Microfarming for Profit

Microfarming for Profit PDF

Author: Dave DeWitt

Publisher: Torrey House Press

Published: 2014-12-10

Total Pages: 161

ISBN-13: 1937226409

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2015 NEW MEXICO-ARIZONA BOOK AWARD WINNER "This useful, entertaining guide gives prospective microfarmers the dirt on realistic essentials for turning a garden into a money–making enterprise…The author advises on such basics as business plans and sales techniques; profiles a range of actual working microfarms, from flowers to killer bees; and relates hilarious stories from his own microfarming." —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "No generalities or theory here: this is all applied wisdom—which is why it works so well! Readers who want to turn their few acres into a profitable business venture would do well to turn to Microfarming for Profit as the first approach to turning an idea into reality." —CALIFORNIA BOOKWATCH "DeWitt brings a lifetime of experience to this new guide for those interested in taking their hobby garden to a new level…[he] writes with authority and practicality, making this book an excellent resource for the novice microfarmer." —DESERET NEWS "…delightful…fun to read…a good starting point, and provides valuable information for farming on a very small scale." —MICRO FARM LIFE With wit, expertise, and common sense, Dave DeWitt shows you how to establish a successful microfarm by choosing the most profitable plants and animals to raise and learning to market and sell what you produce. His informative yet conversational style makes you feel you're talking with an expert you already know. Declared the "pope of peppers" by the New York Times, Dave DeWitt is one of the foremost authorities on chile peppers and spicy foods. A food historian and prolific writer, he is the author of over fifty books including gardening guides, food histories, and cookbooks. DeWitt is an associate professor in the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University, and co-producer of the National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show, now in its twenty-sixth year. Dave lives with his wife in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Lean Farm

The Lean Farm PDF

Author: Ben Hartman

Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 1603585923

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A practical, systems-based approach for a more sustainable farming operation To many people today, using the words "factory" and "farm" in the same sentence is nothing short of sacrilege. In many cases, though, the same sound business practices apply whether you are producing cars or carrots. Author Ben Hartman and other young farmers are increasingly finding that incorporating the best new ideas from business into their farming can drastically cut their wastes and increase their profits, making their farms more environmentally and economically sustainable. By explaining the lean system for identifying and eliminating waste and introducing efficiency in every aspect of the farm operation, The Lean Farm makes the case that small-scale farming can be an attractive career option for young people who are interested in growing food for their community. Working smarter, not harder, also prevents the kind of burnout that start-up farmers often encounter in the face of long, hard, backbreaking labor. Lean principles grew out of the Japanese automotive industry, but they are now being followed on progressive farms around the world. Using examples from his own family's one-acre community-supported farm in Indiana, Hartman clearly instructs other small farmers in how to incorporate lean practices in each step of their production chain, from starting a farm and harvesting crops to training employees and selling goods. While the intended audience for this book is small-scale farmers who are part of the growing local food movement, Hartman's prescriptions for high-value, low-cost production apply to farms and businesses of almost any size or scale that hope to harness the power of lean in their production processes.

The Urban Farmer

The Urban Farmer PDF

Author: Curtis Allen Stone

Publisher: New Society Publishers

Published: 2015-12-14

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 1771421916

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There are twenty million acres of lawns in North America. In their current form, these unproductive expanses of grass represent a significant financial and environmental cost. However, viewed through a different lens, they can also be seen as a tremendous source of opportunity. Access to land is a major barrier for many people who want to enter the agricultural sector, and urban and suburban yards have huge potential for would-be farmers wanting to become part of this growing movement. The Urban Farmer is a comprehensive, hands-on, practical manual to help you learn the techniques and business strategies you need to make a good living growing high-yield, high-value crops right in your own backyard (or someone else's). Major benefits include: Low capital investment and overhead costs Reduced need for expensive infrastructure Easy access to markets Growing food in the city means that fresh crops may travel only a few blocks from field to table, making this innovative approach the next logical step in the local food movement. Based on a scalable, easily reproduced business model, The Urban Farmer is your complete guide to minimizing risk and maximizing profit by using intensive production in small leased or borrowed spaces. Curtis Stone is the owner/operator of Green City Acres, a commercial urban farm growing vegetables for farmers markets, restaurants, and retail outlets. During his slower months, Curtis works as a public speaker, teacher, and consultant, sharing his story to inspire a new generation of farmers.

Micro Eco-farming

Micro Eco-farming PDF

Author: Barbara Berst Adams

Publisher: New World Publishing

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 186

ISBN-13:

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Reveals the secrets of successful micro eco-farming and explains what eco-farmers need to know to start their own small agribusiness. --From publisher description.

