Times have changed along with people. Our ranch was established in 1885, without oil and gas it would be almost impossible to make a living now. Great grandmother used to load up the buggy and take it 10 miles into town and sell butter and egg’s to make ends meet. Less and less farmers in this area are relying strictly on cotton and running dual crops now. In a changing world you have to change your ways.
My hub’s family orchards started in the late 1800’s in Oregon..used to be Red Delicious Apples (remember them?). Now, it’s all pears. It takes an average of 10-12 years for a pear tree to come to production. Over the years it has required row structure changes, fans for freeze prevention, etc. THERE’S ALWAYS SOmeTHING! (There are still, however, some 100 year old pear trees in the orchard...which is now leased, and will be sold within 5 years.) The new owner IS diversified with a company selling fruit boxes in mostly the off season. Farming is NOT easy.
The most successful small farmers I know of follow value added practices and sell direct to retail or retail themselves.
All local. One cattle place butchers, packages and freezes then sells direct out of their farm and distributes to local retail outlets and restaurants. “locally sourced and grass fed” brings a premium at those places.
Another farm bought a candy company’s building and equipment to make it’s own peanut candy bars.
And a few others open their own retail space to sell what they grow and retail produce from other local farms.
Anyway they do it they’re working their assess to the bone.