Market Farming

["Beth Spaugh" <lists AT rhomestead.com>]

Yes it can be profitable enough. Well, let me rephrase that. Growing things
doesn't make money. Selling them makes money. There are several folks in my
neck of the woods who do well enough to pay off the land, make investments
back in the farm, raise family, save for retirement. They had some lean
years to start.

I strongly second two recommendations from other folks:
1. Intern or work for others. Maybe for 5 or 10 years even seeing how
different farmers do things.
2. Since you are not tied to a piece of property, think "urban". Either
arranging for use of land or gardening for others. I have read of someone
who preps and maintains backyard gardens for folks who want fresh food but
don't want to garden.

In urban areas you have easy access to leaves, grass clippings, etc, and
easy access to customers. 


Beth Spaugh
Rehoboth Homestead
Peru NY
http://rhomestead.com

"How we eat determines, to a considerable extent, how the world is used."  -
Wendell Berry

"Without power over our food, any notion of democracy is empty." - Francis
Moore Lappe

-----Original Message-----
From: market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:market-farming-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Suzi Bernhard
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 1:35 PM
To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [Market-farming] Profitable enough?

Howdy all,
I am going to be graduating from college coming up here in may.  What I
really want to do is veggie production and farmers market, but I dont own
any land.  From your experience, is market farming profitable enough to pay
for rented land?  Is it best to go somewhere and get a job for a few years
so I can make a big downpayment, or should I try to find land to rent and go
into it right away?  Any opinions are defiantly appreciated.
Thanks so much!
Suzi Bernhard
Farmer wannabee in NE Iowa (finishing college in central iowa)
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