I’m 8 years old and I was asking my parents if I can grow a garden in my backyard. They said yes and I’m trying to make money because my parents don’t pay me when I do chores. (Which is okay) So, I researched on “how to sell veggies” and this was very helpful! Thanks for the advice because I love gardening with my cousins!
I started when I was 8, now I'm 35. Keep with it and focus all of your energy on what you love to do. A quote I live by is simple: "Never expect. Inspect."
I find it quite easy to make well over $500 in a year by going solely to farmers markets. This last summer I worked 48 hours a week, and did the gardening on the side. It is just me and my brother doing it and we made $18,000
Great tips Luke! The way I make money on my garden is by growing the things I know we would eat as a family of four. So while I don't "make money", I save money I would have otherwise spent at the market. I also feel richer (not monetarily) by growing and cooking with rare herbs and vegetables, which is a luxury. I enjoy growing things I cannot buy, practically priceless.
I would rather give my surplus away to needy people. When I went to Minnesota last week, I dropped off 2 boxes of veggies, a quart of sweet pickle peppers, a jar of cinnamon pickles, plus 3 different types of jelly that I made from wild berries and fruit. The smiles on their faces was worth all of the effort that went into growing, picking and canning. Have a great day Luke!
I set a table up in the front yard under a big oak with a honest box. Sign reads take it if you need it. Donate to the box if you can. I live in the country seems to work out just fine.
Wish I could do this. Inner city though, the rotten kids would loot it :P I used to live out near the lake in the country, and I sold worms as bait out of a cooler by the road, which was really nice. But not anymore :P
We tried doing this, and then a few years ago realized that all our neighbors were pretty much growing vegetables! We ended up always donating our leftovers to our local bistro that did community meals. So, we decided to plant 13 different fruit tree varieties. (15 total trees) (A lot of folks cant or won't wait years until their trees can bare fruit to sell.) I have to say, the patience has paid off as over half our trees are now producing loads and loads of fruit. So, if you are thinking of selling at your local farmers market- look and see what people are buying, AND, what you want to grow. I am so glad we started our orchard. Next summer we are projecting approximately 1800 lbs of fruit production-- and the summer after, much more. All this from a backyard orchard. Think about it. We live just on the outskirts of the city with merely a half acre to grow on. We have chickens, bees, and now grow apples, peaches, apricots, pears, cherries, plums, blueberries, grapes, tomatoes, peppers and lavender (btw, lavender is in massive demand right now- I just installed a new lavender bed as a result!) The idea was initially that we wanted to be able to cut our grocery cost for our large family; now, we are in addition hoping to have a summer income when all trees reach full maturity... a summer job for our teenagers to make some extra cash selling at the farmers market! So my advice is... sure, grow your garden, but hey... look into popping some fruit trees in your yard as well.
Heather Carter That is the ticket Heather. You are going to have so much food that you will be able to sell and create a nice little extra income source for your family!
Wow great Idea, I just now decided to remove all the pines on my two acers and grow fruit or nut trees and garden and compost on the rest of the land. Long term for great resale of the house if I do not stay there. I am wanting to buy a house with more land to go larger scale. Not sure if the wife is 100% on board moving to far away from Walmart and here gym. LOL
simplystrick That is also a great route. I used craigslist and sold some starts in years past, I was going to d it this year, but never got around to it. Glad to see you doing it too!
Michigan farmers markets must be much different than the ones that I have worked and work today here in the Mid-south. There are no set prices at the ones I work here. Competitive pricing is part of the fun and there is no cost per table. Most farmers markets here are just begging for farmers to join. Farmers markets bring traffic into shopping areas. Tractor Supply companies are hosting many of the local farmers markets in our area and they love the attention that we bring to their locations. Thanks Luke for the look at the way it's done in Michigan. Chuck
Im new. I actually sell produce at the local super mart but I found that at this point in my life, this isn't something I see myself doing long term, but I love produce. I want to start growing my own and selling it at the farmers market. This is my new journey.
Luke I've learned a lot about gardening because of you!! Otherwise my family wouldn't be enjoying all these wonderful tomatoes I'm growing. So I'm very thankful for all you do!! You said you had your golf clothes on, you work hard in the garden with all your tutorials so you darn well deserve a lot of time golfing! Keep it up if that's what you like! Also who cares what your wearing at the farm market? It's shorts! Your a clean cut, nice looking man! Can't people just be nice??
I got denied this afternoon for a vendors spot in my downtown farmers market. I guess I'm taking it to my parents front yard, or pedaling around to sell out the back of my bicycle cargo trailer.
For me I am not a huge fan of farmers markets but I love to go to produce stands at a farm. I get uncomfortable with the crowds at a farmers market so I work on bargining. Currently I have only grown enough stuff for myself and to give away to my friends. Next year I am working on a seed bank cart and I might set that up at a farmers market but I'll let you know how that goes.
We sell produce through a co-op. We post what we have available and people order online, Once a week, we make a delivery to a central place and collect the check. It works very nicely for everyone.
+mason garns HI Mason. My names Todd, I'm an urban farmer in Boulder,CO. I was thinking of trying something almost exactly like what you mentioned, this coming season.. 2 quick questions if you've got a min.. Does this ever come up? What do you do about people placing orders, but then not picking them up? And do you charge up front for people to join the co-op? If so how much. Thanks in advance, and good luck with your operation.
+mason garns Mason, If you have the time, I have a couple of other quick questions about how run your co-op. Send me an email if you get a chance. My email address is "todd@fromyardfarm.com" I'm still a total beginner. Last year was my first year selling commercially. Our farmers market is pretty saturated, and so I've been thinking all winter about doing this type of thing as a different revenue stream. I've never seen anyone else doing it though, for me to use as a model. You could help me so much. If it would get that far I wouldn't mind paying consulting fees. Thanks in advance.
