How to get started with agtech and farming investments?

mistytinker26 said:Why would you think you sound unprofessional?
It’s great that you’re getting started.

As for the stumps... that's the eternal question.🙂
The easiest way is to rent an excavator. I used to pay $67/hour. You can get a lot done in an hour, though it obviously depends on how heavy the machine is and how tough the stumps are. Plum trees shouldn't be an issue even for a small tractor. On the flip side, the guy who cleared a pile of roots from my pasture using a willow tree couldn't budge one single stump. Your best bet is to find an operator, show them the job, and try to negotiate a flat rate if you aren't sure how much they can actually move per hour.
The other way is tractor, winch, pry bars, and axes. Hook up the tractor, pull, dig, chop the roots... it's a slow method, but it works. It's better not to cut the plums you want to move all the way down to the dirt; leave about a foot of the stump. (It's easier for the excavator, too). For example, I once cleared birch trees with about 6-inch diameters at the base all by myself using an old John Deere utility tractor (about 39hp). No pry bars needed, just a chainsaw and an old axe (one you don't mind hitting the dirt with). Took maybe 15 minutes per tree. And I'm definitely not in peak shape or an expert.😉

I sound quite ridiculous even to myself—for instance, I genuinely thought one could simply stroll into a local nursery and pick up 200 seedlings on a whim. Apparently, that wasn't the case; they gave me some rather peculiar looks.😳
Thanks for the advice regarding the stumps—it’s a relief they’re still relatively high out of the ground. I was the one who took them down, and, needless to say, that was my first time ever operating a chainsaw. Now, my next move is to see if I can track down someone in town with a tractor so I can finally get this sorted out.
Regarding the government incentives—I’m honestly not even bothering with them at the moment. There are just too many hoops to jump through; for instance, that requirement regarding fencing seems particularly tedious to satisfy. Besides, I suspect anyone actually pursuing those grants would have to commit an exhausting amount of effort to stay compliant. My long-term vision remains focused on building the business in New York City, and that requires my full attention.
I’ve spent some time working my way through a few introductory books and following various discussions—both on specialized forums and here—and I have to say, much of what is being presented feels more like science fiction than reality.🤷
Well, thank you for the advice.

Steven Ruiz13 said:I’m an old-timer with about 120 trees. I used a 120-horsepower John Deere and a heavy-duty chain to clear them all in just one day—no issues at all. Honestly, I spent another four days working with a chainsaw, but hey, it kept me warm all winter for next to nothing.

salel, thanks..
At least now I have a starting point.

Patrick Ruiz26 said:Basically saying;

We’ve got this little backyard garden where we grow our own veggies—mostly just for us, but we’re thinking about dropping off whatever we have extra at the local farmers market to sell on the side.

Do I actually need to register as a farmer or deal with some specific USDA paperwork just to legally sell my own homegrown stuff at a market?

I'm not entirely sure about the vegetable side of things, but from what I know about selling cheese, you definitely need to be registered with the state and provide proof that the milk meets all health and safety standards.

Yeah. You need an LLC card. And you sell without all the drama.

Robert Hall7 said:Yeah. You need an LLC card. And you sell without all the drama.

Think of it like this: you need at least one acre of land to register as a family farm. Once that's set up, you get your business credentials, list the primary owner, and everyone else is officially part of the crew. Then, everyone gets their own card.

Adam Taylor12 said:I sound quite ridiculous even to myself—for instance, I genuinely thought one could simply stroll into a local nursery and pick up 200 seedlings on a whim. Apparently, that wasn't the case; they gave me some rather peculiar looks.😳
Thanks for the advice regarding the stumps—it’s a relief they’re still relatively high out of the ground. I was the one who took them down, and, needless to say, that was my first time ever operating a chainsaw. Now, my next move is to see if I can track down someone in town with a tractor so I can finally get this sorted out.
Regarding the government incentives—I’m honestly not even bothering with them at the moment. There are just too many hoops to jump through; for instance, that requirement regarding fencing seems particularly tedious to satisfy. Besides, I suspect anyone actually pursuing those grants would have to commit an exhausting amount of effort to stay compliant. My long-term vision remains focused on building the business in New York City, and that requires my full attention.
I’ve spent some time working my way through a few introductory books and following various discussions—both on specialized forums and here—and I have to say, much of what is being presented feels more like science fiction than reality.🤷
Well, thank you for the advice.

