Maybe you have the perfect location for a farm stand. We sure did, which is why we decided to build a DIY roadside farm stand as soon as we could!
When we purchased our homesteading property a year ago now, there was just one thing we weren’t super keen about. It was on the corner of the main road that bent towards town. However, it was only one corner of our lot that touched the corner of that bend.
We live out in the middle of almost nowhere up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and while the road isn’t a highway, it is the main road to get into town that all our neighbors take.
So, thankfully there isn’t too much street noise and traffic. It isn’t our ideal, but it does allow us to sell fresh eggs, extra produce, and fresh apples on the corner of our lot, bringing in some nice income.
If you are searching for homesteading land, that is definitely something to consider. Being secluded down the end of a dirt road is amazing, but then you will also miss out on the option of a farm stand.
Just like most things in life, there are pros and cons to both. We love the extra money our farm stand brings in daily! If you are looking for a cheap, easy, quick, and fun farm stand to put on your lot, then this one is perfect for you!
Here’s how to build a DIY roadside farm stand just like ours (51 wide x 84 tall x 29 deep)…
Don’t forget to Pin this image for later!
What You Need
To get started with building your farm stand, here are all the materials you will need to gather:
– Sheet Metal: 2 at 83 in tall in front, 49 in tall in back, 29 in wide; 1 at 52 in long x 48 in tall; 1 at 64 in long x 50 in tall, 1 at 10 in tall x 64 in long
– Wood: 8, 2x4s, and 4, 1x3s at 52 inches along with scrap wood of your choice for the sign
– Plywood: 1 sheet at 51 in x 29 in
– Spray Paint, approx. 3 cans of whatever color(s) you would like
– Lockbox
– Shepherd’s hooks: approx. 3 or 4
– Wooden letters to spell whatever you would like
My husband Landon threw this farm stand together with the materials we had on hand. Don’t feel like you have to follow this exactly. Look at what you already have and see if any of those items might work. Spray paint can make anything fun and beautiful!
Unfortunately, we don’t have step-by-step pictures for instructions on how to build a DIY roadside farm stand, but I will attach detailed pictures below of the finished product!
Step-By-Step How To Build A DIY Roadside Farm Stand
The first step is to frame the sides. Start with one side first, then make the second side identical.
The length of the 5 pieces you need will be 89 in, 37 in, 46 in, and 2 at 23 in. See the picture for details to make sure the boards are cut correctly.
You will then cut a 40-degree angle on the end of one end of the 89-inch board. On the 37-inch board cut it on both ends so it measures 36 in from long to short.
Layout your pieces on the ground. The 46-inch piece will be on the left and the 89-inch piece will be on the right. The 37-inch piece will be on the top connecting them and the 23-inch pieces will be in the middle and bottom connecting them together.
The middle 23-inch supports will need to be fastened at the desired height of your table.
Drill pilot holes for extra stability and screw the pieces together. 3- or 4-inch screws are recommended for this step. Repeat the step for the second side.
The second step is to connect the two sides you just framed out. You will need five pieces at 48 in each.
The first two will be what the plywood will sit on. Then one will be on the ground, one on the back wall, and the other on the top.
The middle two pieces need to match the middle supports in height so that the plywood rests flat making a table. They need to be level with the 23-inch middle supports.
Reference the pictures below for further help on placement.
Screw them all together. The whole farm stand is now framed out and complete.
The third step is to put the plyboard on, where your farm stand shelf will be. Set this on top so that it rests on top of the support you have framed. Screw this in.
You will also need to add roof supports, 4 1x3s at 52 inches. However, we used cedar scrap wood for this step. They will be placed lengthwise, spaced evening where the roof would sit on top of them.
The fourth step is to fasten the sheet metal sides and roof. Cut them to the dimensions listed.
Start with the sides. They will go on the outside of the framed sides. Screw them in. Then place the main roof section on top and screw it in. Lastly, the front overhang can be screwed on. Bend the front overhang slightly, about 2 inches will overlap with the other roof metal, angled down. You can also drill in two small supports for the overhang.
Self-tapping sheet metal screws are recommended; however, any screw 2 in or smaller provided that you drill pilot holes.
The fifth step is to add your lockbox and your sign that reads whatever you would like. Ours says “Bethsaida Homestead Farm Fresh.” You can attach this wherever you would like with some scrap wood or a chain.
We assembled the sign with ½ in by 4 cedar board scraps. Lay them together with two supports behind them like a tic-tac-toe board. Fasten together with a nail gun. Screws or glue could work as well.
Fasten the lettering to it with a nail gun. Wood glue would work as well. We used chain and scrap wood to attach to the farm stand but you could you anything you want when you build a DIY roadside farm stand.
The last step is to move your farm stand to its semi-permanent location. Cut the grass around the area, cut down any nearby brush and bushes, and make it easily accessible.
Using the shepherd’s hooks, push them into the ground so that the hook side holds the farm stand securely on the ground. Please reference the picture below.
There you have it, your very own farm stand. You now know how to build a DIY roadside farm stand! But the work isn’t over.
Don’t forget to Pin this image for later!
Related Post: The Top 10 Most Enlightening Books On How To Homestead
The Next Steps
Now it’s time to start marketing your products! Setting your farm stand up on your land may be enough to attract customers. But likely it won’t be.
Word of mouth is the first best option to tell others about your farm stand and products. The next step would be to start hanging flyers around town. Your local library, coffee shops, and feed and grain store will all likely have community boards to hang your ad for the farm stand.
And, you can also post about your farm stand on social media to increase your customer base. Lastly, even consider running a giveaway where a requirement is that people share your page or image on social media.
Be sure to check your local town or state rules regarding farm stands and make sure you are adhering to all of them.
Now you know how to build a DIY roadside farm stand that is easy, quick, cheap, and fun! Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions at all about the process, we’d love to help!
Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma
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In some ways it actually seems like your location worked out for the best! Being able to set up a little farm stand right on your property that gets a little traffic is a nice option. And it’s super cute too!
Thanks Becky!! Yes we count it as a win now!
Your farm stand is so adorable! I would definitely pull over and pick up some fresh produce from it. It’s funny how something you thought you wouldn’t like about your property actually ended up being a nice surprise!
Aw thanks Kait, wish you were closer!!
[…] The first guide, from Good Point Grandma, outlines a straightforward method to construct a roadside farm stand that is both easy and quick to assemble. Emphasizing practicality, the stand’s design is ideal for those looking to make efficient use of space and materials. The stand measures 51 inches wide, 84 inches tall, and 29 inches deep, utilizing sheet metal, wood, plywood, screws, spray paint, a lockbox, shepherd’s hooks, and wooden letters for customization. This approach is perfect for homesteaders who wish to sell fresh eggs, produce, and more, right from the corner of their lot. The detailed steps include… Read more »