Big Family Tiny Living Simply you said it yourself, your saving money. That’s a huge difference between saving money and making money! Finance 101. You evidently flunked that course, sorry
I went to a stand on some sort of farm. Not sure if they were horticultural students but felt that. They had a small variety of produce but it was organic and lush. I bought it cheap. Whole head of a different type of lettuce for a dollar each!
Once my garden gets going this year, I'll be selling surplus at a home produce stand! I'm growing 20 different varieties of tomatoes (plus a ton of other stuff), so I'll definitely have extra! I figure I should price it around the same as the grocery store in town since it's about 1 minute away from us, if our prices are too high, they'll just drive the extra minute to the store. But maybe my quality and variety will let me have slightly higher pricing. I think i'll see how the first couple weeks go, and if i'm selling out, I'll raise them slightly! I hope it works out!
My daughter helps in the garden. We are setting up a front yard stand and setting the money aside for a pony💜 She’s only three so we have a few years to try it out. Growing up, my mother would jerk the car over like a mad woman to get her hands on fresh produce. Nice video. Timely for us, we just built a Charlie Brown type stand.
VERY GOOD video, Luke. I did sell at Farmer's Markets. It was not profitable for me. Sooooooooooooooo much time & energy put into growing my veggies & perennials. Thank you, my friend for your honesty. :0)
Thank you for this! I'm actually in the baby steps of getting ready to sell at the farmers market and a produce stand. I live in a fairly small town and we only have one farmers market close by (unless I want to travel, which may be down the road) and it's only open 3 days a week in the summer and once a week during the winter. So I plan on utilizing a produce stand to do something on the other days. Your videos have been very helpful in terms of plant health! Thank you very much!
Great info. I haven't sold at farmers markets but I have made contacts at them that will buy from me and sell mushrooms at their table. I just don't have the time to sit out there. These guys go around to the farms and sell for them at the market.
Yes, we have a massive farmers market, very popular. Only issue with me is being a single Dad I can't get my daughter out of bed that early. I started selling in facebook, swap buy and sell. Unfortunately I put the Marty's Garden logo on an image. I was then reported to Facebook and banned from all groups. The whole thing was very odd. So, I am looking at other ways now. I give away produce to friends at church, mostly eggs. My health is getting better now, so i am starting to sell to a couple of restaurants again, which is really cool. Mostly I am working on building up my restaurant run again,,but just slowly! Happy gardening/Farming Marty Ware (Australian Micro Farmer)
How do you base your prices? Do you match grocery store prices or lower or higher prices because yours is fresh or more abundant? I don't know what is best.
I would love to be able to do a produce stand in my front yard and may well do...We are thinking about doing a blackberry pick u farm here too....But right now I would like the farmers market for the fun of having fellowship with the people coming by....
Thank you for the advice I've actually been thinking about starting my own produce stand as of today I've decided to the next batch of beans I harvest from the garden I've decided to sell them I just have to figure out what the price is going to be to do this. I blanchd the first I picked but it's time for me to get a job and start paying for insurance on things like vehicles but that's not why I'm starting my own produce stand I enjoy working in agriculture and that's why I'm going to start a produce stand. as things get to where I pick them out of the garden and get enough to sell ill put them up for sale I've been talking about doing this for the last two years I did not know that I was going to find myself doing this this year it just snuck up on me. Again thank you for the advice it's much appreciated!!
I had an idea this past winter of putting a sign out and sell fresh pick winter greens :-) or pick your own kind of deal cause I definitely don't want to be sitting out side by the street LOL
I wish I had enough to sell.... I get enough out of my little city garden to can, dehydrate, eat and some to give to friends. That is fine with me. I get a little and share with friends. Its a win win situation. Thanks for sharing. Take care.
ladyb003 . Well hey, that is all it is about. I am not looking to make it rich, I am only trying to provide our community with decent priced organic produce, and make sure nothing goes to waste. If I sell a bit, that is a bonus. Thanks for watching!
Lady B - I just went over and checked out your channel and subscribed while I was there :) I'd like to invite you to our place .... Two Family Homestead :)
Interesting, I didn't know there was someone that set the price guidelines at some of those produce markets :) I sell myself from my home 1 acre garden and set my own price and know how much work has gone into it plus the people see me pick them fresh like carrots I many sell and some other veggies Okra etc.
Since we aren't selling our produce to my niece's restaurant this year I think our best bet would be having a produce stand - at least it sounds good right now !!!
Both would be fun. I live where watermelons go for $5 and seedless ones go for $7. I'm not a farmer but at those in-store prices, watermelons alone sounds like a real cash crop! We have watermelon stands all over the place too down here in Grand Bay, AL.
I built a permanent stand between my driveway and my front field that everyone drives by daily. If I’m there then I will come out of the field to talk to customers but if I’m busy or gone then there is a locked steel honor box bolted to the wall and it works great for me!!' I have lights on all night so the stand is open 24 hours a day, 365 days s year. I have several customers that work evening shift and stop after midnight to get their produce and they can’t do that anywhere else in my area unless they go to Walmart and then my quality trumps theirs. The other nice thing about having my staff right next to the field is the fact that they can see all of it being grown right there and I have a few customers that prefer to go out and pick their own stuff which is fine by me. I’m about 10 miles outside of town and on a fairly busy road between 2 towns and get plenty of customers stopping and what I don’t sell I feed to my rabbits, ducks, turkeys, and chickens. I have 21 acres but currently only grow on about ten acres. That’s more than what I can really handle on my own now and am probly a fool for doing that much cause I’m in the fields from sun up till sun down every day, lol 😂
If growing for a produce stand in your yard, would it be more beneficial to have a diverse array of vegetables or to pick a niche? Sweetcorn stand nearby also sells beefsteak tomatoes and cantaloupes and i was trying to decide what would be the best earners.
