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coast of Maine | There are many avenues to attempt this move.The memories of my wife and I starting seems like yesterday.The direct to the consumer is your best route IMO.You have one of the keys with the beef.Sell it all by the lb packages when you get your customer base built.I have 2 others that raise beef (as we cannot) for our market and we sell the heck out of it.If you go the produce/fruit route the animal part needs to be separated (FSMA) but you may get away with it for a bit,,until.The labor will be increased exponentially ,,it was me and my girlfriend 45 years ago,,not at peak but today as I type about 40 employees.I can sell just about any product that consumers desire.I am way rural and no big cities but a rather thoughtful of good produce populace.It is a huge commitment but it sure keeps me out of other troubles.As you grow be aware of the risks from improper produce safety(you make anyone sick you are done) and of public perception of your business practices.The customer will always be right even when they are wrong by far.I can reflect back to how we built it up and it is caring about your customers.Heck in the beginning we would even carry the purchases to customers cars.Establish a proper brand from the start.Use it every where.I put my girlfriends name on a small sweetcorn stand in a super market parking lot,,the rest is history.Beths Farm Market.Keep it clean /safe/quaint/fresh/advertised,,you will grow..One note you wont be welcomed into any public farm market as the ones there vote you in,,and they do not want competition,,jerk weeds,,IMO. | |
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Alternative crops for a small farm
