Agriculture business ideas you can start for up to $20,000

38 ideas

These 38 agriculture ideas suit people who want to earn from land, animals, plants or farm supplies without a huge upfront investment. Some, like pasture-raised eggs and a small flock, work best if you already have acreage.

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1k to 5kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premises
Crates of fresh farm produce stacked in a wholesale warehouse.

Local farm produce broker

Connect small local growers with restaurants and grocers, and earn a margin on each bulk order you arrange.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
1,120 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.0% in a year
Stacked irrigation pipes, pumps and fittings in a farm supply warehouse.

Online drip irrigation kit shop

Sell drip and sprinkler kits online to gardeners and small farms, shipped from a spare room or by your supplier.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
7,500 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.7% in a year
Shearer clipping a sheep's wool on a farm in a barn.

Travelling contract sheep shearer

Travel a seasonal circuit of farms and ranches, shearing flocks of all sizes for a fee per head.

  • $3k-12k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
4,791 US businesses with employees in this field, -2.1% in a year
Hay bales stacked on a trailer ready for delivery to a farm.

Hay and bedding delivery service

Buy hay and shavings from local growers and deliver to horse owners and small farms.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
9,322 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.1% in a year
Forestry worker cutting and managing trees in a woodland.

Tree planting and woodland thinning contractor

Plant seedlings, thin crowded stands and clear brush for private landowners and foresters with hand tools and chainsaws.

  • $2.5k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,023 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.2% in a year
Leafy plants growing in a hydroponic system under bright grow lights in a greenhouse.

Online hydroponics supply store

Sell grow lights, nutrients and starter systems to home growers through your own website.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
13,195 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.8% in a year
Stacked crates of fresh vegetables in a wholesale warehouse loading area.

Online vegetable wholesale ordering for chefs

Take weekly orders online from restaurants and caterers, source from growers, and deliver or arrange pickup.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
4,914 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.2% in a year
Farmers and cattle gathered around a busy livestock auction ring.

Goat and sheep dealer

Buy goats and sheep from local sellers and resell to families, 4-H kids, small farms and holiday meat buyers.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
573 US businesses with employees in this field, -9.5% in a year
Rows of potted young plants growing in a large greenhouse nursery.

Small specialty plant grower for local buyers

Grow one or two types of plants on your own land and sell them in bulk to local landscapers and garden centers.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
4,105 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.6% in a year
Horses standing in a clean stable with grazing fields beyond.

Pasture boarding for a few horses on your land

Rent out pasture, shelter and water to local horse owners who do most of the daily care themselves.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
4,791 US businesses with employees in this field, -2.1% in a year
Tractors and farm machinery lined up at a rural equipment dealer.

Online farm tools and parts shop for small farms

Sell hand tools, implement parts and small farm gear online to hobby farms and homesteads, shipped from a home or small storage space.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
7,500 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.7% in a year
Tractor spraying crops in a farm field during daytime.

Contract spraying for farms and landowners

Spray weeds and pests on pasture and small crop fields for owners who lack the equipment or license.

  • $4k-20k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
2,210 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year
Neatly stacked seasoned firewood logs ready for delivery to customers.

Local firewood delivery on weekends

Source, split and season logs on your own land, then deliver by the cord or part cord to nearby homes.

  • $2.5k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
7,703 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year
A beekeeper in a protective suit carefully collecting a honeybee swarm.

Live bee removal from walls and buildings

Remove established bee colonies from walls, roofs and sheds, then rehome them alive.

  • $3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
16,535 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.8% in a year
Large piles of bark mulch and soil stored at a supplier yard.

Mulch and soil delivery by truck and trailer

Buy bulk mulch and soil from local producers and deliver it by the yard to homeowners and small landscapers.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
4,105 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.6% in a year
Horses grazing in a green paddock fenced for agistment on a farm.

Horse pasture boarding on your land

Rent pasture space to horse owners and handle feed checks, water and daily turnout.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
4,791 US businesses with employees in this field, -2.1% in a year

Online specialty seed shop

Sell packets of a focused range of seeds, like heirloom veg or native wildflowers, to home gardeners online.

  • $1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
9,322 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.1% in a year

Independent crop inputs sales rep

Visit local farms and sell fertilizer and crop protection products for a distributor or dealer, earning commission.

  • $2k-10k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
9,322 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.1% in a year

Online fertilizer supplier for small farms

Sell organic fertilizers and soil amendments to market gardeners and small farms online, with local pickup or shipping.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
9,322 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.1% in a year

Online tractor parts store

Sell filters, belts, seals and other common tractor parts online to farmers and hobby farm owners.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
7,500 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.7% in a year

Sod delivery and supply service

Buy sod from local farms and deliver it to homeowners, landscapers and builders in your area.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
4,105 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.6% in a year

Small-load topsoil delivery by trailer

Buy topsoil from a local yard and deliver small loads to homeowners and small landscapers with a pickup and dump trailer.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,756 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.5% in a year
Farmer working in a green field with crops or livestock.

Pasture-raised eggs and small flock

Keep a laying flock on a few acres and sell eggs directly to neighbors, shops and markets.

  • $1k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
A groom feeds a horse in a clean wooden stable stall.

Pasture horse boarding on your land

Board a few horses on your own pasture with shelter, water and daily hay for a monthly fee.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises

About these ideas

Others, such as an online drip irrigation kit shop or a mobile farrier service, need little or no land and rely more on skills, tools or a vehicle. Before you pick one, think about how much space you have, how many hours daily animal or plant care will take, and whether local buyers are within easy reach. Check your zoning, any permits for selling food or livestock, and your insurance needs. Start with the idea that best fits your land, skills and schedule, and keep some cash back for feed, repairs and slow early months.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need my own land to start an agriculture business under $20,000?

Not always. Ideas like an online farm tools and parts shop, a mobile farrier service or firewood delivery need little or no land. If you do want animals or crops, check whether leasing land or renting pasture fits your budget.

What should I check before selling eggs, meat or plants locally?

Check your state and county rules on selling food, labeling, licensing and inspections, since these can vary by product and location. Also look at local zoning for your property and ask your insurer whether you need liability cover.

How should I plan my budget for a small farm business?

List startup items like animals, fencing, feed, equipment, and supplies, then add a cushion for vet bills, repairs and slow sales. Compare quotes, consider buying used equipment, and make sure your total fits comfortably within $20,000.