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Easiest crops to farm


Best Cash Crops for Small Farms

Eighty-eight percent of farms in the United States are designated as small farms, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The designation doesn’t refer to size, though. Instead, they are considered small farms if the operator works part-time, the “annual gross income” is below $349,000 per year or the owner is retired.

Just because those farms are small doesn’t mean they don’t meet a significant need and turn a large profit. Select crops, such as bamboo, lavender and garlic, are being cultivated across the nation to meet a sizeable demand while occupying little acreage on a farm. 

Cash Crops for Small Farm Profit

In this section, we’ll explore some of the best cash crops that small farm operators can grow in the U.S.

Bamboo

Already popular in Asia, bamboo is gaining popularity around the world for its variety of uses, such as fencing material, fabric and food. According to Grand View Research, the global bamboo market is worth almost $69 billion, and the demand for it has made it appealing to small farm owners in the U.S.

One reason that bamboo can be a great cash crop for small farm operators is that it is a renewable resource. Bamboo produces significantly more fiber than trees, regrows annually and captures much more carbon than a comparable timber. This makes bamboo great for the environment and farmers’ bank accounts. 

Bamboo can be planted year-round, though your local climate may determine when the best time to plant is. In warmer climates, it may be best to plant bamboo in the cooler months of fall or spring. In colder climates, bamboo should be in the ground in early spring to give it enough time to grow and strengthen before the next winter.

While start-up costs are relatively high for bamboo, it yields great returns. Bamboo Garden, a national bamboo nursery, sells young bamboo in containers for anywhere from around $35-60 per plant, depending on the species. While this might seem like a large upfront investment, the cost of caring for bamboo is relatively low and the profits can be quite large. According to a citrus farmer who entered the bamboo business, caretaking costs for a mature bamboo farm are about $5,000 per acre. He estimated that an acre of bamboo can bring in $25,000 in the current market.

Specialty Mushroom

Perfect crops for beginning farmers are specialty mushrooms, such as oyster mushrooms. These fungi are considered some of the easiest to grow as they thrive both indoors and out. There is also good demand for specialty mushrooms. The USDA reported for the 2017-2018 crop season that specialty mushrooms totaled more than $106 million in total sales.

According to an article in BizFluent, startup costs for growing oyster mushrooms are low. Purchasing 100 mushroom spores should cost around $20, and if planting outdoors, you’ll need fresh cut tree logs on which to cultivate the spores. Growing indoors requires a bit more of a financial investment as proper lighting and temperature control are needed. Since fungi usually grows alongside moss on the side of trees in shaded forests, it’s important to mimic those conditions. Make sure the mushrooms are in shade and won’t get too hot, or else they’ll dry out. The ideal time of year to plant mushrooms, according to FreshCapMushrooms growers in Canada, is either the spring or fall.

An article on Morning Chores noted that preparing oyster mushrooms to grow can be labor intensive initially, but once a colony is produced, they’re pretty much self-sufficient, as long as they have the proper light, moisture and environment.

Lavender

Because fungi grow fast and rejuvenate after harvesting, just 500 square feet can yield 12,000 pounds of mushrooms in a year. At the USDA’s reported price of $4.06 per pound, small farmers can earn almost $50,000 from their mushroom crop.

Another crop that can bring profit to small farm owners is lavender. Lavender is a native of countries by the Mediterranean Sea but can survive in colder climates, like in the Midwest. This flower is great for small farm operators because it can be sold in multiple ways to numerous customers. Lavender can be sold as-is, but it can also be processed into essential oils, body lotions and soaps. And each market has its own significant profit potential. Persistence Market Research has reported the lavender oil market alone is expected to rise to $124.2 million by 2024.

Per the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) common lavender can yield 1,000 to 1,500 pounds of buds per acre. When sold to consumers or businesses, that equates to anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000 in revenue. If distilled into essential oils and sold to consumers at retail, the revenue increases. One acre of common lavender can produce anywhere from three-fourths of a gallon to three gallons of oil, which translates to between $6,804 and $27,216 in revenue.

Garlic

The demand for garlic has grown recently, and more than 500 million pounds were sold at wholesale domestically in 2017. According to the Agricultural Market Research Center, those garlic varieties sold for an average of $1.50 per pound.

Garlic should be planted in the fall and needs minimal care until it is harvested in the summer. Once sprouts become visible, the crop only needs to be watered a couple of times a week.