Yeah, unfortunately, things aren't looking too bright for the nursery workers right now.

Adam Taylor12 said:I sound quite ridiculous even to myself—for instance, I genuinely thought one could simply stroll into a local nursery and pick up 200 seedlings on a whim. Apparently, that wasn't the case; they gave me some rather peculiar looks.😳
Thanks for the advice regarding the stumps—it’s a relief they’re still relatively high out of the ground. I was the one who took them down, and, needless to say, that was my first time ever operating a chainsaw. Now, my next move is to see if I can track down someone in town with a tractor so I can finally get this sorted out.
Regarding the government incentives—I’m honestly not even bothering with them at the moment. There are just too many hoops to jump through; for instance, that requirement regarding fencing seems particularly tedious to satisfy. Besides, I suspect anyone actually pursuing those grants would have to commit an exhausting amount of effort to stay compliant. My long-term vision remains focused on building the business in New York City, and that requires my full attention.
I’ve spent some time working my way through a few introductory books and following various discussions—both on specialized forums and here—and I have to say, much of what is being presented feels more like science fiction than reality.🤷
Well, thank you for the advice.

I learned this lesson the hard way from a neighbor who helped me clear out some massive willow trees. This was just a month after I’d picked up my new tractor. We had one specific trunk—about two feet wide and maybe sixty feet tall—that needed moving. The guy looks at me, dead serious, and says, "Just hitch it up to the tractor." Honestly, I didn't think my little machine stood a chance of budging something that heavy, but I was dead wrong. That little thing pulled it like it was nothing. 🙂 Mostly, I think I could pull it off by next month if I just stay in low gear. 😉

Adam Taylor12 said:I sound quite ridiculous even to myself—for instance, I genuinely thought one could simply stroll into a local nursery and pick up 200 seedlings on a whim. Apparently, that wasn't the case; they gave me some rather peculiar looks.😳
Thanks for the advice regarding the stumps—it’s a relief they’re still relatively high out of the ground. I was the one who took them down, and, needless to say, that was my first time ever operating a chainsaw. Now, my next move is to see if I can track down someone in town with a tractor so I can finally get this sorted out.
Regarding the government incentives—I’m honestly not even bothering with them at the moment. There are just too many hoops to jump through; for instance, that requirement regarding fencing seems particularly tedious to satisfy. Besides, I suspect anyone actually pursuing those grants would have to commit an exhausting amount of effort to stay compliant. My long-term vision remains focused on building the business in New York City, and that requires my full attention.
I’ve spent some time working my way through a few introductory books and following various discussions—both on specialized forums and here—and I have to say, much of what is being presented feels more like science fiction than reality.🤷
Well, thank you for the advice.

Think about it again. Fencing isn't actually a requirement for permanent plantings. If you ask me, the real criteria come down to simple ownership, buying your seedlings from a licensed nursery, and having a total planting area that exceeds 1.2 acres. It has nothing to do with your long-term plans. 😉 If you need more details, just shoot me a DM.

Adam Taylor12 said:I sound quite ridiculous even to myself—for instance, I genuinely thought one could simply stroll into a local nursery and pick up 200 seedlings on a whim. Apparently, that wasn't the case; they gave me some rather peculiar looks.😳
Thanks for the advice regarding the stumps—it’s a relief they’re still relatively high out of the ground. I was the one who took them down, and, needless to say, that was my first time ever operating a chainsaw. Now, my next move is to see if I can track down someone in town with a tractor so I can finally get this sorted out.
Regarding the government incentives—I’m honestly not even bothering with them at the moment. There are just too many hoops to jump through; for instance, that requirement regarding fencing seems particularly tedious to satisfy. Besides, I suspect anyone actually pursuing those grants would have to commit an exhausting amount of effort to stay compliant. My long-term vision remains focused on building the business in New York City, and that requires my full attention.
I’ve spent some time working my way through a few introductory books and following various discussions—both on specialized forums and here—and I have to say, much of what is being presented feels more like science fiction than reality.🤷
Well, thank you for the advice.

