How to do truck patch farming How to do truck patch farming and marketing and marketing part timepart time

(While working a “real” job to pay the bills!)(While working a “real” job to pay the bills!)

by Chuck Crimmins by Chuck Crimmins andand

Crimmins Family FarmCrimmins Family Farm

What we do on a part time basisWhat we do on a part time basis

Grow vegetables, herbs, and flowersGrow vegetables, herbs, and flowers For retail and direct sales through both on line For retail and direct sales through both on line

markets and on site marketsmarkets and on site markets Are USDA certified organic—our ‘niche’Are USDA certified organic—our ‘niche’ Lease two acres of land in Perry Co.Lease two acres of land in Perry Co. 45 miles to Little Rock, 35 miles to Conway45 miles to Little Rock, 35 miles to Conway Cultivate 1 ¼ acres for vegetablesCultivate 1 ¼ acres for vegetables Raise bees on other ¾ acres for pollination/honeyRaise bees on other ¾ acres for pollination/honey Also sell honey from the hives.Also sell honey from the hives. Eat a lot of the produce ourselves!Eat a lot of the produce ourselves!

ExperienceExperience

• Grower and ‘salesman’ for over 20 yearsGrower and ‘salesman’ for over 20 years• Used CSA and direct ‘farmers market modelUsed CSA and direct ‘farmers market model• Have wholesaled to groceries/restaurantsHave wholesaled to groceries/restaurants• CSA’s in Kansas and ArkansasCSA’s in Kansas and Arkansas• Farmers markets in AR, KS, and New YorkFarmers markets in AR, KS, and New York• ‘ ‘Green Market’ in Manhattan-the ultimate!Green Market’ in Manhattan-the ultimate!• Organized and developed small farmers mkt.Organized and developed small farmers mkt.• Etc.!Etc.!

The “growers” and “marketers”The “growers” and “marketers”

Our list of what’s needed to do thisOur list of what’s needed to do this GOOD LAND!!!!! (or lots of time to improve poor GOOD LAND!!!!! (or lots of time to improve poor

land before using it for production) (cleared also)land before using it for production) (cleared also) Water!! (absolute necessity in Arkansas)Water!! (absolute necessity in Arkansas) Tractor with 3pt. + PTO >=25 HP (bucket is nice too)Tractor with 3pt. + PTO >=25 HP (bucket is nice too) or 8 HP rototiller with attachments - hiller/furroweror 8 HP rototiller with attachments - hiller/furrower Rotary tiller (4’ wide); slow geared tractor (2 -3 mph)Rotary tiller (4’ wide); slow geared tractor (2 -3 mph) Disc and Deep Ripper/Tooth (subsoiler)-clay soilsDisc and Deep Ripper/Tooth (subsoiler)-clay soils Source of fertilizer-pelleted chicken litter, RussellvilleSource of fertilizer-pelleted chicken litter, Russellville Irrigation System – we use drip as we are on city Irrigation System – we use drip as we are on city

water and pay the bill!water and pay the bill!

p. 2, continuedp. 2, continued-Electric fencing system—wire with insulators, -Electric fencing system—wire with insulators, ground rods, hot box, electricity source ground rods, hot box, electricity source-Computer, internet access-Computer, internet access-Truck/Transportation-Truck/Transportation-Washing/Packing room/ area-Washing/Packing room/ area- Walk in Cooler (nice but….)- Walk in Cooler (nice but….)-Books and subscription to ‘Growing for Market’-Books and subscription to ‘Growing for Market’-Garden tools, shovels, rakes etc.-Garden tools, shovels, rakes etc.-Seeds-we use Johnny’s and fresh yearly-Seeds-we use Johnny’s and fresh yearly-Harvest stuff – knives, baskets, trays, etc.-Harvest stuff – knives, baskets, trays, etc.

-Greenhouse and equipment-Greenhouse and equipment

-hoses-hoses

-watering wand and cans-watering wand and cans

-water and electricity source-water and electricity source

-20 row seeders-20 row seeders

-plug tray and flats (we use 72 cell)-plug tray and flats (we use 72 cell)

-germinating material (perlite/vermiculite)-germinating material (perlite/vermiculite)

-potting soil and fertilizer-potting soil and fertilizer

Also needs for direct sales to publicAlso needs for direct sales to public(marketing)(marketing)

