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Post by Wendy on Apr 1, 2015 2:50:58 GMT
I have been tossing around the idea of opening a farm store. What things would you look for if you were a customer? I do a big variety of crafts. I also have fresh eggs, butchered chickens & rabbits, & produce/fruit when in season. I also do baked goods for the farmer's market & could also have that.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2015 3:20:21 GMT
I really value friendly, not high priced, let me know if it's local even more than "organic," & a good bulletin board.
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Post by Wendy on Apr 1, 2015 4:55:40 GMT
Yeah, I want to find a local source for honey. My nephew & also my brother do maple syrup, so that would be another thing.
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Post by mollymckee on Apr 1, 2015 5:31:46 GMT
My nieces SIL bakes bread and sells it. She is Amish , I forget how much she makes every week, but she gets 5.00 a loaf. I know she sells well over 100loaves a week.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2015 9:41:58 GMT
Jams Jellies maybe even cheese, soaps and lotions. Cards, jewelry, pottery, anything you can find local
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Post by horseyrider on Apr 1, 2015 11:23:25 GMT
A lot depends on the laws in your state, but a lady I know does raw milk and raw cream, fresh eggs, beef, pork, chicken, maple syrup, a few veggies, and baked goods at the holidays. One of the smartest things she did was to get herself on Local Harvest. She doesn't have to advertise, and folks can find her.
With the exception of moving large quantities of meat from the freezers, it's all on the honor system. We leave our money in the butter dish in the fridge where the milk and eggs are kept. That way, once she knows you're honest and pay for your goods, she can still have a life.
One nice thing about her business is the milk sales drive other sales. You're there, you're seeing the products offered on a flier on the refrigerator every time you pick up milk or eggs, and it drives add-on sales. She butchers to order, and also sells individual cuts. I've stood there and decided I wanted a couple of extra chickens, so I pick up the phone and call her. She directs me to the appropriate chest freezer in another building, and I leave her payment in the butter dish.
In our state we have to provide containers for the dairy so it isn't considered a bottling facility. The quirks of the law, of course; so we need to have containers there in advance of our pickup date. We have regular days scheduled for pickup so she can provide each of her customers with what they need. If I knew I'd be needing more the next week, I'd just text her and make sure she has more containers. She has nine dairy cows in milk, and a few pigs that get the excess. Milk fed pork is fantastic, btw, and in Europe is considered a delicacy.
I really miss going there. I had to stop when my DH began treatment for cancer. It's hard to keep commitments for such things when I never know when he's going to have to see a doctor or get tests or procedures. I drove an hour each way to get to her place. Not as "local" as I'd like, but there was no one closer who offered raw cow's milk.
I hope you can get your farm store going, and that it brings you much satisfaction. I know the folks in your area will be really pleased to see it happen.
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Post by farmchix on Apr 1, 2015 11:28:49 GMT
I agree with the soaps, lotions...maybe some herbs. Fresh-baked breads on Saturday....oh, this is making me hungry!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2015 11:48:07 GMT
Wendy, we are tossing around a similar idea here. Along with fresh seasonal produce, frozen rabbit and chicken, possibly some wood crafts. Something we were advised about that you might want to look in to, Indiana has the cottage law, meaning you, as an individual, can sell items you produce to the end consumer. If you get a tax id number and open a storefront, the rules change. The way it was described to me, if Wendy is selling bread from her kitchen, that is fine. But, if you open a store, it legally becomes, Wendy's Store receives bread from Wendy to sell at Wendy's store.
