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Entrepreneurship:  Farm Market Ideas  |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
 Posted - May 29 2009 : 07:13:32 AM
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Okay, I am officially open for business and have nothing to sell due to the fact that we just planted stuff about two weeks ago. I'm thinking I'd garner more interest if I was open a certain weekend June and July and then expand my hours as needed. Anyone else out there have a farm stand? How do you work yours? What do you sell? What are your hours of operation? I'd love to know what all you fab farmgirls do. thanks!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~live big, ride hard, and shoot straight~ |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 07:18:53 AM
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You could always install a bar and dance on it to "Natural Woman" until the produce starts rolling in. ROFL
Really, tho, what about teaching different farm/homesteader type classes for your slow times. You would get people out to your place for the classes and expose them to what you are doing at the farm. Now remember, just expose them to the farm, nothing else*grin*
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
Planting Zone 4
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 07:30:44 AM
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NIce.... thats what I get for busting you on the Simple Joy thread...no worries though... I'll get you yet my pretty!
But you MAY be onto something here... strobe lights, some heavy beats...or should I say beets..... a little garden variety humor there...
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~live big, ride hard, and shoot straight~ |
Edited by - deeredawn on May 29 2009 07:32:02 AM |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 07:45:24 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by deeredawn
....some heavy beats...or should I say beets..... a little garden variety humor there...
ROFLOL! That's pretty good...both of em!
I don't have a farmstand, but I do shop them. The lady I get my meat from is only at the farmers market the first Saturday of every month. The rest of time, you can go to her farm, but it's more convenient to me to go the market. I've got every one of those Saturdays circled on my calendar for the whooole summer. Something to look forward to. Maybe on those particular weekends in June and July, have some sort of little incentive to come back--a give away (spice rubs in little bags or canning jars?) or recipe cards using items that will be "coming in" later in the Season.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 08:01:29 AM
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ROFL, yea, that's our Dawn, the Rodney Dangerfield of the garden set. lol!!!
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
Planting Zone 4
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 08:13:57 AM
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hey! this is supposed to be for BUSINESS related info ladies.... focus! focus! lol... I so needed this today as I've been down in the dumps since all of you left....
Jonni, I love the spice idea.. cute. I did make some funnel cake mix the other day and I need to get some funnels to tie onto the jars with the recipe card. I think I may try to do the 3rd wknd of the month and see how it goes and like your neighbor, be open the rest of the time.
Anymore idears 'turnip' out there? Again.... the humor... its a sickness...
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~live big, ride hard, and shoot straight~ |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 08:18:45 AM
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Dawn, you are too funny! I love it. I could use some ideas, too. Since all my produce will be coming in late too, I need to come up with something. I did see some little squash this morning so I may be able to start going to my FM soon! I miss going. I go on Wed. only because it's just me and I can't do the Saturdays. I had thought about making reusable shopping bags to sell now. I have some but I just need to get more made. There is a lady on Sat. that makes aprons and other theings but she doesn't come on Wed. I also sold flowers but even they are slow. Everything's slow this year so far.
Good luck with yours. Do you have the stand on your farm?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 08:22:44 AM
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Mmmmm...Funnelcake! Now that's a great idea! I was thinking, too, is there anyway to get a hold of some little calendars for cheap at the dollar store or something, and a little thing of stickers? Put a sticker on the specific date of the month that you will have the stand? You can give those with purchase, or for folks who venture by.
I make spice rub every year for the folks in my office and put it in individual jelly jars with the red/white gingham ball jar lids and tie them with raffia and the "how to" directions. Always a hit, especially with the men (which is 90% of who I work with!).
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 08:24:24 AM
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Hey, you could give lessons on how to sex a chicken, hahahahhaa* laughing hysterically.
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
Planting Zone 4
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 08:59:05 AM
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TS: You called ME squirrley this morning? I beg to differ!
I like the spice rub ideas, I have a recipe for Wild Game. Anything to take the gamey taste out.
Kris: yeah the stand is on my property. My hubby bought me a shed 12 x 10 for an anniversary gift a few years back. I never knew what to do with it until I had a breakdown (after my mom died) and realized I needed to get back to what I love... when I was preggers, I worked on a FM in southern Ohio and loved loved loved it. So I'm trying to recreate that. We made pies, and bread. There were canned goods and of course I "carrot" say enough about the fresh veggies...yummers....
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~live big, ride hard, and shoot straight~ |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 09:34:56 AM
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All of you are a hoot!! You have had me laughing with your comments to each other. . . I needed a good laugh today.
