How to get started with agtech and farming investments?

Rachel Ruiz39 said:Since growing rapeseed requires massive acreage and really expensive machinery, it just makes more sense to plant something on a smaller plot that fetches a higher price per pound...

But I honestly think the real issue lies somewhere else entirely...

Joseph Gomez39 said:The issue actually lies elsewhere.

Are you referring to the general laziness, lack of education, or just how narrow-minded the average American can be, or... what exactly?

Joseph Gomez39 said:The issue isn't even about that, though.

I'm totally with you on that, honestly. Maybe I’m just being naive or haven't seen enough of how the world actually works yet, but if I suddenly had some real cash sitting in my bank account, I'd jump headfirst into a startup selling organic veggie burgers tomorrow.

The whole "uplifted raspberry" thing is just political theater; it’s going to be a total waste of everyone's time.

I really wish I had stumbled upon this thread sooner.

If you're looking into subsidies,

- you'll need to dig into the Federal Farm Bill
- check out the subsidy amounts and eligibility requirements (those little PDF links on the right side)
- keep in mind that you have to be registered in the VAT system to qualify for any of those incentives; you can find all the latest updates over at the USDA website, where they also host all the necessary application forms you'll need to download.
- obviously, things get significantly more complicated if you're trying to farm in designated conservation areas or pivot toward organic production, but hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

For anyone who is still just testing the waters and weighing their options, I'd highly recommend checking out the fall agricultural expo or visiting the USDA booth there; you can pick up almost all the documentation you need, and isn't it better to actually understand the regulations before you dive in?

What are your thoughts on, say, producing things like homemade cheese, fritters, sausages, or even specialty smoked meats using old-school family recipes through a small family farm setup?

If you're already registered under the tax system for a small family business, would you be allowed to sell those items, or would you be forced to open a full corporation or a formal LLC just to move product? What does the law actually say about this? I'm curious about what specific requirements and hurdles need to be cleared to make it legal.

milbo said:Doduse, you're going to have to clean up a massive amount of debris just to net a single pound of walnuts, and even then, that's $13 max.

Yeah, an astronomical amount of work; you won't get more than a minute's worth out of even the cheapest machine...

Walnut trees usually start producing about two years after planting, regardless of how old the sapling was, though they go through a bit of a growing phase first. Grafted walnut trees typically reach full production 7 to 10 years after being planted, and honestly, most of them start giving out after about 40 years because once they hit a certain size, the yields just start dropping off...

Since people often plant walnuts and just wait for them to grow, it’s pretty common for a sudden frost to kill them off during those early years while the trees are still too low to the ground. Once they mature, though, the risk from frost drops significantly since the blossoms end up sitting three or four feet higher...

If you actually have a choice in the matter, try to find a Black Walnut rootstock, as that's really what's best suited for this climate. Go pick a few different varieties of walnuts in the area—maybe ask neighbors for a few nuts, some big ones and some small—plant them, and you'll get your "seedlings." You've probably heard of that method before. Once you have those, graft them onto that Black Walnut rootstock.

Forget about those prices of $13 per pound for the kernel; you're better off calculating based on $8.25 if you want any kind of realistic expectation...

That’s just the reality of it; you’re looking at $25-$10/lb as a realistic wholesale price that you’ll see year after year, unless you happen to have some wealthy uncle willing to buy walnuts by the shipping container, in which case he might actually pay you upwards of $20...

This past Sunday, they were talking all about raspberry farming on the agricultural lands...
They mentioned it’s actually a pretty rewarding crop to grow, since you don't really need a ton of specialized technical expertise to get started, and I guess the market demand is pretty much guaranteed...

driftinggull18 said:this past Sunday on Plodove Zemlje they were discussing raspberry farming...
they mentioned it’s actually a pretty rewarding crop since you don't need a ton of specialized technical expertise to get started, plus there's a guaranteed market for everything you grow..

If you're looking into raspberries, you really ought to aim for at least a couple of acres to make it worthwhile, but once you hit that scale, you run into the headache of finding reliable seasonal pickers, which can be a real struggle lately.

And if you aren't located right next to a distribution hub, you'll definitely need to invest in some cold storage. Since the picking happens in the early morning—usually somewhere between 4:00 and 7:00 AM—those workers are going to charge you a premium for those overnight shifts.

The initial startup cost to plant an acre is upwards of $33, while the government subsidies per acre sit around $10...

All things considered, I honestly think it might be more profitable to go with blackberries and pivot into making wine from them instead...
It's pretty wild to think that Mexico ranks third globally in terms of raspberry production volume.🙂

You can actually make wine from blackberries or raspberries, for that matter. I have a friend who crafts batches using both, and he even does a red currant variety. All three are incredibly smooth, they feel genuinely healthy to drink, and honestly, you have to pay a premium for them because the quality is just that high.

How does the market price actually work for lumber from walnut trees?
I don't have several cubic yards lying around—just two walnut logs—so I was wondering if it's even worth trying to sell them?

You should really head down to the county office and ask around, because both state and local agencies offer all sorts of grants and incentives. I know for a fact that in places like central California, more people have been turning to orchards—like plum trees—and vineyards lately. Usually, the local government handles things by having you plant everything first, then you bring them your receipts and they reimburse you a portion of the costs as an incentive, though I'm not entirely sure how the federal side of things is structured.
It might also be worth reaching out to a local agricultural extension service, as they should be able to point you in the right direction and give you some solid advice.

From everything I’ve read and heard, Mexico is actually the world's top producer of raspberries when you look at total volume.

