| Tuesday, April 22, 2008 |
| Turn your lawn into a money maker? |
Now, I am familiar with people wanting to save a bit of money taking the time to grow a vegetable garden. Even folks turning their suburban lawns into gardens as a way to feed their family and at the same time taking a stand against wasteful lawns. But this Wall Street Journal article Green Acres II: When Neighbors Become Farmers has opened my eyes to a different twist on the backyard garden - as a money maker. Still, for an increasing number of residents in the suburbs, it's the reverse -- turning grass into edible greens and maybe even greenbacks -- that is proving so alluring.
Start-up costs for a one-eighth-acre farm run about $5,500, says Ms. Christensen of Spin-Farming. That includes a walk-in cooler to wash and store fresh produce, a rotary tiller and a farm-stand display. Annual operating expenses, including seeds and farmers-market stall fees, can add about $2,000. Such a farm can generate $10,000 to $20,000 in annual sales, she says. That's "an entry point into farming to see if they have a talent for it," Ms. Christensen says. "Those that do will eventually be able to expand and increase that income level quite substantially."
Susan and Greg VanHecke planted a small, 6-foot-by-20-foot vegetable garden in the back of their house in Norfolk, Va., two years ago to help teach their two children to grow and eat more vegetables. Reaping a bumper crop last year, Mr. VanHecke asked the owner of a local restaurant called Stove for whom he once worked as a sous-chef, to buy vegetables. Soon, Mr. VanHecke was making weekly deliveries to the restaurant, averaging about $100 in sales per week. The VanHeckes have added another restaurant customer this year and are tearing up all their backyard flower beds to grow more vegetables. Labels: Making Money |
| posted by Boston Gal @ 2:32 PM *
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| 8 Comments: |
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Yikes. Bet the HOA is gonna love them!
- Nathan
http://www.lawncareguide.org
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I imagine they don't have a HOA ;)
That being said, I did know two people who turned their backyards into giant vegetable gardens. They used the produce to feed their families (and sent some of the bounty on to friends and neighbors.)
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It'd be interesting to see how much they are making per hour. I bet the profits wouldn't be that impressive any more.
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It's my view that everyone who has access to soil should grow some portion of their own food. Even if you live in an apt, as long as you have sun, you can grow herbs or something in planters. People need to take some responsibility for feeding themselves. If there are food shortages or ecoli contaminations or sick cows being killed and put into the food chain, everyone screams and shouts about the gov't dropping the ball. How about individuals taking responsibility and doing something to help themselves and the planet at the same time? I don't go to the extreme he does in the story, but we have reduced our dependence upon supermarkets and food grown in other countries as our way of reducing carbon footprint. It's a lot of work but my suburban kids really do know where their food comes from and how much work it takes to grow it so they don't take it for granted and waste it.
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Who cares about the HOA? HOAs that require pesticide-covered grass contribute to environmental problems and waste. Ornamental food plants can be beautiful--and useful--such as certain types of basil, strawberry beds, etc.
Why do we accept the idea that lawns are 1) superior to food-bearing plants and 2) that lawns must look perfect, even if that requires toxic chemicals that kill symbiotic insects, small animals, increase cancer rates in pets, and harm children?
What a huge waste of resources. I love what these folks are doing.
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First off, I think this is very cool- I'm not critisizing at all.
That said, my first reactin was like the earlier comment about HOAs. I predict that by Fall 2009, the articles will be about zoning lawsuits from irate neighbors. I hope the farmers win.
I also agree that the per-hour rate is probably not such a winner, but it's a hobby for some people too, so I guess it's nice to be paid for it.
Finally, I also agree that people need to be more responsible for themselves in all respects. I don't personally farm, but when grocery prices rise or food becomes more scarce, I realize I have to decide between working harder, eating less, etc. I don't complain that, "somebody should do something".
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I loved this post. We have our first garden (that I jokingly call a farm) this year. At first I was irritated at how much of the yard it was taking up. But, I think I much prefer it now and would like to continue with it every year. Now I just cant wait for the "fruits" to bear and get to start canning and eating the fresh food!!!
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Hi,
The farmer shown in the video, Kipp Nash has been running his CSA for awhile and is a hero within the local relocalization movement. Several of his neighbors have donated their yards for the project. I went by the yards last summer to see what they looked like and then they were beautiful. Just this morning we happened to think of it and decided we should go by again to take a look. Fresh veggies shared with neighbors can go along way to forestalling lawsuits, and remember it's Boulder.
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Yikes. Bet the HOA is gonna love them!
- Nathan
http://www.lawncareguide.org