How to get started with agtech and farming investments?

Joseph Myers43 said:Man, I’ve got this totally empty barn just sitting there, and it's killing me! I really want to start growing or raising something in it just so it isn't sitting idle. Anyone got any killer ideas?

Clean it out first. You could try mushrooms or something similar—just don't expect to retire early. It's more like "side hustle" money. The startup costs and the sweat equity aren't actually that bad; the real headache is finding someone to buy your stuff. But you can figure that out too if you have even an ounce of salesmanship or know how to talk people into things...

Joseph Myers43 said:Man, I’ve got this totally empty barn just sitting there, and it's killing me! I really want to start growing or raising something in it just so it isn't sitting idle. Anyone got any killer ideas?

Shiitake mushrooms, hands down...

James Baker29 said:Thanks for the heads-up! 👍🙏

Hmm... Now I'm overthinking these varieties. The guide says mixing different types is the way to go...

Anyone here actually planted specific ones yet?
Just curious, based on what you've actually grown—what’s the winning combo? (Obviously depends on the soil type or whatever)...

Tnx!

Hi there,
we just bought a farm near Springfield and we're planning on planting walnuts. I'd love to connect so we can swap some tips and experiences regarding walnut trees and future plantings since we're pretty close by... feel free to email me at:

I removed the email address; please send a PM to Brandon Price6 instead.

Medicinal and culinary herbs.
Is this stuff way too intense for a beginner?
Are we talking about a legit side hustle or just a little hobby to keep me busy?

Anyone out there in the Appalachian Mountains who’s actually tried growing their own? Please, please help a newbie out!

...I'm on the hunt for some farmland out near New York City, though I'd prefer somewhere closer to the Annapolis area if possible. If anyone’s got anything available, I'm looking for something on the smaller side—maybe around 10,000 square feet—just enough to plant some fruit trees and maybe a little patch for carrots. I’ve got zero intention of turning this into a full-blown business or anything like that, it's strictly for my own personal use...

Chloe Martinez5 said:Medicinal and culinary herbs.
Is this stuff way too intense for a beginner?
Are we talking about a legit side hustle or just a little hobby to keep me busy?

Anyone out there in the Appalachian Mountains who’s actually tried growing their own? Please, please help a newbie out!

It depends on the soil and environment, but mostly it comes down to how much work you're willing to put in.
What you can actually produce depends on what people in your area will buy.
I suggest getting a book on medicinal and culinary herbs that
explains exactly what they are, their benefits, and how to grow them properly.
If there's a market for it, it's worth planting more. I personally like
things that are easy to grow—peppermint is a breeze, and once you plant it, you don't have to move it for three years. Sage is another good one.
Basil is also easy; you get seeds within six months for your next
planting season.

Marjoram is simple too, though rosemary needs a bit more care since it can freeze in winter.
In mountain regions, I could see cumin and plenty of other perennial spices
and medicinal plants working well.

Everything is easy enough to learn. Use the winter to read up on it and ask around.
Just start, and others will share their experience along the way.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on agriculture lately. What’s the actual play here? Are we looking at a quick way to turn a profit, maybe riding the wave of federal subsidies? Or is anyone actually prepared for the reality of this business?

Some people genuinely live for this stuff, while others just convince themselves they love it because it’s their job. That's the real divide right there.
Where are you at? Probably coasting on those government subsidies, huh?

No. I was working for this country long before these miserable subsidies ever existed, and I’ll still be here long after they're gone. At that point, the only ones left will be those who actually care about this nation.

Way to go, man! This is exactly what we need right now.

Aaron Torres5 said:No. I was working for this country long before these miserable subsidies ever existed, and I’ll still be here long after they're gone. At that point, the only ones left will be those who actually care about this nation.

👍👍👍👍 Hats off to you, sir—take note of that one, folks, with nothing but respect!!! 👍👍👍

Good day to all the farmers out there, including those just starting their journey! I’ve finally decided to join this forum, even though I've been running a commercial greenhouse operation for years now. I have been looking into transitioning to hydroponic production, but securing enough capital and loan guarantees for a project of that scale is incredibly difficult—especially since the government offers little support beyond interest rate subsidies. I suspect I'm not alone in this struggle; many of us have the land, the expertise, and the drive, yet we simply can't access the initial funding, whether we need $10 million, $1 million, or even $33333. The fact that only 42% of the funds from the World Bank programs have actually been utilized speaks volumes about the situation.