Like many specialty crops, the initial planting of garlic can be expensive. Modern Farmer reported it can cost upward of $18,000 per acre to plant 1,000 pounds of Music garlic, a hardneck variety with a peppery taste. When harvested, though, Magic garlic can bring in as much as $100,000 per acre, netting you a profit of $82,000. Additionally, bulbs can be saved back for the next crop, saving money on replenishing the crop.

Christmas Trees

Due to light planting seasons a decade ago, there has been a shortage in fresh trees during the holidays. CNBC reported the shortage has caused the prices per tree to raise, creating a short-term increase in demand. Even though the supply will likely level out as harvested crops are properly replenished, a steady demand is expected to remain.

Christmas trees can be grown from multiple types of conifers, such as balsam fir, Douglas fir and blue spruce. Establishing a grove of any of these trees is a big investment at first. The initial cost of purchasing saplings won’t be offset for several years as it can take six to eight years for a sapling to reach a height fit to sell. While waiting for a crop to mature, it’s important to continue planting saplings so that there’s an ample number of trees available to harvest each year.

When the trees are large enough to sell, the profit margins are well worth it. Part Time Money reported margins of 200 percent or more. Around 1,500 Christmas trees can be grown per acre, and according to a study of tree sales made with Square software, the average price of a tree went for an average of $73 in 2017. For that price, one acre can yield around $109,500.

One of the advantages of conifers is that they create multiple seedlings to re-plant for a future crop, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Once you have your first harvest, you can start a new Christmas tree cycle without purchasing new seedlings.

How to Establish Your Own Small Farm Business Plan

If you’re hoping to start your own farm, there are many factors to take into consideration. From figuring out where to farm to establishing a team, you’ll find that even small farms take big planning.

Just like you would when starting any other business, you’ll need to put together a business plan. The USDA has provided tips on its website to help beginning farmers learn how to do so. These tips include:

Aside from a business plan, education helps when entering such a complex industry. In a survey, the USDA found that beginning farmers are now more likely than established farm operators to have a four-year college degree. That means farm operators who are just starting out take the lessons learned in the classroom and apply them to the farm. A four-year degree can help a small farm owner better understand the business behind farming, gain the communication and analytical skills needed to grow a farm business and learn the science of how a plant grows from a seed into a crop.

If you’re ready to start your own small farm or jump into a career in agribusiness, there’s no better place to start than with an online bachelor’s in agribusiness management from Illinois College. With transfer credits, you can finish major coursework in as little as 1.5 years. Our flexible online format allows you to balance your education with your busy professional life. With a degree from Illinois College, you can move into a career in agriculture sales, farm management or other related jobs with the USDA.

Examples of Profitable Crops for Small Farms in 2023

A small farm can bring in revenue through various channels, from livestock to educational programs. However, growing and selling crops are generally at the top of the list. If you’re looking for the best cash crops to add to your farming operation, here are several profitable crops to consider.

The Small-scale Farming Industry in 2023

Small farmers have to deal with many challenges in 2023, from challenging weather conditions to consumers who are increasingly concerned about rising food prices. With the world population rising, there’s a sustained demand for quality cash crops. And farmers can get these items to consumers through various channels, from farmer’s markets to wholesale stores and restaurants.

Most Profitable Cash Crops for Small Farms

Whether you’re looking for a lucrative cash crop to add to an existing farm business or trying to build an agricultural business from scratch, here are some profitable plants to consider.

1. Goji Berries

Goji berry plants are easy to grow, and each one can get up to 13 feet tall, leaving lots of berries to pick. If you’re interested in planting goji shrubs, they can easily be sold to grocery stores, restaurants, and food brands for use in high-end snacks and dishes.

2. Oyster Mushrooms

Gourmet mushrooms like oyster mushrooms are often used in expensive dishes. But they also grow quickly and are quite inexpensive to produce.

3. Microgreens

Microgreens like arugula and other leafy green vegetables don’t require much space to grow, and they’re fairly easy to keep alive in various climates.

4. Almonds

Profitable Business Ideas With Low ...

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Profitable Business Ideas With Low Start-up Costs For 2022.

Almonds are popular in everything from trail mix to milk alternatives. Once almond trees are established, they are quite hardy and can produce a high yield in the right climate. However, they can take a while to get going. So look at this as more of a long-term investment.

5. Coconuts

Coconuts are among the most profitable crops in the tropical plant family. Those in warm climates can start these plants without many resources and then grow them into large trees that yield many coconuts.

