My Amish-built barn structure was completed July 2024. I have yet to open it to the public due to special use permitting issues. Here are my hopes for 2025.
You should start Amish Uber with a buggy to bring visitors from point A to your farm. A business for them and no car park needed for you! There's a Netflix documentary in this whole thing!
All you would need is a cheap working shuttle van or very small shuttle bus for very short trips from road or other very nearby parking for the hour before the event & the hour after the event which means only two hours of operation which will cut down costs a lot.
Very cool ideas. I think a House of Green organic cotton tshirt for sale at the farm stand would help spread the word about your pollinators with the right image and slogan.
Yes, you are so right! I have been working on brainstorming this - if anyone has any organic cotton brands that they recommend / ecofriendly ones, I am all ears!
I just wanted to thank you for everything you are doing! I have lived in agricultural areas my entire life and admire every single aspect of it. Unfortunately although I would love to do something similar- I couldn’t afford it here- ( Canada)
That said- thank you for sharing your journey. Right now I am enjoying witnessing every step of your fantastic journey and it brings happiness as I navigate some serious health challenges.
Keep on going and dang- I am rooting for you to get over your “put up a parking lot” hurdle.
Perhaps you should remind them about that song!
I am especially passionate about your goals in supporting your pollinators as thats crucial for the well being of both them and our beautiful planet! So important! I plant what I can where I am although it is not nearly as much as I dream of.
All the best to you, your family, your Amish builders, your friends and to your fantastic future! ☀️😊
We have a farm & farmstand in Humboldt County, CA. Some things that have been profitable for us: field trips (kids and seniors), focus on what makes you special (regenerative farming, conservation, etc). Pumpkin patch: easy to grow, keep it natural and simple, add photo op “moments.” Events don’t have to be weddings: engagement lunches, anniversary parties, meetings, etc. You pick; people LOVE it. We’re going to do that again in 2025 once I sort the insurance (former owners did that, but Mennonites who didn’t believe in insurance). Honey. People love it! Workshops - huge! Our space currently doesn’t lend itself to that, but yours is perfect. Check out the Makers Space at @seagoatfarmstand in my area. They do it great. Best wishes to you!
Hemp is great for rope, fabric and other uses. Unfortunately, the historical perspective on Hemp has been tainted by drug companies and pulp manufacturers. Our founding fathers grew it.
Have you considered asking your Amish neighbours if they would like to do classes there?
Perhaps practical skills, like their carpentry, but also talks about their farming practises and their philosophy - I'm sure many people would be fascinated.
Some ideas… keep bees, offer workshops for interested people to work in a hive, offer hands on instructions for starting and maintaining your own hive at home. I have helped dozens of new beekeeper hobbyists in this way. The interest is huge.
Grow herbs and medicinal plants… offer workshops on creating salves, soaps, and perfumes. Beeswax from your hives is an excellent raw material for this. I have a friend that started this out of her home… and graduated to starting her own farmstead for this business!
Given your idyllic setting, offer meditation workshops with walking meditations, zen gardening (working on the farm!) etc. Day retreats for religious groups. Your location has a large market for this.
Offer workshops for adults or children to make wreaths, birdhouses, etc. Especially popular at Christmastime for people to handcraft a unique gift. People are starved for this.
As a working farm, local owned restaurants really value organic produce… they can add this to their own marketing and increase their own market viability. Also good to partner with your Amish butchers to provide comprehensive product lineup.
I am envious of your journey and so excited by what you are doing. I wish I could come work with you!
Yes, the lighting placement on your building is 'perfect'. The photo you posted could make a nice holiday card cover!!! My ag endeavor came with a historic building. I took a paint night class and did a painting of the historic building. Afterward, I took the painting and had holiday cards made.
Are you familiar with Harvest Hosts? They offer a free night of parking for an RV with the expectation that the visitor will purchase farm products from the owner. It’s free for hosts to join. There’s similar service called Hipcamp but I’m not familiar with it.
You should start Amish Uber with a buggy to bring visitors from point A to your farm. A business for them and no car park needed for you! There's a Netflix documentary in this whole thing!
Hahaha you know, that's not a bad idea!
All you would need is a cheap working shuttle van or very small shuttle bus for very short trips from road or other very nearby parking for the hour before the event & the hour after the event which means only two hours of operation which will cut down costs a lot.