To answer the original question, my farm stand will open the first weekend of June. .. and nothing in my garden will be ready either. My goal is to get them coming. So I will have Farm Fresh Eggs available along with any wild herbs that can be harvested ( lots of different types here for the picking) first of the wild flowers and many of my hand crafts as well.
One thing that is kind of funny and makes me money, I have been clearing out the saplings that are about 6'-8' tall. Made several trellises for my gardens with them and don't ya know, someone wants to buy one! So I am making some available for sale. . . if they don't sell, I can use them. . . nothing wasted and plenty to gain!
Also, what about things for the home crafter?? I am sure you have things around your farm that others will pay for. It will help keep them coming until your produce starts coming in.
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 09:54:31 AM
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Jojo: AWESOME idear!
I still have heirloom plants leftover from this weekends... Hmmm.... I will definitely have to think on this. And I do like the idea of self sufficiency seminars. That'd be neat too. I'd need a big table with a pressure cooker. Compost wknds etc... now the wheels are turining!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~live big, ride hard, and shoot straight~ |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 10:49:39 AM
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Dawn I know you have Bittersweet on your place,(btw, does that take a long time to germinate, mine are doing nothing!)so this fall you could make fall wreaths with it.
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
Planting Zone 4
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2009 : 10:51:21 AM
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oh!oh! There are those soup and/or mixes you make and put in a mason jar!!!!
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
Planting Zone 4
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2009 : 05:39:55 AM
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another quick idea: Cut the bottom off of your plastic milk jugs.
As you are thinning out, dividing or whatever plants from your garden, plunk them into the milk container. Use a permanent marker to write onto the milk jug what it is and then offer them for sale!
My perennial garden is growing with all kinds of great flowers this way. I have picked up Iris, Bee balm, Ladies Mantel, Comfrey and chives this way. (a good size plant for each and at only $2.00 per container!)
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2009 : 08:41:36 AM
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I'm also thinking of homemade noodles. Because its non acidic, I can offer those here. I like the milk jug idea too.... time to get busy!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~live big, ride hard, and shoot straight~ |
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RubyJunes
True Blue Farmgirl
246 Posts
June
Greenwich
Ohio
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2009 : 12:34:34 PM
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noodles, eh?! Super idea! Let me know if ya need help! 
June
www.RubyJunes.com
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2009 : 12:44:27 PM
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Juney, you're funny as we JUST talked about this the other day! I'm off on Friday, wanna come over and play?
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~live big, ride hard, and shoot straight~ |
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RubyJunes
True Blue Farmgirl
246 Posts
June
Greenwich
Ohio
USA
246 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2009 : 1:00:42 PM
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yep, I wanna! The kids' last day of school is Thursday, so I'll need to see what the plan is... soooo...What kind of trouble do you have planned for Friday?
--June
www.RubyJunes.com |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2009 : 4:19:53 PM
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who me? trouble? nahhhhh!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-QMD
http://harvestthyme.blogspot.com
~live big, ride hard, and shoot straight~ |
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farmmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Kelley
Texas
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2009 : 07:14:49 AM
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Hay Dawn...a little farming humor right back at ya!..lol
have you thought about Book marks with your Farm info on it.....Great markrting strategy!! If you make the 100% by hand, it could be time consuming....but I know that you can order those manilla "sale tags" in bulk, the big ones are about 3" x 6"...then get your cute little stamps out and go to town! Give one (OR 2) AWAY WITH EVERY PURCHASE!... And maybe make a stack of notecards that talk about your MJF farmgirl chapter to give with them! Oh....and Do you have a guest book?? great way to get customer info......when I was selling Sterling silver Jewelry, I kept a file box with every single one of my customers info...then I would basically draw a name from time to time, and send them a personal coupon for them and 2 friends for a 30% discount (with a 3 week limit)..didn't want them to hold on to it for too long...lol....I know that can be tricky on produce...but your coupons could be for your Gift shop!!! I had a customer tell me one day that the coupon was so cute and so thoughtful, that that is why she used it, even though she really didn't need more jewelry added to her collection!!! And boy did she use it!!! And got me 2 more regular customers at the same time!.....So, there you have it.....a bit off subject, but still good ideas..(in my opinion)...lol |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2009 : 07:44:03 AM
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Our farmers market here in KY started a few weeks ago. We've had such a hard winter/spring that not much produce has been available. I've been baking cookies and other baked goods and selling them along with what little produce we have available. It's been working well! I package them very nicely and I also give free samples. I ad to take a class (free) at the extension office to offer samples, but, it's a great way to make a little money. I can invest about $8-10 in supplies and electricity and make $30-40.
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com |
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Entrepreneurship: Farm Market Ideas |
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Farm Market Ideas
