They will give you a packet of information to get you started. Find the closest Small Business Development Center and make an appointment to discuss your plans with them. There are resources online to help you determine your business goals. Don’t list arbitrary goals such as “Make $10,000 in my first year.” For each goal you set, work out the steps necessary to reach that goal.
Sit down and write a Business Plan, complete with Mission Statement, Short Term Goals, Long Term Goals, Start-Up Costs, and Expected Outcomes. Having a note on the refrigerator to remind you of your business goals is a nice start, but you need something more before you take the plunge. You should also have a copy of the local property codes on hand and read through them before you get too far into the planning stage of your business. If they don’t have the answers you need, they will likely be able to point you in the right direction. You should also call the Extension Office or Farm Bureau in your area and make an appointment with a staff member knowledgeable in these matters.
Start by calling your local Health Department for a copy of the rules and regulations for your area. You’d be surprised at some of the laws regulating your farm business, so be sure that you can do what you want to do… before you start doing it.
#Hobby farm vs homestead license#
Is the sale of raw milk legal? What regulations dictate the storage of farm fresh eggs? Can you sell meat at a farmers’ market? What are the property codes for the land where you intend to farm? Do you need a license or certification to carry out your business? If you intend to allow the public to visit your farm, do you need to have restrooms and handicap accessible facilities? Are there regulations dictating the distance between animal pens and public facilities? Look into the local and state laws pertaining to your farming venture. When you are investing your time and money into any kind of business, it is paramount that you get these details first. Do Your Researchīefore you take out a mortgage for a property, put your life savings into improving your current farm, or quit your day job, you need to research your market, expenses, and the regulations in your area. You might be able to sell homemade Cottage Industry products from your farm. If you are considering the possibility of quitting your day job to start a small, independent farm, here are some things to do before you make the jump. There are many things to consider before embarking on this back to the basics lifestyle. However, it is possible to make a living with a small farm operation, but it’s not an easy life. You need to be part business person and part farmer to make a living in this field. In addition, many small farmers are so busy with day to day operations that they don’t have enough time to form detailed plans, do cost analysis calculations, and create solid marketing plans.
Because a chunk of our tax money goes to fund big agriculture, rather than small farmers, they are able to raise food at a much lower price than the 10-acre farm. What could go wrong? Big agriculture and farm subsidies make it difficult for small farmers to compete. Good food from small farms, raised by honest, hardworking people…what could go wrong? Many people would like to return to simple farm life with a fair price paid for the milk, eggs, meat, and produce they can raise in accordance with nature. The good news about new farmers markets starting up with gaggles of shoppers attending has given hope to small producers. We hear the call to ‘buy local’ and ‘support your farmer’ from all over the media. This is not an unusual story, in fact, it takes place all too often.
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