Agriculture business ideas you can start for up to $20,000
29 ideas
These 29 agriculture ideas suit people who want to work with land, animals or produce without a large farm purchase. Some are hands-on and seasonal, like a weekend pick-your-own pumpkin patch or a small-scale honey producer.
Hay and bedding delivery service
Buy hay and bedding from growers and deliver it to horse owners, smallholders and small farms.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Paddock-only horse agistment
Rent out spare paddocks to horse owners who look after their own animals each day.
- A$1k-6k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Grow-on trees for landscapers
Grow native and ornamental trees to a good size and sell them to landscapers, councils and builders.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Weekend pick-your-own pumpkin patch
Grow pumpkins on a small block and open on autumn weekends for families to pick their own.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Horseshoe maker: hand-forged shoes from your forge
Forge custom and remedial horseshoes in a small workshop for owners and other farriers.
- A$4k-20k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Firewood supplier with local delivery
Buy timber, split and season it on your property, then sell and deliver by the ute load to local homes.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Bagged firewood and kindling supplier
Pack dry firewood and kindling into bags and sell to servos, hardware shops and campgrounds.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Feed and hay delivery round
Buy feed in bulk and deliver it to horse owners and small farms on a regular route, with no shopfront.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Barefoot hoof trimming on the side
Trim unshod horses for local owners on weekends and evenings with a small set of hand tools.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small free-range egg flock
Keep a flock of laying hens on your rural block and sell fresh eggs locally.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Bee removal from walls and roofs
Safely remove established bee colonies from buildings and rehome them instead of destroying them.
- A$2.5k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Online farm produce ordering for local food businesses
Run a simple online order list that matches growers' weekly stock with local food businesses, then arrange delivery.
- A$1k-6k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online farm parts and tools supplier
Sell farm hand tools, spare parts and consumables online to farmers, shipped from home or a small storage space.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Small wholesale nursery on your own block
Grow a few lines of tubestock or potted plants and sell them in bulk to landscapers and local retailers.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small-scale honey producer
Keep a handful of hives on your property or a host's land and sell local honey at markets and online.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Pasture-raised eggs from a small flock
Keep a small free-range laying flock on a rural block and sell eggs direct to locals.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Online irrigation supplies store
Sell drip kits, timers and sprinkler parts online to home gardeners and small farms, with help choosing the right parts.
- A$3k-20k
- Side hustle
- Online
Paddock agistment for horse owners
Rent out safe, well-fenced paddocks on your rural or acreage property to local horse owners.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Backyard orchid grower selling at markets and online
Grow orchids in a small shadehouse at home and sell flowering plants at local markets and online.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Paddock agistment for horses
Rent out paddock space on your own land to horse owners who need a safe place to keep their horses.
- A$2k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online hydroponics supply store
Sell grow lights, nutrients and small systems online to home growers across Australia.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Local mulch and bark delivery service
Buy bulk mulch and bark from producers and deliver it by ute or tipper to home gardeners and small landscapers.
- A$1.5k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Tree planting and plantation care contractor
Plant, prune and look after young trees for plantation managers and landowners, starting solo or with a small crew.
- A$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small-load topsoil delivery by ute and trailer
Buy topsoil in bulk from a local yard and deliver small loads to homeowners and small landscapers.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Others lean on spare paddock space, such as paddock agistment for horse owners, or on online selling, like an online irrigation supplies store. Before you choose, think about the land and water you realistically have access to, how many hours a week you can give, and whether you are comfortable with weather and seasonal income. Check council zoning, biosecurity and food or animal rules for your state, and price in insurance, fencing and equipment before committing your budget.
More ideas
- Small-plot veg grower for farmers markets
- Small-block Christmas tree grower
- Online tractor and farm machinery parts shop
- Turf delivery and resale
- Online seed shop for home gardeners
Questions
Do I need my own land to start an agriculture business in Australia?
Not always. Ideas like online produce ordering, resale of supplies or market-based growing can run with little or no land. If you do need space, check whether leasing, sharing or using a family property suits your plans and local rules.
What approvals should I check before starting a small farm business?
Check with your local council about zoning and land use, and with your state agriculture or primary industries department about registrations, animal movement or biosecurity requirements. Food-related ideas may also need food safety rules checked. Requirements vary by location and activity.
How far can $20,000 go in agriculture?
It depends on the idea. Lower-cost options might cover basic equipment, stock and insurance, while livestock, fencing, water or machinery can add up quickly. List your must-have costs, get quotes, and leave a buffer for slow early months and seasonal gaps.