Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Pricing produce

market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Market Farming

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Robin Follette" <csa AT thymeforewe.org>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Pricing produce
  • Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2004 06:23:05 -0500

: 1. How many dollars you need in order to keep the
: bills paid
: 2. How many dollars is costs you to keep the veggies
: growing
: 3. How many dollars potential customers are willing to
: pay for the veggies you help grow

Adding to this:

Don't forget profit. This is a lot of work to only pay the bills. It's
good to have at least a little something to put away.
Additional tools. Small things like a trowel to big things like a tractor.
There needs to be money to buy them.
Repair. Tools break down and need to be repaired.


:Those of us
: who have less dirt to deal with, like me with about 6000 sq ft, need to
: get a whopping 1.4 pounds per sq ft per year in order to make ends meet.
: This also doesn't sound too outrageously out of the ballpark.

People not using raised gardens need to take paths into consideration and
subtract that from their growing space.


: Production is the "easy" part, though. Plants want to grow and they will
: whether you want them to or not.

Hopefully. Maybe not. Drought, too much rain, disease, insects, deer,
rabbits and other pests can do a lot of damage. You need to be feeding
yourself out of this too.


: Again, my sincerest apologies for causing trouble.

You opened the door to useful conversation. The business side of this is as
important as the gardening. I'm a newbie to this too, Matt. I've been
gardening for a very long time but not on a commercial scale for long. I'm
increasing from last year's acre to two acres this year. Listen to what
these experienced people are saying. They're taking the time to share years
of experience. Think about what they've said, take what you can use, and
don't take offense because they mean none.

Pricing - I'm mindful of what other vendors are charging at market. I know
what I need to make but need to know if I'm in the ballpark. I keep an eye
on what prices are in the grocery stores now and then to be sure I'm
charging no less than they are.

Robin Follette
Thyme For Ewe Farm
Talmadge, Maine





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page