Hello

I'm in the process of establishing a 10 acre "restoration agriculture" system, I will have the standard nut and fruit crops and run pigs chickens and rabbits through the pastures. Cattle are not an option as we are leasing land from a existing cattle option. We are considering implementing a cash crop on an acre as an alley crop, what would you all suggest? We are in zone 6 outside louisville Ky and our soil is predominantly clay. I was thinking asparagus but would also like to consider a annual just for cash flowing as the costs of business are rapidly growing....

As usual in permaculture, "it depends"

Where are you located? Are you planning to use a tractor for this cash crop? Are you looking for something very low maintenance or can you pay it some attention? Are you planning to wholesale or market it yourself?

Do you go to your local farmers markets? Do you see an unfilled niche?

I can use a tractor and will be at farmers markets and distributing to local grocers and restraunts, lower maintenance would be great.

Berries sell for a premium in your area. That's one option. Since you are near a metropolitan area you could grow a pumpkin patch. Setup a farm stand, sell some other Halloween stuff and charge the city slickers appropriately. Just my two cents,

Joe