I find myself reflecting quite often on the profound, albeit somewhat melancholic, simplicity of Bambi, and I wonder if perhaps we have all become a bit too cynical to truly appreciate the raw vulnerability presented in such a narrative. It is easy to dismiss it as mere children's fare, yet there is a certain heavy, quiet dignity in how the story handles the inevitable cruelty of the natural world. One cannot help but feel a sense of profound inadequacy when contemplating our own ability to face such sudden, unyielding transitions in life with even half the grace that the little deer displays. jadeseal4 says:
I have heard some whispers that the federal subsidies available for planting walnut orchards are currently hovering around a certain amount per hectare. $13333 .....
Your suggestion regarding the nursery might actually hold some merit, though I must admit I have my reservations concerning the walnut trees.👎 Because it takes quite a few years before those trees finally start paying off, I believe that focusing on pears and apples would be a much more profitable venture in our region today. While there is still an abundance of apples available, pears currently only account for about ten percent of the market share, which represents a massive business opportunity if one were to pursue it. I had actually been contemplating a similar agricultural undertaking myself, though my focus was directed toward strawberries rather than orchard fruit. My vision involved establishing strawberry nurseries where the plants yield two harvests per year, with each individual seedling producing up to five kilograms of fruit. For this coming year, however, I have decided to approach this endeavor more modestly by treating it simply as a personal hobby.
It is absolutely vital that one selects the right planting window to ensure the crops begin their growth cycle as early as possible within the current season, primarily because the initial market price is so significant. $5.00 If you find yourself lagging behind schedule with your harvest, you will inevitably see the market prices begin to slide. In truth, the most substantial profit margins are typically captured within that initial two-week window; once that period passes, you'll find yourself competing against everyone else who is finally coming online, which drives the prices down by ten to fifteen percent. $2.25 If one considers the matter of measurement, it becomes increasingly apparent that what is ostensibly labeled as a kilogram rarely amounts to a full kilogram; more often than not, one finds oneself holding closer to half a kilogram. I would encourage you to reflect upon this discrepancy. For instance, when dealing with something as delicate as strawberries... 👍

This is exactly how one begins to head down the wrong path.
I find myself wondering exactly what kind of strawberry variety could possibly yield five kilograms across just two harvests. To my mind, such a specimen hasn't been developed through any standard agricultural breeding process, nor is it likely to be in development anytime soon; one can only assume it was sourced from some highly classified, top-secret GMO laboratory.

When one attempts to calculate potential yields, it is vital to remain grounded in reality rather than falling prey to idealistic fantasies. A standard commercial strawberry variety typically produces about 500 grams of premium, first-class fruit, supplemented by an additional 150 to 200 grams of secondary grade. While there are certainly varieties that boast yields exceeding a full kilogram, they almost invariably suffer from a disappointing flavor profile. If one wishes to build a truly reliable business model, all calculations should be based on these realistic figures; anything else is simply wishful thinking.
I find myself pondering how to best expedite the upcoming harvest, though I suspect any decision made now is ultimately just an additional layer of investment. I am weighing whether it would be more prudent to utilize Lutrasil sheeting, perhaps some small walk-in tunnels, or even committing to a full-scale traditional greenhouse. At this stage, everything feels like a supplementary expense rather than a necessity.
Strawberries are notoriously sensitive to soil-borne pathogens, and while the soil in the Midwest is incredibly nutrient-dense, it can also harbor a significant number of these problematic organisms. I find myself wondering which specific varieties tend to demonstrate more resilience against such conditions.
Strawberry production in America has finally reached a level of self-sufficiency once we hit that May 1st milestone. While there is certainly an advantage to getting your harvest in early, anything beyond that point feels like a frantic race against the market; after all, strawberries aren't exactly the kind of crop you can just let sit around in your backyard indefinitely.

Allow me to provide some foundational information:I find myself frequently returning to this particular digital corner, http://www.jagode.org/, as it serves as a somewhat necessary refuge for my more contemplative moods. There is a certain quietude found within its pages that is increasingly difficult to encounter in the frantic, high-decibel landscape of the modern American internet. I must admit, I often feel a trifle out of step with the rapid-fire pace of contemporary discourse, yet I find a peculiar comfort in the slower, more deliberate cadence offered here. It is a modest space, perhaps even a bit unassuming, but for those of us who prefer to linger over a thought rather than merely consume it, it feels quite like home.

Got about 5 acres of decent land I've been tinkering with and I'm looking to turn it into some extra cash. Thinking about what might sell well down at the coast—maybe something easy to move without needing a fleet of heavy tractors or crazy machinery. Ideally, I'd love for this to eventually become my main hustle if the numbers make sense. Any ideas? Advice? Seriously, anything helps. Just trying to get the ball rolling.

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.🙏

Linda Sullivan37 said: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.🙏

But if you're working a job, why go with berries? Harvest season demands every bit of your time.

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.🙂

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.

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:👍

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...