Logo
Description
Currently operating as a small, urban farm, we are growing on 1/3 acre of hillside. We have additional land that will be prepare for future planting. We have one small high tunnel and are installing a 30 x 36 tunnel in the fall of 2013.
We are growing various vegetables, learning what our soil and local market supports, and have had excellent results with Chinese Cabbages, Lettuces, Greens, Radishes, Carrots, Tomatoes, Peppers, and Herbs. We are planning on increasing our root crops and greens this coming season, as well as include some new items that we don't find in our local system such as purple carrots, various beans, peppers, and lettuces.
We started small and have slow planned growth as to avoid as much debt as possible. This allows us to focus on the production more and worry less. While we are bringing in small amounts of money, my husband and I are still working for free at this point, keeping our off farm income.
Our business will contribute to the community by bringing fresh, local, fair priced, nutritious food to our neighbors and children (Farm to School Program). It also keeps local dollars local since we attempt to purchase as much as possible locally. from small business. We share with others the earth friendly, sustainable methods we learn and use, and encourage others to grow some of their own food.
We plan on establishing a non-profit organization that will teach Veterans how to grow their own food. As we grow our business and relocate to a rural farm, this non-profit will expand to include Agri-therapy and a Veterans Farm Retreat for the healing of Wounded Warriors.
Proposed Location
25701
Proposed Supply Chain Category
Production
Visibility
Public - accessible to all site users
Value Proposition
<p>1. Currently selling fresh produce to local community. </p><p>This benefits them by increasing access to fresh produce that is not treated with harmful chemicals. This helps to maintain and improve the health of the community.</p><p>This also helps the community as a whole by keeping local dollars in the local economy.</p><p> </p><p>2. Planning on increasing production to supply local schools with fresh produce.</p><p>This will help children in the community to experience fresh produce instead of produce that has been treated with chemicals and picked before peak ripeness.</p><p> </p><p>3. Expanding into value added products over next 4-5 years.</p><p>By expanding in to jams and other value added goods, we will increase the benefits stated in #1.</p>
Workload
<p>Clearing land and building the soil is the most labor intensive work. My husband and I do that, with occasions help from family. Daily operations and record keeping are handled by both of us. We spend about 70 man-hours a week on our business, while maintaining off farm work.</p><p>As we fine tune the planting/harvesting cycles, this time will increase. However, with each season we improve the soil and rotate crops, therefore the development required for the soil is not steady, but will decrease. Breaking new ground and improving young fields is more labor intensive than maintaining improved fields.</p>
Mapping
Required Resources
<p>We have sough counseling and training from Unlimited Future, Inc (a local business generator). We also interact with other producers to learn from them. I attend as many conferences and training programs as I am able to to learn about things that apply now and information we will need in the future.</p><p> </p><p>My husband and I invested the funds needed to start the business, and are now to the point we are supplementing the business only as needed. There is not profit at this time, but there is cash flow.</p>
|
7691
Business Case |
