A fruit and vegetable warehouse will cut your losses by buying your entire crop.
Growing produce begins as a hobby for many backyard gardeners. You start out growing for yourself, but soon you have too much produce for your household, so you give it away to family, friends and neighbors. From there, you may decide to sell at the local farmer's market, or start your own roadside stand. After a few years, your ability grows and you are raising bushels and bushels of excess food. Once you get to this point, you can sell your produce to a fruit and vegetable warehouse. This will allow you to sell your excess produce in just a few large shipments.
Instructions
1. Enroll at your local community college. Take business and agricultural classes to help you grow as a farmer and businessman.
2. Contact your local extension office. Ask the agent for information on regulations covering pesticide use in your area.
3. Get a business license to cover your activities. Choose a farm name that is unique, so your customers will not confuse you with another producer.
4. Purchase a $1 million liability insurance policy. This insurance will protect you and your assets if there is an accidental contamination of your produce.
5. Approach the management at a fruit and vegetable warehouse near you. Show the manager samples of your produce. Negotiate a deal concerning a quantity you will realistically be able to deliver and a price for each shipment.
6. Deliver the produce to the warehouse as agreed. Collect your money from the manager when each load is delivered.
7. Save part of the proceeds from your sales to cover taxes. Keep these funds in a separate bank account.
8. Pay your employees a fair wage. Talk to other producers in your area, as well as the local extension agent, to determine an average wage in your locality. Keep your profits to feed your family and support your farm.
