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How to Turn Your Hobby Farm Into a Side Hustle

Have you ever wondered how to turn your hobby farm into something that produces revenue? You’re not alone. Starting a side hustle out of your farm can be an effective way to grow your income without having to quit your day job, and as long as you do it correctly, you’ll be surprised by just how much money you can make at it. Below, Carrie Spencer shares some tips on turning your hobby farm into a source of steady income.

Sell What You Produce

The easiest way to monetize your land is to produce a product and sell it. Whether you’re trying to cash in on a hobby or make a living off your homestead, selling what you produce can be an easy way to turn your field into a farm — and put some money in your pocket, too.

Where Can You Sell things?

If you are creating a product that is best sold locally, like organic produce or seeds, your best bet for sales is to sell it at local farmer's markets, craft fairs, and flea markets. If you're planning on selling online, Amazon is always an option. And if you plan on making large-quantity products and selling them to stores or restaurants, you'll need to find buyers through distributors and brokers.

Make an Online Store

You might not have millions of website visitors to start generating income right away; it does take time and effort. But don’t be afraid to start small – if you can only manage an Etsy shop, for now, that’s great! Once you get used to everything, you can expand your online store into an eCommerce empire.

Use Online Tools Like Instagram to Market Yourself

Instagram is one of your best friends when it comes to getting your business in front of new customers. Posting quality photos and videos regularly to your Instagram account will help build awareness, generate interest in your products, and attract new followers. Posting often will drive followers to your online store. And don’t forget about hashtags; they make it easier for people looking for certain products or services (i.e., homesteaders) to find you on Instagram.

Choosing a Business Structure

Before figuring out how to start a business from scratch, you’ll need to choose what type of entity you'll form. There are four main types of structures: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and limited liability company (LLC). If your goal is to quit your day job and work your land full-time, then it makes sense to go with a corporation or an LLC; both offer benefits when it comes to taxes and liability concerns. Keep in mind, a corporation may be better if you plan to bring on investors because of the easy transferability of ownership shares.

Using a business formation service is typically cheaper than going through a lawyer, and you can even file the paperwork yourself to save even more. States have different requirements when forming a business, so check with your state’s business registration office before going ahead.

Hard Work and Determination

There are many ways to go about starting a business. However, no one method works for everyone. Just know that to start your own business, you have to be willing to work hard and have determination.

Carrie Spencer created The Spencers Adventures to share her family’s homesteading adventures. On the site, she shares tips on living self-sufficiently, fruit and vegetable gardening, parenting, conservation, and more. Their goal is to live as self-sufficiently and environmentally-consciously as possible.