The Market Gardener

The Market Gardener PDF

Author: Jean-Martin Fortier

Publisher: New Society Publishers

Published: 2014-03-04

Total Pages: 243

ISBN-13: 0865717656

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Grow better not bigger with proven low-tech, human-scale, biointensive farming methods

Growing Gourmet Mushrooms for Profit

Growing Gourmet Mushrooms for Profit PDF

Author: Craig Wallin

Publisher:

Published: 2020-03-20

Total Pages: 120

ISBN-13:

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Boom times for gourmet mushroom growers. In recent years, demand for gourmet mushrooms has skyrocketed, creating opportunity for new growers. The most profitable culinary mushrooms are shiitake and oyster mushrooms. Both oyster and shiitake are easy to grow and can be produced on "waste" products like sawdust or straw. They are quick to grow to maturity - about 6-8 weeks from start to harvest. Best of all, you can grow a lot of both varieties in a small area. Using the "grow bag" method, experienced growers can grow 12,000 pounds of gourmet mushrooms in a 500 square foot space every year. At current prices of $6/pound wholesale and $10/pound retail - well, I'll let you do the math. In this book, you'll discover: 5 steps to growing gourmet mushrooms. 6 best "value-added mushroom products. 24 free and low-cost ways to sell your mushroom crop. Sources for mushroom growing supplies and videos.

Making Your Small Farm Profitable

Making Your Small Farm Profitable PDF

Author: Ron Macher

Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC

Published: 2010-11-18

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 1603425357

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Turn your farm into a cash cow! Ron Macher offers a host of simple strategies for increasing your farm earnings, from purchasing durable equipment to growing economically viable crops. A seasoned expert in farm efficiency, Macher shows you how to locate a lucrative niche market for your products, optimize sales, and minimize costs. Whether you’re buying a new farm or jump-starting an old one, Macher’s savvy tips will help you turn your enterprise into a profitable business.

The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables

The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables PDF

Author: Ben Hartman

Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 1603586997

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At Clay Bottom Farm, author Ben Hartman and staff practice kaizen, or continuous improvement, cutting out more waste--of time, labor, space, money, and more--every year and aligning their organic production more tightly with customer demand. Applied alongside other lean principles originally developed by the Japanese auto industry, the end result has been increased profits and less work. In this field-guide companion to his award-winning first book, The Lean Farm, Hartman shows market vegetable growers in even more detail how Clay Bottom Farm implements lean thinking in every area of their work, including using kanbans, or replacement signals, to maximize land use; germination chambers to reduce defect waste; and right-sized machinery to save money and labor and increase efficiency. From finding land and assessing infrastructure needs to selling perfect produce at the farmers market, The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables digs deeper into specific, tested methods for waste-free farming that not only help farmers become more successful but make the work more enjoyable. These methods include: Using Japanese paper pot transplanters Building your own germinating chambers Leaning up your greenhouse Making and applying simple composts Using lean techniques for pest and weed control Creating Heijunka, or load-leveling calendars for efficient planning Farming is not static, and improvement requires constant change. The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables offers strategies for farmers to stay flexible and profitable even in the face of changing weather and markets. Much more than a simple exercise in cost-cutting, lean farming is about growing better, not cheaper, food--the food your customers want.

Algae Microfarms

Algae Microfarms PDF

Author: Robert Henrikson

Publisher:

Published: 2013-08-29

Total Pages: 148

ISBN-13: 9781483968261

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How algae microfarms can help transform our food culture by growing abundant healthy food in a very small area and extend the growing season, affordably and profitably. Algae are 20 times more productive than conventional food and are well known as nutrient dense superfoods with valuable health and medical benefits. Over the past 30 years, large farms have grown algae for food, feed and fuel for thousands of useful products. Now an era of microfarms is emerging. Algae microfarms can empower people to grow healthy food in their own community for food security and self-sufficiency. Robert Henrikson founded one of the world's first and largest algae farms 35 years ago. Now the time has come to introduce the algae microfarmers who are growing algae for healthy foods in their local communities.

Growing Gourmet Garlic for Profit

Growing Gourmet Garlic for Profit PDF

Author: Craig Wallin

Publisher:

Published: 2020-05-02

Total Pages: 122

ISBN-13:

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Boom Times for Garlic Growers Gourmet garlic is one of the easiest and most profitable cash crops for small growers and perfect for organic growers, as garlic has few pests and diseases thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Garlic is easy to plant, grow and harvest and the plants are compact, so a large amount of garlic can be grown in a small area. In fact, garlic can produce an income of up to $10 per square foot, so even a small garlic patch can bring in thousands of dollars. One of the best ways to profit from a garlic crop is to "add value" by selling garlic products in addition to fresh bulbs. Profit margins for value-added garlic products range from 200% to 500%. In this book, you'll discover: Best garlic types for market growers. Top 8 soft-neck garlic varieties. Top 30 hard-neck garlic varieties. Best garlic varieties for producing large bulbs. How to double yields with intensive planting. Best places for new growers to get full retail prices. 16 Best value-added garlic products. How to pick the best varieties for your climate. Wholesale sources for seed garlic, growing and packaging supplies. Order Now and Start Growing!