When our family moved to our 80-acre homestead, we were excited to set up our farm stand on the corner of our property! There are so many amazing things you can sell at a farm stand, and it’s easy and almost maintenance-free.
We don’t live on a highway or very busy road, but it is one of the main roads to town from the country. In fact, at first, we didn’t like that it was on the main road because we wanted a quiet, private place.
But, now we think it is the perfect mix of both private and traffic. Our driveway is actually not off the main road but off a gravel road from the main road. So, we still have privacy where our house and barn are located. (If you are looking for homestead property, consider this!)
The main road bends right where the corner of our property is, so that those driving past have to slow down anyways to make the turn. It makes it a very convenient place to have a farm stand and we feel so blessed and grateful!
After we moved in and put up our farm stand we learned from locals that the corner used to be known as “Fresh Egg Corner” because of the previous farm stands that used to be there! It was so fun and another blessing to already have some marketing in place for us!
Related Post: How To Build A DIY Roadside Farm Stand Easy, Quick, and Fun
If you’re wondering if a farm stand is a good option for you, first check out this blog post on how to build your own farm stand very inexpensively. Then, keep reading to see if you can produce or make any of these items to sell at your farm stand!
Check it out…
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Why Do You Want To Sell At A Farm Stand?
As a farmer or homesteader, you often have a few options to sell your own produce. We sell at our farm stand, our town’s farmer’s market, and direct to consumers through our ads around town.
We sell our excess produce to cover the cost of our animal feed. For example, we try to sell one rabbit from each litter to cover the cost of feed. Then, essentially, the rest of the litter is almost free! We also sell the excess chicken eggs that we can’t consume within the week to cover the cost of chicken feed.
You could start doing the same thing as well, or you could start making handmade products just for extra income! Maybe you want to cover the cost of materials or garden seeds.
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Take the time to discover your “why.” Why do you want to sell at a farm stand? When you have a reason, it will keep you motivated when the demand is low, or your motivation dries up.
Additionally, if you don’t have a convenient place to put a farm stand, see if a neighbor does. Ask if you can manage a farm stand on the corner of their property and cut them a profit or provide them with some of the produce or merchandise for free!
Farm Stand Versus Farmer’s Market
This summer we have both our farm stand up and running and are participating in a local farmer’s market as well. It can be hard to balance both at times and there are certainly pros and cons to each.
A farm stand is wonderful because you don’t have to micromanage it. You could just check on it throughout the day, but there is no need to sit there next to it. Simply include a lockbox that can’t be stolen so your customers can leave you cash.
However, on the other hand, while you do have to sit at your table at the farmer’s market, you can also accept credit, debit, and check easily with new apps and technology.
With a farm stand, produce is typically fresher. You can harvest and set out the produce and products on the same day. At the farmer’s market, the produce was likely harvested over the course of the last week.
But, at the farmer’s market, you will likely get more customers. There are more people at a farmer’s market, so your exposure will grow.
When it comes down to it, what do you value? Would you rather have a low-maintenance farm stand with no travel and minimal human interaction? Or, would you rather go through the trouble of having a booth at a farmer’s market with more customers and likely higher return on your investment?
I would encourage you to try both options out. Maybe not in the same year, but run a trial run on both and see which one makes you more profit and which one you simply enjoy more. That’s what we’re doing and I can say that each one has appealed to me in different ways so far.
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Things To Sell At A Farm Stand
**Please be sure to check your local state regulations before you begin selling at your farm stand.**
Produce
When we are talking produce, excess vegetables, fruit, eggs and cut flowers are wonderful things to sell. You may need to get creative when the weather is hot to keep everything fresh, or only put some items out for a short period of time.
Also, consider microgreens, honey, honeycomb, beeswax, dried herbs, fresh herbs, raw milk, yogurt, cheese, vegetable transplants, seeds, nuts, fish, rabbit manure, fresh compost, worms, other meats, and more.
Maybe attend a local farmer’s market in the area to see what things are selling for and then name your price. Make sure it is clearly displayed on your farm stand.
Handmade Items
If you live up north as we do, then there is no way to have a farm stand up all year round. The snow is just too thick and heavy for about seven months of the year.
So, instead, winter becomes a great time to make handmade crafts so that when summer comes around, you can sell them!
Some examples are candles, beeswax food wraps, lanterns, floral wreaths, seasonal/holiday décor, ornaments, jewelry, wooden utensils or dishes, garden planters, wool, decorative plants like aloe or succulents, and more!
Homemade Items
Here are some other items you could sell that you may not have thought of that you can make yourself.
You could make homemade bread, homemade cookies, and other baked goods, canned or fermented vegetables, jams and jellies, sauces, salsa, lemonade, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, wine, beer, popcorn, extracts, pies, pie filling, and more!
Also try, sourdough starter, herbal tea blends, various soaps, lotion, body butter, clothing (sewing, knitting, crocheting), felt boxes, things for pets, and more!
If you can make it, you can likely sell it! I make a homemade bug spray out of essential oils that does quite well!
Related Post: How To Easily Incorporate Essential Oils Into Your Life
Services
Do you know how to draw henna, make balloon animals, or even sharpen knives? It may not be ideal for a farm stand but your local farmer’s market may want you! You’ll attract more people to the farmer’s market and also to your business or side hustle!
Let me know what things you will sell at a farm stand! I can’t wait to hear from you in the comments below!
Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma
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I love farm stands!!! I recently saw there was a couple in Mass that started a charity farm stand for animal food/products and I cried – people are truly incredible!
Awww!!
I never thought much about how much planning must go into farm stands! Thanks for sharing.
Of course!
I love the idea of a farm stand! I don’t think we really have any where I live but I know some friends in other areas who visit them often. I always like to try and support local and fresh when I can. I visit my town’s farmer’s market and love all of the great options that are there. I know typically people think of produce and that sort of thing but you are right – you really can offer a lot! I buy most of my tea there from a woman who makes loose leaf tea. And there is… Read more »
Thank you for supporting local produce – we need more of that! That’s so cool!