Jeff at Stoney Creek Digest has some thoughts about business opportunities in “organic tree nurseries.”
“There’s another kind of agrarian business that thrives on small acreage. Surprisingly, I hadn’t given it any consideration until I came across this organic tree nursery in the Klamath River valley. A nursery! In fact there’s one right across the road from me, selling fruit and nut trees along with peaches, cherries, and farm fresh eggs year-round: it’s been there for generations. The organic tree nursery I am working with sells bare-root fruit and nut trees all over the country. The present location is so remote that there are very few local customers. 90% of sales are internet based, generated by a prominent top-notch website. The nursery’s customers are primarily rural homesteads, small farms, community gardens, and urban backyard gardeners. The product is shipped when dormant. College interns supply much of the labor, thereby minimizing labor costs while educating young people at the same time. Only two or three fertile acres are needed along with some additional infrastructure (an irrigation system, office space, etc.). Until now this has been a part-time, hobby-like business for the owner, but it has grown to the point where it requires more attention than he can give it. The business is seasonal, leaving much of the off-season available for leisure or the development of complimentary products. Unlike most small farms today, this nursery is operating at a profit - albeit a small one at this point. With some additional marketing, a full-time owner can expect to grow this business to its full potential.
“The nice thing about this business is that it is internet-based. That is to say, it is relocatable to anywhere in the country with a suitable climate and growing season.”
Read the rest of the posting here.
Comment: While the posting is specific to the farm Jeff is recommending, opportunities are ripe for Ohioans to start small farms, particularly in our neck of the woods of southeastern Ohio. Land is cheap, cheaper than most parts of Ohio; and so cheap we have influx of Amish moving into Hocking and Meigs Counties from Kentucky and Holmes County Ohio.
I would also add that with more and more of the northeastern Ohio land moving toward the production of grain for ethanol, grazing opportunities will increase as the cost of feed increases for beef, dairy, sheep, goats, and hogs. Again southeastern Ohio has wonderful grazing opportunities for small and mid size farms.
You might never become rich, but you will live a very rich and rewarding life.
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