10 x 10 (or larger) canopy for shade—good color10 x 10 (or larger) canopy for shade—good color Shade for east side to block sun ('bamboo' type Shade for east side to block sun ('bamboo' type

curtain)curtain) Tables (card tables, 6’ or 8’and lightweight)Tables (card tables, 6’ or 8’and lightweight) Tablecloths of the Tablecloths of the right colorright color to highlight produce to highlight produce Cash to make change ($50 - $100)Cash to make change ($50 - $100) Mister bottle and waterMister bottle and water Coolers and ice packs (lettuce, greens, etc)Coolers and ice packs (lettuce, greens, etc) Paper towelsPaper towels

p. 2 continuedp. 2 continuedDry Erase Board and markers Dry Erase Board and markers Or plywood with ‘chalkboard’ paint!Or plywood with ‘chalkboard’ paint!Roll bags and rubber bandsRoll bags and rubber bandsSome type of weigh scaleSome type of weigh scaleRecycled Grocery Bags or farmers mkt Recycled Grocery Bags or farmers mkt bagsbagsFlowers (for both sale and display)Flowers (for both sale and display)Clean and sharp Harvest knifeClean and sharp Harvest knifeWater to Drink and food for you!Water to Drink and food for you!Anything specialAnything special

Prices by the pound 20092007 Our Price for Fresh Market Store Our Price /lb.

Vegetables Price/lb.(suggested by Hutchins) PCFM 2009 March, 2009 CLG, CAFM

(per pound) Argenta

Beans, green $2.50 $2.75 $2.50 $4.25Beets $2.25 $2.50 $2/3 in bunch $3.50/bunchBok Choy $3 or $2.50 eachBroccoli $2.25 $2.50 $3.00 $3.50Cabbage, regular $0.90 $1.00 $1.30 $1.50Cabbage, Chinese $2.00Cantaloupe(regular size) $3.00 $4.00 $4.00Carrots $1.50 1.50/bunch $2.00Cucumber $1.50 $1 each $3.00Cucumber, picklers 3/$1Eggplant $1.50 $1.50Garlic (each head) $1.00Greens $2.25Kale $2.25 $2/10 stalks $2.50/8oz.Lettuce (each) $2.25 $2.00 $2.00 $3.00Onions, dry $1.50Onions, green (6-8) $2.25Okra $3.75 4.25/qt.Parsley $1.50/bunchPeas, English $2.25Peas, ph unshelled $3.00 $2.00 $2.50Peas, ph shelled $0.00 $5.00Peas, edible pod $4.00 $4.00 3.75/ 8 oz.Peppers, bell $2.00 $1.25 each $3.00Peppers, hot $2.00 3/$1 5/$1, 8/$1Peppers, sweet $0.00 $1.00 $1.50Potatoes, Irish $1.00Potatoes, New $2.00 $1.00Pumpkins $0.00Radishes (bunch 10-15) $1.50 $1.50/6 in bunchSpinach $2.50Squash, summer $3.00 $2.00 $3.00 $2.50Squash, winter (Butternut) $1.25Swiss chard $2/bunch of 5 stalks $2.75/bunchTomatoes $2.00 $2.00 $3.00 $3.00Tomatoes, cherry $2.00 $2/basket/lb $3.50/12 oz $3/basketTurnips (lbs) $1.50Watermelons $0.00Herbs $2.50/bunch

How we started—’small’How we started—’small’

Seeding and transplantingSeeding and transplanting

Greenhouses and suppliesGreenhouses and supplies

Current field set upCurrent field set up

Final ResultsFinal Results

Now onto marketing what you Now onto marketing what you have grownhave grown

(i.e., getting a little “profit” for all of (i.e., getting a little “profit” for all of your hard work!)your hard work!)

Perry County Farmers MarketPerry County Farmers Market

• Started in 2004 by Master Gardeners of Perry CountyStarted in 2004 by Master Gardeners of Perry County• Good location on Hwy 10 from Little RockGood location on Hwy 10 from Little Rock• Dues are $12/year, that’s it!Dues are $12/year, that’s it!• Anywhere from 20 to 28 growers every yearAnywhere from 20 to 28 growers every year• About 10 core group farmers who sell regularlyAbout 10 core group farmers who sell regularly• Small, intimate, yet not too profitable!! Small, intimate, yet not too profitable!!

Set up is under the shade trees!Set up is under the shade trees!

(Authentic) Personality sells!(Authentic) Personality sells!

Highlight your product (not your table Highlight your product (not your table cloth!)cloth!)

Photography for selling on linePhotography for selling on line

For CAFM and CLG on line marketsFor CAFM and CLG on line markets

Has any one heard of the Car Has any one heard of the Car Talk guys and their “Shameless Talk guys and their “Shameless

Commerce Division”?Commerce Division”?

Well, you can do the same in Well, you can do the same in market gardening!!market gardening!!

To end on a big (price) note!!!To end on a big (price) note!!!

The price of a new tractor The price of a new tractor using a top of the line brand—using a top of the line brand—

John DeereJohn Deere

JD 2305, 24 hp--$12,500JD 2305, 24 hp--$12,500

JD 3005, 27.5 hp--$15,500JD 3005, 27.5 hp--$15,500

JD 3032E, 31.4 hp--$16,000JD 3032E, 31.4 hp--$16,000

And, JD 3038E, 37.1 hp--$17,000And, JD 3038E, 37.1 hp--$17,000

Thank you and happy marketing!Thank you and happy marketing!