Download or read book The Urban Farmer written by Curtis Allen Stone and published by New Society Publishers. This book was released on 2015-12-14 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There are twenty million acres of lawns in North America. In their current form, these unproductive expanses of grass represent a significant financial and environmental cost. However, viewed through a different lens, they can also be seen as a tremendous source of opportunity. Access to land is a major barrier for many people who want to enter the agricultural sector, and urban and suburban yards have huge potential for would-be farmers wanting to become part of this growing movement. The Urban Farmer is a comprehensive, hands-on, practical manual to help you learn the techniques and business strategies you need to make a good living growing high-yield, high-value crops right in your own backyard (or someone else's). Major benefits include: Low capital investment and overhead costs Reduced need for expensive infrastructure Easy access to markets Growing food in the city means that fresh crops may travel only a few blocks from field to table, making this innovative approach the next logical step in the local food movement. Based on a scalable, easily reproduced business model, The Urban Farmer is your complete guide to minimizing risk and maximizing profit by using intensive production in small leased or borrowed spaces. Curtis Stone is the owner/operator of Green City Acres, a commercial urban farm growing vegetables for farmers markets, restaurants, and retail outlets. During his slower months, Curtis works as a public speaker, teacher, and consultant, sharing his story to inspire a new generation of farmers.

Download or read book Starting Running Your Own Small Farm Business written by Sarah Beth Aubrey and published by Storey Publishing, LLC. This book was released on 2008-01-16 with total page 177 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Running your own small farm is demanding enough, but making it profitable presents a host of further challenges. In this business-savvy guide to farming on a small scale, Sarah Aubrey covers everything from financial plans and advertising budgets to web design and food service wholesalers. Learn how to isolate your target audience and craft artisanal products that will delight and amaze customers. With a solid business strategy in place, you can confidently turn your passion into a productive and profitable venture.

Download or read book Market Farming Success written by Lynn Byczynski and published by Chelsea Green Publishing. This book was released on 2013-10-15 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An insider's guide to market gardening and farming for those in the business of growing and selling food, flowers, herbs, or plants. Market Farming Success identifies the key areas that usually trip up beginners—and shows how to avoid those obstacles. This book will help the aspiring or beginning farmer advance quickly and confidently through the inevitable learning curve of starting a new business. Written by the editor of Growing for Market, a respected trade journal for market farmers, Market Farming Success condenses decades of growing experience from every part of the United States and Canada. It focuses on the factors that are common to market gardeners everywhere and offers professional advice that includes: • How much you'll need to spend to start a market farming business; • How much you can expect to earn; • Which crops bring in the most money—and whether you should grow them; • The essential tools and equipment you will need; • The best places to sell your products; • How to keep records to maximize profits and minimize taxes; • Tricks of the trade that will make you more efficient in the greenhouse, field, and market. This new Chelsea Green edition of a 2006 classic is greatly updated and expanded, and includes full-color photos, charts, and graphs, plus many inspiring and instructive profiles of successful market-farming pioneers.

Download or read book How to Sell Your Farm Successfully written by Adrian Spitters and published by Heartbeat Productions Incorporated. This book was released on 2016-03-23 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Farm life has always been an important part of my world. I grew up on a dairy farm on Nicomen Island near Mission, BC and have immediate family and relatives operating dairy, poultry and crop farms. As co-executor (with two brothers) of my father's estate, I know all too well the result of not having a proper farm transition plan in place. Our dad had a poorly executed, unworkable Will and a non-existent farm succession plan. This led to family discord. Despite receiving the majority of the assets, the brother who inherited the farm suffered financial distress and became insolvent. A proper transition plan would have helped him get the financial and farm management training he needed. Today, I work as a Senior Wealth Advisor with Assante Capital Management Ltd., a leading Canadian wealth management firm with extensive experience in family farm transitions. In my work with the Assante Ag Group, I provide wealth advisory services to farm and business families. This includes helping them grow and protect their assets while preserving their family wealth and legacy. In my 29 years in the business, this is what I've seen: that all businesspeople, especially farmers, need and want personalized financial advice that helps them achieve their life goals. It is very clear to me that whether you have a transition plan in place or not, one day you will transfer your farm to your children, extended family or sell to a third party. The question is, will it be on your terms (voluntarily), or someone else's (involuntarily)? Ensuring the continuity of our farming community is a personal commitment.

