Guides
312 guides
Practical answers for buying local food, using what is in season, and making more of what comes home from the market.
What to do with too many tomatoes
Too many ripe tomatoes is a good problem until the counter starts filling up. These are the easiest ways to use, cook, and preserve them before they split or soften.
When to pick tomatoes
Tomatoes are best picked when color, feel, and intended use line up. The perfect moment is not always the deepest possible color.
Why your produce goes bad quickly
Produce usually spoils quickly for a few repeatable reasons: too much moisture, the wrong storage zone, too much delay, or buying without a plan. Once you fix those habits, waste usually drops fast.
Weekly produce ideas
Weekly produce ideas works best as a simple framework, not a strict plan. The goal is to use what is fresh first, repeat a few easy patterns, and stop overcomplicating the week.
Email Marketing Strategies for Farm Businesses
Email is one of the highest-return marketing channels for small farms — but only if you build the list and use it well. Here's a practical guide to email for direct-market farmers.
Grant and Funding Opportunities for Small Farmers
Federal programs, loans, and grants exist specifically to help small and beginning farmers build their operations. Here's a practical guide to the real programs available, what they fund, and how to apply.
How Much Can You Make Selling Eggs Locally?
Selling eggs locally is one of the most accessible ways to start selling farm products — but the economics depend heavily on flock size, feed costs, and where you sell. Here's an honest breakdown.
How to Get Repeat Customers as a Small Farm
Repeat customers are the financial backbone of a direct-market farm. Here's what actually builds loyalty — beyond just growing good food.
Pricing Farm Products — Balancing Profit and Fairness
Underpricing is one of the most common mistakes small farmers make. This guide covers how to calculate true cost of production and set prices that keep your farm financially sustainable.
Top Products to Sell Locally — High Margin and High Demand
Not all farm products sell equally well through direct channels. Some categories consistently command strong prices and high buyer interest at farmers markets and through CSAs.
Are Pasture-Raised Eggs Worth the Price?
Pasture-raised eggs cost more than store-bought — but the gap in how those hens are raised, and what ends up in the egg, is larger than most people realize.
Bulk Produce for Canning and Freezing — Is It Economical?
Buying bulk produce from local farms during peak season — for canning, freezing, and preserving — can be one of the best per-pound values in local food. Here's how the math works and where to start.