How to Grow Herbs for Profit in Arkansas

Herbs are sold in many different ways, including essential oils.

Herbs are grown for medicine, cosmetics, food and ornamental purposes. Because of the large market for herbs there are herb growers of all sizes. There are commercial farms in Arkansas that harvest large quantities of herbs, and small organic farms that cater to a smaller niche market. Because of the large market and variety of herbs available for sale, there may be on opportunity for the adventurous entrepreneur who would like to sell herbs for profit in Arkansas.

Instructions

1. Contact your local county agricultural extension office and the Akansas Plant Board. Both offices will have information on licensing and inspecting of agricultural businesses including an herb business. This is important because there are laws in place to restrict the transportation and sale of horticultural products in the state of Arkansas. Also, most retailer and wholesalers will refuse to buy from you if you fail to obtain the correct documentation. This is to prevent the spread of insects and plant diseases.

2. Find a list of herbs that are the most popular sellers for the category of herbs you would like to sell. For example, lavender is a popular seller in the cosmetic category and basil is a popular culinary herb.

   Choose a small number of herbs to grow when you begin your herb business in Arkansas. It is best to become an expert on each herb you are growing, because each herb will have different growing requirements.

   Choose herbs that can grow in the growing conditions you can provide. For example, if you cannot provide a greenhouse for winter protection, the herb you choose to grow must be able to survive outside during the Arkansas winters as well as summers.

3. Establish a market for selling your herbs in Arkansas. You may choose to sell herbs at your own retail location or to a retail outlet. Other opportunities for selling herbs are roadside sales, farmer's markets, restaurants, grocery stores and various wholesalers. It is important to define your market and get an idea what herbs your customers normally buy. It is also important to find out how the product is presented upon delivery. For example, a grocery store may want bar coding on each package, and a wholesaler may only accept herb plants in a certain type of planting container.

   If possible, find out the prices your competition charges for their product. This information gives you an idea of the price you can reasonably charge. You must know in the beginning what you can charge for your product. This allows you to narrow the list of herbs to grow, because you only want to grow the herbs profitable for your operation.

4. Find a wholesaler of seed, plants, pots, irrigation equipment, greenhouse supplies and other items you need to grow your herbs for profit in Arkansas. You must know what you will be paying for supplies in order to figure out how you are going to make a profit.

5. Put together a business plan that incorporates all the costs involved in marketing, buying and preparing your products for market. This information will tell you what your costs are so you know what to charge a customer. Otherwise, there is no possible way you can tell if you are going to make a profit on any particular item. If you begin the process by spending money growing lots of product you are not sure you can sell for a market you do not know exists, you will lose money.

References

• Mother Earth News: Profitable Herb Growing
• Power Home Biz: How to Start a Business in Arkansas
• Richters: Commercial Herb Production and Marketing

Resources

• USDA : Arkansas County Extension Offices
• Arkansas: Arkansas State Plant Board
• Arkansas Plant Board: Plant Industry License Applications