Beyond the Harvest: Income Ideas for Farmers
Farming is so much more than growing food: it’s heart, hustle, and a whole lot of resilience. Between the early mornings, ever-changing weather, and the wear-and-tear on your body, it’s no small feat to keep things running. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to find new ways to support your farm and your life, you’re not alone. The beautiful part? You’re already sitting on so much possibility!
Your land, your knowledge, and your creativity can open the door to extra income, without adding tons of stress. Here are 15 thoughtful, doable ideas to help you bring in more revenue.
1. Garlic Braids & Scapes
Turn a staple crop into a premium product! Braided garlic hangs beautifully in kitchens (and sells for 3x the price of loose bulbs). And don’t toss those scapes! Chefs and foodies pay top dollar for their mild garlic flavor.
2. Treatment-Free Eggs
Market eggs from pasture-raised hens as "stress-free eggs", highlighting your no-medication, natural-feed approach. Bonus: Offer a "subscription" for weekly dozen pickups.
3. Specialty Herbs
Grow hard-to-find varieties (like lemon balm, borage, shiso, or epazote) for restaurants or herbalists. Small batches = big margins.
4. Medicinal Flower Bunches
Sell calendula, echinacea, or yarrow by the bunch to hobbyists making salves or teas. Include a simple recipe card to add value!
5. Edible Flower Mixes
Package nasturtiums, violas, and lavender as "salad confetti"! Farmers’ market shoppers and upscale grocers will snap them right up. Other flowers like stock, chamomile, and zinnias can be marketed towards bakers for natural sprinkle or decor for their cakes!
6. Tomato Cash Crop
Heirlooms or cherry tomatoes sold at peak ripeness (or as "ugly tomato" discount boxes for sauce-makers).
7. Microgreens or Starts
Two very big money makers! Turn a greenhouse corner into a profit center: microgreens harvest in 2 weeks, and veggie starts sell fast in the spring. Tomato plant starts are the most profitable, but selling unique not-so-common starts or heirloom varieties can make you stand out.
8. Worm Tea/Compost
Package liquid gold for gardeners. A simple sign like “Our compost grows your compost” or “Watch your blooms boom!” does the selling for you. This also invites friendly conversations about sustainable gardening and regenerative agricultural methods.
9. Naturally Dyed Tea Towels
Upcycle imperfect cotton with onion skins, indigo, or marigolds. Pair with a "dye garden seed kit" for extra appeal!
10. Fresh Bread + Farm Toppings
Sourdough with your herb-infused olive oil or jam, or fresh focaccia topped with garlic will always be a yummy favorite to anyone! Be sure to heck cottage food laws first, though!
11. On-Farm Events
Host a "Pizza Night" with your tomatoes and herbs, or a "Flower Crown Workshop" using your blooms. Charge admission or sell add-ons. You can also include a free farm walk around your property or greenhouse!
12. Reclaimed Wood Crafts
Turn fallen branches into spoon rests or signage. "Every piece has a story" sells the rustic charm. (Story Time: I once bought reclaimed walnut wooden earrings from a farm on Etsy and have been wearing them for almost a decade!)
13. Mason Bees
Mason bees are phenomenal pollinators! You can handmake special houses with removable paper tubes for gardeners at market or provide more information to those who are curious. You can also keep or sell the bees themselves!
For more information about mason bees and their magic, I highly reccomend reading “Mason Bee Revolution” by Dave Hunter and Jill Lightner.*
TIP: Mason bees use mud to seal their nesting tubes. Provide a patch of moist clay-like soil nearby (within 10–20 feet).
*NOT affiliated or sponsored, just happy to share!
14. Halloween Pumpkins
Grow unique varieties and offer "pick-your-own" weekends with cider and photo ops. Selling pumpkins at market will also be a hit! Also including pie pumpkins or Long Island Cheese pumpkins expands your reach.
15. Digital Products
Package your expertise:
"Small-Scale Composting" PDF
"Growing Medicinal Herbs" video course
"Farmstand Display Handbook"
16. Bonus: Merch!
Sell merch like "I Heart My Farmer" totes or "Ask Me About My Tomatoes" tees. Maybe even collab with a local artist and get creative! This can include tees, totes, stickers, garden signs, and so much more.
Seedpod Studio Co. is a creative marketing studio that offers thoughtful strategies to help your farm or small business build an authentic online (and offline!) presence, without the stress of social media burnout.
We prioritize fostering genuine connections, with the intention of community-building in mind, not just keeping up with algorithms. Let’s nurture your brand’s growth in a way that feels true to you. Learn more here!