Wow thank you thank you for covering all the questions I had regarding Farmers Market & Fruit stand. It was so helpful I really appreciate 👍🏼 have a wonderful day
I couldn't sell produce because where I live it's not near a road that has lots of traffic. It's a country side where mainly are family and usually I give it to them but I found here in the island places where you can sell your seeds which it's perfect since seeds is much easier to handle. I haven't started because I need to get some thing and to educate myself in how to do it..
Hey, just some food for thought here, no pun intended. I have IBS, so that means I can't eat vegetables that are high in certain sugars. I can eat other vegetables that have a lower amount of those same sugars. This is based off what your average produce has in it, and people with IBS don't expect produce at the farmer's market to have a higher concentration of sugars than the produce at the grocery store. So they might buy your produce, have a reaction to it, and then wonder why they had a reaction when they didn't eat anything they usually react to. Obviously, if you grow most of your food for yourself, grow what you like to eat, but you might want to make customers aware of the sugar concentration because 20% of the population has IBS. Take myself for example, I can't eat anything with fructan(no garlic, onions, wheat, cashews, etc.), but I can have fructose in limited quantities. I can't eat a whole apple at once, but I can eat half of a normal apple. If I buy an apple that I don't know has a higher concentration of sugars, I might react after eating a portion size I can usually eat. Others might have the same experience with sugars like fructan, GOS, sorbitol, and mannitol.
I've set up at Farmers Markets and we could always set our own price. I'm a pretty libertarian guy and I probably couldn't deal with a market manager who would want to set my prices for me. We also have the same experience of by the time we pay the fee for the booth we've given product away.
I live in portage Indiana and two weekends ago I went to our so-called farmers market and there was absolutely no fresh produce at all somebody was selling caned produce that they had canned themselves but nothing fresh :(
My ultimate goal in the future is to have a stand. I want to sell starts in the spring and produce later. But that's a long way down the road for now I'm still learning :-)
Judy Col I give loads of starts away, I could easily sell them, but I find its better to see a smile. I might sell a few down the road, but oh well. I am not in it to make a million.
Wow! So I don't need a certificate or a license to sell my veg? How cool is that! Well if I have extras I will definitely put a stand out in my front yard.
Great coverage on the topic, Luke. I'm going to do a stand next season but for plant starts. I had so many I couldn't use this year. My only question is about licensing/permits. Will have to dig for that info for my area in Ohio.
Thanks for the video. I've not sold my produce at markets before, thinking the competitive pricing is too low for what I grow. Usually any surplus I have is shared with neighbors and co-workers. I've considered a home stand, but probably don't have enough traffic. Oh well.
Subedei's Garden I don't know where you live but here in England we all seem to have local buy and sell websites where you can list and show what you have for sale. If people get to know you have fresh produce for sale they will maybe keep them an eye on your listings. might be worth a try?
I am planning an ever bigger garden this year and want to do a stand but I am afraid of people stiffing me. Have you ever had someone not pay for produce?
I'm seriously thinking of starting an aquaponics garden. But wondering how to foster customers. I'm not a small business person. I love working for other people, but lately ppl have become so dysfunctional and unscientific or methodical unlike us in the gardening sciences. That I'm compelled to begin my own business. Just like to find out the best marketing methods.
I have never had issues with theft, and never had to pay the town. If I make over $500 I pay income tax, but lets face it. It is very difficult to make over $500 with vegetables. This is totally to just cover the overhead on the garden.
im planing on having a produce stand at my house when all my plants are readdy for harvest. i grow lettuce, cucumber, tomato and strawberrys. just grab some cheese and ranch and i have a salad! >:D
I've thought about it, but after doing arts and craft fairs, sitting around, I just don't think I can handle it. I could probably do it out of my yard but a couple of problems to think about...parking, do I want idiots parking in my yard? My husband would be mad, 2. Alexander's a huge veggie market has a HUGE corner lot about 300 yards from the corner of my house on a gas station lot, and they sell everything from honey to veggies to imported stuff out of a couple of huge tents. The intersection is US 23 and M-36 so the traffic is probably the busiest north side of Ann Arbor. I guess Ill just be giving my food to my family members and friends, many who are having a tough time financially...BUT the entrepaneur disease I have does stab me about it daily.
you know my friend i have small garden but,i always sheer with my friends but i have a friend just told me that question....why you do not sell to us? very good question because they are my friends and they do not have the time to consume and the water also to grow the garden like me ...so i say why not i will doing this year where ever i grow i will tell my friends for sure...!!!
I sell my produce just for a little extra money. I let my customers pick there own produce from my plots of land. I have good prices for my stuff. I like it. I make sure they know how to properly pick the produce of the plant.
Wondering if it would be worth while to sell hydroponic microgreens and leafy greens at our local farmer's market. I don't really have a good location at the house for drive by traffic. Or should I just try to produce TH-cam videos? Thanks for the video. Farmer Doug
I know you may think this is a crazy question and maybe it is lol but is it possible for me to buy from you and have it ship like one to two day shipping for what I don't have in my garden. Please dont laugh at me ppl I am in a situation where my life depends on every nutrient that goes into my body literally and I know you take good care of your produce. If not thanks anyway it does not hurt to ask. ty sonya
Do you have to have a business license? Do You charge taxes? Can you barter for honey, nuts, maple syrup on craigslist? Just wondering...Love your video!
sha whit I do not have a business license since I am not operating really as an established business. I also do not charge sales ta, but I do pay the income tax (assuming it is over $500 which it never is)
I've had moments when I thought it would be fun to do something like this. Of course, my production is so lousy, it won't be an issue for a few years until I get the soil built up. Just a point for some people: it isn't possible to do a produce stand in your yard in every community. There are communities which require you to purchase a business license and may even forbid the use of your home for sales. On the other hand, my community used to have a farmers' market. It died for lack of people willing to sell produce.
