How Do You Make a Vision Happen?
Idealism comes cheap. Getting real is what matters.
The farm startup plans are starting to come in. We’re in changing times, but the reasons people express for wanting to farm now are the same as they’ve always been. Here’s one: ” So, how many adages are out there about procrastination? I’ve had this dream for a long time, and I’m not getting any younger, but I do know farming is what I want to do with my life.”
The farm visions are pretty much the same too. Here’s a typical one:
“We’ve got 2 acres total. I’ve been really pumped about this lately and my mind is a whirlwind of thoughts on processes, plants and infrastructure. Here is some background information and a sense of what the vision is. The approach will be no-till focused and is to primarily farm cut flowers augmented by vegetables and fruit. We currently have a common pear and two paradise apple trees on the property and plan on introducing dwarf fruits, nut trees and bush fruits. We also want to provide a space for photo opportunities within the flower framework as well as occasional, (small number) vendor opportunities involving crafts and antiques. We also plan to construct several outbuildings, including a barn and high tunnel(s) so as to extend the growing season, start early and grow some specialty items as well as generally support the overall operation. This is my 15,000 ft. view.” As is typical of many people we’re hearing from, he and his wife are holding down 9 to 5 jobs while trying to launch this.
Here’s what’s missing: 3 numbers and 2 lists. With that, anyone who knows the SPIN-Farming system can do a useful business assessment in a half hour, on the back of a napkin, over a beer.
I’m not knocking the vision thing. For over 20 years I’ve been looking at the world through SPIN-Farming glasses and seeing farms everywhere. What I also see are farmers with grand visions who struggle to get them in and off the ground, and dig themselves into financial holes they can’t get out of. Their visions become just more farm hard luck stories.
In addition to a back of the napkin startup plan, here’s the vision new farmers need to equip themselves with when they look at their dream farm through SPIN-Farming glasses:
> First, they see the land they’ll be growing on (whether it’s owned, rented or borrowed), in total square feet. It could be 1,000 sq. ft. or it could be 80,000 sq. ft. Or it could be anywhere above or in between.
> Next they divide up their total square feet of growing space into individual plots of either 50 square foot beds or 1,000 square foot segments to get their total number of plots.
> Next they see how many crops they’ll grow in each bed or segment. Plots that are intensively relayed are planted to 3+ crops per season. Plots that are bi-relayed are planted to 2 crops. Some plots will just be planted in a single crop.
> Next they see revenue targets using SPIN’s pricing benchmark of $1/sq. ft. to $3/sq. ft.
> Next they see how those revenue targets can be multiplied, using the high or low pricing benchmarks, and based on the number of relays.
> Next they see how much money they can make from their land.
> Next they see reality. Sometimes it’s an exciting reality. Sometimes it’s a disappointing one. But they know what the potential pay-off of their farm is likely to be, before they invest any time, effort or money. For those who think starting a farm is going to be a dream, that is really eye-opening.
Another adage is, “Farms are started by idealists, and run by realists.” Based on my experience, the new farm success rate is greatly increased when farmers become realists sooner rather than later, before they even put a shovel in the ground. I know visions inspire people, but they aren’t worth a hill of beans unless you figure out how to pay for them.
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Psyche Yourself Up About Farm Business Planning
SPIN stands for s-mall p-lot in-tensive.
SPIN Farming is a commercial production system designed specifically for growing spaces under an acre in size. It was developed in the mid-90’s by Canadian farmer Wally Satzewich. Those who practice it use gardens, community plots and vacant land to start and operate moneymaking farm businesses that serve the needs of local communities.