Very cool ideas. I think a House of Green organic cotton tshirt for sale at the farm stand would help spread the word about your pollinators with the right image and slogan.
Yes, you are so right! I have been working on brainstorming this - if anyone has any organic cotton brands that they recommend / ecofriendly ones, I am all ears!
https://agriculture.ny.gov/hemp
I just wanted to thank you for everything you are doing! I have lived in agricultural areas my entire life and admire every single aspect of it. Unfortunately although I would love to do something similar- I couldn’t afford it here- ( Canada)
That said- thank you for sharing your journey. Right now I am enjoying witnessing every step of your fantastic journey and it brings happiness as I navigate some serious health challenges.
Keep on going and dang- I am rooting for you to get over your “put up a parking lot” hurdle.
Perhaps you should remind them about that song!
I am especially passionate about your goals in supporting your pollinators as thats crucial for the well being of both them and our beautiful planet! So important! I plant what I can where I am although it is not nearly as much as I dream of.
All the best to you, your family, your Amish builders, your friends and to your fantastic future! ☀️😊
Thank you so much 🙏
We have a farm & farmstand in Humboldt County, CA. Some things that have been profitable for us: field trips (kids and seniors), focus on what makes you special (regenerative farming, conservation, etc). Pumpkin patch: easy to grow, keep it natural and simple, add photo op “moments.” Events don’t have to be weddings: engagement lunches, anniversary parties, meetings, etc. You pick; people LOVE it. We’re going to do that again in 2025 once I sort the insurance (former owners did that, but Mennonites who didn’t believe in insurance). Honey. People love it! Workshops - huge! Our space currently doesn’t lend itself to that, but yours is perfect. Check out the Makers Space at @seagoatfarmstand in my area. They do it great. Best wishes to you!
Field trips is def a great idea - thank you!
For the garden. I have always dreamed of a Keyhole Garden. They give you the most bang for your buck.
Get the hoop house!!
It could def happen haha..
How about adding overnight accommodations, GLAMP Tents?
Not sure about all the red tape in NY though......but it might be a good idea for you.
Here's a place I recommend to visit:
https://www.hdfishcamp.com/
I think, knowing you, you can do all of this!!
Thank you Cheryl!!!
Nice to see more people in the general Capital District trying to make these types of operations work. I wish you the best!
Thank you!
Here's more ideas for you!
https://www.bodhi-farms.com/field-kitchen
https://redoaklavender.com/
I am definitely very intrigued by the idea of a lavender farm!
Hemp is great for rope, fabric and other uses. Unfortunately, the historical perspective on Hemp has been tainted by drug companies and pulp manufacturers. Our founding fathers grew it.
https://agriculture.ny.gov/hemp
Have you considered asking your Amish neighbours if they would like to do classes there?
Perhaps practical skills, like their carpentry, but also talks about their farming practises and their philosophy - I'm sure many people would be fascinated.
Some ideas… keep bees, offer workshops for interested people to work in a hive, offer hands on instructions for starting and maintaining your own hive at home. I have helped dozens of new beekeeper hobbyists in this way. The interest is huge.
Grow herbs and medicinal plants… offer workshops on creating salves, soaps, and perfumes. Beeswax from your hives is an excellent raw material for this. I have a friend that started this out of her home… and graduated to starting her own farmstead for this business!
Given your idyllic setting, offer meditation workshops with walking meditations, zen gardening (working on the farm!) etc. Day retreats for religious groups. Your location has a large market for this.
Offer workshops for adults or children to make wreaths, birdhouses, etc. Especially popular at Christmastime for people to handcraft a unique gift. People are starved for this.
As a working farm, local owned restaurants really value organic produce… they can add this to their own marketing and increase their own market viability. Also good to partner with your Amish butchers to provide comprehensive product lineup.
I am envious of your journey and so excited by what you are doing. I wish I could come work with you!
Yes, the lighting placement on your building is 'perfect'. The photo you posted could make a nice holiday card cover!!! My ag endeavor came with a historic building. I took a paint night class and did a painting of the historic building. Afterward, I took the painting and had holiday cards made.
Are you familiar with Harvest Hosts? They offer a free night of parking for an RV with the expectation that the visitor will purchase farm products from the owner. It’s free for hosts to join. There’s similar service called Hipcamp but I’m not familiar with it.