Greenhouse grower for local shops and restaurants

Restaurants, grocery stores, garden centers, CSA members and farmers market shoppers.

Wholesale and direct sales by the case, tray or pound, often with standing weekly orders from a few steady buyers.

• Crop planning and growing experience
• Managing climate, water and pests
• Building relationships with buyers

• Agricultural zoning and building permits for greenhouses, check with your county
• Food safety rules for edible crops and any buyer requirements, check your state department of agriculture
• Nursery or plant dealer licenses for selling plants in some states
• Heating, electricity and water costs can be high and crop failures hit cash flow
• Workers' compensation insurance and labor rules once you hire help

Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $300,000, depending on scale. A few lightly heated polytunnels sit at the low end, while a heated greenhouse with irrigation and climate controls sits at the high end. These are estimates.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your crops, growing schedule and buyers such as restaurants, grocers and garden centers. This is an estimate, and revenue is not the same as profit.

Check agricultural zoning and building permits with your county, food safety rules for edible crops, and nursery or plant dealer licenses in your state. Also look into workers' compensation insurance and labor rules once you hire help.