Ecotourism/Seasonal Crop?

Momto5 · #1 03/18/10, 10:14 PM

Well I am a newbie, but here we go.
We are currently weighing our options of possible extra income. I am a SAHM. Pick your own pumpkins, cut your own Xmas trees, etc...do very well in this area, but they are few and far between. Wondering if anyone here does a pick your own type of operation? If so do you feel it is sucessful?
(We are leaning towards, pumpkins, strawberries and Xmas trees - which we are aware will take a few years to be productive)

Kmac15 · #2 03/18/10, 11:29 PM

I have a friend that is on a pick your own blueberry farm (now closed to the public)

They stopped the u-pick it because of several areas. They didn't like people asking to use their bathroom (and going through their home) didn't want the expense of a porta potty. Wanted to be able to leave the farm on a Saturday during the summer and having to pay insurance even if the crop failed (late frost took the crop 2 years in a row)

rileyjo · #3 03/19/10, 06:05 AM

I have neighbors on this road who put 5 acres into strawberries, sold $100 worth and ended up plowing it under. They got all caught up in the idea, but never did any market research. The average age here is 77. This Island community is fifth in Canada in terms of having an elderly population. Seniors love strawberries but they are not willing and able to spend time stooped over picking them.

Their teen daughter wants to have a pumpkin patch this year and I'm willing to give her the seeds. I'm asking the teen to write me a little paper telling me how many schools there are, how many kids will want pumpkins, etc and then decide how many pumpkin seeds she will need. Her parents were all set to just give her an acre and let her run with it but I'm hoping to teach her a few business/life skills along the way. She might need a pound of pumpkin seeds and she might need a half ounce. I'd like to see her enjoy herself this summer.

Do your research and find your market before your shovels hit the ground.

blooba · #4 03/19/10, 07:39 AM

There is a place down the road that has a wonderful place thousands of acres. they have built up their brand and have fruit/veggie stands all over nearby towns, have cider press tours, corn mazes, and a few different u-picks. We are out in the middle of nowhere but people come from 70+ miles around to get their stuff. And they are able to charge a premium for it too. http://www.suterproduce.com/

The one big thing is location, Will people come to you to be charged the same price as a grocery store if not more? Like others have said do you have the right type of population to support it? Some people don't want to get out there and get "dirty".

Pumpkins require kids, strawberries require cooks, trees require families.

geo in mi · #5 03/19/10, 08:11 AM

Momto5,
First of all, welcome to HT. The three things you are suggesting depend on your location, amount of interest from people--and your ability(or your land's ability) to grow them. I would suggest, especially if you realize any venture will take some time to get going, that you do a mini version for yourself, to see if you and your land like the idea. While you are learning, you'll have the time to look around at other similar operations to see how they do it. You still have time this Spring to order some strawberry plants, pumpkin seeds, and Christmas seedlings to get a start.

geo

Randy Rooster · #6 03/19/10, 08:16 AM

Marijuana

blooba · #7 03/19/10, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Rooster

Marijuana

Gotta move to CA or Canada for that.

Callieslamb · #8 03/19/10, 09:16 AM

Raspberries are easier than strawberries. You can get a better price for them. You don't have to replant. But they do have pesky thorns.

Here folks pick the produce and run a road-side stand. Many are on the honor system. They must make money with them as the stands have been there for years.

ronbre · #9 03/19/10, 09:18 AM

you might do better having a varied market farm and either have a roadside stand if your property is near a traveled road or going to a farmers market to have a stall..you can not only sell produce but crafty items at a farmer's market, as well as things that you make from your glut..

say you take a bunch of berries to the farmers market and they don't sell ..then you bring them home and make a huge batch of jelly, can,seal,label it and then later toward fall you start bringing in your jellies for the farmer's market..when people aren't going to be making their own, cause they missed out on the glut of fruit.

you can also sell snack size zipper bags of trail mix, dried apples, etc.
birdhouses that you make from scrap lumber, bird feeders, pine wreaths, those pumpkins, gourds and squash, dried herbs, herb plants, dried flowers, fresh cut flowers, you name it.

rambler · #10 03/19/10, 10:04 AM

These sorts of operations can be very rewarding, but they take a lot of time, lot of people skills, and a lot of advertizing.

It will take years to establish the crop, and years for people to 'find' you & build up a customer base.

Weeds & insects are a misery to deal with.

Can work out real well, just keep in mind it is not a get rich deal, nor will the money pour in quickly.

You are looking at 4-5 years before you make more than you spent to get it going.

If you like people, don't mind people-problems (customer's kids ruining 1/2 of a day's crop 'oops sorry'; customers picking in the wrong place, etc.), you have a love of dealing with weeds & bugs every day of your life along with kids old enough to work hard, but young enough to still be slave labor for free, and are looking for the long-term, sounds like a good idea.

--->Paul

dahliaqueen · #11 03/19/10, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blooba

Gotta move to CA or Canada for that.

Nope...also-

Maine
New Mexico
Oregon

dahliaqueen · #12 03/19/10, 10:21 AM

Do your market research.

As mentioned above, PYO can be a major pain, and you need alot of insurance.

