Making money with land

[JMER817]

Uh, I'm the OP, can we get back on subject please?

 

[motownbrowne]

Sure. If making lots of money growing stuff on small parcels was easy everyone would do it. It's hard work, and there's no magic potion. Good luck.

 

[NHmitch]

Have you thought any more about what you may want to farm? A good place to start would be to have your soil tested. This will give you an analysis of how fertile your land is, and what will grow well there. This is your local link where you live. The test only costs $12 per sample. Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences.

You may also want to look into your irrigation options. If you have stream or river water available is it safe and legal to irrigate with, and if you have a well, can it support crop irrigation. Just a few places to start that may help you a bit.

This is your local zoning ordinance. Check to make sure that farming for profit is allowed and that you are zoned for this type of operation. http://www.region2planning.com/webs...dinances/ZoningTexts/Jackson/GrassLkTwpZO.pdf

This is a link to grants available in your area for farming and agriculture. There are usually lots of grants for new farms, and I know the USDA has a few programs as well. MDARD - Grants, Loans, & Funding Opportunities

Hope this helps a bit!

 

[swlman2]

:thumbsup:Hogs maybe another option, they require little space. Lots of options there, feeders, show stock, heritage breeds, and registered purebreeds.:thumbsup:

 

[Jstpssng]

That might work. Any idea on the income? Where do you market your product?

I read your post soon after you wrote it. You raised some good points, but I think slow... and some of your questions I was already trying to answer without success.
Currently the main function of the Extension Service seems to be helping to find government subsidies. I'm really not interested in paying 2.00$ of my retirement fund so somebody can show me ways to get .50 $ back. (End rant...)

My best estimate indicates that I can gross about 8000$/acre in a good year for PYO strawberries and asparagus. Properly managed dwarf apple trees should yield about 300 bushels per acre. Currently people travel 40+ miles for apples and berries; I hope to capture some of that market. Asparagus would be a market I create, as nobody grows it around here. I'm starting out small, so my investment can be controlled by the market.

To the OP; I apologise if we hijacked your thread.However a post on TBN is like a garden, requiring pruning and tending... otherwise us weeds will take over.
It also sent me thinking in other directions; I found this link which I hope you find useful. 10 Most Profitable Specialty Crops to Grow

good luck. Keep posting so that we know what you decide and how it's working out for you. :thumbsup:

 

[300UGUY]

I read your post soon after you wrote it. You raised some good points, but I think slow... and some of your questions I was already trying to answer without success.
Currently the main function of the Extension Service seems to be helping to find government subsidies. I'm really not interested in paying 2.00$ of my retirement fund so somebody can show me ways to get .50 $ back. (End rant...)

My best estimate indicates that I can gross about 8000$/acre in a good year for PYO strawberries and asparagus. Properly managed dwarf apple trees should yield about 300 bushels per acre. Currently people travel 40+ miles for apples and berries; I hope to capture some of that market. Asparagus would be a market I create, as nobody grows it around here. I'm starting out small, so my investment can be controlled by the market.

To the OP; I apologise if we hijacked your thread.However a post on TBN is like a garden, requiring pruning and tending... otherwise us weeds will take over.
It also sent me thinking in other directions; I found this link which I hope you find useful. 10 Most Profitable Specialty Crops to Grow

good luck. Keep posting so that we know what you decide and how it's working out for you. :thumbsup:

PYO places around here aren't doing that well. Not a lot of folks willing to do the picking, unless the berries are really cheap.

 

[Redbug]

A lot of folks grow bale and sell hay around here. If you don't have the equipment, you can make a deal with someone that does to do the bailing.

 

[charlz]

Insurance etc. aside one other factor in letting the public onto your property for a PYO operation is you have to be there. If you are the stay at home type and don't like to occasionally go out to breakfast on the weekend or go out of town on the weekends that might not be much of an issue.

 

[motownbrowne]

Insurance etc. aside one other factor in letting the public onto your property for a PYO operation is you have to be there. If you are the stay at home type and don't like to occasionally go out to breakfast on the weekend or go out of town on the weekends that might not be much of an issue.

That's only the case for the weeks that you're open for business. A U-Pick strawberry operation might only be open 4-5 weeks a year.

But, like 300uguy says, they aren't a guaranteed money maker. Lots of weeding involved in strawberries, not to mention planting, fertilizing, mulching and uncovering, and marketing your operation.

 

[rScotty]

I have approx 4 acres of farm land that I am looking for some unique (profitable) ideas of what to grow to supplement my income with. A quick google search and I see herbs, bamboo, garlic, gourmet mushrooms, lavender, etc. anyone have any experience with any of these or any other ideas? Located in lower Michigan. Good well drained soil.

Great Thread! Thanks for asking the question. I've been enjoying the many opinions and sort of surprised at how few people on a tractor forum actually do small farming for profit....although I suspect that a lot of us do a little farming for fun.
rScotty