Full-Time u-pick farm with farm stand

Families, school and daycare groups, visitors from nearby cities and regular customers who buy in bulk for freezing or canning.

Picking by weight or container, farm stand sales of produce and preserves, and optional entry fees or seasonal events. Income is concentrated in the growing season.

• Farming experience or willingness to learn
• Managing seasonal helpers
• Marketing and social media
• Customer service
• Budgeting through the off-season

• Zoning, building and septic or washroom rules for public visitors, which vary by municipality and province
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus crop and property cover to compare
• WCB/WSIB rules for seasonal workers, which differ by province and farm type
• Food handling, sampling and preserve-making rules, so check with your public health unit
• Long winters mean little income for months, so plan cash flow and possible winter products
• Land and equipment costs can be high, so consider leasing before buying
• A bad weather year can cut both crops and visitors

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on land, equipment, facilities and the crops you grow. Land and equipment costs can be high, so consider leasing before buying.

Estimates put monthly revenue typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on crops, season and visitor numbers. Long winters mean little income for months, so plan cash flow and possible winter products. A bad weather year can cut crops and visitors.

Check zoning, building, and septic or washroom rules for public visitors in your municipality and province. Also check liability and crop insurance, WCB/WSIB rules for seasonal workers, and food handling and preserve-making rules with your public health unit.