Posts by Linda Sullivan37

I feel like we’re seeing more unpredictable shifts in the standings than usual lately. Does anyone else feel like the usual hierarchy is getting a bit shaky, or am I just overanalyzing?

Sarah Cooper said:I’ve been working in agriculture for ten years now, and honestly, I still find myself having to reinvest every single cent of profit back into production—because if you don't, you just can't scale up or stay competitive. Anyone involved in serious large-scale farming knows exactly what I'm talking about...
The biggest mistake you can make is relying entirely on one buyer—someone who seems solid today, but might go bankrupt tomorrow or decide to blow their profits on a new yacht, leaving you high and dry when they can't pay for the goods you already delivered...
We live in a country where the system feels completely backwards—everything is disorganized and nothing seems to function quite right, especially in the agricultural sector. And frankly, once we fully integrate further into those larger international trade blocs, things are likely going to get even more complicated...
That’s why, no matter what niche you enter, the most vital thing you can do is secure your own direct market. Ideally, you want cash payments upfront so you aren't left wandering the streets looking for your money—much like how fruit and vegetable growers in Memphis have to deal with standing outside companies like Turnaround waiting for checks...

I completely agree with these conclusions. My caution stems from my view on the current state of our country and our economy. But then again, what am I supposed to do? You’re saying there isn't much of a life to be made in farming, though things aren't much better in any other industry either. Welfare? That isn't an option as long as I still have a pulse...
Thanks for the advice and the warnings. I think I’ll still give it a shot, slowly, and see where it leads...😁

Sarah Cooper said:I honestly don't think agriculture is something you can just dabble in on the side—I mean, sure, there might be niche areas where you aren't breaking a sweat or pouring in massive capital (think growing Christmas trees, walnuts, or hazelnuts), but the turnaround on your investment takes forever...
I’ve met plenty of people who tried to jump into farming as a little side hustle only to get absolutely burned—mostly because they lacked the necessary expertise, got a bit lazy, or just completely botched their initial profit projections...

After fourteen years in the workforce, I KNOW you can't rely on a single source of income, let alone wait around for Social Security... especially out here in the Midwest. I’m well aware that working the land is grueling; my own experience tells me that much. But when things get tough, you just dig in. There’s no such thing as a "secure" job. And besides, how am I supposed to find some "guaranteed" odd job? My backyard garden will always be waiting for me, and I haven't left it untended once...
As for failing... if you aren't falling, you aren't rising either.
Jokes aside, that’s exactly why I’m asking questions and learning from everyone. I don't want to fly blindly into this and end up completely lost. Constructive criticism—even if it's blunt—is always welcome. If anyone is willing to walk me through an orchard, I'd love to see it in person; photos, forums, and books are one thing, but seeing it firsthand is something else entirely...😁

Charles Howard74 said:I caught this segment on one of those Sunday morning farming shows—there’s this huge agricultural cooperative out in the Midwest producing specialty southern fruit strictly for export. They’re looking for local partners with small plots, maybe up to two acres. I should probably look into it, because word is you could clear up to $6.75 per acre. I’ll dig deeper and get back to you by $6.75; we're talking potentially $2,000 or even more if you can keep your overhead under control.
Right now, I’m working about three-quarters of an acre of blackberries, pulling in roughly $667 in pure profit, not even counting the $30,000 worth of wine I’ve got sitting in storage. But man, trying to move blackberry wine? That is a tough sell. The market is just absolutely flooded with it. This year, I’m pivoting—I’m sticking to selling fresh berries, and my goal is to move every single thing I grow.

I actually watched that segment and spent some time chewing on it, but I’m a bit out of my depth when it comes to heavy machinery and I don't know much about those specific crops. It sounds like you have to replant every year, which means constant soil prep too. I'm still weighing my options on what to start with, which is why I'm out here asking for advice... honestly, clearing $3333 in net annual income would be plenty for me. Thanks for the tip; I think I'll do some more digging into that cooperative:👍

As far as labor goes, I’m not worried about finding hands. And when it comes to my boss, I know how to negotiate my time off whenever I need it... you know how it is—you get out exactly what you put in.
The redcurrants ripen in about two weeks, and while the blackberries take a bit longer, the return on investment seems pretty solid if I can stay on top of the right info. I don't plan on diving into this headfirst, either; I'd rather scale up the plantation gradually as I see fit and based on what actually makes sense financially. I'm not looking to strike it rich overnight; I just want to plug some holes in the household budget. On my total acre and a half of land, corn and wheat are nothing but a money pit, and they're a massive amount of work if you actually want a decent yield... and since I'm already working anyway... do you have any better suggestions? I'm all ears for some good advice.🙂

Well, here I am... I've been lurking on these forums for a while now, and I finally decided it was time to actually register. I have a question regarding the current state of the berry market here in the States—specifically when it comes to buying up small crops like currants and blueberries. I’m looking for information on reliable buyers and processors. Where are they located, and are there even many active players in this space right now? I’ve scrolled through countless pages, but I can’t seem to find any concrete data. It seems like there are plenty of growers who handle their own processing but aren't interested in buying from outsiders, which leaves me in a bit of a dilemma. My goal is to supplement my household income; since I have a full-time job, I won't be able to turn this into a massive operation just yet, but I think I could manage about an acre or so to start with.🙏