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.
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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