Now, that said, I have not spoken to a lawyer about this, the advice I was given was from a person who tried doing the same thing a few years ago, so the info might be true or might not, but it would be worth looking into.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2015 13:00:52 GMT
I have visited a lot of farm stores over the years and I look first at the quality of the produce and goods being sold and if things are clean and well labeled; i.e. I hate labels that say bread but not what kind and always, always price things if possible either individually or by the basket/lot. Saves time and many times I won't purchase if there are no prices as I feel that maybe if I have to ask, the price is out of my reach. I also like suggestions if possible on some things: like cooking instructions (not recipes per se, but maybe on corn on the cob one might say "great roasted on the grill". It gives people ideas and also plants the idea in their mind that maybe corn with chicken would be great roasted on the grill Items I like to see are varied: fresh produce, love cheeses and always buy fresh from farms when I can, and herbs that are fresh (in pots). If I were to buy meat, I would likely place an order in advance so I could pick it up when I come after the store owner got to know me and know I would keep my word about picking it up! (otherwise suggest maybe a deposit on orders to ensure that people pick up their meat). Fresh eggs are always a good idea, especially if they are in the "wendy's carton" and are clean (note I did not say washed, washing is not really good for eggs). If you raise sheeps, I would think you might want to have some skeins of yarn or perhaps a few raw fleeces for sale or on display, maybe a scarf or something to show how the yarn "works up". Perhaps a few knitting or crochet hooks to get folks started. (I am an enabler so try to make it easy for people to be brought into the fold). those are some ideas that I have had about stores - I like the honey and maple syrup ideas you had as well.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2015 13:41:23 GMT
This sounds so exciting and I am excited for you- if you do lots of crafts- I would make sure you have some craft supplies too- like thread/fabric/yarn- maybe find someone who crafts wooden crochet hooks and needles? and maybe people who spin their own yarn? But I would also have the standard affordable yarn and hooks-
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2015 15:41:06 GMT
I have visited a lot of farm stores over the years and I look first at the quality of the produce and goods being sold and if things are clean and well labeled; i.e. I hate labels that say bread but not what kind and always, always price things if possible either individually or by the basket/lot. Saves time and many times I won't purchase if there are no prices as I feel that maybe if I have to ask, the price is out of my reach. I also like suggestions if possible on some things: like cooking instructions (not recipes per se, but maybe on corn on the cob one might say "great roasted on the grill". It gives people ideas and also plants the idea in their mind that maybe corn with chicken would be great roasted on the grill A lot of great ideas have been offered. Sidepasser's post made me think about my own preferences for ingredient information. We don't eat pork in our house, but we love to go to the farmers market to buy the baked goods that I don't make. We hate having to ask if a product contains lard, because we try not to make a big deal about it. The vendors who list their ingredients on a sign, label or flier are the ones that we tend to frequent. While it isn't going to kill us if we inadvertently eat pork products, there are lots of people with allergies who would like to know the ingredients, as well. Also, I used to do a lot of country crafting and sold my products in a crafters' co-op. Since it was my job to man the store twice per month, I liked to construct some small craft while waiting for customers to come in. I would do a small tole-painting project (like a doll or a few miniatures) or work on a small floral piece. It seemed to spark a lot of conversations with the customers and often caused them to add-on an extra item or 2 to the sale. I always suspected that the fact that they saw one being created, verified that the products we sold were indeed handmade!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2015 4:27:10 GMT
Don't forget seasonal items like wreaths, grave blankets, potted flowers, etc. Also, if crafting is big in your area, consider having a few bins full of natural crafting materials such as grape vines, seed pods, pine cones, interesting limbs or bark, large fall leaves for print making, etc. If you do those kinds of things, be sure to properly debug them before selling.
The whole concept of value adding was big back when we sold at the local farmers market. So each time you add an additional process to something, the profit should go up. For example, fresh picked green beans sold for a basic rate. If we washed and packaged them into certain serving sized bags, that added more profit. If we dried or canned them, that added more profit. If we cooked them into something (I used to have an old recipe for green bean cake, much like zucchini cake), the profit margin went up even more.
