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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] opportunity maybe/ where to start

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Subject: Market Farming

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  • From: Road's End Farm <organic87 AT frontiernet.net>
  • To: "Margaret L. Wilson" <booldawgs AT frontiernet.net>, Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] opportunity maybe/ where to start
  • Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 08:47:45 -0500


On Nov 8, 2009, at 10:08 PM, Margaret L. Wilson wrote:


<x-tad-smaller>Hi, I am a long time lurker with a ranch/farm in SW Oregon. I may end up trying to make some money on a 5 acre parcel 50 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge.  My son is going through a divorce and trying desperately to keep his beloved home.  If his loan is approved, he needs to make some money with it.  At this time it is just a backyard horsy place with a lot of potential.</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller>I have all the equipment, large, small and hand tools, needed that he can use.  It is very close in and is accessible.  </x-tad-smaller>
 
<x-tad-smaller>He grew up gardening and with livestock.   Any ideas that I can give him?  It has an adorable cottage that would be great for a vacation rental.   I have a couple Dexter cows there and the kids have adorable min horses.  Tourism potential?</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller>Thanks in advance</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller>Margaret</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller>
</x-tad-smaller>
Check into local zoning before setting up with tourism. It's possible you may need some sort of permit. Also look into what sort of insurance you need, especially if tourists will be allowed contact with the animals (and plan to supervise them, many people have absolutely no clue as to how to behave around anything bigger than a cat; some have no idea how to behave around cats, for that matter.) But that does sound like potential to me; worth at least investigating.

What are the possible markets in that area for produce? Farmers' markets, local restaurants, do groceries in the area carry local items? Try to find out where you're going to sell before planting; that will help in deciding what to plant. Talk to market managers and produce buyers before making up your mind; bear in mind, though, that what a restaurant or grocery says beforehand they're interested in may or may not translate into actual sales once you're ready to harvest.

With only 5 acres, some of which is taken up by livestock and I gather a house as well as the cottage, you probably want some type of relatively intensive planting system. The Eliot Coleman books may give you some ideas; though of course you always have to adapt to your particular soils, microclimate, markets, and individual ways of working.<x-tad-smaller>

</x-tad-smaller>

-- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 5 mostly
Fresh-market organic produce, small scale



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