Is small farming profitable?

[Radiopeg]

[quote]Originally posted by Hotzcatz

Anybody know how big a mature brown turkey fig tree gets? Several places have mentioned they can get big, but I've never seen a fig over the size of a small tree or big shrub.

We had a fig shrub 12 feet tall in Berkeley, big sweet figs, but don't know the variety. It was there when we moved in.

[Hotzcatz]

Thanks Emorata, for the co-op name in Pahoa, I'll look up their business model and see if it will work in this area. I don't think I'll ever be able to grow enough to supply commercial businesses, but a few consistent retail customers might put the farm in the "pay for itself" mode.

Thanks for the fig info, Radiopeg, so far everyone who has actually seen a fig tree mention them as on the smaller side, but somewhere I read they can get big. Someone told me today that the darker figs don't necessarily need the special wasp for pollination although he also thought someone had imported the wasp so maybe white figs would also set fruit here. At the moment I have two brown turkey figs and I didn't know which side of the farm to plant them on, but I'll put them where they will get sun and not figure on them shading any other trees.

---

"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson

[asly]

Hey Hotzcatz,

How goes the farming adventure? We are planning our trip over for Oct 16-23, would love to stop by. Wishing you all the best, Ann

And then, I dreamt of Hawaii... http://crazypineappledream.blogspot.com/

[jerry]

Hotzcatz,

What Emorata is talking about is called Community Supported Agriculture. Do a Google search and you will get tons of information.

Jerry

[asly]

I love participating in a CSA and hope someone has something similar going in the puna area. In our area in WA there are a few farms that do a co-op CSA, that way the member or buyer gets a large selection. We have a few that the weekly offerings even include whole raw milk and butter from the local dairy, farmstead goat cheese, baked goods, canned goods, even a bottle of wine and/or hard cider from another farm... life if gooood when you're a member of that CSA!

And then, I dreamt of Hawaii... http://crazypineappledream.blogspot.com/

[DanielP]

When I was a kid, they were clearing fig orchards to make way for the homes of Silicon Valley. The fig trees were huge! 30' high and 50' across! Ate my kites.

Dan

[asly]

I have a friend who raises figs. He started with only one plant and became rather obsessed. He now raises several types, large and small, the kind you peel and the kind you eat the skin too. He is always on the local farm tour and it's a wonderful tasty figgy tour through his place. I had only eaten fig newtons before this place. His wife sells fruits, veggies and plants at the farmer's market. He told me that the figs are the hardest sale, as lots and lots of people just aren't willing to buy them, don't know how to eat or cook with them, and just overall unaware of them and steer away - again, like me, only experience was fig newtons. Further, their shelf life is VERY short - I think. And they are a huge bu or bee problem. Not sure that I would raise too many of them for a small farm venture, but that's just me.

And then, I dreamt of Hawaii... http://crazypineappledream.blogspot.com/

[asly]

Another thought regarding U-pick. I wouldn't waste my time. We tried for a while and I know some other small farmers that did too, we all decided NO in the end. You can't get as much for your crops pricewise. People who come to U-pick can be a nightmare, they bring their families, dogs, garbage, you name it. They are often damaging to the crop in their inexperience. Your insurance would have to increase to cover having them there, adding yet another expense to an already small farm budget. It can be a mess.

And then, I dreamt of Hawaii... http://crazypineappledream.blogspot.com/