WaskiSquirrel Indeed you pose a great point. I always encourage people to not be afraid of laws like that. The more people doing it, the less stupid laws like that there will be. It is all big agro business trying to shut down the little guy. because everyone knows that one small fish means nothing, but many small fish make one big shark. Just do it, and play dumb if anyone comes!
well in the place I live if you grow and sell then that is a commercial enterprise. that means you have to have a commercial lot that means you have to pay sales tax to the city and state. and the forms and bah even try to get a EBT credit card machine is something else. Who has time to fill out all those forms so I just grow for myself and sometimes give to my mom when she needs starts.
My name is Wendy Stevens, I am the Vice President of the NH Farmer's Market Association. Your claim that market directors will set pricing to make it fair needs to be supported with proof or policy. Price fixing is illegal and I have personally never known a market director to be responsible for another person's business's pricing. Could you imagine if telephone companies across the nation all set their prices the same to be fair? There are laws against this as we live in a free market. I would be interested in seeing more information that supports your statement.
Here in Arizona I don't know a Farmers Market who doesn't have a certain amount that you are to charge for your veggies so if the big farmers are charging 3 or 4 dallors a pound for tomatoes you to have to charge the same The farmers pay big bucks because they have either a big space or many
How do people make money at a farmers market when everyone is selling the same produce? one seller I know sells at different markets but says even then he has to throw vegetables back on his garden because they didn't sell.
For all the one who are afraid of doing illegal : wait till you are going to need a permit to be alive and you wont have the money to pay the taxes for wiping your nose.....
Not if you are in Michigan, where this video was made. Individuals can sell whole uncut fruits and vegetables with no license requirements. There are hundreds of road side produce stands throughout Michigan.
thanks suzanna! I am trying to cover so many bases this year, its hard to believe the season is almost done, but I have like 2 more series to start and finish!
Produce stand is very common in countries other than the U.S. I have been thinking about doing it but it is "Legal" since they are trying to make everything illegal here sadly.
I look for free markets, They practically beg for folks who sell home grown produce. so if you sell an Apple you are ahead. also my garden pays for it self it's grown from the sets I don't sell,
They monitor the prices so there is fairness to everyone. Thats why I'll ever set up at stupid farmers market. People are allowed to price anything as low or high as they want. The public can buy or not buy. Get a good deal or not a good deal. End of story...
I wonder what would happen if I set up my own private produce booth right next to any farmers market and sold my produce for half price of any of them. I'd put all of them out of business and I'd make a fortune. Sure, that might not be good for them, but it would be good for me. Tell me, do you enjoy spending $4.00 a pound for zucchini at your local farmers market? Besides, America become the wealthiest nation due to free enterprise. Why would it be any different with farmer's markets? Why do I get the feeling your evidence is conjecture and not empirical? You got that right out of your college book on business, didn't you?
I’m 8 years old and I was asking my parents if I can grow a garden in my backyard. They said yes and I’m trying to make money because my parents don’t pay me when I do chores. (Which is okay) So, I researched on “how to sell veggies” and this was very helpful! Thanks for the advice because I love gardening with my cousins!
same!
Good luck to you! Love the ambition.
I started when I was 8, now I'm 35. Keep with it and focus all of your energy on what you love to do. A quote I live by is simple: "Never expect. Inspect."
This kid is not (8) and anyone who thought so ...lol funny
Do u guys really think he wrote this ? An (8) year old that's 2nd grade.
I find it quite easy to make well over $500 in a year by going solely to farmers markets. This last summer I worked 48 hours a week, and did the gardening on the side. It is just me and my brother doing it and we made $18,000
Great tips Luke! The way I make money on my garden is by growing the things I know we would eat as a family of four. So while I don't "make money", I save money I would have otherwise spent at the market. I also feel richer (not monetarily) by growing and cooking with rare herbs and vegetables, which is a luxury. I enjoy growing things I cannot buy, practically priceless.
Rainbow Gardens, I feel the same. Thank you for expressing this so well!
Indeed it does feel nice to grow ridiculously expensive herbs at home
I would rather give my surplus away to needy people. When I went to Minnesota last week, I dropped off 2 boxes of veggies, a quart of sweet pickle peppers, a jar of cinnamon pickles, plus 3 different types of jelly that I made from wild berries and fruit. The smiles on their faces was worth all of the effort that went into growing, picking and canning. Have a great day Luke!
I gave eggs to the Salvation Army and wrote it off as charitable giving.
I need to make money.
I set a table up in the front yard under a big oak with a honest box. Sign reads take it if you need it. Donate to the box if you can. I live in the country seems to work out just fine.
Wish I could do this. Inner city though, the rotten kids would loot it :P
I used to live out near the lake in the country, and I sold worms as bait out of a cooler by the road, which was really nice. But not anymore :P
We tried doing this, and then a few years ago realized that all our neighbors were pretty much growing vegetables! We ended up always donating our leftovers to our local bistro that did community meals. So, we decided to plant 13 different fruit tree varieties. (15 total trees) (A lot of folks cant or won't wait years until their trees can bare fruit to sell.) I have to say, the patience has paid off as over half our trees are now producing loads and loads of fruit. So, if you are thinking of selling at your local farmers market- look and see what people are buying, AND, what you want to grow. I am so glad we started our orchard. Next summer we are projecting approximately 1800 lbs of fruit production-- and the summer after, much more. All this from a backyard orchard. Think about it. We live just on the outskirts of the city with merely a half acre to grow on. We have chickens, bees, and now grow apples, peaches, apricots, pears, cherries, plums, blueberries, grapes, tomatoes, peppers and lavender (btw, lavender is in massive demand right now- I just installed a new lavender bed as a result!) The idea was initially that we wanted to be able to cut our grocery cost for our large family; now, we are in addition hoping to have a summer income when all trees reach full maturity... a summer job for our teenagers to make some extra cash selling at the farmers market! So my advice is... sure, grow your garden, but hey... look into popping some fruit trees in your yard as well.