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Post by hmsteader71 on Apr 2, 2015 10:58:49 GMT
Also Wendy, our Amish and Mennonite stores around here almost all offer the dry goods such as flour, sugar, spices that are bagged by them. Maybe they are buying in bulk and then re-sizing for sale? I don't know but I really do like that. We've kicked around the idea of trying to open a Mercantile here in town. Our town is basically a ghost town anymore. We no longer have a little market where you can buy milk and bread and things if you run out. We do have Caseys where you can buy these things but they are usually higher. So if you don't want to shop Caseys then you have to drive 8 miles to the nearest Walmart or Dollar General.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2015 14:17:47 GMT
Just wanted to post this link somewhere, so this thread might be a good place. You might consider 'some' hardware too. The old farm store here (long gone)also had a line of hardware. Yeah I know it's a whole different ball of wax, but 'farm' and all.... Anyway, here's a cool site that offers some not-so-usual products and services. www.farmerbrownsplowshop.net/Feel free to move it to a 'links of interest' thread.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2015 18:17:50 GMT
Wendy, if you have links to the laws about what you can and can't sell in Indiana, would you please share them? I've been thinking about selling at the Farmer's Market here but I'm confused about what's allowed. Good luck in your venture! It sounds like a great idea to me!
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Post by Wendy on Apr 2, 2015 18:37:00 GMT
I laugh about this with my mom. We are both quilters & there is no one close that has quilting thread, batting, or binding. I told her if I put that in my store at least we would have a place to find it locally! I know in Indiana I can sell baked goods as long as they are labeled with the ingredients, date made, & a disclaimer about being made in a non inspected kitchen. I have the paper somewhere with the exact way it needs to be worded as I sold at our local farmer's market a few years ago. I can also sell butchered chickens off the farm which has been a growing business for me. I need to get another big freezer so I can keep more on hand. I have had several people call me. I have 100 chicks coming in a week. I have quite a few quilts, crocheted dishcloths, baby quilts & blankets, & some wood working items that I have made. I do make soap & plan on getting back into soy candles soon. Produce when it is in season & plan on expanding my strawberry beds. The farmer's market is ok, but I would prefer having an outlet right here so I don't have to drag out & set up every week.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2015 18:47:19 GMT
All great ideas! Let me know when you're open, I don't think driving from SC to Indiana for some good food would be to much!
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Post by Wendy on Apr 2, 2015 18:48:55 GMT
I could have some cinnamon rolls if I know you're coming!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2015 18:58:38 GMT
Carpooling from the West Coast?
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Post by blufford on Apr 2, 2015 21:36:13 GMT
Why don't you sell some pickled eggs and pickled pigs feet. I stopped going into bars and don't see them being sold anywhere else.
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Post by Maura on Apr 2, 2015 21:40:15 GMT
You have chickens, how about chicks. I’d love chicks that haven’t been shipped from somewhere else.
I like small inexpensive cook books that deal with a limited range. Jams and jellies. Pies from scratch. Bread. Practical and well written.
I worked at a craft store, and am a quilter, spinner, and knitter. One thing I noticed is that you cannot mix high end products with low end products. When those who want high end see low end they tell their friends “she has junk”. When those looking for low end see high end, they tell their friends, “her prices are too high”.
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Post by Rustaholic on Apr 3, 2015 0:10:32 GMT
I used to drive 15 miles the wrong way from where we do everything else just to visit a farm store out in the boondocks. What I was going for was their wall of Estes Model Rockets and supplies. The son of the owners really made that work well. He went to all of the school districts in the area and talked to the science teachers. Estes has a teacher's program that shows a large number of subjects that can be taught through a rocket program. The also offer a low cost rocket that is a bulk pack of 12 kits and one set of instructions. I believe I saw at least three different rockets you could buy that way. Once a whole class told their parents about the rockets next thing would be the parents coming in to buy more rockets and engines.
I bought one of those bulk kits while I had a group that I would host rocket launch events for I would put together one of those cheap rockets and launch it last with the most powerful engine it is rated for and we haven't got one to come back down yet. I was painting them flat black so we could watch them go horizontal out of site. Once they get up there in a jet stream they really do just blow away with the wind.
Next time I am over that way i will walk in just to see if they still sell rockets.
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Post by Awnry Abe on Apr 3, 2015 3:30:23 GMT
Dried herbs. The kinds that are legal in all 57 states.
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Post by strawberrygirl on Apr 3, 2015 13:55:34 GMT
I think that is a fabulous idea! I would like to offer a small bit of caution though. Stick with what you know will sell and gradually add in more. Our neighbors had a lovely seasonal farm stand for a number of years. It did well so they decided to put up a building and go year round. They tried to do too much too soon and it did not go very well. The store ended up closing a couple of years later. It was really sad because it probably would've done well had they kept it simple.
