Pick-Your-Own Farming
Free Yourself from Farmers Markets and Join the Agritourism Revolution!
Megan Neubauer and her father Jack founded Pure Land Farm in 2012. After five years without a profit at farmers markets, they decided to convert Pure Land to a pick-your-own and quickly discovered the benefits of agritourism. By reallocating all the harvesting labor to visitors and because the produce is sold upon harvest, Megan and Jack have found they're able to spend more time on the work of growing, allowing them to produce much more food than they could pick, prep for market, and sell by themselves. Upon encouraging other farmers to try pick-your-own, Megan and Jack ran into the same resistance over and over; most farmers are hesitant to allow the public onto their property, and they don't know how to create a good guest experience. "I searched high and low for resources on how to run a pick-your-own when we started, but there's just nothing out there, which is why I wrote the book," said Megan. "I hope it will help other farmers see the potential in agritourism not only for profitability, but to push the entire local food movement forward by educating the public about regenerative agriculture through the power of fun, immersive experiences on farms.
SKU 7796, Copyright 2023, softcover, 152 pages.
About the Author:
Megan Neubauer is a farmer in North Texas. She graduated with a BS in Biology from Boston University in 2004 and after several years working in biotech and scientific research, Megan and her father created Pure Land Farm in McKinney, TX in 2012. Pure Land Farm uses organic, regenerative growing methods on three acres of thornless blackberries and two acres of diversified fruits and vegetables, exclusively marketing their products using agritourism. Since 2016, Megan has also served as the Executive Director of the Seed Project Foundation, a McKinney nonprofit that funds agricultural, educational and community initiatives that support sustainability, and mentors their donation farm, McKinney Roots.
Customer Reviews
United StatesThe missing piece
Absolutely loved how she broke everything down. This was the missing piece to our business plan and we cannot wait to implement it in our neck of the woods.
United StatesPick your own farming
SO far reading it, it has been very interesting. Looking forward to getting to put some of the things into practice.
New ZealandRobyn
Really great information for beginners. Gives a good insight on what behaviours to expect, and how to mitigate, also a good amount of the 'how to' for avoiding pitfalls and utilising social media to extend reach.
United StatesPick your own book review
Great book for any market farmer considering alternative ways to market their produce. The book is easy to read, extremely practical and can serve as a roadmap for some someone considering trying out a U Pick model for improved profitability.
United States10 stars! Highly recommended!!
Megan Neubauer's book Pick-Your-Own Farming is a must-read for any farmer considering adding agritourism to their business. Neubauer, who has successfully transitioned her own farm from a traditional farmers market operation to a thriving pick-your-own farm, shares her insights and expertise on everything from choosing the right crops to marketing your farm to visitors. Neubauer begins by explaining the benefits of agritourism for farmers. She points out that pick-your-own farms can be more profitable than traditional farmers' markets, as they allow farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers at a higher price. Additionally, pick-your-own farms can provide a valuable educational experience for visitors, teaching them about where their food comes from and the importance of sustainable agriculture. Neubauer then goes on to provide detailed advice on all aspects of starting and running a pick-your-own farm. She covers topics such as: Choosing the right crops Designing your farm for visitors Setting prices and marketing your farm Providing a good guest experience Managing risk and liability Neubauer's book is written in a clear and concise style, and it is packed with practical advice and real-world examples. She also includes a number of resources and tools to help farmers get started, such as sample business plans, marketing materials, and crop planning worksheets. Overall, How to Start a Successful Pick-Your-Own Farm is an excellent resource for any farmer considering adding agritourism to their business. Neubauer's book is comprehensive, informative, and easy to read. It is a must-have for any farmer who wants to learn more about the benefits of agritourism and how to start their own pick-your-own farm. Highly recommended! P.S. I am particularly impressed with Neubauer's commitment to regenerative agriculture.
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