Yes environment is just about everything. In many ways though. Outside observers probably don’t see it , but much of agriculture is kinda like a startup. Whoa how can that be ? Until you step outside of your assumptions which were probably placed by Hollywood, you won’t be able to see the reality. (Just a little bit of Taoist thought). But think about that before you go on .

Let’s say that you are newby farmer Pat, and that you have an idea to grow a new crop or an established crop in a new manner. First you need a hypothesis, which you try out in simulations on paper, adjusting for agricultural inputs, weather, water losses to pests etc. If all goes well with your simulations, you write a business plan . Might need to find some investors, contact seed and fertilizer suppliers, etc.

Provided you’ve made it this far , the next step is you need to find suitable land available to lease, near enough to services required for agriculture . . . none available at the price you can fit into your budget?

Environment sets the rules.