feeling defeated ughh...

[lph]

I hear you, Smilingcat. I've often wished I was one of those people who go out and do things mindlessly myself.
I'm certain you will figure it all out and be successful. But maybe not all at once. Maybe not right away. But this must be something that every new farmowner goes through, nobody is born just knowing all of this stuff! Is there any kind of forum or community for new farmers that could help?

[OakLeaf]

Hang in there. I can't imagine how hard it must be. But there's a success story near me - two young women started a small vegetable farm and eight years later the farm is still going and expanding. One thing I think has really helped them is using WOOFer interns. You'd have to house and feed them obviously, but on this farm they're housed in very primitive conditions. Plenty of young people are okay with that, I did a similar kind of internship myself my first summer out of college.

Then building loyalty among their consumer customers by starting a CSA (which obviously helps with cash flow too) and offering a discount for customers who take a volunteer shift - and having a dinner at the farm a couple of times a year featuring their produce and other local producers', with farm tours. I have no idea how the wholesale end of the business works though ...

Right from the start, their produce stood out at the farmers' market, it's so very clear they grow with love and care. I have no doubt yours will be the same and you will enjoy well deserved success.