Heather Carter That is the ticket Heather. You are going to have so much food that you will be able to sell and create a nice little extra income source for your family!
Wow great Idea, I just now decided to remove all the pines on my two acers and grow fruit or nut trees and garden and compost on the rest of the land. Long term for great resale of the house if I do not stay there. I am wanting to buy a house with more land to go larger scale. Not sure if the wife is 100% on board moving to far away from Walmart and here gym. LOL
I'm taking your advice. I put in 5 fruit trees last year and am adding 4 more this year, along with grapes and kiwis.
I've found it best to sell starts in the spring to cover growing costs. I use craigslist to advertise.
simplystrick That is also a great route. I used craigslist and sold some starts in years past, I was going to d it this year, but never got around to it. Glad to see you doing it too!
Luke, I have a produce stand that I sale my vegetables at. Amazing how many people stop and buy. Been doing this for 4 years and it grows every year!
Michigan farmers markets must be much different than the ones that I have worked and work today here in the Mid-south. There are no set prices at the ones I work here. Competitive pricing is part of the fun and there is no cost per table. Most farmers markets here are just begging for farmers to join. Farmers markets bring traffic into shopping areas. Tractor Supply companies are hosting many of the local farmers markets in our area and they love the attention that we bring to their locations.
Thanks Luke for the look at the way it's done in Michigan.
Chuck
Im new.
I actually sell produce at the local super mart but I found that at this point in my life, this isn't something I see myself doing long term, but I love produce. I want to start growing my own and selling it at the farmers market. This is my new journey.
Luke I've learned a lot about gardening because of you!! Otherwise my family wouldn't be enjoying all these wonderful tomatoes I'm growing. So I'm very thankful for all you do!! You said you had your golf clothes on, you work hard in the garden with all your tutorials so you darn well deserve a lot of time golfing! Keep it up if that's what you like! Also who cares what your wearing at the farm market? It's shorts! Your a clean cut, nice looking man! Can't people just be nice??
haha awwww well thank you Lori! I appreciate your kind words! have a blessed weekend. See you on Monday :) hehe
I got denied this afternoon for a vendors spot in my downtown farmers market. I guess I'm taking it to my parents front yard, or pedaling around to sell out the back of my bicycle cargo trailer.
MajesticFlyLife that works! Show that farmers market what they are missing!
How did you end up selling your produce Matty?
I ended up focusing my attention on growing instead of selling and made a lot of friends and family happy with loads of free produce.
Why would they denie someone to sell produce?
For me I am not a huge fan of farmers markets but I love to go to produce stands at a farm. I get uncomfortable with the crowds at a farmers market so I work on bargining. Currently I have only grown enough stuff for myself and to give away to my friends. Next year I am working on a seed bank cart and I might set that up at a farmers market but I'll let you know how that goes.
We sell produce through a co-op. We post what we have available and people order online, Once a week, we make a delivery to a central place and collect the check. It works very nicely for everyone.
+mason garns Farm co-ops are great!
+mason garns HI Mason. My names Todd, I'm an urban farmer in Boulder,CO. I was thinking of trying something almost exactly like what you mentioned, this coming season.. 2 quick questions if you've got a min.. Does this ever come up? What do you do about people placing orders, but then not picking them up? And do you charge up front for people to join the co-op? If so how much. Thanks in advance, and good luck with your operation.
+jahineverybody the co-op is set up with PayPal, so that it is paid when the electronic order is placed. There is a small membership fee to join.
+mason garns Thank you Mason! That's definitely what I'm going to do. I really appreciate you answering my question!
+mason garns Mason, If you have the time, I have a couple of other quick questions about how run your co-op. Send me an email if you get a chance. My email address is "todd@fromyardfarm.com" I'm still a total beginner. Last year was my first year selling commercially. Our farmers market is pretty saturated, and so I've been thinking all winter about doing this type of thing as a different revenue stream. I've never seen anyone else doing it though, for me to use as a model. You could help me so much. If it would get that far I wouldn't mind paying consulting fees. Thanks in advance.
"You don't make money growing vegetables, you make money selling vegetables."
Not entirely, if you use the vegatables instead of buying them your saving money on your own grocery budget.
U can make more money by growing your own organic vegetables and then selling them people will pay more for organically grown produce
Big Family Tiny Living Simply you said it yourself, your saving money. That’s a huge difference between saving money and making money!
Finance 101. You evidently flunked that course, sorry
First you have to grow them! If your remark is in response to the 8 year dont be so critical.
Crystal Louthan exactly....i totally understand what she was saying.....geessh
I went to a stand on some sort of farm. Not sure if they were horticultural students but felt that. They had a small variety of produce but it was organic and lush. I bought it cheap. Whole head of a different type of lettuce for a dollar each!
rosycheks that is definitely an awesome price! I love places like that.
Once my garden gets going this year, I'll be selling surplus at a home produce stand! I'm growing 20 different varieties of tomatoes (plus a ton of other stuff), so I'll definitely have extra! I figure I should price it around the same as the grocery store in town since it's about 1 minute away from us, if our prices are too high, they'll just drive the extra minute to the store. But maybe my quality and variety will let me have slightly higher pricing. I think i'll see how the first couple weeks go, and if i'm selling out, I'll raise them slightly! I hope it works out!
My daughter helps in the garden. We are setting up a front yard stand and setting the money aside for a pony💜 She’s only three so we have a few years to try it out. Growing up, my mother would jerk the car over like a mad woman to get her hands on fresh produce. Nice video. Timely for us, we just built a Charlie Brown type stand.
