Field vegetable grower for processors and wholesalers

Food processors, packing houses, produce wholesalers and grocery distributors, sometimes under seasonal contracts.

You sell harvested crops by weight or by the bin or case. Contracts can give more predictable prices, while open-market sales vary. Most income arrives in the harvest season, so monthly figures are averaged.

• Growing and harvesting field crops
• Planning planting dates and storage
• Operating or maintaining tractors and equipment
• Building relationships with buyers

• Buyers often require food safety certification such as CanadaGAP, so check what your buyers expect
• Water access and irrigation rules vary by province and municipality
• Short growing seasons and weather risks, plus storage and handling losses
• Hiring seasonal workers brings WCB/WSIB and employment rules to check in your province
• Check crop insurance, farm liability cover and any farm registration requirements with your provincial agriculture ministry
• Pesticide use may require certification, so check your provincial rules

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on whether you own or rent land, your equipment and the crops you choose. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes for your own acreage.

Things to check include food safety certification such as CanadaGAP, which buyers often expect, plus water and irrigation rules, pesticide certification, and farm registration, crop insurance and liability cover with your provincial agriculture ministry.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on crops, acreage and buyers. Short growing seasons, weather risks, and storage and handling losses can all affect results.