Look at my previous paragraph.

It’s been a full year of waiting for these cards, but at least the official decision actually carries some weight instead.

Does the land actually have to be owned outright, or can we just lease it?

We’ve only got about half an acre of owned land—some's under my name and my husband's, and the rest belongs to my in-laws. Plus, even though we're out there working the soil, the county records list it all as residential because it's tucked right into the suburbs.

Land can be held through outright ownership or via a long-term lease, like a 15-year agreement.
Basically, you have the option to lease the land from your in-laws or your spouse, or you can just bring them into the family business if you're all living under the same roof.
In my opinion, what shows up on the county property records doesn't actually matter when you're applying for orchard establishment grants.
The main requirement is that you need at least 5,000 square feet total; it doesn't all have to be on one single plot.

Edit
I mixed up my facts there. I was talking about incentives for permanent crops, but regarding the family farm setup, you need more than 5,000 square feet total—that's nothing. As for vegetable production, a lease can be shorter (I think 3 or 5 years, but check with your local USDA office or the municipal agricultural department).

What exactly is my nurseryman supposed to say? He moved 3,800 seedlings for me this fall, and he’ll move just as many next autumn. I don't give him any notice before calling to pester him for more stock. And if they aren't sitting on his shelves? He finds them.

Come on, just be honest. How many times did you switch up your stance before you finally landed there? Or were you just incredibly lucky 😉

mistytinker26 said:Come on, just be honest. How many times did you switch up your stance before you finally landed there? Or were you just incredibly lucky 😉

I mean, obviously, their whole goal is just to make a buck 🙂

1. Home Depot is that big-name American company that sells everything under the sun. They’re also "friends" of mine. (God bless.) This flashy, pretentious outfit completely screwed me over. They sold me some "premium" fruit trees that were such a disaster I spent five years watching them fail, eventually getting so fed up I ripped them out by hand. They grew so aggressively poorly that I didn't even need much strength to tear them out of the ground.

2. Regarding that nursery—an outfit from across the border—my former advisor, John Francis Kotar, was the one who pushed those plants on me. If someone like that shows up at your door with "consulting" offers and vague nonsense? My advice: kick them out immediately. End of story.

3. That same nursery sold me Ervnia stock along with the plants. Lost 1,200 trees because of it. I had no choice but to hop in my van, drive straight to his office, sit down at his desk, and wait until he showed up so I could make sure he compensated me for the loss. He paid up, gave me replacement seedlings, I said goodbye, and we're done. No more business.

4. Now, this other guy? He's an honest, old-school gentleman. I've been buying from him for three seasons now. When I haul my stock home, everyone laughs because the plants look tiny, stunted, and weak. I plant them carefully, wait for autumn, and then let the results speak for themselves. With proper feeding, water, and sandy soil—which is perfect for orchards—these things explode. I get over 2 feet of growth in the first year while everyone else is still scratching their heads. I'm satisfied with this man; I've already placed my order for the fall, and all five sets.

So, I've cut ties with the first three. This fourth guy is solid, and I'll keep working with him. Are there scammers among the nursery suppliers? Absolutely. Should orchard owners be warned about the sharks looking to rob them blind? They definitely should.

There it is. That's the long and short of it.

Re: Nursery stock and seedling size

The root system is likely solid, which is what actually matters. A common scam involves hazelnut growers who don't prune their stock, so they just shove sticks with a single root into the ground and call it a day.