VERY GOOD video, Luke. I did sell at Farmer's Markets. It was not profitable for me. Sooooooooooooooo much time & energy put into growing my veggies & perennials. Thank you, my friend for your honesty. :0)
Thank you for this! I'm actually in the baby steps of getting ready to sell at the farmers market and a produce stand. I live in a fairly small town and we only have one farmers market close by (unless I want to travel, which may be down the road) and it's only open 3 days a week in the summer and once a week during the winter. So I plan on utilizing a produce stand to do something on the other days. Your videos have been very helpful in terms of plant health! Thank you very much!
Great info. I haven't sold at farmers markets but I have made contacts at them that will buy from me and sell mushrooms at their table. I just don't have the time to sit out there. These guys go around to the farms and sell for them at the market.
Yes, we have a massive farmers market, very popular. Only issue with me is being a single Dad I can't get my daughter out of bed that early. I started selling in facebook, swap buy and sell. Unfortunately I put the Marty's Garden logo on an image. I was then reported to Facebook and banned from all groups.
The whole thing was very odd. So, I am looking at other ways now.
I give away produce to friends at church, mostly eggs.
My health is getting better now, so i am starting to sell to a couple of restaurants again, which is really cool.
Mostly I am working on building up my restaurant run again,,but just slowly!
Happy gardening/Farming
Marty Ware (Australian Micro Farmer)
Godbless sir...
you should be able to sell in the community sections (marketplace)
How do you base your prices? Do you match grocery store prices or lower or higher prices because yours is fresh or more abundant? I don't know what is best.
Bartering is a really, really good skill set for people to learn!
I would love to be able to do a produce stand in my front yard and may well do...We are thinking about doing a blackberry pick u farm here too....But right now I would like the farmers market for the fun of having fellowship with the people coming by....
Luke, you really do it all! Excellent discussion!
Thank you for the advice I've actually been thinking about starting my own produce stand as of today I've decided to the next batch of beans I harvest from the garden I've decided to sell them I just have to figure out what the price is going to be to do this. I blanchd the first I picked but it's time for me to get a job and start paying for insurance on things like vehicles but that's not why I'm starting my own produce stand I enjoy working in agriculture and that's why I'm going to start a produce stand. as things get to where I pick them out of the garden and get enough to sell ill put them up for sale I've been talking about doing this for the last two years I did not know that I was going to find myself doing this this year it just snuck up on me. Again thank you for the advice it's much appreciated!!
I had an idea this past winter of putting a sign out and sell fresh pick winter greens :-) or pick your own kind of deal cause I definitely don't want to be sitting out side by the street LOL
Krittika Kitty That is a great idea! try it and let me know how it works!
+MIgardener | Simple Organic Gardening & Sustainable Living I concur.
I wish I had enough to sell.... I get enough out of my little city garden to can, dehydrate, eat and some to give to friends. That is fine with me. I get a little and share with friends. Its a win win situation. Thanks for sharing. Take care.
ladyb003 . Well hey, that is all it is about. I am not looking to make it rich, I am only trying to provide our community with decent priced organic produce, and make sure nothing goes to waste. If I sell a bit, that is a bonus. Thanks for watching!
Lady B - I just went over and checked out your channel and subscribed while I was there :) I'd like to invite you to our place .... Two Family Homestead :)
I'll definitely go check it out. Thank you for subscribing. I appreciate it so much. Take care.
Interesting, I didn't know there was someone that set the price guidelines at some of those
produce markets :)
I sell myself from my home 1 acre garden and set my own price and know how much work
has gone into it plus the people see me pick them fresh like carrots I many sell and some
other veggies Okra etc.
Since we aren't selling our produce to my niece's restaurant this year I think our best bet would be having a produce stand - at least it sounds good right now !!!
$35 a day, book me in!! You people got it easy. It's about £60 for half a day here in Scotland.
I do not have enough produce to do either a farmers market or a farm stand. Instead I save seed and try to make money that way.
great video, very helpful and informative
the bartering, and donate to homeless shelter are great ideas too
is a permit need for a home produce stand?
Both would be fun. I live where watermelons go for $5 and seedless ones go for $7. I'm not a farmer but at those in-store prices, watermelons alone sounds like a real cash crop! We have watermelon stands all over the place too down here in Grand Bay, AL.
I built a permanent stand between my driveway and my front field that everyone drives by daily. If I’m there then I will come out of the field to talk to customers but if I’m busy or gone then there is a locked steel honor box bolted to the wall and it works great for me!!' I have lights on all night so the stand is open 24 hours a day, 365 days s year. I have several customers that work evening shift and stop after midnight to get their produce and they can’t do that anywhere else in my area unless they go to Walmart and then my quality trumps theirs.
The other nice thing about having my staff right next to the field is the fact that they can see all of it being grown right there and I have a few customers that prefer to go out and pick their own stuff which is fine by me.
I’m about 10 miles outside of town and on a fairly busy road between 2 towns and get plenty of customers stopping and what I don’t sell I feed to my rabbits, ducks, turkeys, and chickens.
I have 21 acres but currently only grow on about ten acres. That’s more than what I can really handle on my own now and am probly a fool for doing that much cause I’m in the fields from sun up till sun down every day, lol 😂
Thats so cool
If growing for a produce stand in your yard, would it be more beneficial to have a diverse array of vegetables or to pick a niche? Sweetcorn stand nearby also sells beefsteak tomatoes and cantaloupes and i was trying to decide what would be the best earners.
Wow thank you thank you for covering all the questions I had regarding Farmers Market & Fruit stand. It was so helpful I really appreciate 👍🏼 have a wonderful day
I started about 5 months ago and now I'm selling at my local derirys and street stalls
I couldn't sell produce because where I live it's not near a road that has lots of traffic. It's a country side where mainly are family and usually I give it to them but I found here in the island places where you can sell your seeds which it's perfect since seeds is much easier to handle. I haven't started because I need to get some thing and to educate myself in how to do it..