BTW: Dh and I always look for fresh homemade bread and pierogies.
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Post by Muller's Lane Farm on Apr 3, 2015 19:17:57 GMT
Another vote for listing on Local Harvest. That has driven business to our place and I always give it out when folks are looking for something close to them.
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Post by ohiodreamer on Apr 4, 2015 19:01:33 GMT
Are there many bulk food stores in your area? If not then maybe some bulk things along with some "farm-y" things....canning lids (bulk quantities....not the little boxes like the grocery store has), sturdy thread, 50# sacks of oats and wheat berries, oil lamp wicks and globes, maybe even Tattler canning lids.
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Post by my3boys on Apr 4, 2015 20:23:44 GMT
Wendy, I have a store like you're describing near me. On the farm, no bigger than a garden shed, honor system (you drop the money or check into a slot on the wall, though).
From that little place I buy my eggs, butter, raw milk, maple syrup, raw honey and kefir. They also just started carrying broilers and local organic grass fed beef. I'll probably be getting most of my meat there now too. The wife bakes bread all year long and keeps a large garden she sells organic produce from in the growing season. Also locally made jams and jellies, natural peanut butter, pretzels, organic whole grains and flours, and cereals. Also raw milk cheeses, sour cream and cream cheese. I think you can also order large sacks of wheat berries to grind. Cookbooks too. They are Mennonites and strong believers so they sell a number of Christian books and literature too. Even CDs of gospel music!
You don't need a terribly big space to sell a whole lot of stuff. This place place is literally no bigger than a common garden shed, maybe 6 x 8?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2015 1:45:24 GMT
Wendy,
I am VERY excited that you are thinking about doing this.
Cleanliness and friendliness go a long, long, long, long way with me as a customer.
What are you thinking about the store? Just a place that sells foods and crafts, or more like a general farm store?
Whatever you make it, PLEASE consider selling cold pop. I can't tell you how many times that I've been out and about in a rural area, and it is virtually impossible to find a place that sells cold pop. It is crazy to me that someone would open a store and not sell some type of cold pop, whether it be Coca-Cola or a specialty pop. There is a small place around here...they carry about 5 cans of pop on the shelf, but we often stop in, just to get a cold Coke and specialty root beer.
While it might not be organic, it will be something that people will stop in to buy.
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Post by amylou on Apr 16, 2015 20:24:09 GMT
Wendy, I am VERY excited that you are thinking about doing this. Cleanliness and friendliness go a long, long, long, long way with me as a customer. What are you thinking about the store? Just a place that sells foods and crafts, or more like a general farm store? Whatever you make it, PLEASE consider selling cold pop. I can't tell you how many times that I've been out and about in a rural area, and it is virtually impossible to find a place that sells cold pop. It is crazy to me that someone would open a store and not sell some type of cold pop, whether it be Coca-Cola or a specialty pop. There is a small place around here...they carry about 5 cans of pop on the shelf, but we often stop in, just to get a cold Coke and specialty root beer. While it might not be organic, it will be something that people will stop in to buy. I love that you call it pop. We now live in Texas and its soda down here.
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Post by jangirl on Apr 16, 2015 21:37:59 GMT
Great idea, Wendy. Depends on whether you have traffic on your road. Remember how Ken Sharabok (spelling is wrong, I know) tried to do a store but he was off the beaten path as we are, and didn't get the traffic. You may, however because you already have a following for your baked goods and crafts. The veggie stand we frequent only has a limited supply this time of year, but they have tons of bottles of pickled items like beets, peppers, eggs, etc. It surprises me that people will pay 6-9.00 for a pint jar of pickled beets! I second the idea of not starting out with too many things, at least fresh things until you see what sells. Maybe have a sign up sheet for things people would like? I have a friend who buys candy in bulk and repackages it, and also herbs and makes up her own mixes and sells those at farmer's markets. She does a good business. Good luck and keep us up to date on how it is going! I'm envious!
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