Starting a market garden food forest business in Southern NH

I am in Southern NH and we recently purchased a home on 2.6 acres zoned agricultural. We have started putting in the beginnings of a food forest and a zone one garden. After only 3 months I have friends begging to buy produce and eggs from me. I am looking to turn it into a small market farm and an educational site for the small private high school I teach at. Do you know of NH specific resources that can help transition a hobby garden into a business? Also are there useful tools to figure out pricing costs and profitability of a potential of a good or service.

Great question Kate. I am currently looking for a new home with some land to start a food forest CSA which will actually happen 7 or so years down the road. I will live on the land, plant trees and hopefully when I retire will be able to begin selling fruits, nuts and a small amount of vegetables. I have been researching my area and so far have not found anyone else with this exact idea. I did also research a huge number of CSA farms to see what they are selling and how much they are charging. This gives a good idea what the market bears. It can show potential income but will not help with the costs involved. A little research is very eye opening and can never hurt.

Kate:

I have to admit I'm a bit envious--I have to live on the North Shore of Boston, and can't afford to spend >$400k for a teardown, just to get 1 acre. Glad you've got something in NH. Not sure what part of NH, but have you looked at Meetups?

http://www.meetup.com/GreaterSeacoastPermaculture/
http://www.meetup.com/Central-New-Hampshire-Permaculture-Group/
http://www.meetup.com/Western-MA-Permaculture/

I know the first one is rather active, don't know much about the other two, but it's a good way to meet local permaculture-interested folks

Hope this helps,
Michael

Michael Bajema wrote:Kate:

I have to admit I'm a bit envious--I have to live on the North Shore of Boston, and can't afford to spend >$400k for a teardown, just to get 1 acre. Glad you've got something in NH. Not sure what part of NH, but have you looked at Meetups?

http://www.meetup.com/GreaterSeacoastPermaculture/
http://www.meetup.com/Central-New-Hampshire-Permaculture-Group/
http://www.meetup.com/Western-MA-Permaculture/

I know the first one is rather active, don't know much about the other two, but it's a good way to meet local permaculture-interested folks

Hope this helps,
Michael

My husband love it here and there is so much we want to do with the place. I would love to start generating income off the property once we get to the point where we are supplying most of our own food and can handle a 2 week power outage.

I have not looked at the meetups yet. Thank you! I have been meaning to check them out.

I am in the same boat as you, Kate, and even in the same water!

I have been looking into the USDA beginning farmer program.

We are just starting out on our adventure into permaculture life, love, happiness.

Feel free to contact me if you want to coordinate ideas or just chat.

M