Download or read book Dynamic Farmers Marketing written by Jeff Ishee and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Market Gardener written by Jean-Martin Fortier and published by New Society Publisher. This book was released on 2014-03-01 with total page 243 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Grow better not bigger with proven low-tech, human-scale, biointensive farming methods Making a living wage farming without big capital outlay or acreages may be closer than you think. Growing on just 1.5 acres, Jean-Martin and Maude-Helene feed more than 200 families through their thriving CSA and seasonal market stands. The secret of their success is the low-tech, high-yield production methods they've developed by focusing on growing better rather than growing bigger, making their operation more lucrative and viable in the process. The Market Gardener is a compendium of proven horticultural techniques and innovative growing methods. This complete guide is packed with practical information on: Setting-up a micro-farm by designing biologically intensive cropping systems, all with negligible capital outlay; Farming without a tractor and minimizing fossil fuel inputs through the use of the best hand tools, appropriate machinery and minimum tillage practices; Growing mixed vegetables systematically with attention to weed and pest management, crop yields, harvest periods and pricing approaches. Inspired by the French intensive tradition of maraichage and by iconic American vegetable grower Eliot Coleman, author and farmer Jean-Martin shows by example how to start a market garden and make it both very productive and profitable.

Download or read book Start Your Farm written by Forrest Pritchard and published by The Experiment. This book was released on 2018-09-10 with total page 271 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A totally modern, all-purpose handbook for today’s agricultural dreamers—covering the challenges and triumphs of launching any successful farm—from two leading lights in sustainable farming Do you dream of starting your own farm but wonder where to begin? Or do you already have a farm but wish to become more sustainable to compete in today's market? Start Your Farm, the first comprehensive business guide of its kind, covers these essential questions and more: Why be a farmer in the 21st century? Do you have what it takes? What does sustainable really mean, and how can a small (as little as one acre) to midsize farm survive alongside commodity-scale agriculture? How do you access education, land, and other needs with limited capital? How can you reap an actual profit, including a return on land investment? How do you build connections with employees, colleagues, and customers? At the end of the day, how do you measure success? (Hint: Cash your lifestyle paycheck.) More than a practical guide, Start Your Farm is a hopeful call to action for anyone who aspires to grow wholesome, environmentally sustainable food for a living. Take it from Forrest Pritchard and Ellen Polishuk: Making this dream a reality is not for the faint of heart, but it's well within reach—and there's no greater satisfaction under the sun!

Download or read book Making Your Small Farm Profitable written by Ron Macher and published by Storey Publishing, LLC. This book was released on 2010-11-18 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Turn your farm into a cash cow! Ron Macher offers a host of simple strategies for increasing your farm earnings, from purchasing durable equipment to growing economically viable crops. A seasoned expert in farm efficiency, Macher shows you how to locate a lucrative niche market for your products, optimize sales, and minimize costs. Whether you’re buying a new farm or jump-starting an old one, Macher’s savvy tips will help you turn your enterprise into a profitable business.

Download or read book Ways to Sell What You Grow Making Money with Your Farm Selling Agricultural Products written by Darla Noble and published by Mendon Cottage Books. This book was released on 2015-01-09 with total page 39 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ways to Sell What You Grow - Making Money with Your Farm Selling Agricultural Products Table of Contents Introduction Chapter 1: Agriculture and the Internet Chapter 2: Networking Equals Sales Chapter 3: Local Outlets Chapter 4: Cutting out the Middle Man Chapter 5: Good Business Conclusion Author Bio Introduction There was a time when farmers took their excess eggs, cream, and butter to town on Saturday to trade for coffee, sugar, flour, baking powder, and other things such as nails, fabric, and shoes they couldn’t grow or produce for themselves. The store owner would then have eggs, cream, and butter to sell to the people living in the community who did not farm. The ‘system’ worked; everyone’s needs were met and they were happy. That’s not the way it is done today, though, is it? Today’s farmers are either: A—large-scale producers who grow and sell commercially for a large corporation such as Del Monte®, Tyson® or one of the other major players in the industry. These farmers depend on government policies and programs and the businessman’s thoughts and decisions in regards to what is going to put the most money in their pockets. This leaves these farmers wearing two very big hats—the one of farmer and the one of businessman trying to meet the demands of corporate America. B—small producers (like you, most likely) who raise and produce livestock, food, and grain/hay for themselves and (hopefully) some of the people living in their own community who buy what they take to the farmer’s market or directly off their farm. This does somewhat resemble the days of old, except for the fact that you have a much smaller customer base. I say this because the number of people buying from the grocery store is vastly larger than the number of people buying from people like you. But what would you say if I told you there are ways to narrow those margins and to make your products available to the masses without being swallowed up by the corporate jungle? If you would say ‘sign me up’, then keep reading, because that’s what this book is all about. By reading this book you will discover ways to reach out to potential customers (literally) around the word. You will discover how and why networking can expand your earning potential, why the middle man isn’t always necessary, and how doing away with ‘him’ will increase your bank account. Yes, this will require you to put on a business hat, but it’s one that actually fits and can be worn comfortably. So get comfortable and get ready to make your world-wide debut in the world of agriculture.

