business plan for strawberry farm

Strawberry Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

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Do you want to start a strawberry farm and need to write a plan? If YES, here is a sample strawberry farming business plan template & FREE feasibility report.

If you are considering starting a strawberry farming business, the good news is that you can’t get it wrong because various species of strawberries are consumed fresh by almost everybody and all over the globe. In addition to being consumed fresh, strawberries can also be frozen or processed into jam or preserves, as well as dried and used in prepared foods, such as cereal bars.

Strawberries and strawberry flavorings are a popular addition to dairy products, such as strawberry milk, strawberry ice cream, strawberry milkshakes/smoothies and strawberry yogurts amongst others.

It is important to state that strawberry farming comes with its own fair share of challenges, but that does not rule out the fact that it is indeed a profitable business venture. An aspiring entrepreneur can either choose to start on a small or on a large scale depending on their financial status.

A Sample Strawberry Farming Business Plan Template 

1. industry overview.

Strawberries are bright red, juicy, and sweet. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese and also contain decent amounts of folate (vitamin B9) and potassium. So also, strawberries are very rich in antioxidants and plant compounds, which may have benefits for heart health and blood sugar control.

Strawberry farmers are under the Fruit and Nut Farming industry and Farmers in this industry grow nuts and fruits such as grapes, almonds, apples, pecans and walnuts, strawberries, peanuts, cherries, blueberries and cranberries and other.

Operators in this industry sell their crops to downstream processors and fresh produce wholesalers and retailers. In 2017, world production of strawberries was 9.22 million tons, led by China with 40 percent of the total, and the united states with 16 percent.

If you are a close observer of the Fruit and Nut Farming industry, you will agree that the industry is anticipated to increase due to increasing consumer health consciousness, which has led to increasing demand for fresh produce. While per capita fruit and vegetable consumption has remained stable over in recent time, the price of fruits especially organic fruits have increased as consumers demand premium, fresh fruits.

So also, the number of both small and large farms have been increasing. Small, local farms are benefiting from the organic, local movement, while large, fruits and nuts farms are improving labor efficiency. Going forward, players in the strawberry farming industry will continue to increase revenue generation for their business.

Growers in the Fruit and Nut Farming industry are forecast to benefit from a continued rise in demand from export markets over the next five years. However, industry growers are also anticipated to face pressure from growers in other countries with a lower cost base, particularly for labor, over the period.

Ongoing public and private initiatives to promote fruit consumption are projected to contribute to industry revenue growth over the next five years. An anticipated increase in crop yield will likely boost production output over the period, further supporting industry revenue growth. Overall, industry revenue is forecast to increase at an annualized rate.

The Fruit and Nut Farming industry indeed a large industry in countries such as China, the United States of America, Mexico, Egypt, Turkey, Spain and Philippines.

Statistics has it that in the United States of America alone, there are about 120,899 registered and licensed citrus fruit, nut and other fruit growers responsible for employing about 178,886 people and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $30 billion annually. The industry was projected to enjoy -1.2 percent annual growth between 2014 and 2019.

In the United States in 2017, the collective commercial production of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries was a $6 billion industry dominated by the California growing and marketing company Driscoll’s. In 2017, strawberries alone were a $3.5 billion market of which 82 percent was for fresh fruit.

A recent report published by IBISWorld estimates that the industry revenue will decline at an average annual rate of 1.6 percent to $18.7 billion over the five years to 2010. Fruit and nut farmers have suffered over the past five years as a result of consumers’ lower incomes caused by the recession.

Cash-strapped consumers put high-value nuts and fresh fruit purchases on hold, opting for canned and frozen fruit varieties. Despite its volatile revenue, the industry’s size and employment rate have remained relatively stable. Since fruit and nut picking is a labor-intensive process, wages have increased over the period.

The report further shows that over the past five years, the domestic industry has also experienced a growing level of competition from imports, making high-quality fruit and nuts even more important for farmers’ incomes. Moreover, fruit and nut farmers have become increasingly involved in international trade, with exports and imports growing substantially over the period.

Imports have risen because US consumers are accustomed to year-round access to fresh fruit, but production is a seasonal undertaking.

To meet the counter-seasonal demand, supermarkets and other retailers have ramped up imports. Exports are also rising, as the phasing out of NAFTA restrictions and the weak US dollar have opened the international door for non US-grown fruit and nuts.

Lastly, with strawberry farming it will pay you not to only cultivate fruits and sell them for consumption in farm markets to retailers and consumers. You can as well start a fruit processing plant; producing and packaging processed jam or preserves.

The bottom line is that if you have enough farming land (space) and you are interested in maximizing strawberry farming, you are sure going to make huge profits from the business.

