Bed and breakfast business growth is exploding across the country. With the average Airbnb host making nearly $1,000 a month, this is a small farm income idea worth looking into.
Continue reading “Start a Bed and Breakfast”Start a Bed and Breakfast
Category: Doing
Become a DHIA Verification Tester
If you raise dairy animals, you may have heard of the DHIA program where milk is weighed and lab tested to record milk components. If not, now you have.
Continue reading “Become a DHIA Verification Tester”Resell Nursery Seedlings
While putting together a tree seedling co-op for some friends the other day, it occurred to me that you can resell nursery seedlings for a pretty tidy profit if you have the timing and a little expendable cash. With discounts of as much as 80-90% for large quantities of each species, you can turn small dollars into a pretty sweet return, getting free seedlings to boot.
Continue reading “Resell Nursery Seedlings”Teach Survival Classes
In researching a business opportunity we’re pursuing, I’ve discovered how much people are longing for good teachers. If you have survival skills, consider teaching survival classes to supplement your small farm income.
Continue reading “Teach Survival Classes”Start a Fence Company
There’s no doubt about it, building fence is an acquired skill. If you live out in the country, you’ve more than likely seen examples of fences that were not built by professionals. Ask anyone who has tried to hire a fence company though and they’ll tell you that it’s almost impossible to find affordable, quality companies to build their fences. Continue reading “Start a Fence Company”
Become a Hired Scythe
There is something magical about the sound of a well honed scythe blade sliding across the grass. That scything is infinitely better for both the environment and the land itself is an added bonus. Many people are drawn to this, one of the skills of the “old ways,” but scything is a true skilled trade and not many people can do it themselves. This is where you can come in, by offering your services as a hired scythe.
Lands managed by scything tend to improve in health over time. Scything is also ideal for places where machinery can’t get, such as in wet areas or steep hills. Because of its nearly nonexistent environmental impact, scything is appealing to the environmentally conscious among us, so you’ll probably find more demand for a hired scythe near urban areas.
Niche markets without a lot of supply are perfect money makers if you find the right area and marketing. A hired scythe could draw demand from all around once word gets out. You aren’t likely to have a lot of competition, either.
Continue reading “Become a Hired Scythe”
Start a Babysitting Business
Affordable, trustworthy childcare is getting harder to find. If you have the time and space, starting a babysitting business may be an excellent side business, freeing you up to pursue other farming ventures.
If you have children already, you probably have what you need to start a babysitting business in your home. If you don’t already have children, you may find it easier to go to other people’s homes to babysit. There is demand for both of these models.
The main consideration on whether or not this will work for you is state licensing requirements. Some states require no special licensing if you watch a limited number of children in your own home while others may require you to operate under a daycare license. It is critical to look into this before getting started to avoid potential legal issues. Insurance is another consideration – if you have to disclose your babysitting business to your insurance company, they may require you to add liability insurance. It’s a good idea to have this anyway, but that’s a topic for another day. Continue reading “Start a Babysitting Business”
Become a Sheep Shearer
Across America, a situation has been developing and it is becoming urgent: the lack of a sheep shearer. I hear from sheep raising friends fairly frequently about how difficult it is to find a shearer. Not even to find a “good shearer,” but any sheep shearer at all.
A quick look at this sheep shearer directory shows us that overall, the industry is being underserved. In California, for example, there are only 19 shearers listed. That’s a big state to be served by 19 people, especially since California is the top producer of wool in the United States.
If you are a sheep producer yourself, you are probably already aware of the shortage. Your skills as a shearer could be the ticket to an additional income stream to help you profit from your small farm. A small investment and weeklong class later, you can be on your way to a professional shearing operation. Continue reading “Become a Sheep Shearer”
Sell Firewood Bundles
Since starting this website, I notice income possibilities more than I used to. When I was outside Safeway earlier this year, I was totally amazed at the large–and dwindling–pile of firewood bundles for sale. At $4.99 each, I could imagine how much a full cord would bring. What was most surprising is how the stack dwindled over the season.
Selling firewood bundles is a nice income addition if you already have a steady supply of wood. We buy our firewood in bulk, 4 cords at a time, from a guy who has access to logging slash piles and cuts the leftovers into firewood. It’s a good business for him and a great time saver for us.
If you live near a town, there is a great market for campfire wood in the summer camping season and even during the winter season for more urban locations. Let’s dig deeper into the market and profit potential for firewood bundles. Continue reading “Sell Firewood Bundles”
Offer Pet Boarding Services
If you have a small farm, you likely have animals and understand how difficult it can be to get away overnight. One of the main reasons is the lack of reliable care for animals. If you have the space, especially with a kennel setup, consider offering pet boarding services to fill a very real need and bring in some extra cash. The main requirement? You’ve got to love animals to want to add other people’s to the mix.
First, Identify the Need
Is there actually a need for pet boarding in your area? You can start by doing a Google search or asking in local Facebook groups. In our area, the vet offers boarding and there are a couple of private boarding kennels; a pretty decent supply for our little town. If your local vet is the only option, you may have a potential for your area because many people are reluctant to board healthy animals in a place for the sick. Continue reading “Offer Pet Boarding Services”