If you’re trying to farm or ranch on small acreage, The Center for Rural Affairs has published some ideas to help you get by. First, forget commodity crops. On a small plot, you need enterprises with a high profit margin. You might pay particular attention to grass-based livestock operations. These can entail lower production costs and can also tie into premium markets. Other enterprises that fit well with small and new farms include certified organic field crops, direct marketed produce, and niche-market hogs.
A financial analysis of your potential markets and production costs is a good idea. This can help you determine how any of these niche operations fit your resources and interest.
For more info, ATTRA has a range of publications on alternative crops and how to market them. You can also find trade associations for many specialty crops.
