![[Logo]](/templates/default/mobile/images/mobile-permies-2015.png)
I'm guessing most of us here enjoy paging through seed catalogs during the parts of the year when we can't garden.
How many of you think that each catalog company grows every single variety in their catalog, on some big, corporate farm?
Yeah, I assumed that, too. A few years ago, though, I stumbled across a mention in a Baker Creek catalog about contract growers. It turns out (logically, once I really thought about it) that no company could grow that many varieties themselves and still be able to keep them isolated. They do grow a lot of them, don't get me wrong. But the standard practice in the seed industry is to have majority of those varieties grown by contract growers, spread all across the country.
And, good news, most seed companies have enough varieties they want to offer, that they could really use more growers!
To get started in that kind of work, I recommend that you at least be familiar with the seed-saving process. Each species has its quirks, and some are easier than others. It also helps to be familiar with the basics of plant-breeding and hand-pollinating, although those skills may not be necessary. At the very least, you will need to have a realistic idea about how well you can isolate varieties. If you can't keep bees from crossing your plants with the neighbor's, then you'll have to stick with plants that self-pollinate. On the other hand, if you have more than a mile separating you from the nearest neighbor, you may be able to grow plants that are wind-pollinated, and therefore harder to keep pure. (There is a huge demand for corn growers for this reason. Corn is hard to isolate.)
Once you've taken a realistic look at your skill level and growing conditions, it's time to look for assignments. Most seed companies don't really advertise for contract growers. It's kind of a word-of-mouth opportunity. Pick your favorite seed companies, and send them a letter or email asking if they could use another contract grower. Each company will have its own application process and its own requirements, but from what I've seen they're pretty good about walking you through it. Each company will also have different pay rates, so I recommend comparing a few before deciding. If you plan to take assignments from more than one company, be upfront about that. The ones I work for are ok with that as long as the assignments won't cross with each other, but other companies might want something more exclusive.
They will also want to know how much space you can devote to the assignment. Now, more is better, but don't fret if you only have a little space. That might mean you focus on specialty herb seeds instead of, say, flint corn. Even the big seed companies don't go through much sage seed every year, so a small garden might be all they need for that.
Somewhere in the paperwork will also be an explanation of what to do if the crop is smaller or bigger than expected. Make sure you follow those guidelines. Crop failure is not a career-ender, as long as you're honest about it.
Once the terms are agreed upon and you've worked out with them what plants you'll grow, they'll send you your seeds. I'll admit, getting a big box of free seeds can be intoxicating to a compulsive gardener like me! Especially after a long snowy winter. I've been known to sit there rattling the box and giggling for a while. Personally, that's why this job suits me so well. I would be growing things anyway. Maybe not the same exact varieties, but certainly the same species. And this way, I get to do it and get paid!!!
I won't go into the growing and seed-saving process, because if you need me to describe it then you're not quite ready for this job. But, I will point out that it is important that the seeds be as clean and dry as you can get them. You get docked if they have to clean your seeds again, and they may decide to reject them entirely. As for how to send them, that will be outlined in the contract they sent you. As far as I know, they all reimburse shipping costs, but you'll want to make sure before you start. After they receive your seeds and verify that they're good, you'll get your paycheck. Double-check against your records to make sure there weren't any clerical errors, but I've never found any problems with that part.
And that's it!
-------------
Before anyone says it, I'm going to answer the most common question: "Wouldn't you make more money if you packaged and sold your seeds directly?"
Answer: Not really.
Don't get me wrong, you would probably make more on a single packet of seeds if you sold them directly, than you would as a contract grower. But unless you have a huge audience and a ready-made market to sell through, you probably aren't going to sell nearly enough packets to make up the difference. And add to that the fact that you'll be spending a large portion of your time with the packaging and the advertising and the selling and the customer-service parts of the business. If you love that stuff, go for it! Personally, I'd rather not. I love the growing, I hate dealing with customers. So, choose what suits you better. For me, contract growing is a much better fit. I get to focus on the parts I love, while the companies deal with the parts I hate.