6. Ginseng

Growing ginseng root can be profitable, as it is used in various therapeutic and supplement products. It can take years to mature this plant enough to sell the roots, but you can sell seedlings in the meantime.

7. Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are the smallest items in the tomato family, meaning they grow quickly and easily. Tomato plants easily pop up year after year and are used in various dishes.

8. Garlic

Garlic is a small plant that doesn’t require much space or resources. It’s also used in tons of dishes, and gourmet garlic can demand a high price tag.

9. Saffron

Saffron is one of the most expensive culinary herb products on the market. It takes some startup money to grow these plants. But eventually, the established plants can bring in high profits each year.

10. Basil

Basil is another herb that is prominent in many dishes. It’s small and easy to get started. You don’t even need a large outdoor garden to get started.

 

More of the Most Profitable Crop Options

In addition to those listed above, here are some of the most lucrative crops you may not have already considered.

11. Bonsai Plants

Bonsai plants are generally grown indoors. And each one can command a decent price tag. They’re generally sold as small, potted plants. So you can offer them in retail settings or even online.

12. Lavender

Lavender plants are fairly hardy. And they can be sold in bunches to consumers or even wholesale to companies that use the oil for fragrance or related products.

13. Bamboo

A bamboo business can thrive thanks to the ability of these plants to grow quickly and command a decent price tag. This plant is mainly sold as a potted plant or landscaping feature.

14. Hemp

Hemp is used in a huge array of products, from supplements to fabric. And the plants are fairly hardy and inexpensive to grow.

15. Juniper

Juniper is popular in landscaping applications. And the oil can even be used in various products to add scent and flavor.

16. Hostas

Hostas are among the hardiest landscaping plants, and they’re in high demand across the country. You can even re-plant them from cuttings of existing ones.

17. Pine Trees

Pine trees are able to grow in various environments, even during cold winters. Then you can sell them to eager buyers during the Christmas season.

18. Pumpkins

Pumpkins are an especially popular crop during fall. So you can easily add them to an existing operation to bring more visitors during this growth cycle. Many growers offer them as a U-pick option for consumers. But you could also harvest your own and sell them to grocery stores or food producers.

19. Sorghum

Sorghum is similar to wheat, but it is included in many products and can be grown with less land. This ingredient is often included in beverages and syrups. So you may even create wholesale relationships with these suppliers to bring in ongoing revenue for your business.

20. Sunflower

Flowers in general can be profitable crops for growers who work with nurseries or florists. Sunflowers and particular can be quite hardy and command a significant price tag. When growing flowers, you may need significant space, but they are generally fairly easy to care for.

What Are the Most Profitable Plants to Grow and Sell?

There are lots of options available to those interested in growing plants and selling them. If you’re looking for one new crop with a minimal investment that can bring significant returns, consider gourmet mushrooms like oyster mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms.

Can a Small Farm Become a Successful Business?

Yes, a small farm can become a successful business. However, you do usually need at least one valuable crop like mushrooms, ginseng, flowers, or herbs. Many diverse enterprises run farms with various other crops as well to bring in additional revenue throughout the year.

Image: Envato Elements

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What can be planted in the dacha, so as not to care: the best options

Types of unpretentious crops for the dacha

The owners of dachas always have a huge amount of work, from home repairs to gardening. Accordingly, the question always remains relevant - what exactly to plant in the garden, so as not to waste your time on care.

Growing different crops requires attention and a lot of time. Since modern people are constantly busy with work, family and various concerns, there is a catastrophic lack of time. In addition, excellent health is also required to care for vegetables and plants in the country. We recommend considering the most unpretentious and undemanding crops that take up a minimum of effort during planting and care.

The main problem for summer residents is permanent weeds. Also, many plants need regular moisture. To reduce the number of irrigations and care for all crops was not expensive, it is best to equip stationary beds.

They are easy to care for and retain moisture very well. You can get a harvest with a minimum of effort and time by planting the following crops:

  1. pumpkin;
  2. marrows;
  3. beets;
  4. beans, peas;
  5. horseradish;
  6. radish;
  7. greens - parsley, dill, lettuce, arugula.

It is believed that staying at the site 2-3 times a month is good. In this case, the garden does not need to be abandoned. Absolutely unpretentious gourds. For example, watermelons can do without watering at all. At the same time, the harvest will be guaranteed. However, watermelons will have to be protected from the cold. You can also sow tomatoes, corn. These crops do not require special attention and watering.

