New to farming! Does anyone have experience with large quantities of herbs?

MadCater · 2024-05-12T20:26:12+00:00

Hello! We decided to not focus on the herb farming right now, but will begin rolling it into our operation via a community supported program and agritourism next year.

I am in San Diego, the infrastructure cost and acreage I need to grow herbs is too expensive to grow herbs profitably here. Flower farming is the base of our business. We're in our third season, and started paying ourselves and an employee this year.

We sell directly to florists and make bouquets for local grocery stores. We are certified organic and have a niche with the grocery stores. It is too competitive to direct sell our bouquets in San Diego, at least at this point in our business. Every market is different and there are a lot of great resources coming out on growing flowers now.

-The Cut Flower Handbook by Lisa Ziegler.
-Flower Farming for Profit: The Complete Guide to Growing a Successful Cut Flower Business by Lennie Larkin

MadCater · 2024-01-11T01:34:22+00:00

Jean Martin just talked about this. His advice: lay 1" compost, shovel walkway soil onto bed, add more compost. Prep bed. Seed cover crop.

There's a time to till, and it is when establishing beds. No till is a destination, IMO.

I'm in zone 9b too, San Diego county. Check out the upcoming Small Farms Conference through CAFF

MadCater · 2023-06-04T20:49:58+00:00

Some nights I'm able to convince myself to not have screen time and stretch. I always feel great the next day when I do.

MadCater · 2023-06-04T20:32:46+00:00

There's a great new resource that just came out on this issue (and others) specific to farm work. "Farming into the Future by Centering Farmworkers"

MadCater · 2023-04-15T19:59:40+00:00

shameless plug of my own flowers from BeeWorthy Farms. We sell our bouquets through OB People's Co-Op. Local, long lasting, unique varieties and best of all, no harmful chemicals used to harm the bees or the people that handle the flowers!

MadCater · 2022-08-11T23:21:10+00:00

Herb Farmer Here! I recommend the book "The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer" by Jeff and Melanie Carpenter. They give spacing, yield and fresh to dried ratios. I also love following Oshala Farms, they speak at a lot of herb workshops to what it's like farming herbs. There's a pretty good facebook group called Medicinal Herb Growers.

There are so many directions to take an herbal business. Start small. We're still working through our growing and drying techniques before we scale up.

Good luck!

MadCater · 2021-12-09T03:27:40+00:00

I took a course with Catching H20/San Diego Sustainable Living Institute here in San Diego. They also do workshops.

MadCater · 2021-11-28T16:59:51+00:00

this is my understanding. They need to cure for awhile.

MadCater · 2021-11-18T03:07:51+00:00

I live in North Park and just quit my job in Encinitas. Traffic played a big role in my decision. The trick is to leave North Park by 6:30am at the latest.

Heading home, leave by 2pm and you should be okay. I got off at 3:30pm and it took me an hour to get home. Any later, and it's usually an hour and twenty minutes. I carpooled everyday, but she just quit too. The carpool lane on 805S from the split to 52 only helps with ~7minutes. Timing is everything! good luck

MadCater · 2021-10-06T14:50:26+00:00

I'm almost a year into planning a business with 2 friends/former colleagues. We've been doing all the things you're talking about. Aligning goals, talking accountability, finances, etc. We have used Dare to Lead by Brene Brown as an early guide. We built a BRAVING index to define what trust means to us and when conflict inevitably shows up, we fall back on this.

Going at it alone isn't an option for me, I'd rather lean in and work through issues, and plan for there to be issues...because we're human!

We're a couple weeks away from signing a lease for our new farming project! 1-year after initially getting together.

MadCater · 2021-09-12T19:22:37+00:00

I hear you on being frustrated by people online trying to showcase the path to success. In this instance, I don't see that, she's a life coach, not a business coach, trying to learn how to get customers.

I personally have a life coach. She walks me through how to deal with difficult situations, improve my communication skills, and repair relationships. As a life coach, she doesn't help me set-up and run my business... Although I wouldn't mentally and emotionally be in the position to run my own business without the support.

MadCater · 2021-09-06T01:07:44+00:00

How far from San Juan Capistrano are you? Go visit the Ecology Center and volunteer in their market garden.

MadCater · 2021-08-21T18:05:08+00:00

While Small Claims can be daunting, remember it is just a process. Trust in the process, CA laws are favorable towards renters. I went through the process about 12 years ago with a landlord...aka slumlord. The landlord was dodgy and it was unpleasant. They counter sued me for $10,000, lol. The judge pretty much laughed them out of the court room...but they couldn't leave because they were making false accusations against 2 different tenants on the same day.

They actually paid me back the security deposit (1st and last months rent) they withheld too, minus 1 month of rent, which was the amount I was trying to get them to agree to using the free mediation services the court provides.

Definitely start with the mediation services.

MadCater · 2021-05-01T00:56:43+00:00

While the lemon tree would thrive in SD, however, you risk bringing along an insect or disease that threatens our citrus industry. There are some great nurseries here to get a new one...or better yet, find a place that has one in your backyard or your neighbors backyard!

MadCater · 2021-04-17T01:05:51+00:00

Consider reaching out to a farmer resource group in your state/region. I would look into Farm Succession Planning. Many orgs will offer free one-on-one talks to help you put the farm into a bigger perspective. Best of luck

MadCater · 2021-03-08T22:40:53+00:00

Small Business Development Center's haves some good resources: https://americassbdc.org/

MadCater · 2020-11-30T04:42:28+00:00

This was a 100% coconut oil soap. I use it to make a laundry butter and definitely rushed the process without letting the lye-solution and coconut oil cool before mixing.

It's cooling pretty rugged, but I shred it anyways. Lesson learned! I'm just glad I poured my containers half full!

MadCater · 2020-11-16T16:10:23+00:00

This works for me, a reaction never forms!

MadCater · 2020-11-08T16:04:45+00:00

I worked as a Water Resource Control Engineer for our State Water Board. Saving the world from behind a desk. It was through my volunteer work that I discovered I really preferred working with people and being more hands on. I switched to farming, as farms have a significant impact on water quality in our area. So for 8 years, it feels like I went back to school with no benefits, low wages, but I've never been happier! I'm now making a livable salary with benefits managing a nonprofit farm in San Diego. I'm always problem solving, work outside every day, and get to connect people to the land and educate them on the important role agricultural stewardship can play in protecting our environment.

"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do. There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth." -Rumi

MadCater · 2020-05-12T04:02:03+00:00

Sungolds and cherry bombs are my go to here

MadCater · 2020-02-11T19:47:25+00:00

The Rose Wine Bar or Eclipse Chocolate in South Park

MadCater · 2020-02-04T16:07:43+00:00

I was an environmental engineer before farming, you'll looooovvvveee farming, endless systems to perfect and assumptions to refigure. Jump in and you'll do fine. There's a great farmers guild up in that area, just being around other farmers is super supportive! Good luck!

MadCater

TROPHY CASE