Farmers: 5 Steps to Making Your Farm Super Profitable

Farmers are among the hardest working Americans, often spending their days outside from before dawn to after sundown at the height of the season and often for very little money. If you are a small-scale farmer, here are some ways to maximize your profit.

1. Grow specialty crops — According to Profitable Plants Digest, specialty crops that are hard to find can help you build a loyal niche customer market. They can also help you earn more money per acre than growing standard vegetables or grains. Some less common crops to try include gourmet mushrooms, lavender, gourmet garlic varieties, and profitable landscaping plants like Japanese maples.

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2. Build an educated customer base — Selling directly to consumers at local farmers markets gives the distinct advantage of allowing you to help your customers learn about and understand the value of what you do, Mick Stute tells Quora. Customers can learn why your farming practices are superior, and they will be more willing to pay a premium for your high-quality crops.

3. Sell farm by-products — Your crops aren’t the only things that can bring revenue to your business, says Tough Nickel. For example, if you raise chickens or other animals, consider selling the manure to home gardeners looking to improve their soil.

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4. Sell other services — Tough Nickel also advises farmers who want to be more profitable to learn to make money in ways that don’t always involve working on the farm. For example, if you are a confident speaker, consider conducting workshops and demonstrations or doing some public speaking. Community centers, churches, and schools are often looking for speakers, and speaking to large groups can command higher prices. You can teach others about sustainable farming practices, beekeeping, or canning tomatoes.

5. Learn to live simply — Mick Stute says his family has learned to survive on just $30,000 annually. They routinely look for ways to reduce costs, make do with what they have, and learn to do work themselves instead of paying labor costs for someone else.

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