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1. 2 Responses to “Where are the best areas in America for horticulture?”

2. By oso83854 on Nov 14, 2008 | Reply

   Try some of the smaller communities in the central Midwest, but make sure you check with the local Agricultural Extension office to find out about rainfall, irrigation, types of crops that are best for that area, etc. Southern Oregon is an ideal place for truck or fruit farming, but land is typically very expensive. Some rural areas in the southeast are also good bets, but make sure you know as much as possible about local restraints (pest control, water, soil condition, erosion, etc.).

3. By ohiorganic on Nov 16, 2008 | Reply

   If you have never done farm work I strongly suggest you get a job on the kind of farm you want to own. that way you will find out if you really want to live the dream-it’s a lot of hard work for not a lot of money.

   I have found being within an hour of a university town or major metropolitan area is key to making a living from a sustainable/organic mini farm. Going to a place that is really rural will mean the land is cheaper but it also means your marketing opportunities will be bad. people either already grow their own or are not very interested in buying much but tomatoes and green beans and they want them in quantity for cheap.

   I like the midwest a lot. Mostly good growing conditions, good soil. Michigan is a great place to farm, though the season is a bit short for some things. The state is in a bad depression so land is cheap. There are great opportunities around Ann Arbor (U of M and a lot of locavores). Madison Wisconsin is another place that has great markets and land that is not horribly expensive. The Cincinnati area is becoming a hot market for small farms selling locally raised foods and you can find land in the area for reasonable prices (lots of rural farm area)

   I have been making my living on small acarage for 14 years selling what I sow direct to the public.

   I got started on rented land with really cheap rent for a house and a couple of acres to fool with. The house was a mess and we heated with wood. stayed out of debt, lived very very cheaply and figured out how to grow food organically and sell it to the public. The learning curve was steep for about 7 years and the hours long-working 18 hours a day 7 days a week was common the first 5 or 6 years.

   I found marketing is just as important as growing skills. just because you grow it does not mean anyone will buy it or know you have it. So find a place near some good farmers markets or has a need for an additional CSA farm

   having some hives should make zero difference where you end up. Bees will live anywhere in the lower 48 states.

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