Agriculture business ideas you can run from your own premises
67 ideas
These 69 agriculture ideas all work from land, buildings or a yard that you own or control. They suit people who already have acreage or a barn, or who plan to buy or lease a property and build a business around it.
Choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm
Plant a few acres of Christmas trees and sell them to families each December.
- $5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Landscape tree grower for local landscapers
Grow shade and ornamental trees on a small plot and sell them to landscapers and garden centers.
- $5k-30k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Regional produce wholesaler with cold storage
Buy from growers, store in a small cooler space and deliver weekly to restaurants, grocers and institutions.
- $80k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local irrigation supply store
Run a small counter-and-yard supply shop stocking pipe, sprinklers and pumps for local landscapers, farmers and homeowners.
- $30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Micro-dairy with your own goats, sheep or cows
Keep a small herd and make milk, cheese or yogurt on your own land to sell directly to local customers.
- $40k-200k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Retail and wholesale plant nursery
Run a nursery on leased or owned land selling trees and shrubs to gardeners and landscapers.
- $15k-75k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Hay and bedding yard with storage barn
Stock hay, straw and shavings in a barn or yard for walk-in sales and local delivery.
- $10k-50k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Local feed and supply store
Open a small store selling feed, bedding and supplies to horse owners, hobby farmers and pet owners nearby.
- $25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local hydroponics and indoor growing shop
Open a small store where local growers get lights, nutrients, systems and hands-on advice.
- $30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Full-scale container plant nursery
Run a nursery with greenhouses or shade houses and supply trees, shrubs and perennials to landscapers and retailers.
- $25k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small oyster farm selling direct to buyers
Grow oysters in a leased or licensed water site and sell them live to local restaurants and fishmongers.
- $15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
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
Full-care boarding barn with stalls and an arena
Lease a small existing barn and offer stalls, daily feeding and turnout, and riding facilities for owners who want everything looked after.
- $20k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small estate olive grove and oil label
Take over or grow a small olive grove, have the fruit pressed into oil and sell it under your own estate label.
- $15k-75k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Dairy equipment parts and supply shop
Run a small rural shop and yard stocking milking parts and supplies, with delivery and service for nearby dairy farms.
- $60k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Firewood yard with a processor
Run a small yard with a firewood processor and kiln or large drying space, selling by the cord, bundle and pallet.
- $25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small bulk landscape materials yard
Run a yard selling bulk mulch, bark and soil by the scoop or truckload to local gardeners and landscapers.
- $30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
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
Seasonal grazing leases for livestock
Lease your spare pasture to cattle, sheep or goat owners by the month or season with little daily work.
- $1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Fresh egg supplier to cafes, bakeries and shops
Run a larger flock on rural land and deliver fresh eggs weekly to local cafes, bakeries and grocers.
- $25k-100k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Local farm and garden seed store
Run a small store or warehouse selling bulk seed, cover crops and pasture mixes to local farmers and growers.
- $15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small farm and grower supply store
Open a local store selling fertilizer, crop protection and growing supplies to small farms, ranches and serious gardeners.
- $50k-200k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Farm equipment repair shop
Run a small workshop where farmers bring tractors and implements for repairs, servicing and rebuilds.
- $25k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Seasonal roadside farm stand
Sell fresh produce, eggs and homemade goods from a simple stand at the edge of your farm or land.
- $1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
About these ideas
You might start small with a seasonal roadside farm stand or a small organic market garden with CSA shares, then add a year-round on-farm store as customers return. Others, such as a topsoil yard with screening and delivery, need more space and equipment. Before you choose, look at your property's size, soil, water access and zoning. Check whether your county allows sales to the public, signage, animals or heavy vehicles. Think about how much time you can give each day, since crops and livestock rarely wait.
More ideas
- Year-round on-farm store
- Local tractor parts shop
- Small-scale sod farm
- Topsoil yard with screening and delivery
- Breeding farm with foals and young horses
- Small market vegetable farm
- Pasture-raised eggs and small flock
- Pasture horse boarding on your land
- Full-care horse boarding barn
- Leased orchard selling at markets
- U-pick orchard and farm stand
- Pasture-raised pork for local customers
- Pig breeding: piglets and breeding stock
- Small seasonal pumpkin patch
- Pumpkin patch with fall events
- Part-time grain farm on leased acres
- Small-acreage field vegetable grower
- Small orchid greenhouse selling wholesale and retail
- Small vineyard selling grapes direct
- Honey farm with multiple bee yards
- Small organic market garden with CSA shares
- Small market garden selling direct
- Pasture-raised eggs and meat farm
- Small pick-your-own berry or flower patch
- Pick-your-own farm with a farm stand
- Greenhouse grower for local shops and restaurants
- Small pond fish farm
- Indoor tank fish farm
- Small sheep or goat flock for meat and wool
- Pasture-raised beef or pork sold direct
- Custom horseshoe maker for farriers
- Small cow-calf herd on pasture
- Raise cattle for direct beef sales
- Small-farm horse breeding for foal sales
- Stallion stud services for local mare owners
- Small sheep flock selling lambs
- Beef cow-calf herd on grazing land
- Pick-your-own Christmas tree farm
- Christmas tree grower with a seasonal sales lot
- Small-plot vegetable grower
- Market farm supplying restaurants and shops
- Small-herd livestock breeder
- Full-time livestock breeding farm
Questions
Do I need special zoning to run an agriculture business from my own property?
It depends on where you live. Many rural areas allow farming, but selling to the public, hosting visitors or keeping certain animals may need extra approval. Check with your county or town planning office before you invest in buildings or equipment.
How much land do I need to start a farm-based business?
Needs vary a lot by idea. A market garden or farm stand may fit on a few acres, while livestock breeding usually needs more pasture. Check stocking guidance, water supply and setback rules for your area before you decide.
What permits or insurance should I look into first?
Common things to check include a business license, sales tax registration, food handling or inspection rules for produce and animal products, and liability insurance for visitors. Your state agriculture department and local extension office are good places to ask.