For all summer residents, the issue of keeping hands clean is becoming urgent, so here you can not do without soap. After working with planting vegetables or harvesting, be sure to wash your hands. Liquid soap is distinguished by its convenience, so summer residents and gardeners actively use it. Therefore, it is better to buy liquid soap in bulk, which will save on the family budget.

Low-maintenance flower growing

If you love flowers but don't want to spend a lot of time growing and caring for them, then opt for annual options. Among annuals, the following flowers are completely unpretentious in care:

Marigolds. They amaze with their beautiful and, at the same time, simple appearance. The color scheme stands out in abundance. Marigolds perfectly tolerate both sun and rain. In addition, they can withstand regular watering. Therefore, there is absolutely no need to worry about these flowers.

Zinnia. This flower has good immunity, it is not afraid of ailments. The only thing you have to spend time on is tying. Zinnia, although it has a thick stem, is still indispensable without this procedure. The plant easily survives the lack of watering and drought.

Petunia. A lush and compact flower is unpretentious in care, but you will have to pay attention to watering it, since it cannot withstand drought.

Lilac. This attractive shrub is resistant to frost, drought. In addition, the siren is not at all afraid of the wind. This bush will need only 2 waterings per month.

Jasmine. Attracts such a plant with its charming aroma. The only requirement for landing is a sunny place.

Hydrangea. Decorative and very beautiful plant. They don't require too much attention. The only thing is that it is better to grow it in partial shade. You can water it once a month, provided the weather is not hot. In summer, regular watering is necessary.

Spirea. This plant is hardy and unpretentious. It withstands up to -30 degrees of frost. The culture is watered once every 10 days. The soil is fertilized every 3 years.

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Which vegetables are the easiest to grow - TOP 10

Sowing for seedlings, picking, health pruning, pollination, grafting, feeding, pinching, pinching - how much a gardener needs to know, his head is spinning! Is it possible to do something faster? So that special care is not required, so that it grows on its own, so that it is planted and forgotten, just know to harvest.

It could be simpler. There are vegetables, as if specially invented for beginners in gardening. With minimal labor, time and nerve cells, they grow, bear fruit, delight the summer resident and add invaluable experience points to his piggy bank. What vegetables are easiest to grow in the country? Here are our top ten easiest to grow crops...

Horseradish

This vegetable is the leader of our hit parade of the easiest plants to grow. It is a perennial, grows on any soil, loves the shade, grows rapidly from the rhizome. So quickly and briskly that gardeners prefer to plant horseradish in a limited area (otherwise, they will later have to destroy the excess growth, and this is not so easy).

To plant a horseradish, a couple of its rhizomes about twenty centimeters long are enough. First, they dig a hole to a depth of forty centimeters and prepare obstacles: someone from the sides lays out a hole with slate, plexiglass, carbonate, tin, etc.; someone digs a bucket without a bottom into the ground. Roots are planted inside. All that is required of the gardener after germination is to water the leaves in dry weather.

And if no barriers keep horseradish in the territory allotted to it and uninvited bushes appear in the wrong places, they get rid of them with the help of ordinary salt. Read about how it's done HERE.

Rhubarb

Another perennial that grows well in the shade and propagates by division. If your dacha neighbors grow rhubarb, ask for part of the root. Rhubarb grown from the root will get stronger faster and please with thick juicy stems. But it is not difficult to grow rhubarb from seeds, only the first harvest will have to wait a couple of years.

Before planting, the rhubarb rhizome is dipped in ashes and planted at a depth of 5-8 centimeters. Seeds can be sown both in spring (in April) and in autumn (in September) to a depth of 1-1.5 centimeters. When young seedlings grow up, the best ones are selected from them and transplanted to a permanent place. In the future, it is enough to water the bushes if necessary.

And to get more tender petioles, cover the rhubarb bush with a bucket or a large pot without a bottom. The leaves are outside, and the stems are in the dark. Without light, they take on a beautiful raspberry-pink hue and become even tastier.

A rhubarb bush lives and bears fruit for about 10-12 years.

Lettuces

All kinds of salads, chard, spinach and sorrel will provide the whole family with fresh vitamin greens at the very beginning of summer. And no tricks with planting and care: mark the grooves, shed the soil, scatter the seeds, sprinkle them with soil and wait for the shoots.

Lettuces, spinach and chard prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade. Sorrel grows remarkably well in the shade. If you cut the sorrel at the root at the beginning of flowering, new fresh leaves will soon grow. Thus, you can get two crops of sorrel per season.