2. Executive Summary

George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC is a registered and licensed commercial fruit and nut farm with a strawberry plantation that will be based in the outskirt of San Jose, California – United States of America. We have done our detailed market research and feasibility studies and we were able to secure 25 hectares of land to start our strawberry farm.

We will always leverage both open field and greenhouse farming to cultivate a wide specie of strawberries hence we will construct a structure with walls and roof made essentially of transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown.

At George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC we will be involved in the cultivation of different species of strawberries alongside related crops such as nuts and fruits .

In the nearest future, hopefully within the first five years of officially running George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC, we will start our strawberry processing and packaging plant and also start exporting our strawberries and processed jam and preserves.

Which is why aside from the fact that we’ve secured the required farming land and most of the farming equipment and machines, we have also hired some key employees who are currently undergoing training so as to fit into the 21 st century strawberry farming business workforce that we want to build.

We are in the strawberry farming business because we want to leverage on the vast opportunities available in the agriculture industry, to contribute our quota in growing the U.S. economy, in national food production, raw materials production for industries, to export agriculture produce from the United States to other countries and over and above to make profit.

George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC is well positioned to become one of the leading strawberry farms in the United States of America, which is why we have been able to source for the best hands and machines to run the business with. We have put processes and strategies in place that will help us employ best practices when it comes to strawberry farming.

George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC is a private registered commercial fruits and nuts farm that is owned by George Walter and his immediate family members.

The company will be managed by George Walter and his immediate family members at least for a period of time. George Walter has a Degree in Agriculture Science from the University of California and over 17 years’ hands on experience in the fruits and nuts farming industry.

3. Our Products and Services

George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC is a fruits and nuts farm that will be involved in cultivating various species of strawberries and related nuts and fruits such as grapes, almonds, apples, pecans and walnuts, peanuts, cherries, blueberries and cranberries and others via the greenhouse farming model and land farming for both the United States’ market and the global market.

We are in business to produce strawberries in commercial quantities. We will also ensure that we operate a standard strawberry processing and packaging plant as part of our complimentary business. These are the areas we will concentrate on in our strawberry farms. If need arises, we will definitely add more agriculture produce to our list;

• Cultivation of different species of strawberries
• Cultivation of related nuts and fruits such as grapes, almonds, apples, pecans and walnuts, peanuts, cherries, blueberries and cranberries and others
• Processing and packaging processed jam and preserves, as well as dried strawberries.

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our Vision is to cultivate and promote great-tasting, healthy, organic and non – organic strawberries and related fruits and nuts.
• Our mission statement is to go into full – time cultivation of different species of strawberries that will not only be consumed in the United States of America, but also exported to other parts of the world.
• We want our processed jam and preserves, as well as dried strawberries to flood the nooks and crannies of the United States and other countries of the world.

Our Business Structure

George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC is a commercial strawberry farm that intends starting small in the outskirt of San Jose – California, but hopes to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading farms in the in the United States. We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the kind of world class business we want to own.

At George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, dedicated, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stakeholders.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of ten years or more as agreed by the management of the farm. In view of the above, George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Operating Officer

General Farm Manager

Administrator/Accountant

Fruits and Nuts Cultivation Manager/Supervisor

Processing and Packaging Plant Manager/Supervisor

• Sales and Marketing Executive
• Field Workers
• Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for the planning, management and coordinating all farm activities
• Supervise other section managers
• Ensure compliance during project executions
• Providing advice on the management of farming activities across all sections
• Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
• Using IT systems and software to keep track of people and progress of the growth of crops
• Responsible for overseeing the accounting, costing and sale of farm produce after harvest
• Represent the organization’s interest at various stakeholders’ meetings
• Ensures that farming goals desired result are achieved, the most efficient resources are utilized and different interests involved are satisfied.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Oversee the smooth running of the daily farming activities across the various farming sections.
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carrying out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company
• Responsible for the cultivation of different species of strawberries and related nuts and fruits such as grapes, almonds, apples, pecans and walnuts, peanuts, cherries, blueberries and cranberries and others.
• Supervises other workers within the department
• Work closely with the General Manager to achieve the organizations’ goals and objectives
• Responsible for managing the processing and packaging section of the business
• Ensures that only quality strawberry jams, preserves and dried strawberries leaves the production line

Sales and Marketing Officer

• Identify, prioritize, and reach out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts
• Writing winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with company policy
• Responsible for handling business research, marker surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with customers
• Document all customer contact and information
• Represent the company in strategic meetings
• Help increase sales and growth for the farm

Field Workers/Contract Staff

• Responsible for preparing farm land for the cultivation of strawberries and related nuts and fruits
• