Profitable Homesteading & at-Home Income

Most folks I know that farm small acreage full time average income in the $12-$20k range (real income, not taxable which is typically much less). Which includes 14+ hour workdays 6+ days a week in the busy season and resting a bit in the off season. They are streamlined in their debt and expenses (as in very little of both) so they can live off this level of income. Interns and immigrant labor might help push total income up, but they come with their own sets of issues. When picking products, pick ones that mature at different times in the season, so you can maximize selling season and don't become overwhelmed by too many products all maturing at the same time. Prioritizing activites and off season preparation are a big part of making a small holding successful.

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http://www.lindsayfarmonsilvercreek.blogspot.com/

I'm totally convinced the survivors will be the homesteaders, This economy is in the toilet at best. I'm not sure I totally agree with the book keeper. We do very well here on the homestead, first we keep what we need for our families everything else is for sale or goes into feed for the stock. We sell extra vegetables, goats milk, flower, manure,rabbits, worms, meal worms, we grow are own spices, save the seeds from our greatest plans from year to year. We make soap, candles, Smoke our hams and bacon. Maybe I do have a small advantage I've been in the meat industry most of my life, I've worked in the past for packing houses, managed markets, so I do process a lot of hogs and stuff for others, and also cut deer for folks. As far as building stuff, I'd go and tear down buildings for folks and keep the material. But bottom line sell your excess, let people know word spreads fast. I used to have nice signs on a post, ya know fresh eggs, flowers,worms, bunnies, manure, goats milk. But now only put them up when I have excess pumpkins and melons. Word gets around.
Be prepared some difficult times are on the way.

Start with free range chickens....

Get enough to 5-6 dozen a day.

This creates an anchor product that brings customers back time and time again.

Anything else you have plants, veggies, apples, mushrooms, home-made bread, wood items, art etc can be marketed to a returning egg clientle.

I prefer people to bring their money to me than for me to chase them down at farmers markets. (obviously not always possible or convienent)

my 2 cents.

I think the best bet is if you have a good farmers market within driving distance, add things like soap and other toiletries, they always sell well (grow lavender and make lavender products too, great sellers).

We do the "break even" personally. If we are raising two pigs, I'll raise 4 and sell 2 so that the ones we sell pay for our 2 we keep. You have to actually like raising you own food but selling your overstock to make your food free (plus labor and space!) is a great way to go and I think is considered a second income, although no actually cash money is made.

If you need to make a few hundred extra a month, honestly, a small part time job off-farm can't be beat for cash. Making actual cash on farm is not that easy. Like Texican said, the ACTUAL math doesn't actually add up to "profit" in cash dollars, usually.

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Idleness is leisure gone to seed

That's exactly what I'm thinking! I'm also going to do flower baskets and herbs, as healthy herbs are practically impossible to buy around here, just as the vegtable starts are hard to find early enough, and they are both a need.

I agree with everyone who said that making profit on your homestead starts with getting rid of all debt and minimizing utilities & bills, then supplying yourself, then making profit selling extra. Make absolute sense, and that is what I am trying to do.

Thanks for all the contenued ideas and 'how you did it' stories everyone!