS)
• Check local licenses for direct sales/markets/wholesale.
• Food safety: clean harvest tools/surfaces; keep logs; label ingredients/allergens for value-added.
• Insurance: farm liability/product liability (often required by markets/wholesale).
• Keep receipts and simple books (income, expenses, mileage, hours).
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FUNDING OPTIONS (IF NEEDED)
• Mini-grants (city/county; ag/food programs)
• CSA prepayments/subscriptions
• Microloans (community lender/credit union)
• Equipment cost-share (where available)
• Pre-orders for value-added products/events
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FAQS
Q: How much land do I need to start?
A: You can start with a garage rack (microgreens/mushrooms), a backyard (greens/herbs/flowers), or ⅛–¼ acre for mixed veg.
Q: Retail or wholesale?
A: Retail pays more per unit (farmers’ markets, CSA, direct online), wholesale is steadier (restaurants/grocers). Many farms combine both.
Q: How do I set prices?
A: Calculate your all-in cost per unit (inputs + labor + overhead). Add 40–60% for retail, 25–40% for wholesale. Compare nearby markets to sanity-check.
Q: What if I can’t sell everything?
A: Pre-sell (CSA/subscriptions), trim production to bestsellers, offer weekly bundles, and partner with food pantries for surplus (tax benefits in some regions).
Q: What’s the fastest path to cash flow?
A: Microgreens, mushrooms, and salad greens (weekly cycles) + a small CSA or restaurant route.
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READY-TO-SEND EMAIL: RESTAURANTS/CAFÉS (INTRO + PRICE LIST)
Subject: Local [Your Farm] – Fresh [Greens/Microgreens/Mushrooms] Weekly
Hi [Chef Name],
I’m [Your Name] from [Farm Name] in [City]. We harvest weekly and can deliver on [Days].
This week’s availability & pricing:
• Salad Mix – $[price]/lb (min 5 lb)
• Arugula – $[price]/lb
• Microgreens (sunflower, pea, radish) – $[price]/lb
• Oyster Mushrooms – $[price]/lb
Reply with your standing order or any special requests. Happy to drop off a sample.
Thanks,
[Name] – [Phone] | [Email] | @yourfarm
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READY-TO-SEND EMAIL: CSA/SUBSCRIPTION SIGN-UPS
Subject: 10 Spots – Weekly Farm Box Starts [Date]
Hello neighbors,
We’re opening 10 spots for our weekly farm box (greens/herbs/microgreens + rotating add-ons).
• Size: feeds 2–3 people
• Price: $[amount]/week (paid monthly)
• Pickup/Delivery: [Location/Day]
Reply “I’m in” and I’ll send the sign-up link and first pickup details.
Thank you!
[Name] – [Farm Name] | [Phone] | [Email]
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ONE-PAGE PRICE SHEET (COPY/PASTE)
• Salad Mix – $[retail]/bag (8 oz) • Wholesale: $[wholesale]/lb (5 lb min)
• Arugula – $[retail]/bunch • Wholesale: $[wholesale]/lb
• Microgreens (Sunflower/Pea/Radish) – $[retail]/clamshell • Wholesale: $[wholesale]/lb
• Oyster Mushrooms – $[retail]/lb • Wholesale: $[wholesale]/lb
• Herb Bundle (Basil/Parsley/Cilantro) – $[retail]/bundle
• Flower Bouquets – $[retail]/bouquet (market) • Subscriptions available
Note: Prices are examples—adjust to your costs and local demand.
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WEEKLY RHYTHM (KEEP YOU ON TRACK)
• Monday: Crop plan + seed/plant
• Tuesday: Restaurant outreach + confirm CSA counts
• Wednesday: Harvest + wash/pack for wholesale
• Thursday: Harvest + pack for CSA/market
• Friday: Market prep + load
• Saturday: Market sales + customer photos
• Sunday: Bookkeeping + reorder inputs
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DISLCAIMER
Figures shown are examples to help planning; real results vary by region, yields, and costs. Always follow local laws for food safety, licensing, and labeling. © 2025 How To Make Money Farming.