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From Soil to Sustainability: A Practical Guide to Starting and Monetizing a Small Farm

If you’ve been craving a life tethered to the land, where your hands work in rhythm with the seasons and your profits grow from the earth, launching a small farm might be your calling. But make no mistake—farming is a business just as much as it is a lifestyle. That means you’ll need to make smart decisions from the very beginning to create something that can thrive both agriculturally and financially. Whether you dream of lush rows of vegetables, pasture-raised animals, or something more unconventional like agritourism or alternative energy partnerships, there’s a path forward. What matters is planning with intention and acting with clarity.

Choosing the Right Land

Before you buy a single seed or tractor, you’ll need to secure land that actually supports your farming goals. Soil quality is critical, and so is water access—two things that aren’t always obvious in a real estate li...

I love your ambition. You are a go-getter! But just because the Derby horses are running in Kentucky doesn't mean you have to rush to plant your home garden. 

A common mistake beginning gardeners make is planting without planning. This isn't you, is it?

You know how much space you have, you bought a ton of seeds and plants, and now the weather is right but, what now?

Here are some helpful tips on creating a Planting Plans:

First, get an idea as to how much space your plants need, especially if your garden area is small. If you have unlimited space you may place your plants further apart and add in more aisle space.

Grab some graph paper, create a veggie key, and sketch out your bed dimensions. Start penciling in your plant selections by size.

Here is a good rule of thumb... 

Nine to 16 small-sized plants like radish, carrots, and lettuces can be packed into a square foot.

Four to six medium-sized plants like garlic, Swiss chard, beets, and cilantro can fit into a square foot.