Hey, just some food for thought here, no pun intended. I have IBS, so that means I can't eat vegetables that are high in certain sugars. I can eat other vegetables that have a lower amount of those same sugars. This is based off what your average produce has in it, and people with IBS don't expect produce at the farmer's market to have a higher concentration of sugars than the produce at the grocery store. So they might buy your produce, have a reaction to it, and then wonder why they had a reaction when they didn't eat anything they usually react to. Obviously, if you grow most of your food for yourself, grow what you like to eat, but you might want to make customers aware of the sugar concentration because 20% of the population has IBS.
Take myself for example, I can't eat anything with fructan(no garlic, onions, wheat, cashews, etc.), but I can have fructose in limited quantities. I can't eat a whole apple at once, but I can eat half of a normal apple. If I buy an apple that I don't know has a higher concentration of sugars, I might react after eating a portion size I can usually eat. Others might have the same experience with sugars like fructan, GOS, sorbitol, and mannitol.
I've set up at Farmers Markets and we could always set our own price. I'm a pretty libertarian guy and I probably couldn't deal with a market manager who would want to set my prices for me. We also have the same experience of by the time we pay the fee for the booth we've given product away.
I was thinking about doing this...thanks for the tips!
I live in portage Indiana and two weekends ago I went to our so-called farmers market and there was absolutely no fresh produce at all somebody was selling caned produce that they had canned themselves but nothing fresh :(
Brenda Farris oh my goodness! Well you need to raise some awareness and get some people in there!
My ultimate goal in the future is to have a stand. I want to sell starts in the spring and produce later. But that's a long way down the road for now I'm still learning :-)
Judy Col I give loads of starts away, I could easily sell them, but I find its better to see a smile. I might sell a few down the road, but oh well. I am not in it to make a million.
Wow! So I don't need a certificate or a license to sell my veg? How cool is that! Well if I have extras I will definitely put a stand out in my front yard.
Great coverage on the topic, Luke. I'm going to do a stand next season but for plant starts. I had so many I couldn't use this year. My only question is about licensing/permits. Will have to dig for that info for my area in Ohio.
Thanks for the video. I've not sold my produce at markets before, thinking the competitive pricing is too low for what I grow. Usually any surplus I have is shared with neighbors and co-workers. I've considered a home stand, but probably don't have enough traffic. Oh well.
Subedei's Garden I don't know where you live but here in England we all seem to have local buy and sell websites where you can list and show what you have for sale. If people get to know you have fresh produce for sale they will maybe keep them an eye on your listings. might be worth a try?
I am planning an ever bigger garden this year and want to do a stand but I am afraid of people stiffing me. Have you ever had someone not pay for produce?
I think you were very thorough in plus and minuses on both sides.
jred1838 thank you!
Very helpful! Thank you!
I love the MIgTV- clever!
Can you Make an updated video on todays market
I'm seriously thinking of starting an aquaponics garden. But wondering how to foster customers. I'm not a small business person. I love working for other people, but lately ppl have become so dysfunctional and unscientific or methodical unlike us in the gardening sciences. That I'm compelled to begin my own business. Just like to find out the best marketing methods.
Dumb question here- What about the selling at home. Do u pay taxes on what u sell or is it like a certain price point?
I love your videos !!! Thanks
It's called competitive pricing not predatory pricing.
It sounds like there's a race track in front of your house. So, how do you sell stuff thats so much more than the grocery store?
What percent of spoilage with a roadside market do you have.
Do you have to pay the town to have a produce stand in your front yard? Ie permit? Have you had any issues with theft?
I have never had issues with theft, and never had to pay the town. If I make over $500 I pay income tax, but lets face it. It is very difficult to make over $500 with vegetables. This is totally to just cover the overhead on the garden.
im planing on having a produce stand at my house when all my plants are readdy for harvest. i grow lettuce, cucumber, tomato and strawberrys. just grab some cheese and ranch and i have a salad! >:D
found this vid very interesting. i'm trying to start a market garden here in devon, uk
Loved your video!
AWESOME UPDATE THANK YOU FOR SHARING
I've thought about it, but after doing arts and craft fairs, sitting around, I just don't think I can handle it. I could probably do it out of my yard but a couple of problems to think about...parking, do I want idiots parking in my yard? My husband would be mad, 2. Alexander's a huge veggie market has a HUGE corner lot about 300 yards from the corner of my house on a gas station lot, and they sell everything from honey to veggies to imported stuff out of a couple of huge tents. The intersection is US 23 and M-36 so the traffic is probably the busiest north side of Ann Arbor. I guess Ill just be giving my food to my family members and friends, many who are having a tough time financially...BUT the entrepaneur disease I have does stab me about it daily.
you know my friend i have small garden but,i always sheer with my friends but i have a friend just told me that question....why you do not sell to us? very good question because they are my friends and they do not have the time to consume and the water also to grow the garden like me ...so i say why not i will doing this year where ever i grow i will tell my friends for sure...!!!
Great ideas.
I sell my produce just for a little extra money. I let my customers pick there own produce from my plots of land. I have good prices for my stuff. I like it. I make sure they know how to properly pick the produce of the plant.
Claeton Jackson Hmmmm a pick your own model. I like that!
I'm thinking about selling on facebook or CL, especially in my circle of naturally minded friends.
Do you need a license or permit to sell homegrown/backyard produce?
Wondering if it would be worth while to sell hydroponic microgreens and leafy greens at our local farmer's market. I don't really have a good location at the house for drive by traffic. Or should I just try to produce TH-cam videos? Thanks for the video.