Beetroot

Perhaps, of all the root crops, only the cultivation of beets does not cause any particular difficulties. The only thing beets don't like is acidic soils. But this problem is also easily solved (read more about this in the article How to grow sweet beets).

Beetroot loves the sun, but tolerates some shade well. And it happens that she doesn’t even get her own ridge: she is planted along the edge of potato, onion or strawberry beds.

Beet seeds are sown directly in open ground in May. Emerging shoots must be thinned out after the appearance of the first true leaf. This procedure cannot be avoided, because several plants grow from one seed at once. What is pulled out can be safely transplanted to another place - it will take root and give a harvest.

Beets are usually watered once every three days, more frequent watering is required only in very dry summers.

Green onions

Feather onions are grown by children in kindergartens, and that says it all. What could be easier? He stuck the bulb into the ground, watered it, and after a while it was time to cut off the first green feathers.

Bulbs can be taken from the remnants of winter stocks (but there is a danger of getting arrows with seed boxes instead of greens), and best of all - from ordinary onion sets, which are sold all spring in any garden store and in almost every supermarket.

Bulbs are planted at a distance of 10-15 centimeters, again, you can not allocate a separate bed for them, but combine plantings with other vegetables. In dry weather, onions are watered on greens once a week.

Peas

Children love peas straight from the garden, they can be dried, canned or frozen for the winter. And who does not know about the wonderful ability of peas to enrich the soil with nitrogen? Well, how to refuse such a wonderful vegetable in every respect?

Peas are unpretentious, they can be planted on any free piece of land, they will give a harvest both in the shade and on poor soil. In the first half of May, pea seeds (pre-soaked or dry) are sown in a garden bed. Young plants need regular watering, and when they grow to fifteen centimeters in height, support will be required. So that the pea stalks do not fall into the furrows, a peg is installed in each corner of the bed and the bed is wrapped around the perimeter with twine or cord. A few more pegs are stuck in the middle of the ridge - now the peas have something to cling to.

After harvest, pea vines are cut and placed in compost, and the roots are left to rot in the ground. Next year on
cabbage will grow well in this bed.

Radishes

In our time, when weather fluctuations remain a mystery even for meteorologists, it can no longer be said that growing radishes is easier than steamed turnips. Radishes need a real spring, that is, not too long daylight hours and not too high temperatures. But still, the radish is not so capricious as not to include it in our rating of the most unpretentious vegetables.

Radish seeds can be planted very early, even on a snow crust. In a greenhouse or greenhouse, to obtain an ultra-early harvest, radishes are sown in the second half of March, and in open ground - in April. At first, crops are covered with agrofiber to protect against frost and pests. The covering material is removed when the root crops begin to grow larger.

The only (but what!) argument against growing radishes is the cruciferous flea. This hungry goat is able to cleanly eat all the leaves and deprive us of the harvest in just a matter of days. Therefore, early sowing of radishes in a greenhouse is still preferable.

Read more about how to get a big harvest of radishes here: //dachnye-sovety.ru/vyrashhivanie-radisa-kak-dobitsya-urozhaya/.

Spring beans

Green beans or green beans are a godsend. In a good year, four bushes can feed a large family, and even fill the freezer with healthy green (purple or yellow) pods. Bush varieties do not require high trellises and are very simple in agricultural technology.

Beans are planted in early summer to avoid frost. Before sowing, beans are recommended to be soaked for a day. The planting pattern is as follows: 30 centimeters between bushes, 50 centimeters between rows, 3 centimeters deep.

Already in July, beans will begin to bear the first harvest. It is important here not to yawn and collect the pods while the seeds in them are not ripe, then the asparagus beans will bear fruit continuously until September. The gardener is required to water the bushes 3-4 times a month and loosen the row spacing 2 times a month (or mulch the plantings and forget about loosening and reduce watering).

All the secrets of growing green beans you will find here: //dachnye-sovety.ru/kak-vyrastit-struchkovuyu-fasol

Potatoes

Usually a potato field occupies a large area of ​​a dacha and makes the summer resident sweat. But if you don’t chase volumes, but plant just a couple of ridges of potatoes, you can get a crop without any extra effort.

At the beginning of May, we spread the tubers (seed or cut into several large pieces) along the furrow at a distance of 30 centimeters from each other and cover with earth.

If the rains don't do all the work for us, the potato beds will have to be watered three times a day: after germination, at the time of budding, and immediately after flowering.

To avoid the difficult operation called "double hilling", it is necessary to regularly mulch the potato beds with straw or grass clippings - it is much easier.

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