What crops are grown within 10 miles?
What do you have trouble finding for a good price nearby?

Momto5 · #13 03/19/10, 11:14 PM

I will tell you that living ina very rural area we are overrun by "city folk" in the Summer time. We refer to them as the "lakers" or "cottagers". They WANT that country experience. We sell out of produce all Summer long. There is a pumpkin patch about 2 hours from here that is you pick or already picked and TONS of people from this area drive to go and complain that they wish there was someplace closer (there is one pick your own about 20 miles from here , but its kinda junky). Strawberries....one large farm about 20 miles from here and they actually have to limit the number of people they allow in the patch! Strawberries and pumpkins so far have done very, very well at the farm. Another big plus is operating expenses wont be huge due to our ability to get trees, strawberry plants and pumpkin seeds well below cost (thanks to being very good friends with the only local nursery owner) The one thing that does make me nervous is the insurance and that is something we will have to check into. And as far as the porta potty thing goes LOL...it would only cost $40/month and that includes them coming to empty it 3 times within a 1 month span (or as needed...more than 3 times in a month is a fee of $25)
We arent looking to get rich, if we were, we wouldnt be involved in farming period LOL!!!Just exploring our options for extra income.
As far as bugs and weeds we grow all organic now and to be quite honest we have been very, very lucky. of course it not a guarantee, but nothing in life is.

blooba · #14 03/20/10, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momto5

Strawberries....one large farm about 20 miles from here and they actually have to limit the number of people they allow in the patch!
The one thing that does make me nervous is the insurance and that is something we will have to check into

The reason they limit the people in the field is probably due to insurance. The more people you have coverage for the more the insurance. The insurance payments maybe something that may break the bank since it can get to be VERY costly.

Cheribelle · #15 03/20/10, 07:01 PM

The Cut your own Christmas tree farm that was here for many years finally went under because of the high cost of insurance.
Sounds to me though, you are in the right location to maybe make some money! Unlike me, unfortunately.

||Downhome|| · #16 03/20/10, 09:15 PM

I planned a acre of pumpkins and gords for this year and hopeing for some fall money. wont be a u pick though.

Terrabus · #17 03/21/10, 01:37 AM

Insurance seems to killing the small business owner anymore. Seriously--even if the picker signs a waiver--what's the worst that could happen at a strawberry field? Maybe a bug bite? Tree farms, I can understand because I've seen the idiots with chainsaws at those places. I'm shocked there are still folks with both legs. But strawberry and blueberry fields? Not to kill the thread, but wouldn't a legal waiver form protect the farmer?

luvrulz · #18 03/21/10, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momto5

I will tell you that living ina very rural area we are overrun by "city folk" in the Summer time. We refer to them as the "lakers" or "cottagers". They WANT that country experience. We sell out of produce all Summer long. There is a pumpkin patch about 2 hours from here that is you pick or already picked and TONS of people from this area drive to go and complain that they wish there was someplace closer (there is one pick your own about 20 miles from here , but its kinda junky). Strawberries....one large farm about 20 miles from here and they actually have to limit the number of people they allow in the patch! Strawberries and pumpkins so far have done very, very well at the farm. Another big plus is operating expenses wont be huge due to our ability to get trees, strawberry plants and pumpkin seeds well below cost (thanks to being very good friends with the only local nursery owner) The one thing that does make me nervous is the insurance and that is something we will have to check into. And as far as the porta potty thing goes LOL...it would only cost $40/month and that includes them coming to empty it 3 times within a 1 month span (or as needed...more than 3 times in a month is a fee of $25)
We arent looking to get rich, if we were, we wouldnt be involved in farming period LOL!!!Just exploring our options for extra income.
As far as bugs and weeds we grow all organic now and to be quite honest we have been very, very lucky. of course it not a guarantee, but nothing in life is.

Here you have to have a minimum of $1,000,000 liability coverage for a PYO - but call your extension office and ask them what ins co would be best - ask them also what their ideas would be for those 3 crops in your vicinity! They are a wealth of info and very helpful -

And a signature on a waiver won't hold water in court if you are legally obligated to have the insurance...

rileyjo · #19 03/21/10, 06:54 AM

Christmas tree liners cost 35 cents each here and mature trees sell for $50 at Christmastime. It takes about 8 years here to reach maturity for a tree. If you plant them along the marginal edges of your farm and do your own pruning, its not a bad way to get some use from your land without going pyo.
People here just put trees for sale out by the mailbox and if someone wants one, they drive in. We dont have issues with theft around here. Kids ride their bikes out to meet the schoolbus and leave their bikes at the end of the driveway all day too.

Do you have animals? People looking for that country feeling enjoy some crowing colourful roosters or looking at a cute mini donkey. Pen them up nearby and they'll help brand your place. My place is 'the place with the sheep'.

JJ Grandits · #20 03/21/10, 07:23 AM

Definately do your market research. The extention service and trade organizations could be a great help. The cut your own Christmas tree operation near here does very well. They will not let customers use chain saws. As with any enterprize you should hope for the best but plan for the worst. Better to be pleasently surprised then horribly disappointed.