Posted on 03/20/2016 2:54:15 PM PDT by goodwithagun
I'm considering starting a CSA, with which I would provide a basket of vegetables from my garden (uncertified organic) to 10 (the first year) families each week for 18 weeks. Using the CSA model, the customers sign up and prepay for the season, knowing the risks of crop failure. I have experience with intensive planting and growing a lot on a little land. Additionally, my neighbor will allow me the use of his field for free . . .
As a small, independent owner of a murder-for-hire business, I enjoy the frequent travel and the fact I don't have to pay Obamacare costs for my employees.
I’m a business owners, started 18 years ago. Sub chapter S corp.
Prepare to leave very lean the first few years.
I have personal experience with keeping books for self-employed people. The secret to success is MANAGEMENT. Keep track of everything.
Why?
No Partners at all... Period.
Hmm. Wondering how to label that on taxes for a business expense deduction . . .
I don’t know about Ohio, but in CA you would probably be violating multiple regulations and have all kinds of state and local gubmint bureaucrats all over you as soon as they heard. Then some homosexuals would show up and demand that you provide cucumbers for their wedding.
1. Always define an acronym like CSA at least once
2. Write a business plan, especially the financial section for yourself. Check out the Small Business Administration’s website and/or visit your local SBA office or school program for free counseling.
3. Put everything in writing with your customers and with the friend who is going to allow you to use the land.
4. If crops fail, do the customers not receive refunds? If the customers pay by credit card, be prepared for chargebacks. Credit card companies favor customers no matter what your terms.
4. Research thoroughly the legal aspects of selling food products and the liabilities. Same with using the word organic, uncertified or not. Ideally, talk to a lawyer.
5. Taxes: make sure you pay them.
Best business advice: be prepared for 0 profit and worse, losses. Not intended to be discouraging. It’s reality.
Thanks. I was wondering about that. I’d also be my only employee, as long as CPS doesn’t find out that my kids help lol.
Thanks. I need to check into liabilities insurance, too.
Don’t laugh it could happen.
“No Partners at all... Period.”
Good advice, especially if you are married to your labor force!!!
Things are Definitly a bit more loose in Oh. I actually thought about the religious freedom aspect, and I’d only be selling veg shares through subscription. I don’t have to worry about to whom I provide a service that might interfere with my beliefs; i.e., homosexual celebrations. If homosexuals would like to buy a subscription for a box of food each week they are more than welcome to, but I will have no other services that they can purchase. Isn’t it crazy scary that we have to plan like this?
Form an LLC and elect sub S treatment.
Find a successful CSA and model what they are doing so that you don’t try to create it from scratch.
Contract that covers liability issues and contingencies that you cannot control - blight, pestilence, kids choking, under what conditions they can get a refund or partial refund, what happens if they don’t pick it up, etc. Again, get a couple contracts from other CSAs and see what they are doing to protect themselves and how they do the logistics.
Always pay the Mafia first (US Gov’t IRS).
Deduct everything you possibly can that relates to your business, including cell phone, home office, if you have one, materials books, etc. Save every single receipt. I like Expensible for that. Take picture, saved digitally in cloud, create expense reports, etc.
Make sure you are complying with OH and fed government regulations and licenses. You may have to be a licensed farm, sadly. Hire an OH attorney.
Only grow what people want. If they don’t want it, you can’t make them not, not want it.
You better make a wheel barrow full of money to cover your legal and regulatory costs! Or is is just a very expensive hobby.
If you are successful, remember “you didn’t do that!”
LMAO!
Next I'll second TexasTransplant; "No Partners at all... Period.
Been there, done that. Next couple of years we're ending our partnership after some 12 - 13 years. My partner is one of the most honest, Christian, nicest and politically conservative people you'll ever meet. But he resents my drive and motivation. He finds it troubling that I have talents and have produced results where he would be challenged to reproduce or continue the same. I understand the need for a backup plan. But I can't tolerate being held back because I just am who God made me.
Right on! TexasTransplant
This book is supposed to be excellent. Read the reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158979799X?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01
Good luck to you!
Why sell to ten families when you can sell to one established organic restaurant?
Additionally, my neighbor will allow me the use of his field for free . . .
What could go wrong with that?
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