Bradley Phillips35 said:I mean, obviously, their whole goal is just to make a buck 🙂

Of course everyone wants to turn a profit; there's nothing wrong with that. But making money by ripping people off and selling them junk isn't a business—it's a scam. Look at how much those first three nurseries from Robert Hall7's story actually made versus how much they lost because nobody would buy from them next year. The problem lies with the shady nursery owners, but also with buyers who don't do their homework and fall for every sales pitch. I get it—it's hard to judge a tree just by looking at a price tag—but you need to verify every bit of info you can.

Here's my experience. Last year, I was looking to pick up 1,800 hazelnut seedlings. In February, right before the fall planting season, I called one guy—one of the most well-known private hazelnut growers in the US. At first, he said he had stock. But once he heard which part of the country I was heading to, he suddenly changed his mind and claimed he was out. WTF? I found out the truth a month later. He had screwed over a few guys in the neighboring counties, sold them nothing but sticks, and ended up in some nasty disputes with them. You know how those stubborn rural types can be 😉 so he was terrified of dealing with another headache like that. Luckily for me, he wouldn't sell me anything. 🙂

mistytinker26 said:Yeah, unfortunately, things aren't looking too bright for the nursery workers right now.

I learned this lesson the hard way from a neighbor who helped me clear out some massive willow trees. This was just a month after I’d picked up my new tractor. We had one specific trunk—about two feet wide and maybe sixty feet tall—that needed moving. The guy looks at me, dead serious, and says, "Just hitch it up to the tractor." Honestly, I didn't think my little machine stood a chance of budging something that heavy, but I was dead wrong. That little thing pulled it like it was nothing. 🙂 Mostly, I think I could pull it off by next month if I just stay in low gear. 😉

Think about it again. Fencing isn't actually a requirement for permanent plantings. If you ask me, the real criteria come down to simple ownership, buying your seedlings from a licensed nursery, and having a total planting area that exceeds 1.2 acres. It has nothing to do with your long-term plans. 😉 If you need more details, just shoot me a DM.

Look at my previous paragraph.

Thanks, Smiljan.
I'm currently trying to talk my family into
committing to some actual planting this fall.
If I can, I'll keep the option open to reach out privately once I run into a bit of resistance.

Robert Hall7 said:What exactly is my nurseryman supposed to say? He moved 3,800 seedlings for me this fall, and he’ll move just as many next autumn. I don't give him any notice before calling to pester him for more stock. And if they aren't sitting on his shelves? He finds them.

Thank goodness you found a supplier like that.
Then again, even you needed three tries to find the right one—and you really are an expert in this field.
May that nursery thrive for the next hundred years.

I was actually looking for some walnut saplings—specifically from a nursery recommended by my neighbors here in town. Apparently, the standard practice is to place an order well in advance, so I’ve had to push my planting schedule back until the fall (and yes, if you can tell by the state of my yard, I’ve already done the legwork—the soil is prepped and the holes are dug, yet I'm sitting here without the actual tree)
Anyway, thanks to everyone for the input.

I’m on the exact same page as my boss, though there is one key difference: I actually have some acreage out in the country that I want to put to work with greenhouse production. I am currently weighing my options between growing bell peppers, tomatoes, or lettuce. In various discussions I've had, people have been raving about strawberries, too. I would really appreciate some serious feedback here—any guidance on the "what" and the "how" would be huge. Also, what kind of greenhouses should a beginner look into starting out? What size would we need to talk to make this actually profitable? Would anyone be willing to help me draft a formal business plan and program? And lastly, does anyone know how the startup subsidies and government incentives work for someone just getting their feet wet?

Greetings, everyone

I was wondering if anyone could point me toward a reliable source for grafted walnut saplings
somewhere in the United States, ideally near Chicago?
Also, does anyone have a rough idea of what the current market pricing looks like?
Thanks in advance

Why not check out Dr. Krpina’s place? It's over on Savina Avenue in Chicago (specializing in fruit, grapes, and wine)—they've got plenty of nursery stock in stock if you need it.