Organic Farm Greenhouse: How to Start an Organic Farm Greenhouse


greenhouse
Organic farming is trending and in high demand throughout the world. A focus on nature, greenhouse effect, natural fruits and healthy style of living has increased the demand for organic products.
The products attract premium prices and have carved their own niche markets. Entrepreneurs interested in investing in organic farming could achieve profitability within a year.
The business is perfect as a home based enterprise, small, medium or large scale business. The financial involvement depends on the size and scope of the enterprise.
Organic farming is sustainable, easy to accomplish ad environmentally friendly. To start an organic farm you need practical gardening experience and passion.
Other resources to consider are labor costs, marketing, type of product and farming methodology.
How to Start an Organic Farm Greenhouse
Understand the Business.
Before starting a greenhouse project you need to understand the business. Learn from practical experience, workshops, apprentice schemes and seminars.
Gather information through reference books, conferences and various educational programs. Purchase trade magazines, e-books on greenhouse production, construction and management.
Finally you need to develop your marketing skill and apply for membership in certain organizations. Once you have acquired the prerequisite farming skill you should need business experience.
Write an Organic Farming Greenhouse Business Plan
Once you are through learning the rudiments of the trade write a business plan. The business plan is merely a guide towards establishing the enterprise.
The plan should highlight mission statement, company structure, product and marketing. Other parameters are startup costs, sourcing raw material, labor and equipment.
Conduct a feasibility study of your immediate location to understand challenges. Study organic greenhouses in your area, products and business template.
What are the income levels, population including grocery shops in the area? Conduct a survey and gather as much data as possible before determining the profitability of the enterprise.
Determine the Size of the Business
The size of the business impacts on amount of funds required. Small homestead farmers attract small funding.
However large commercial green houses require substantial capital involvement. The size also impacts on the labor costs and growing method.
Other things to consider are soil composition, mechanized or manual farming and availability of resources.
Crops to Grow
You need to determine which type of crops you are going to grow. Focus only on popular products that attract a fair price in the market.
Study the prevailing industrial trends, climatic conditions, turnover period and growth seasons. The financial reward and profitability of the enterprise should be commensurate with investment and labor.
Finding land for Farming
Large commercial farms are best suited for rural areas. Good commercial farm land should have a good soil composition, pesticide free and adequate drainage.
Nearness to a source of water supply is also important. Get an expert to conduct a land survey, climatic conditions and study the topography.
Financial options pertaining to land acquisition are lease hold or purchase. Study the land use regulations including state and government tax requirements.
Permits
There are strict laws and provisions guiding organic farming. The laws include pesticide regulations, zoning formula, fertilizer usage and other provisions.
There is also land use license, trade license and company registration. Your business could operate as a one man show or incorporate the establishment as a LLC. Other things to consider are labor laws, sales tax including income and property tax.
Labor
The type of labor could be mechanized or manual. You could hire casual staff from your host community and an organic farming consultant.
The labor costs are lower in rural communities than urban areas. Join greenhouse growers association for assistance and resources.
Greenhouse Structure
Build your greenhouse with provisions for expansion. Make sure the design compliments climatic conditions and soil composition.
Hire a greenhouse architect to design a commercially viable structure for your enterprise. Important considerations are greenhouse management, engineering, layout and building practicality. There are many establish companies that sell greenhouse to farmers.
Prepare the land
Prepare the land using only organic manure. Make sure the land is free from pesticides and harmful agents.
Employ either mechanized farming or manual labor to till the land. Purchase top quality seedlings from established organic farmers.
Marketing the Organic Crops
Organic crops are popular and attract premium prices.  You can sell your crops at farmers markets, grocery stores or supermarkets. Other locations are open markets, florists and direct to homes.How to Start an Organic Farm

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