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Somebody (Grace?) linked to the WSU Small Farms site- they're really good at providing ag econ information. For what you're talking about, I'd also recommend getting in touch with whoever is already selling stuff in your area: one thing with is absolutely true about the kind of specialty products you're talking about is that more vendors in a locality is good for all of them, up to a very high number. People still come from out-of-area to the Oly Farmers Market for garden annual starts, nursery plants, perennials, bulbs, and cut flowers because there are sufficient vendors for there to be a choice among a wide selection; having three butcher shops and two seafood ones has increased sales for all of them.
Most people who are making a living from their small farm have at least one family member working a job with benefits or they are young retirees with a pension and health coverage. If you're trying to sneak up on quitting your day job, you need to have a whole lot of information from people who know your area, your proposed products, and your suppliers. The Extension Service is always the first place to ask.
And I might add, the best way to succed, is to have enough land to raise the feed for your animals.
When you have to BUY the feed, you are loosing money.
Yes, I agree. The only way to make money on the animals is to be able to grow their food and direct marketing is the only way to go so there is no middle man. Produce is more profitable. I come out ahead for the expense and the amount of time I spend. I try to follow Eliot Colemans methods. He is the small farm produce guru! It is reported that he grosses $80.000 an acre. We have 5 and I grow on 1/4 acre of it so my goal is trying to get as close to $20,000 as I can. Takes time and practice and DIRECT MARKETING but every year I get better and closer to my goal. Plus, planning on adding a 30x96 hoophouse to extend the season thru winter. Each plot of land can grow 2 or more crops each year. As long as you grow organically, add the nutrients and compost needed for healthy soil it won't get depleted. Equipment has already been amortized out so my expenses each year are pretty much seed and fertilizer and occasional equipment repair. I consider the horses a hobby so I don't include the cost of their feed resulting in their contribution to the compost. The chickens do pay for themselves,(barely) so their contribution to the compost is a bonus. With produce it is possible to make money, plus you are contributing to the locally grown movement. Saving fuel so it's not shipped across the country. Huge satisfaction in getting so many people who are so grateful for what you do. My DH thinks I need to get a REAL job so the support of the people I sell to is what keeps me going.
Just crunching numbers, if I had a REAL job and worked 40 hrs a week making $8 and hour I would be making less per hour than I do growing produce, our entire second vehicle is deductible not to mention so many other things that are plus I'm home, with a somewhat flexible schedule to be able to run errands for him, rescue him when his car breaks down etc. The list is long. I try to tell him all this but he won't listen. He really has no idea. So, whats a girl to do?
