Full disclosure: I’ve never started or run a pick-your-own type farm, but I’ve been a customer to many. This article touches on some of the basics to think about when starting one. This information was gathered from the Internet as well as containing reflections from my own business adventures. The closest I’ve come to starting a U-pick farm is doing some soil testing to determine if the land would be good for blueberries.
One of the outgrowths of the back to farm and homestead movements is the popularity of the farms or orchards where consumers come and pick their own produce. However, if you plan on starting your own U-pick farm, plan on checking the cost involved, especially the cost of liability insurance, as this can be one of the main expenses of operating a U-pick farm. Many people find this is prohibitive to operating a U-pick farm and find other occupations to pursue.
If the costs of the insurance are not prohibitive, then consider the other questions of market testing to make sure the type of produce you sell will be acceptable in your geographic area. If you live in an area that does not have a large enough population or too many farmers offering the same produce, it will be difficult if not impossible to break into the market.
Consider the type of soil you have and what kinds of produce will grow on it as this will determine operating costs. The type of climate and any micro climates that are on the land could have an effect on your plants. Is the location of your farm easy for people to find? What kind of advertising will you have? If you do have workers, will you also need Workman’s Comp insurance for them?
Animals too, will have impact on what and where you grow fruit or produce. If they love the crop being grown, you soon will have torn up crops and lots of wild animals eating up the profits. Make sure that your crops are easy to maneuver around both with machinery and by customers. This will help you avoid accidents and rising costs of insurance or in some cases being sued for having an unsafe area. Proper fencing will be a great help here, it keeps out unwanted animals and humans, if you are growing crops to sell locally instead of having people pick them. In some areas this is more profitable for the landowner.
Be aware of the local and state zoning ordinances for land use. Some areas are not suited for the type of business you are planning on starting. These are all considerations to keep in mind while determining if the U-pick farm is a viable option for you and your family to start. The internet is a great place for finding information you may need. One of the best sources of information pertaining to your area of the state is the County Extension Agent. He or she has information about the county, what is grown, the type of climate, population and all kinds of tips for farmers and ranchers.
If, after all the research, you find that there is a market for what you want to raise, then go ahead and do it! The Americans who first homesteaded this land put plenty of hard work, sweat and effort into building for the future, to have a measure of self-sufficiency for themselves and their families. That quality is badly needed in today’s fast paced world when many people do not have the joy of picking their own produce and biting into a sun ripened berry or tomato, letting the juice run down their chin.
Resources:
How to Start a Pick-Your-Own Farm
A map to find your county extension agent.
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