Pumpkin patch farm day out with café stall

Families, schools and childcare centres, community groups and people booking small private events.

Pumpkin sales, entry or activity fees, food and drink sales, and group bookings. A longer season with extra events spreads the income.

• Event and visitor organising
• Growing or farm management
• Customer service and managing helpers
• Basic budgeting and marketing

• Public liability insurance with cover suited to events and large crowds, and workers compensation if you hire staff
• Council approval for hosting visitors and events, and food business registration for refreshments, check with your local council
• Child safety, supervision rules and Working with Children Checks where your state requires them
• Wet weather, crop failure and low turnout can hit a short season hard
• Parking, traffic, toilets, accessibility and first aid planning

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the size of your site, the activities you offer, insurance and your refreshment set-up. Get your own quotes before committing to any spending.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on visitor numbers, school bookings and events. Revenue is not profit, and wet weather, crop failure or low turnout can hit a short season hard.

Check council approval for hosting visitors and events, food business registration for refreshments, and public liability cover suited to crowds. Also check workers compensation if you hire staff, and Working with Children Checks where your state requires them.