Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

market-farming - Re: Small farms and processing issues

market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Market Farming

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Rainbow's End Farms & Orchards" <rainbowsend AT swva.net>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Small farms and processing issues
  • Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 19:43:49 -0700

Yes, Rick, I am unashamedly opposed to all forms of socialism, welfare, doles, handouts, enablement programs. Now, enough on that and on to something more practical.
 
We launched our farm in April. Starting with the house and the property we have added fencing and the Dexter cattle, sheep, and boer goats. Broadened the range of forage species. We developed, planted and harvested the one acre vegetable garden. Planted blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, black raspberries, and 500 asparagus plants. Planted the orchard with apples, peaches, plums, cherries and pears. Developed a small farm pond for trout fishing. In terms of any hopes of generating any inflow for next year it appears that we are really limited to the meats and the garden. Now, this poses the very real concern of selecting the best marketing channels for next year and the planning that must be addressed during the Fall and winter. That which went to the local markets proved to us that there is no way that we can recover our investments of time and capital through selling to others to market. Really, it seems that direct marketing is the only way in this area of rural Virginia. This is all a very roundabout way of wondering whether it might be desirable to arrange a meeting with prospective CSA participants in order to get feedback on what is really desired. While I might like to grow herbs, ethnic vegetables, and something more interesting am I not just spinning my wheels if the demand simply isn't there. Is there a top ten of those vegetables for which there is always a good return?   Larry Walker
Rainbows End Farms and Orchards
880 Central Academy Road
Stuart, Virginia  24171
276-694-4324
 



Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page