I think that just about covers it. Questions? Concerns? Comments?
How many of you think that each catalog company grows every single variety in their catalog, on some big, corporate farm?
Yeah, I assumed that, too. A few years ago, though, I stumbled across a mention in a Baker Creek catalog about contract growers. It turns out (logically, once I really thought about it) that no company could grow that many varieties themselves and still be able to keep them isolated. They do grow a lot of them, don't get me wrong. But the standard practice in the seed industry is to have majority of those varieties grown by contract growers, spread all across the country.
And, good news, most seed companies have enough varieties they want to offer, that they could really use more growers!
To get started in that kind of work, I recommend that you at least be familiar with the seed-saving process. Each species has its quirks, and some are easier than others. It also helps to be familiar with the basics of plant-breeding and hand-pollinating, although those skills may not be necessary. At the very least, you will need to have a realistic idea about how well you can isolate varieties. If you can't keep bees from crossing your plants with the neighbor's, then you'll have to stick with plants that self-pollinate. On the other hand, if you have more than a mile separating you from the nearest neighbor, you may be able to grow plants that are wind-pollinated, and therefore harder to keep pure. (There is a huge demand for corn growers for this reason. Corn is hard to isolate.)
Once you've taken a realistic look at your skill level and growing conditions, it's time to look for assignments. Most seed companies don't really advertise for contract growers. It's kind of a word-of-mouth opportunity. Pick your favorite seed companies, and send them a letter or email asking if they could use another contract grower. Each company will have its own application process and its own requirements, but from what I've seen they're pretty good about walking you through it. Each company will also have different pay rates, so I recommend comparing a few before deciding. If you plan to take assignments from more than one company, be upfront about that. The ones I work for are ok with that as long as the assignments won't cross with each other, but other companies might want something more exclusive.
They will also want to know how much space you can devote to the assignment. Now, more is better, but don't fret if you only have a little space. That might mean you focus on specialty herb seeds instead of, say, flint corn. Even the big seed companies don't go through much sage seed every year, so a small garden might be all they need for that.
Somewhere in the paperwork will also be an explanation of what to do if the crop is smaller or bigger than expected. Make sure you follow those guidelines. Crop failure is not a career-ender, as long as you're honest about it.
Once the terms are agreed upon and you've worked out with them what plants you'll grow, they'll send you your seeds. I'll admit, getting a big box of free seeds can be intoxicating to a compulsive gardener like me! Especially after a long snowy winter. I've been known to sit there rattling the box and giggling for a while. Personally, that's why this job suits me so well. I would be growing things anyway. Maybe not the same exact varieties, but certainly the same species. And this way, I get to do it and get paid!!!
I won't go into the growing and seed-saving process, because if you need me to describe it then you're not quite ready for this job. But, I will point out that it is important that the seeds be as clean and dry as you can get them. You get docked if they have to clean your seeds again, and they may decide to reject them entirely. As for how to send them, that will be outlined in the contract they sent you. As far as I know, they all reimburse shipping costs, but you'll want to make sure before you start. After they receive your seeds and verify that they're good, you'll get your paycheck. Double-check against your records to make sure there weren't any clerical errors, but I've never found any problems with that part.
And that's it!
-------------
Before anyone says it, I'm going to answer the most common question: "Wouldn't you make more money if you packaged and sold your seeds directly?"
Answer: Not really.
Don't get me wrong, you would probably make more on a single packet of seeds if you sold them directly, than you would as a contract grower. But unless you have a huge audience and a ready-made market to sell through, you probably aren't going to sell nearly enough packets to make up the difference. And add to that the fact that you'll be spending a large portion of your time with the packaging and the advertising and the selling and the customer-service parts of the business. If you love that stuff, go for it! Personally, I'd rather not. I love the growing, I hate dealing with customers. So, choose what suits you better. For me, contract growing is a much better fit. I get to focus on the parts I love, while the companies deal with the parts I hate.
I think that just about covers it. Questions? Concerns? Comments?
