Pumpkins

[super55]

Generating 10k in farm income is not an unreachable goal but I will say plan on putting a considerable amount into it getting things started. Right now you have the land and a tractor and probably a few attachments but there is so much more involved.

Plan on electric fence to keep deer out, soil amending since pumpkins are high N and K nutrient users, pest control of squash bugs and probably drip line irrigation and then probably 2-3 acres of land utilized for the crop.

If you are serious about making a go of this you I wouldn't even plant this year because in all likelihood your crop is going to be a bust. First thing is develop a plan. Then next is to get your dirt in working order for next year. That means tilling this year, clearing rocks, possibly subsoiling and then start working cover crops to reduce weed infestation and try and add some organic matter to the soil.

You'll spend $$ on year 1 and have no income to show for it but it will set you up much better for success in year 2 and 3.

 

[sixdogs]

Having done this for decades, 98% of the plan is how to sell the product you grow. There are a few problems with growing but easily surmounted. Selling, or marketing is the hard part. That's why the highest paid people in the world are salesman and promoters of their product. Otherwise you will have a 50 ton pile of pumpkins come late summer and no market. A wise grower will, in effect, have them sold or know where they're going before the seed goes in the ground. No one will buy your product unless you create the need for it and a reason for them to buy it. Even then, your envious neighbor will grow some the second year and sell them a little cheaper than you and skim some sales.

Explaining marketing in a forum like this is difficult because it's experience based and there are many competing ideologies and side bar directions that blur the goal and keep your eye off the prize. Pumpkins aren't bought, they're sold.

 

[MossRoad]

That's good advice. I had an acquaintance that grew sweet corn. He contracted out with a grocery store chain the year before he planted it. Knew exactly where it was going and how much he'd get for it. Did it for several years, then switched to a road-side stand. Haven't talked to him in decades, but his roadside stand is still there each summer. Maybe I'll stop by this year if I'm in the area.

 

[countrybumpkin]

That's good advice. I had an acquaintance that grew sweet corn. He contracted out with a grocery store chain the year before he planted it. Knew exactly where it was going and how much he'd get for it. Did it for several years, then switched to a road-side stand. Haven't talked to him in decades, but his roadside stand is still there each summer. Maybe I'll stop by this year if I'm in the area.

We used to do this when we raised watermelons and cantaloupe.

 

[MossRoad]

We used to do this when we raised watermelons and cantaloupe.

How did you go about setting it up with the store?

 

[countrybumpkin]

We would go into the store and start by speaking with the produce manager.

 

[MossRoad]

We would go into the store and start by speaking with the produce manager.

Well, geeze, that's simple enough! :laughing:

 

[GLyford]

There are a lot of apples grown in our area, and they are mostly heritage types. We had a regional chain that prided itself on local produce, and you'd see the local growers' names on all the apple bags. Then the chain got bought out by a global co., and now all the apples are plain boring varieties shipped in from other places.

So I guess what I am trying to get at is, the big chains might not have a lot of leeway on where they get their produce, but smaller local and regional stores might.

 

[sixdogs]

There are a lot of apples grown in our area, and they are mostly heritage types. We had a regional chain that prided itself on local produce, and you'd see the local growers' names on all the apple bags. Then the chain got bought out by a global co., and now all the apples are plain boring varieties shipped in from other places.

So I guess what I am trying to get at is, the big chains might not have a lot of leeway on where they get their produce, but smaller local and regional stores might.

We tried to sell fall squash to a local store who would have nothing to do with us. Oh, well but hold that thought.

After considerable effort, we developed a relationship with a regional grocery chain that supplied it's local and regional stores with produce, etc. To our surprise, our squash showed up at that store, and others that refused to buy from us. I understand completely because so many local producers don't understand and aren't fully committed to growing and delivering product while the regional store would deliver what they said and when they said it.

Little stores are understandable reluctant to make deals in advance and we pretty much had to show up with the goods before we made deal. The following years got easier. Our best sales were from the farm and from local advertising.

 

[sixdogs]

The good news with unsold pumpkins is that cows eat what won't sell or is damaged. It takes a while for the first bite but after that our adult Polled Herefords could eat a surprising amount.