Start Up

Contained in these seven guides is everything you need to get operational and generating cash flow quickly – a business concept, farm design, startup costs, infrastructure and equipment, detailed day-to-day workflow, crop selection, pricing strategies, revenue targets, financial benchmarks, and marketing options.

What’s SPIN-Farming…How SPIN differs from conventional farming…SPIN formulas for success…Harvesting techniques…Marketing…Operating models

Establishing a land base…Part-time land base options…Full-time land base options…Urban farming’s competitive edge…Farm design

Major investments…Structures…Irrigation equipment…Farm stand display…Tools…Part-time small hobby scale model…Part-time large scale model…Full-time moderate-size model…Full time large-size model

Key concepts…Utilizing standard-size beds…High and low value crops…Cropping levels of different intensity…Farm layout…Structured workflow…Market stand pricing…SPIN’s three most important concepts…Putting SPIN-Farming concepts into play

Different areas of cropping intensity…Crops to consider growing for market…Cropping strategies for 12 classic SPIN crops…Yield/Price combinations

Typical farm tasks…Fertilizing…Prepping plots…Planting…Watering…Managing insects…Weeding…Four weeding strategies…Harvesting…Prepping produce….Day-by-day, hour-by-hour work schedule in peak season…Putting it all together

Creating a farm brand identity…A few words about organic…Marketing options…Community Supported Agriculture Programs(CSA)…Restaurant sales…Contract growing…Home deliveries…Buying clubs…Farm stands…Farmers markets…Stand display…Selling your produce…Professional marketing practices…Mix and match multiple unit pricing

Managing all the various farming tasks is a big challenge for backyard farmers. Understanding work rates, work sessions and work flow are key to success. Here’s how to do it. Includes 38 photos.

Land access is not a problem for SPIN farmers. Here’s how to create and manage a farm using scattered yards and parcels. Includes 45 photos.

While greens are the cash crop for many a SPIN farmer, quick greens are not yet widely grown. Learn how to grow Quick Green crops every 2 weeks, sell them for as much as $50/lb., and generate $6k to $12k throughout the season from just 1,000 sq. ft. Includes 44 photos.

One of the reasons SPIN farmers are successful is that they are constantly thinking up new ways to make money, and one of the best ways is to introduce new products. Dig Deeper # 3 described how to grow and market a new class of greens called Quick Greens. This guide will explain how to get creative with carrots. Includes 41 photos.

A guide to conquering the next farming frontier – your basement, spare room or dining room table – with one of the most lucrative of all the SPIN crops. Includes 50 photos.