growers know
Also, look at the experiences of other
microfarmers for inspiration. Here are a
few options to consider:
Microgreens
Microgreen growers grow crops like kale,
cabbage, radish, amaranth, and many
more. Unlike other crops, microgreens
are harvested before the greens mature
(often before the first true leaves appear).
The result is delicate, tender greens with
a pop of flavor and color. Microgreens
are often used as a special addition to
salads, sandwiches, or as a garnish.
Restaurants that pride themselves on
unique, high-quality ingredients are
great prospects for microgreens sales,
as well as adventurous farmers, market-
goers, and CSA members.
Microgreens make a great fit for micro-
farms since they are high-margin, fit into
niche markets, and can be grown on a
very small scale (a few trays per week is
“
MICROGREENS MAKE a great fit for microfarms
since they are high-margin, fit into niche markets,
and can be grown on a very small scale.”
a fine starting size). The upfront invest-
ment is low—just a few hundred dollars
to get started—so a return on investment
(ROI) can be seen in a few months.
Aquaponics
Those growing for family and friends
might choose aquaponics to power their
microfarm. If paired with the right crops,
an aquaponic system could also serve a
small niche market for specialty herbs
or any other crop for which the farm
has demand. Also, aquaponics can be
tough to operate at a commercial level,
so starting with a small-scale system
like this is a smart idea. Depending on
set-up costs, the ROI on an aquaponic
farm could be a bit longer.
Living Wall
If you’re looking for a microfarm that
produces food and looks good, a living
wall is a great option (it can double as a
display system for live sales). It is also
a great fit for anyone who wants to grow
vertically to save space. These vertical
systems come in different sizes and some
systems can expand, allowing growers
to start small and scale up with the
same technology. Most farmers growing
for sale choose to raise high-margin
greens and herbs.
The Kratky Method
The Kratky method is a great system
for beginners because it is as
low-maintenance as they come. While
Kratky isn’t recommended for large-
scale farms, it can support a single-
farmer operation quite nicely. Kratky
systems are low-cost to set up and are
usually built on a do-it-yourself scale
using simple bins or wooden beds with
a liner. Kratky systems support small-
statured crops the best, with pricing
dependent on the system size.
More and more farmers are using
the microfarm approach to start
growing food for themselves and
their communities. Not only does
it remove barriers to entry, but
microfarms allow farmers to scale up
their operations if all goes well.
You can learn more about Bright Agrotech and
starting a microfarm at brightagrotech.com.
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grow cycle