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Subject: Market Farming

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  • From: Alex McGregor <waldenfarm AT sprintmail.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Intro
  • Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 10:27:45 -0400


Susan,

As far as the land goes, be sure to get your agreement in writing with
the owner- and have it notarized. You'd be surprised how many people
clear rented land, improve the soil and plant crops, only to be booted
out when it starts making money. (And most of them say, "But he/she was
so nice.") I would suggest a lease term based on how long you plan to
stay where you are. A long term agreement with extension provisions if
you plant perennials. Usually, on leased land, growers produce annual
crops. And write in what constitutes a termination of the agreement
coming from either side.

Money being in short supply, maybe you could pay a percentage of your
net (this would require meticulous bookkeeping), or pay with fresh
herbs/ money combo, or a graduated scale- Zero the first year to pay you
for your work on improving the property, then X dollars per year after.
Talk with the owner about this and negotiate something that works.

What to grow- I suggest you ask around, at a market, non-FTD florists,
restaurants for herbs & flowers... In other words, do a market survey
to find out what's being bought for how much. Another thing I do is ask
restaurants (& florists) what they're getting now that they would like
fresher or better quality, or what they want but can't get from current
wholesalers. The internet and library has volumes on how to do market
surveys, business plans...

Insurance- I have none on my business. Since you don't own the land,
you may not be able to get a comprehensive policy from someone like Farm
Bureau- house, outbuildings, autos, general liability, product
liability- but, explain your situation to an agent and ask what they can
do. I found that no independent agents will touch a separate liability
policy for a farm.

Hey, and welcome to the world of farming! If you sell what you grow,
you're a farmer, regardless of the size of your land! Insist on people
using the "F" word for you! And good for you- seeing an opportunity and
trying something out- you'll go far.

Alex McGregor
Walden Farm






  • Intro, GmaSue, 04/24/2001
    • <Possible follow-up(s)>
    • Re: Intro, jay gee, 04/24/2001
    • Re: Intro, sunnfarm, 04/24/2001
    • Re: Intro, Del Williams, 04/25/2001
    • Re: Intro, Alex McGregor, 04/25/2001

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