Agriculture business ideas you can run from your own premises
61 ideas
These 63 agriculture ideas suit people who already have land, a barn or a greenhouse, or who plan to buy or lease a property in Canada. They range from a market garden selling veg boxes and at farmers' markets to a small christmas tree farm or a u-pick orchard with a farm gate shop.
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
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
Pastured eggs and small livestock farm
Raise laying hens on pasture and sell eggs direct to neighbours, shops and market customers.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- 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
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
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
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
Pasture-raised beef or pork sold direct
Raise cattle or pigs on pasture and sell freezer boxes and cuts straight to local customers.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Lease and run an established vineyard block
Skip the wait for young vines by leasing a producing block and selling the grapes to wineries.
- C$15k-75k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Hay and bedding yard with storage barn
Stock hay, shavings and straw in a barn or yard so local animal owners can buy or have it delivered.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Firewood yard with bundles and kindling
Run a small yard selling bundled and bagged firewood and kindling to campers, cottagers and walk-in customers.
- C$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small grain farm on rented land
Rent a few hundred acres, grow wheat, oats or canola, and hire custom operators for the heavy machinery work.
- C$120k-400k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Field vegetable grower for processors and wholesalers
Grow a few crops like potatoes, carrots or sweet corn on 10 to 40 acres and sell to packers, processors and wholesalers.
- C$15k-70k
- Part-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
Some need only a modest plot, while others, like pasture-raised beef or pork sold direct, need more acreage and equipment. Before you choose, think about how much land you realistically have, what your local zoning allows, how much time you can give through peak seasons, and how you will reach customers. Also consider how long each idea takes to earn income, since trees and orchards need years while vegetables can sell within one season.
More ideas
- Small sheep flock for lamb sales
- Beef cow-calf herd on grazing land
- Small Christmas tree farm
- Landscape tree and shrub grower
- Tree and shrub nursery for landscapers
- Seasonal pasture-raised chicken
- Pasture and self-care horse boarding
- Full-care horse boarding barn
- Container nursery for shrubs and trees
- Small seasonal pick-your-own pumpkin patch
- Horse pasture boarding on your land
- Seasonal pasture rental for cattle and sheep
- 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
- Small-batch pigs sold direct to customers
- Small breeding herd selling weaner pigs
- Stud farm offering stallion breeding services
- Pre-order vegetable wholesale from a small unit
- 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
- Small-plot Christmas tree grower
- Pick-your-own Christmas tree farm
- Farm machinery repair workshop
- Seed supplier for market gardens and small farms
- Small topsoil yard and delivery
- Farm gate stand or honesty shed
- On-farm shop with local goods
- Farm shop with online orders and pickup
- Local supply store for small growers
Questions
Do I need to own land to start a farm business from my own premises?
Not always. Many people lease land or a unit instead. Check the lease terms, how long you can stay, and whether the owner allows farm use, sales to the public, and any buildings or equipment you need.
What should I check before selling food or livestock direct to customers in Canada?
Rules vary by province and by product. Check provincial and local requirements for meat processing, food safety, licensing, labelling and farm gate sales, and speak to your provincial agriculture ministry or local health authority before you sell.
Can I run a farm business on a small property?
Often yes, depending on the idea. Greenhouse growing, market gardens and container nurseries can use limited space, while livestock and sod need more. Check local zoning, water access, setbacks and any limits on farm activity, signs or visitors on your property.