Market Farming

[S & S Aqua Farm <snsaquasys AT townsqr.com>]

At 06:09 AM 01/19/2002 -0600, you wrote:
>Beth,
>How about potted culinary herbs?  I know of one grower who does quite
>nicely in a Farmer's Market doing nothing but this..you can start them
>in a greenhouse now from seeds or from plugs and have plenty ready to
>sell by June...it's a nice niche and if noboy else is doing it on
>opening day you will establish yourself as THE herb people,  Good
>luck.
>
>Adriana

Adriana - very good advice.  My sister worked for/with us here for a couple
of years.  Then she and I found out just how much we're alike in our need to
be the one "in control" :>)  She built a couple of greenhouses at her own
place (about 8 miles away), and concentrated on herbal plants -- culinary,
medicinal, scented geraniums, etc.  She became the area "herb lady", and was
quite successful with this niche market.  In addition to her retail sales,
she also was in great demand by the landscape contractors locally, as so
many people are looking for edible gardens, or those that require little
attention.  She also had markets with other greenhouses that supplied
primarily vegetable and floral annuals, but hadn't a clue about herbs; and
supplied several "garden clubs" here in Missouri for their annual plant sales.

After our Mom died in August, she decided to sell the property where they'd
lived together these past 20 years, and felt the need to be away from the
area; so she's in Oklahoma right now regrouping her life, and hoping to use
what she knows working for someone else for a while.  

When she started, I'd say we were both about the same level of knowledge and
experience with the various plants she sold.  That quickly changed as she
concentrated on building her business and expanding the variety of plants
she offered.  Her ability to become knowledgeable about each and every plant
always amazed me.   While Beth may not want to spend that amount of time and
focus on herbal offerings, I definitely agree that there's a current market
for plants; and with a little research, you can offer basic growing
techniques to your customers.

I will say that Diana never had an unsatisfied customer -- she was very
particular about which plants were sold.  If they weren't completely healthy
and satisfactory (to her) in appearance, she wouldn't sell them.  And we
(and she) always offered customers a replacement guarantee on any plant sold
-- even if they were completely responsible for killing the poor thing.
Makes for good customer raport, and adds to your credibility as a seller.

I'd say the country is still ripe for herbal specialists, depending on the
area of course.   But Beth, even if you just added some basic culinary
plants to your offerings, I think you'll find folks gravitating to your
booth unless someone there is already deeply involved in it.

Paula Speraneo
West Plains, MO