Farming as a Business: Our Farmers Share Their Tips for Success
We asked our farmers, "What’s the best piece of advice you can give to people interested in becoming Freight Farmers?" Here's what they had to say!
“Passion is contagious, and I’ve found the best way to keep the stoke is to share it.”
A significant amount of my sales and new connections have come from when I get on a roll, talking about how cool the system is, and why it’s important for now and for the future. Sharing my excitement and having it reflected back to me has been endlessly inspiring and motivating.
Lizzy Porter | Bee’s Greens Co.
“Be less concerned about the crops–spend more time on packaging and selling, the crops will grow!”
Also: “Know your market very well. Establish relationships with that market. Listen to their needs, make sure they know your limitations and capabilities, and deliver- often!”
Thomas Smitherman & Aaron Dreilinger | Hammock Greens
Be adaptable and open to new ideas.
Be flexible and patient! When we first started, we wanted everything handed to us with the perfect formula for success, but we quickly learned that things change and you can’t always count on what you planned for.
Sarah Ward | Oasis Springs Farm
“Just go for it!”
You will learn a lot through the entire process, you will also have challenging times, but if you are passionate and motivated it will be one of the most amazing projects you will be a part of.
Maria Timveos | HerbanLeaf Farms
“Don’
t try to do it alone. There are so many people out there with knowledge, experiences, and insights that can help you succeed.”
Alone, we can get caught up in a process that can seem overwhelming and daunting at times, which is why most ideas don’t manifest into true action. With that being said, my second piece of advice is don’t fully rely on others to provide you with the best information or insights to your business. Take calculated risks. Do what works for you and your business and maintain your sights on your mission.
Don Tobul | OD Greens
“Don’t forget to pay yourself.”
Photo courtesy of Camrin Dengel, Tetonia Valley Magazine
Implementing the ‘Profit First’ system is what really changed Clawson Greens. I went from a business that had money in the business account and was blindly throwing money around to pay bills, payroll and occasionally paying myself, to a business that knows exactly how much money to put towards operational expenses, taxes, owners’ compensation and most importantly, profit!
Dave Ridill | Clawson Greens
“I think the key is to write out your goals and expectations for the farm.”
Then talk to a current Freight Farmer who might be in your state, or in a similar market, and discuss your goals and expectations, see if what you're trying to do is feasible.
Zach Zeph | Zeponic Farms
“Keep working at the farm: it's an evolution.”
If something is not working the way you want, you should not be afraid to experiment with it. Personally, not understanding the electronic systems and learning to troubleshoot through it was a challenge for me at first, but working through it helped me to understand our growing cycles and master the technology.
David Rutkowski | UMASS Dartmouth
“The produce is not going to sell itself.”
People that are drawn to being around plants are more introverted, so our best piece of advice is to not underestimate the amount of salesmanship required. Be proud of your product. It is high quality, local, grown sustainably, clean, incredibly fresh, and it reduces food waste, but it’s still not going to sell itself.
Brittany Moreland | Elevated Harvest
“Promote your ability to sell rooted plants.”
This is very valuable for restaurant chefs! I also recommend having a handout that you can give to potential customers which lists what produce you grow.
Jon Shaw | Karma Farm
“At the beginning, plant a bunch of varieties in small quantities to hand out as samples and test the market.”
Learn about your market and begin “planting seeds” with potential clients as soon as you are seriously considering being a Freight Farmer. Being the new guy in town is never easy, so put the hours in early and make some connections: They will save you.
Travis Harris | Brothers in Farms
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Don’t plant the full farm until you have buyers lined up. Instead, plant a bunch of variety in small quantities to hand out as samples and test the market. Then, once you find those connections, you can start growing that they need.
David Harris | Brothers in Farms
“Cleanliness is key!”
Make sure to follow a cleaning and maintenance routine. Also, tracking your farm work and crops is very important and helps you stay organized. As someone who was brand new to farming when I started, I found the farmhand® app essential to tracking the plants' progress.
Francesca Mazzilli | Freight Farms