Agriculture business ideas with startup costs over C$20,000
66 ideas
These 68 agriculture ideas need a larger upfront investment, usually for land access, equipment, livestock, buildings or vehicles. They suit people with savings, a financing plan or farm experience who want something more substantial than a side project.
Feeder cattle dealer
Buy and sell feeder cattle between ranches, backgrounders and feedlots, earning the margin on each load.
- C$100k-500k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Goat or sheep dairy with on-farm creamery
Keep a small milking herd and make cheese or yogurt on your own land, sold direct to local customers.
- C$60k-300k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small orchard selling at markets and a farm stand
Grow apples or pears on a few acres and sell direct at farmers' markets, a roadside stand and to local shops.
- C$15k-70k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
U-pick orchard with a farm gate shop
Run an orchard where families pick their own fruit, with a farm shop for ready-picked fruit and extras.
- C$30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile milking equipment service and parts
Drive to dairy farms to install, service and repair milking systems, and supply the parts they need.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Dairy parts and consumables supplier from home
Stock and deliver milking liners, filters, hoses and wash supplies to local dairy farms from a home base.
- C$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small organic market garden with veggie boxes
Grow organic vegetables on a an acre or two and sell through weekly boxes and farmers' markets.
- C$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Certified organic farm selling to shops and restaurants
Run a full-time certified organic farm supplying local shops, restaurants and box schemes.
- C$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local hydroponics supply shop
Open a small shop where home and small commercial growers can get lights, nutrients and hands-on advice.
- C$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small seasonal u-pick berry or veg patch
Grow strawberries, raspberries or vegetables on a few acres and let families pick their own in season.
- C$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Full-time u-pick farm with farm stand
Run a u-pick orchard or farm with several crops, a farm stand and a longer season that brings families back.
- C$30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Horseshoe forge: custom and specialty shoes
Hand-forge custom and corrective horseshoes in a small workshop for farriers and owners.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Local irrigation supply shop and trade counter
Open a small shop or yard stocking irrigation parts for farmers, landscapers and installers in your area.
- C$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small market garden with veg boxes
Grow vegetables on a small plot and sell weekly boxes and market stalls to local households.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small commercial orchid greenhouse
Grow young orchid plants to flowering in a rented or owned greenhouse and supply florists and garden centres.
- C$20k-100k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Full-time honey farm with wholesale
Run dozens of hives across several sites and sell honey and wax to shops, restaurants and online customers.
- C$15k-70k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Rural feed and supply store
Sell feed, bedding and supplies to farmers, horse owners and pet owners from a small shop or unit.
- C$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Feed and bedding delivery round
Deliver bagged feed and bedding to farms and stables on a regular route, with no shop to rent.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small-scale horse breeding on your own acreage
Breed one to three quality mares and sell the foals or youngsters to riders and owners.
- C$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- From home
Horse breeding farm with young horse sales
Run a working farm that breeds, raises and starts young horses for sale, with a stallion or a larger broodmare band.
- C$40k-200k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bulk mulch and soil delivery service
Buy mulch, bark and soil from producers and deliver it by the load to gardeners and landscapers.
- C$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small landscape supply yard
Run a local yard with bins of mulch, bark and soil, sold by the scoop, by the load or delivered.
- C$50k-200k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Pond trout farm and stocking supplier
Raise trout in ponds on rural land and sell to pond owners, fishing spots and local buyers.
- C$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Small sheep flock for lamb and wool
Raise a small flock on a few acres and sell lambs, meat and fleeces alongside your day job.
- C$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
About these ideas
You might look at a small christmas tree farm, a market garden selling veg boxes and at farmers' markets, or a farm and rural fencing contractor. Before choosing, think about how you will secure land, whether you will buy or lease, and how long it takes to earn the first sale. Trees, orchards and herds can take years to pay back, while contracting and direct sales may bring in income sooner. Check local zoning, water access and any licences or inspections that apply to your product, and cost out equipment, insurance and working capital before you commit.
More ideas
- Pasture-raised beef or pork sold direct
- Lease and run an established vineyard block
- Farm and rural fencing contractor
- Mobile farrier round
- Local farm produce supplier to restaurants
- Hay and bedding yard with storage barn
- Firewood yard with bundles and kindling
- Small grain farm on rented land
- Field vegetable grower for processors and wholesalers
- Small sheep flock for lamb sales
- Beef cow-calf herd on grazing land
- Small Christmas tree farm
- Tree and shrub nursery for landscapers
- Full-care horse boarding barn
- Container nursery for shrubs and trees
- Custom crop and field spraying service
- Rural mowing and brush cutting service
- Small-herd beef sold direct to customers
- Cow-calf herd selling calves
- Small oyster farm selling direct to buyers
- Market garden selling veg boxes and at farmers' markets
- Small farm raising pasture-raised lamb or pork
- Woodlot thinning and harvesting contractor
- Small breeding herd selling weaner pigs
- Used farm equipment and attachments dealer
- Stud farm offering stallion breeding services
- Local vegetable supplier to restaurants and shops
- Local fertilizer and soil product delivery
- Small-flock sheep breeder
- Small oyster or mussel farm
- Freshwater trout or tilapia pond farm
- Market garden supplying restaurants and shops
- Small greenhouse orchid grower for florists and shops
- Rural tractor parts counter and shop
- Small-scale sod farm
- Pick-your-own Christmas tree farm
- Mobile farm equipment repair
- Farm machinery repair workshop
- Seed supplier for market gardens and small farms
- Small topsoil yard and delivery
- On-farm shop with local goods
- Local supply store for small growers
Questions
How do I finance an agriculture business costing over C$20,000?
Options to look into include personal savings, bank or credit union loans, and farm-focused lenders such as Farm Credit Canada. Also check provincial or federal programs for new farmers. Prepare a realistic budget and cash flow plan, since lenders will usually ask for one.
Do I need to own land to start a farm business in Canada?
Not always. Leasing, sharing or renting land can lower upfront costs, and some ideas, like contracting or a parts counter, need a workshop or yard rather than a farm. Check lease terms, zoning rules and what activities your local municipality allows.
What permits or rules should I check before starting?
Rules vary by province and municipality, so check zoning, business registration, food safety or livestock requirements, and environmental rules around water, soil and waste. Contact your provincial agriculture ministry or local municipality early, and consider speaking with an accountant or adviser.