I own 9 acres and live on them. I want to start an organic vegetable garden biz but, I am out of money. I have been disabled now for 3 yrs and have had no luck getting help from anywere. I need a job but, no one has a job they will let me do for fear for a reinjury. I feel that the only way I will ever be a tax paying part of America is if I am able to start my own small yet profitable business.

I need anytype of input to help direct me to someone who can help me with getting some sort of financial help. Any and I mean any information will be appreciated.

I hope you have decides to try for vocational rehabilitation..it is available through your state government and is a free service!!! Good luck!!
Irene

As you hav esaid, I have already contacted them and am awaiting thier information form.. I have tried anyone and everyone that deals with the FREE MONEY, and YOU ARE OWED THIS MONEY, sales pitches.. I am hoping to get my feet back on the ground, after all this, and what ever turns out, I will let all the writters and want-a-be's know how it turn's out..

Thank you for your insight and your concern. I will be in touch. Chad

I saw a wonderful article a few years back about this couple making $100,000 a year. They took their land and turned it into a greenery. They grew indoor and outdoor plants, there was a small house on the property that they turned into a store where they offered a few gifts and coffee specialties for sell. Guests would purchase a $4 cup of coffee while they walked and shopped the greenery, there was even a sitting area for chatting I believe.

Just a thought!

Alyice
PS that is something I would love to do.
http://thedabblingmum.com

I have a friend who's dad is a truck driver. He owns farm land and rents acres out to other people. He rented out for a herb that can only be grown in an area once, I forget what it's called. I know others that rent out land for other uses, like if you have a lake on your property, you can stock it for fishing and get a license to rent that out. You can also check into using it as a camp grounds, or perhaps turn some of it into mobile home rental space? You might even want to check into using some of the land as space for craft fairs, antique swaps, or other swap meets on the weekends, depending on where you live.

Just a few ideas. Good luck. If you step outside just the use of your land, you might find other suggestions...

Alyice
http://thedabblingmum.com
Check out our best rates calculator for long distance and internet connections as well as WAH interviews.

Your state Voc Rehab is a resource, but for minor advice. They will tell you that starting your own business is just about your only option to be productive and self supporting. However, they will also tell you to do your own research and expect you to come up with a brilliant idea and business plan.

I was injured at work and subsequently "laid off" due to permanent disability. As for grants and other "free" financial help, it is not out there. There is lots of hype about it, but what dollars that are available, do not often go to the small person trying to get another start. If it does, I haven't come across it.

Voc Rehab can provide training in the form of classes...take business classes and computer skills classes. I never knew how much I didn't know about business accounting, even though I had done it at work for years. A small business is another story.

Don't lose heart. Develop your idea, research and keep picking at it step by step. Another hint, Wells Fargo Bank is strong on helping to set up business accounts and merchant accounts for the disabled and women.

Good luck.

Any chance you can find a co-op that will donate funds for organic gardening? Perhaps seeds? Volunteers? Look into investors too with garden clubs and stores, and fruit stands that sell garden tools/food.

organic is hard to start just because the use of the word causes restrictions
why dont you start just growing the product your way and selling it
sell it on the corner of your lot you can tell people you use no chemicals without using the work organic
sell it at flea markets
sell it to local stores mom and pop
if you then find your market growing and are sure your land will pass organic testing you will have figures to back you up
keep careful records of time and mooney spent
yes i use local products of any kind whenever possible
im one small business owner that believes in keeping my money where i earn it

For financial help, have you looked into Disability, UnEmployment, Welfare, Social Security, a grant, anything like that? What about Diabled Veterns of America? The government should be able to help you also. You may want to look into something like that.

For some ideas on what you can do, why don't you buy some tomato seeds and plant them and sell them? You could also do corn, apples, and anything else that you can plant and sell. A lady that lived near me a few years ago did this and she did pretty well with it.

I hope this helps

Kathleen
kathleensmarketing@pghmail.com

I own two acres, and considered doing the same thing, but finally benched it because the amount of pesticides being sprayed by other nearby farms made 'organic' really difficult. Also, I live in the desert, and the water bills were really prohibitive.

I don't know how disabled you are, but I'd advise:

Planting in tubs -you'll increase the yeild while cutting down on the physical workload. I double-dug half an acre last year single-handedly with a shovel...and it was no picnic! I should've just bought some galvanised tubs and left the 'super-woman' ideas inside on the couch.

Dwarf fruit trees...surprisingly prolific! They're small, don't require a ladder, produce about a bushel of fruit each after only a couple years, and can be raised in tubs or planted as close as 8' apart.

'Apartment farming' -raising plants indoors in all kinds of containers or under lights. The lights can be a heavy investment, but you can turn a .99 cent package of seeds into a $25.00 flat of starters in about 3 weeks. If you just start a few flats every week, you can recoup the investment, and find out what sells and what don't.

Don't ignore the possibilities of what grows wild around you. The 'nuisance' that grows wild in your backyard with no care just might be the 'expensive groundcover' for someone a few miles away.

Just some ideas...I was seriously considering this, and looked at it very closely. I still plan to do it someday, but it will have to wait for awhile. If you need any practical advice, e-mail me, or stop by my forum and ask.

reality@realitycoffeeandhumblepie.com
http://realitycoffeeandhumblepie.com