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I’m fully behind you guys on this walnut venture, but if I could offer one bit of unsolicited advice: the moment you decide to make this official, set up a legal entity. I’d love the opportunity to pick up some shares in the company while those trees are still young... 🙂

So, I’m currently working with the Agricultural Subsidies Act, dealing with all the numbers regarding federal grants—specifically, you're looking at $5600/acre for establishing permanent crops and then $833/acre annually after that. Just a heads-up though—ever since January 1st, 2008, you absolutely have to be part of the income tax system to qualify. And the big one? The absolute dealbreaker is that you must be officially registered in the Farm Registry.
You might also snag some extra cash from your local county office, but honestly, you’ll have to do your own legwork and call them up to find out what they offer.

Agricultural Subsidies Act

I am looking for someone interested in planting carrots, cabbage, peas, lettuce, and similar crops, while also having a weekend getaway just outside of Washington, D.C. It’s located in a small town in the Midwest, about an hour's drive from the city center. The plot is roughly 400 square meters.
There is no housing available, though you are welcome to bring a tent if you wish to stay overnight.🙂

I am offering this rent-free on the condition that fruit trees are planted, which the tenant may then enjoy for at least 5 to 7 years.

I live abroad.
This land used to be a vineyard.

You could also plant apple trees; they yield much faster than walnut trees.
Or perhaps hazelnuts?

Hey, thread is solid, but I’m wondering if anyone knows what the damage would be for getting some machinery to handle hazelnut orchards—one hectare or more? There's no way anyone's hand-picking hazelnuts at that scale.

P.S. Anyone know someone near a Small town in the Midwest who specializes in hazelnuts? Also, what kind of soil are we talking about for them to actually grow well?div>

So, I’ve got a few hazelnut trees and some walnuts out at my cabin—they’re all over ten years old now,
but honestly? Every single year, I don't see a single pound of actual produce. Why? Because the squirrels from the nearby woods swoop in and snatch everything... though, let's be real, maybe a few other weekenders around here are helping them out too.

It just goes to show—you can't just plant a grove and expect to walk away with a harvest of expensive, high-quality walnuts. You actually have to put in the work to maintain and watch over the place. It’s definitely not as easy as it looks on paper.

NERAST said:Been doing some thinking. Doing some reading, too.

Farmland prices are pretty low right now. Since I’ve got some cash on hand and I'm not exactly lazy, I'm thinking about diving into agriculture. Might actually be worth the investment.
The government's offering subsidies for planting permanent walnut groves... Honestly, once they're in, they don't require an insane amount of upkeep. It doesn't have to be my main hustle, but the profit margins over a few years look solid. So, I’ve been thinking about leasing maybe 12 to 25 acres and just going all in on walnuts.

Look, I’m no farmer. But I know how to handle a shovel, and with a little reading and some decent advice, I think I could make it work. Still... I just can't make the math add up.

Heard the subsidies for walnut orchards are around $1,000 per hectare. $13333 .....

Come on, throw your thoughts out there! Let me hear what you guys actually think about this!!! ☕ 🙄

🙂

Let me ask you right off the bat—were you talking about walnuts as the nut itself or the actual tree?
You’re looking at a 12-year wait just to break even if you're betting on timber. And that's only if you're planting in the Midwest where the soil actually works and the climate behaves. Places like the mountains aren't going to cut it—not because they'll fail, but because growth is too slow. That's just bad business.

If you're looking for walnuts, a buddy of mine has about 150 trees out in the Midwest. He's selling them. $33 It’s only a 2.5-ounce bottle, but the yield is massive. I won't even get into the tonnage right now because I have no clue—I'll have to go ask someone.

If you’re talking timber, we're looking at a long game. You won't hit that 24-inch diameter target for maybe 30 to 60 years—it's all over the map depending on the walnut variety you plant. If you go with domestic walnut, don't expect a dime until your grandkids are grown. Get some Black Walnut instead.
Why wait 30 years to harvest walnut? Simple math. You’re looking at $1,000 per cubic foot. Right now, 1,000 saplings could net you anywhere from $800,000 to $1.3 million—huge swing there, obviously, depending on how old the trees are when you finally cut them down. Just take the average: 40 years old plus 1,000 trees equals a cool million bucks. Easy.

The seedling's about 40...$33Depends on how big the seedlings are when you buy them. You're looking at maybe 150 to 180 plants per acre, depending on the spacing. No clue what the market price for the harvest is right now... but land is pretty cheap out here!
If you're actually going through with this business, go talk to a nursery about a bulk discount. You need volume. Personally, I wouldn't bother unless you're looking at at least 1,000 seedlings.

Hope that helps!

Hey there!

orka23 said:Hey, this thread is fine, but I’m wondering if anyone knows how much mechanization costs for processing hazelnut orchards covering one or more acres? There's no way people are harvesting hazelnuts by hand at that scale.

P.S. Does anyone know someone near Little Rock who works with hazelnuts? Also, what kind of soil is best for them?

I'm no agronomist, but from what I know—hit Like if you agree—walnuts have a habit of dropping once they ripen. If they don't, you gotta shake the tree. If it's a 100-foot tree, you're climbing... not easy when the tree's old. As for the moonshine, the whole fruit goes straight into the boiler, which makes the distilling process way simpler!

Regarding your hazelnut question, I don't think they need anything specific because of the root depth, but seriously, look it up online for the details. Or just hit up a local nursery nearby; they'll give you the real info.