Business Tips for Farming

Small-scale farming can be difficult, but satisfying.

According to the USDA, more than 40 percent of the United States' population was involved in agricultural work at the beginning of the 20 century, but less than two percent of Americans work as farmers today. The world of contemporary agriculture is made up on the one hand of massive enterprises growing a limited number of commodity crops, and on the other hand by small-scale enterprises focusing on quality and variety.

Find Your Niche

The average small-scale farmer does not have the resources to compete with large-scale commodity farms on the basis of price and efficiency. Your best bet as an independent farmer is to find a niche growing types of crops that you can sell through direct marketing channels, and then build a clientele for them. Your choice of what to grow should depend on your specific type of soil, customer demand in your region and your own personal predilections. Choose something that you enjoy growing and eating, experiment with different varieties and develop a high-quality product.

Start a Community Supported Agriculture, CSA

A CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture program, uses a business model based on individuals or families paying a farmer for a season's worth of produce, and then receiving a weekly box. A CSA program provides a farmer with an opportunity to experiment with different types of crops, and it enables consumers to try a wider range of fruits and vegetables than he might ordinarily choose. Customers choose specific CSA programs because they have a rapport with a particular farmer or because they appreciate the quality of his produce. CSA programs lessen the financial risk that a farmer takes by asking customers to pay in advance, and allowing the farmer to substitute different varieties when some crops do not grow as planned.

Expand Your Growing Season

Grow crops during as much of the year as possible. Plant profitable fruits and vegetables such as berries and tomatoes to have available during the summer months, and plan on also growing winter crops such as potatoes, beets, carrots and kale. Plant crops such as onions, garlic and winter squash that you can store and sell over the course of the winter. Sign up to vend at a winter farmers' market if there is one in your area, or sell through your CSA program for as much of the year as possible.

Produce Value-added Products

Use the crops that you grow to also produce a variety of shelf stable products that you can market. Dehydrate fruit to make dried fruit, process berries into jam and pickle cucumbers and green beans. Make tomato sauce and salsa out of tomatoes, peppers and onions. Sell these value-added products at your winter farmers' market or wholesale them to local stores.

References

• USDA.gov: The 20th Century Transformation of US Agriculture and Farm Policy
• SmallFarmersJournal: Home
• Washington State University Extension: Small Farms Team