If you live in an urban setting, the idea of growing your food might not seem all that appealing. After all, cities aren’t exactly known for their abundance of land. However, urban farming is on the rise and there are many ways to make money from it.
At first glance, however-and even second glance-it may appear hard to make money selling products in an urban environment but it is possible if you know where to look!
Make Money From Urban Farming
With the popularity of locally grown produce and organic food, there is a growing market for this type of food even in urban areas. Starting an urban farm could be a great way to leverage this demand for locally-grown food and make extra money if you live in an urban area.
Some of the ways to leverage this demand and make extra money from urban farming include;
1. Grow high-value crops
If you want to make extra income from urban farming, the first step is to find a niche that you can fill. If there is a demand for certain products – high-value crops, then it makes sense to produce them.
High-value crops are the types of plants in demand and can be sold for a higher price per dollar. For example, if you live in an area where people want fresh fruits and vegetables but don’t have easy access to them, then you might consider starting up an urban farm that grows produce.
Some examples of high-value crops include herbs, berries, vegetables, and fruit—basil, strawberries, and tomatoes are all prime examples of these kinds of plants.
2. Sell at local farmers’ markets
When you grow your crops, you will have to sell these to customers. One of the best ways to do that is by selling at local farmers’ markets. Farmers’ markets are a great way for you to meet people who are interested in buying your product, and they also help build up your brand name with consumers who might not know about you yet.
If you can, try to find a farmers’ market that is close to home. This way, you won’t have to spend your own gas money driving around town with your produce in tow.
3. Sell At a farm stand
Selling produce at a farm stand is another common way for urban farmers to make extra money. If you have a small plot of land, like an urban garden, you can sell some of your harvests at a farm stand.
A farm stand is a small kiosk or booth that you can set up at a local farmer’s market, on your front lawn, or even in your garage. You can put up signs advertising the fact that you have fresh produce for sale. You don’t need any special permits to set up a farm stand; just make sure you follow all of the city and state rules regarding selling food.
The location of your farm stand will affect how much business you get (ie: near parks), so do some research and find out what’s popular in your area before setting up shop!
4. Start a CSA (community-supported agriculture) program
A CSA program is a partnership between you and your customers. You provide the products, and your customers pay in advance for a season’s worth of fresh fruit and vegetables.
The customers will get regular deliveries of seasonal produce from the farm throughout the year and support local farmers. The benefits for you as an urban farmer include:
- Sales revenue (money!)
- Marketing opportunities – build your brand with every customer interaction
- Community involvement – create relationships with people who care about what you’re doing!
5. Sell on Local Chow
As an urban farmer, one of the best ways to sell your products is through online farmers’ marketplaces like Local Chow. Local Chow is a marketplace for food lovers who want to buy directly from local farmers, fishmongers, and artisanal producers.
Local Chow is a great way for you to sell directly to customers who are seeking out local, sustainable food.
The benefits of selling as an urban farmer on Local Chow include:
- Increased brand visibility – your profile and products are visible to thousands of food lovers who are looking for local, sustainable food.
- Increased customer engagement – you can build relationships with regular customers who love your products and want to support your farm.
- Increased revenue – you’ll have the opportunity to increase your sales by selling directly to customers who want local, sustainable food.
- Free marketing – Local Chow promotes your farm and products with our social media channels.
- Increased customer base – access to a new customer base.
- Community involvement – create relationships with people who care about what you’re doing! an online marketplace that connects urban farmers with customers looking for fresh, local produce.
As an urban farmer, you can sign up for Local Chow and start selling your products, for free. Customers can search by city, type of product, or by farm name. On Local Chow, you can also create a profile that includes basic information about your farm: contact info, hours of operation, and days available for delivery. You can also invite your friends to become members of Local Chow so they too can support local farmers!
Local Chow is a great way for urban farmers to connect with customers and make sales.
Other Ways to Make Extra Money from Urban Farming
While selling on online farmers’ marketplaces like Local Chow is one of the best mediums for the sale of urban farm products, some other channels have proven to be profitable.
Sell to restaurants
Restaurants are always looking for local produce, and they often pay a premium for quality fruits and vegetables. If you’re able to grow anything that is in high demand by restaurants, you may be able to make some extra money by selling it to them.
If you have a good relationship with your local restauranteurs, don’t hesitate to ask about selling to them.
Use social media
Use social media to get your product in front of customers. There are several ways to do this. You can post photos of your product and ask followers to like or comment on it. The more likes and shares you get, the more people will see your post, potentially driving traffic to your website or social media account.
Offer Classes on Urban Farming
If you have a lot of experience in urban farming and want to share it with others, consider offering classes on the subject. You can offer classes at your farm, at local community centers, or even online classes through platforms like Skillshare or Udemy.
You can offer one-off classes or even a series of workshops that focus on different aspects of gardening. These classes can be a great way to make some extra money, but they’re also a good way to get your name out there.
Offer gardening and landscaping services
Offer consulting services for home gardeners looking to grow food at home or learn more about using natural products around the house (for example: how to make homemade cleaners). There is a huge demand for this type of service so it will be an easy way of making some extra cash!
Conclusion
There are many ways to make money from urban farming. Some of them require a lot of time and effort, while others take only minimal effort.
The amount of profit you can expect depends on your location and how much you choose to grow. Whether you’re selling your products at a farmers’ market, CSA programs, on Local Chow, or through other means (such as selling directly from your front yard), the amount of money you can make depends on different factors like the type of crops you grow and how much of that crop you sell.
Urban farming can be a great way to make extra money, but it’s not easy. There are many challenges that you need to overcome if you want your urban farm to be successful.
Be creative with marketing and sales—it can be difficult to sell produce in an urban area because there is so much competition from grocery stores and other sellers of food products. You’ll also have to deal with people who don’t understand what you’re doing or why they should buy from you instead of the local supermarket or gas station convenience store. Make sure that your customers understand how their purchase will benefit them (i.e., more affordable prices), which may include growing some of the vegetables themselves if possible!
