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In planning for food sustainability, abundance and success in your farming and gardening endeavors, you should also be planning for how you will manage your harvested goods. Will you be preserving and canning, or do you plan to sell your homegrown goods? A farmstand is a great way to divest yourself of your farm production and a nice revenue stream, provided you manage it correctly.
In this article, we’re going to discuss building a DIY farmstand and give you some ideas, some things to think about, and hopefully some inspiration to help you get started with your very own farmstand.
Building and running your own farmstand comes with a certain set of challenges. You might think just a counter and a money box is all you will need, but there is much more to consider, such as: DIY Construction Plan for Lemonade Stand Hot Chocolate Stand Beverage Bar – Etsy
Location: Where you live is going to be a big factor in the success of your DIY farmstand. If you live near a busy thoroughfare, highway or high traffic area, that’s obviously going to be in your favor. If not, you will need to advertise, create some signage, and find other ways to get the word out that your farmstand is open for business.
Planning: It’s good to have a plan in place and have an idea of what you’ll be serving up to the public at your farmstand. Logistics are important and so is your product line. Be realistic and don’t overwhelm yourself. You can always add more diversity as you get going. Once you have a steady flow of customers, you can test new products periodically. It’s great to be known for specialty items. Word gets around and being specialized with unique products will grow your business.
Value added product ideas: This is your stand, and you can feature any products you want to. You are only limited by your imagination. Even if you call yourself a vegetable stand, having fresh baked goods such as cookies or sourdough bread, farm fresh dairy by-products such as fresh cream, cheese, yogurt or cream cheese will add value to your product line. Of course, meat and dairy require refrigeration, so that must be taken into account.
Spread the word: Handing out business cards and flyers at local events, street fairs or county fairs is a great way to get the word out.
Consider creating a social media account for your farmstand and share on social media to create a buzz around your farmstand. Word of mouth is a great way to advertise, including using community bulletin boards, and notifying your Chamber of Commerce.
Now for the really fun stuff…
You might think that you can just set up your farmstead and sell, but unfortunately, it’s a bit more complicated than that. There are legalities that govern this topic, and you will need to do your homework and find out what the requirements are for having a farmstand on your land, and how you’re allowed to market your goods.
Each State and County will have specific guidelines for the sale of whole foods, eggs , fruit, veggies, flowers, raw meat, raw milk, processed dairy products, processed, canned or cooked foods, and baked goods. Different goods are treated differently.
Legal and permits: You may be required to pay a fee for a permit for the stand itself. There are size guidelines whereby you would not need a permit, but you must do your due diligence in your county to learn what you need. It may depend upon whether the structure is temporary, mobile or permanent. Many requirements are based on the size of the structure, and you may need a special permit to put it out by the road as the setback from the edge of the street to your property line belongs to the county or city, not to you.
You may be required to register your farmstand as a business, or include it as a part of your existing farming business. Consult with your legal advisor in this matter as there may be financial (tax) exposure and/or insurance requirements. Especially if you have people coming onto your property to buy goods.
Certifications: If you plan on selling baked goods, canned or preserved foods, or any other cooked items, you may be required to have your kitchen certified by the health department. Some states will allow you to simply post notices that patrons are eating these foods at their own risk because they were not prepared in a certified kitchen. Learn what your city and county requirements are before you begin selling.
Mobility : Instead of a permanent, physical farmstand structure, you may want to get involved in your community by joining a co-op, becoming a vendor at farmers markets, events or festivals. This would be a great way to get the word out about your farm and what kinds of goods you sell. Many farmers choose a handful of events every season and do their rounds at these events. This way, the public knows to look for them and can send others to buy there as well .
A truck and small trailer can work very well. A small investment in a banner or signs, and a few folding tables can make a mobile farmstand a success at events and farmers markets all around your region. It helps too, if you carry goods that others do not. Specialty items do very well in these types of scenarios.
Time commitment: Your farmstand is going to be a big time commitment. If you post regular hours to the public, you need to be open during those times. Nothing deters the public quicker than unreliable hours at a farmstand. Be realistic. Set times that you know you can honor or, if your farmstand is on your property, have a text number that customers can use to let you know they are at your gates looking to buy. Remember that you still have to tend your gardens and care for your farm so you will have these items to sell. Pay close attention to the most in demand items, and let that inform your plans for next season.
Weather will be a factor as well, and you might need a year to know exactly when you can open and when you’ll need to close for the year. If you live in a milder climate, you may be able to provide goods to the public from late spring through summer and also have some fall crops to sell. You’ll soon find out what the market and your schedule can bear. With smart planning and some good luck, your farmstand or booth can be ready to sell in a fairly short amount of time. If you’re just starting out, do your research and planning now, and get a jump on next year.
Find plans here :
Plans & Ideas – Urban Farm Stands
Free building plans for farmers – Into the Woods (pinterest.com) Roadside Stand Plans – Etsy
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