Good crops for starting an organic farm business?

Question

I'm trying to make a decision whether I grow organic produce and make money.  From what I read on the web, herbs are one of the highest income to land area crops.  What about organic herbs?  Does anyone think that's a viable way to make money selling organic produce?  The labor needs seem to be quite high though - you have to constantly pull leaves off the crops to keep it going.

Answer 1

I love to use organic herbs.  But I grow them in a little patch in my own garden.  The only time it doesn't work out is during winter when gardening becomes impossible.  So I think there'd be some demand during that time.  Our local Trader Joe's carries organic herbs so you might have some competition with this big supermarket.  You probably need to sell wholesale to the supermarkets to make it big.

Answer 2

You should worry more about the certification process if you want to get your stuff to the big chains.  Everything organic at the supermarket has gone through certification process.  You have to submit documents that detail all your procedures which then gets an inspection.  Things like soil maangement, buffering of soil, and your records.  The USDA may come and check out your little farm and how you process foods, store, transport.  Last but not least, basic stuff, it should be free of chemicals, irradiation (which I think is actually harmless and shouldn't be lumped in with chemicals), genetic engineering etc.

Answer 3

Maybe you can sell herbs at the local farmers market.  i think people there will be accepting if you can tell them you are growing the herbs organically but have not sought certification yet.  meeting you face to face will give the consumers confidence that you are giving well grown local food.

Answer 4

Berries are supposed to have a high ROI.  Spend a little bit on seeds, fertilizer, and time, and you get a lot in return that can be sold.  

Check out this link: http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/2009/01/most-profitable-plants-in-your.html

Cilantro tops the list, but if you research gardening for cilantro, it's a lot of work.  You spend most of the growing season harvesting the fast growing leaves.  The amount of labor you put in is why it's so profitable!