Table of Contents

Acknowledgments v Introduction vi Part One: Creation and Veraison 1 The Case for Small-Scale Farming and Local Foods Ventures 2 2 From Idea to Inventory: Planning and Assessing the Market 24 3 Funding Assistance 41 4 Rules, Regulations, and Legalese 65 Part Two: Fresh Business Ideas 5 Creating a Cooperative 88 6 Agritourism: Recreation as a Business 103 Part Three: Selling, Marketing, and Prospecting 7 Wholesale and Retail Pricing Strategies 124 8 Where and How to Sell 149 9 Marketing Ideas 174 10 Keeping (and Keeping Track of) Customers 198 Part Four: The First Year of Your Journey 11 The Lifestyle Change and First-Year Transition Tips 224 Finale: The Prints You Leave Behind 247 Resources 248 Sample Business Documents 255 Index 269 About the Author 275 Photo Credits 276

About the Author

Sarah Beth Aubrey was born into a family of farmers and was raised to believe, like Scarlett O'Hara, that it is land that sustains after all else. In addition to operating her company, Aubrey's Natural Meats, Sarah writes and speaks extensively on agriculture, the rural lifestyle, and small farm development.