Farmer Doug
+Farmer Doug It might be! Leafy greens do not store well once harvested. They need to be kept in the dark, in cold water to do best.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing
+Petals on the Paving Slabs Glad you liked it!
Takes something called work.... For all those who know what that actually is
Do I see two Porsches in your driveway? I need to start selling at a produce stand
Nice review. Thx
Tn where I am dont charge for tables at farmers market
I know you may think this is a crazy question and maybe it is lol but is it possible for me to buy from you and have it ship like one to two day shipping for what I don't have in my garden. Please dont laugh at me ppl I am in a situation where my life depends on every nutrient that goes into my body literally and I know you take good care of your produce. If not thanks anyway it does not hurt to ask. ty sonya
haha that is funny! Where do you live? It is entirely possible.
I live just outside of baton rouge louisiana. Yes funny but true that table with the vegies looks awesome!
👌would like to no about hot peppers???how r your doing this season.great vids as always...love you and ur wifey to be vids✌️
Denise Hawkins my hot peppers are just beginning to come on, they are way behind.
In this day and age don't you have to have a vendors license to be able to sell from a roadside stand?
license permit permit permit license ......permit permit license license certainely not for the benefit of people
Do you have to have a business license? Do You charge taxes? Can you barter for honey, nuts, maple syrup on craigslist? Just wondering...Love your video!
sha whit I do not have a business license since I am not operating really as an established business. I also do not charge sales ta, but I do pay the income tax (assuming it is over $500 which it never is)
Good to know, all helpful information.
I've had moments when I thought it would be fun to do something like this. Of course, my production is so lousy, it won't be an issue for a few years until I get the soil built up.
Just a point for some people: it isn't possible to do a produce stand in your yard in every community. There are communities which require you to purchase a business license and may even forbid the use of your home for sales.
On the other hand, my community used to have a farmers' market. It died for lack of people willing to sell produce.
WaskiSquirrel Indeed you pose a great point. I always encourage people to not be afraid of laws like that. The more people doing it, the less stupid laws like that there will be. It is all big agro business trying to shut down the little guy. because everyone knows that one small fish means nothing, but many small fish make one big shark. Just do it, and play dumb if anyone comes!
wow is my neighborhood association ganna send me another dirty letter this summer.hehe ima say its a yard sale
Jarhead monk lol, I am not liable for you getting in trouble. Just act dumb if they say anything.
***** hehe ya im good at that
well in the place I live if you grow and sell then that is a commercial enterprise. that means you have to have a commercial lot that means you have to pay sales tax to the city and state. and the forms and bah even try to get a EBT credit card machine is something else. Who has time to fill out all those forms so I just grow for myself and sometimes give to my mom when she needs starts.
My name is Wendy Stevens, I am the Vice President of the NH Farmer's Market Association. Your claim that market directors will set pricing to make it fair needs to be supported with proof or policy. Price fixing is illegal and I have personally never known a market director to be responsible for another person's business's pricing. Could you imagine if telephone companies across the nation all set their prices the same to be fair? There are laws against this as we live in a free market. I would be interested in seeing more information that supports your statement.
Nh Farmers Market Association Why would I make up what I said? I was in a farmers market for while. I have no reason to embellish.
Here in Arizona I don't know a Farmers Market who doesn't have a certain amount that you are to charge for your veggies so if the big farmers are charging 3 or 4 dallors a pound for tomatoes you to have to charge the same The farmers pay big bucks because they have either a big space or many
Isn't there like a law that you can't sell food without a permit or something like that?
I would sell it to
cool vid
How do people make money at a farmers market when everyone is selling the same produce? one seller I know sells at different markets but says even then he has to throw vegetables back on his garden because they didn't sell.
For all the one who are afraid of doing illegal : wait till you are going to need a permit to be alive and you wont have the money to pay the taxes for wiping your nose.....
Not if you are in Michigan, where this video was made. Individuals can sell whole uncut fruits and vegetables with no license requirements. There are hundreds of road side produce stands throughout Michigan.
Very nice, informative video. It's great that you have a perspective on both situations :-)
thanks suzanna! I am trying to cover so many bases this year, its hard to believe the season is almost done, but I have like 2 more series to start and finish!
Nice! :-)
I set my prices to make sales not to make it an equal playing field...
Produce stand is very common in countries other than the U.S. I have been thinking about doing it but it is "Legal" since they are trying to make everything illegal here sadly.
Are you related to "Howard Gardner"?
you must be rich farmer you have furniture LOL, I do like the color of your produce for what my computer can do.
calvinfbrown hmmm not rich, but also not a "farmer". Thanks for watching, glad you liked the video!
I look for free markets, They practically beg for folks who sell home grown produce. so if you sell an Apple you are ahead. also my garden pays for it self it's grown from the sets I don't sell,
They monitor the prices so there is fairness to everyone. Thats why I'll ever set up at stupid farmers market. People are allowed to price anything as low or high as they want. The public can buy or not buy. Get a good deal or not a good deal. End of story...
Right, especially Walmart....
I wonder what would happen if I set up my own private produce booth right next to any farmers market and sold my produce for half price of any of them. I'd put all of them out of business and I'd make a fortune.
Sure, that might not be good for them, but it would be good for me.
Tell me, do you enjoy spending $4.00 a pound for zucchini at your local farmers market?
Besides, America become the wealthiest nation due to free enterprise. Why would it be any different with farmer's markets?
Why do I get the feeling your evidence is conjecture and not empirical? You got that right out of your college book on business, didn't you?
you cut off the beet greens???
+freebrook they were past wilted.
***** hmm...ok....
I suppose....*squinting*
i sell live plants and seeds on etsy to make money, so i dont have to stand around and sell stuff to people, i hate doing that, lol
and who ever say we do not pay taxes..hell o yea i pay my land taxes and my water taxes and going..and going...!!!
lookit baby Luke, how old were yah here buddy?