How do we create a Profitable Small Scale Farm and Garden is the most popular question that we are asked. From Chickens, Eggs, Ghost Peppers and Garlic, Every one, including me is how to ensure that what we are doing will be profitable.
While you are looking for an answer, can it be that the opportunity you are searching for is knocking on your back door?
How Do You Discover How to Become Profitable?
Ask!
Leonie shared this information, here is the definition of Agist first:
Agistment originally referred specifically to the proceeds of pasturage in the king’s forests in England, but now means either: the contract for taking in and feeding horses or other cattle on pasture land, for the consideration of a periodic payment of money; the profit derived from such pasturing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agistment
Leonie shared that they Agist half of their small farm, and it pays our rates and taxes, and that’s about it. We have no other income.
Her soil is buckshot (iron nodules), underlain with clay. Leonie laughingly says that not even the mining companies are interested! Not the best habitat, but it used to be an alpaca farm. The first shearing proved to be dangerous due the animal kicking and the chance of injury.
They looked at lots of different alternatives – B&B, various crops such as olives, succulents and saffron, but we can neither afford the start up nor the physical effort involved.
What Leonie was asking
Leonie asked me this: I don’t know that you can offer an alternative that is viable. I’d be extremely interested to see if you can.
I did not share where you are located Leonie, If I do not have an answer that works for you here, I am hoping that someone else here can also give their advice.
We are building a composting business that only takes trees, leaves and other cellulose items. The land is currently unusable for growing due to lack of water and dry heat in southern Colorado.
We are working with the Owner of the property and will be helping set up the business as well as managing the operations. Depending on where you are at, this may be an option. The other idea I wanted to share is hydroponics. It can be completed using (2) 5 gallon (18.9 Liters) buckets, some cotton string, water, a small amount of soil and compost tea for nutrients.
Who do I Ask for an Answer?
Your customers. If you can take care of abandoned babies for a local farmer, that will create value for that farmer. The question for you is this: Can you take care of the baby animals with your schedule and their requirements? Will your agreement bring value to you also?
My Wife Heather volunteered us for this duty and it has been a blessing and a great learning experience. Since we had never raised baby goats by bottle feeding them before, we learned quickly. Having worked with lots of other types of animals was very beneficial for us.
How about you?
The Main thing is this: Ask and you will receive. It may be disguised as inconvenient and hard work.
- Who do you know that could use some help?
- What is your expertise?
- Can you teach others who are younger and healthier if you are older or have a disability?
- You could be Farm Life Coach for the new farmers who need a hand. Do you like teaching?
- What does the local market need?
- Do you have enough land to accept compost from people who have no room for a compost pile?
- Does your local nursery need composted material?
- What can you learn to do that is in great demand that you would enjoy?