Download or read book Farms with a Future written by Rebecca Thistlethwaite and published by Chelsea Green Publishing. This book was released on 2012 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do you want to make your farm more dynamic, profitable, and-- above all-- sustainable? Thistlethwaite introduces readers to some of the country's most innovative farmers, in order to help you build a triple-bottom-line farming business focused on economic viability, social justice, and ecological soundness.

Download or read book Market Farming Success written by Lynn Byczynski and published by Chelsea Green Publishing. This book was released on 2013 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Market Farming Success is an indispensable guide to market gardening and farming for those in the business of growing and selling food, flowers, herbs, or plants. Condensing decades of growing experience from every part of the United States and Canada, Lynn Byczynski - editor and publisher of Growing for Market - identifies crucial areas that usually trip up beginners and shows growers how to avoid common obstacles. This book differentiates between market gardens, market farms, and vegetable farms, offering a concise and useful overview of how to find land, select and grow crops, acquire appropriate equipment, and market your produce, as well as tackle recordkeeping, insurance, and other fundamental business topics.--COVER.

Download or read book Successful Farming written by and published by . This book was released on 1913 with total page 922 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Includes various special sections or issues annually: 1968- Harvesting issue (usually no. 7 or 8); 1968- Crop planning issue (usually no. 12; title varies slightly); Machinery management issue (usually no. 2); 1970- Crop planting issue (usually no. 4; title varies slightly).

Download or read book Farm to Market Handbook written by Janet Hurst and published by Voyageur Press. This book was released on 2014-12-17 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Transform your pastime into your livelihood. If your sweet corn is tall, your brood of chickens is beautiful, and your half-dozen goats give delicious milk, then you know firsthand the rewards of running a small farm. But what if you could turn that Do-It-Yourself hobby into a long-term source of regular income? Nurturing a healthy harvest is only half the battle--what you really need to know is how to create a successful and sustainable business. In The Farm to Market Handbook, veteran dairy-goat farmer Janet Hurst combines her deep knowledge of farming life and farmers' markets with her hard-won experience turning farm products into a living wage. From CSAs and weekly markets to school programs and local chefs, Hurst guides you through every type of market available to small farmers. She explains how you can develop a realistic marketing plan, provides a breakdown of the food laws and regulations you'll need to be aware of, and offers insider tips on how to be a successful businessperson. Through enlightening interviews with producers around the country who speak of their successes - and their failures - this book takes a look at some of the nation's top markets and analyzes why they have thrived where others have not. So if you've ever wondered how to get started selling your produce, entertained the idea of raising meat goats, or wanted to spread the word about your homegrown honey, you should read The Farm to Market Handbook and figure out how to put money in your pockets.

Download or read book Eliminate Your Competition written by Sean O'Shaughnessey and published by . This book was released on 2018-05-14 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most salespeople lose the deal before they ever get started! It isn't uncommon for the customer to have already made a decision before most salespeople even learn of the opportunity. Most salespeople have to beat the preferred competitor by a significant margin just to be considered equivalent. Don't you wish that you could be the preferred vendor in all of your opportunities? Selling is a difficult career in which to make a living; it is not uncommon to have the commission check denied before the salesperson even gets a chance to win. Analysis of thousands of sales situations has made it phenomenally obvious that most salespeople begin their sales campaign so late in the decision-making process that they are virtually guaranteed to lose the order. To make matters worse, when they do start the campaign early enough, most salespeople do not know how to control the prospect adequately so that they can guarantee their victory. Typical turnover for a sales department is 10-20%. Many companies see turnover that approaches 40-60%! This turnover costs them 50% of their revenue-generating capability. In any organization that exceeds 25% turnover, the loss of trust with the customer can be astounding as the new salesperson tries to rebuild the entire relationship. In any given quarter dozens or hundreds of companies do not make their forecasted numbers and are dramatically punished by Wall Street. This book will provide the management of a company with a framework to teach their salespeople how to attain their quotas with higher profits. It will also allow salespeople to rise to the top of their organization and be the super-achievers who win awards, trips, bonuses, and respect. In this book, I will show you how to eliminate your competition and maximize your commission.

Download or read book How to Farm Successfully by Mail written by Deborah Johnson and published by Argyle Press, Inc.. This book was released on 1995 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Ready to Sell Your Farm written by Adrian Spitters and published by Heartbeat Productions Incorporated. This book was released on 2017-07 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most farmers don't have time to think too far ahead into the future. That's because they're busy attending to the needs of today: producing high-quality products, overseeing employees, and managing the mind-boggling number of details that go into owning a farm. If they do think about the future, it's usually in terms of new government regulations, availability and price of land or quota for future expansion, or even what the weather will be like. The truly long-term decisions, like when to sell or transition your farm (not to mention how to do it), are mentally filed away under the heading, "Bridges to Cross when I've come to it." But that bridge may be a lot closer than you think. Understandably, most farmers have great difficulty in setting aside the time to plan for the future of their farm business in addition to working on their farm. It is the planning for the future of your farm while the sun is shining that will help protect your farm, and ultimately your family, from the rainstorms that loom ahead. You see, recently conducted surveys of privately-owned family businesses, including farms across North America, report that approximately 40% of business owners expect to exit their family business in the next five years. That number goes up to a whopping 70% within the next ten years. A significant number of these business owners indicate that they will be relying on the ongoing success of their business to finance their future lifestyle. All this applies to farmers like you. So, ask yourself: 1. Do you have a plan in place to increase the value of your farm before it's time to sell? 2. Do you have a plan in place that will enable you to transfer your farm to your family or sell to a third party? 3. Have you planned how to retire on your terms, instead of being forced to transfer or sell your farm on someone else's? 4. Are you proactively preparing a successor who will enable the continuity of your farm operation? It's true: most farmers haven't planned for the day when they will transition or sell their farm. That makes them vulnerable to an involuntary sale, meaning they will be forced to sell their farm due to death, disability, or other reasons. As you can see, the question of when and how to transition your farm is something that needs to be answered sooner rather than later. The first step is to have a plan. Having a plan in place now can save you untold time and trouble in the future... and it can also help ensure that when the time does come to transition your farm, you do it right. The stakes are high. For an overwhelming number of farmers, the sale of their farm will be their primary source of income for retirement. That's why it's crucial that they get it right. Otherwise, they will deny themselves the chance at much-needed income during a time when every dollar counts. For others, their major goal is to keep their farm in the family. But transitioning your farm, even to your own children, is a long and complex process. Finally, everyone wants to cement their legacy and good name long after the transaction takes place. I know that farmers are also business owners... and that your business is one of the most important in the entire world. I understand that owning a farm isn't easy. I also know that the decision to one-day sell or transfer out of your farm can be just as difficult. My name is Adrian Spitters. I'm a Senior Wealth Advisor with Assante Capital Management Ltd. As the child of a farmer, I can appreciate the hard work you've put into establishing a successful farm. I've prepared this special book just for you. In just a few short pages, we'll look at some of the challenges facing farmers who want to quit working someday, what the most successful farmers are doing now, and where you can get additional help. One of my goals is to give you ideas of how to plan for your eventual transition into retirement and have peace of mind.

Download or read book Sustainable Market Farming written by Pam Dawling and published by New Society Publishers. This book was released on 2013-02-01 with total page 459 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Growing for 100 - the complete year-round guide for the small-scale market grower. Across North America, an agricultural renaissance is unfolding. A growing number of market gardeners are emerging to feed our appetite for organic, regional produce. But most of the available resources on food production are aimed at the backyard or hobby gardener who wants to supplement their family's diet with a few homegrown fruits and vegetables. Targeted at serious growers in every climate zone, Sustainable Market Farming is a comprehensive manual for small-scale farmers raising organic crops sustainably on a few acres. Informed by the author's extensive experience growing a wide variety of fresh, organic vegetables and fruit to feed the approximately one hundred members of Twin Oaks Community in central Virginia, this practical guide provides: Detailed profiles of a full range of crops, addressing sowing, cultivation, rotation, succession, common pests and diseases, and harvest and storage Information about new, efficient techniques, season extension, and disease resistant varieties Farm-specific business skills to help ensure a successful, profitable enterprise Whether you are a beginning market grower or an established enterprise seeking to improve your skills, Sustainable Market Farming is an invaluable resource and a timely book for the maturing local agriculture movement.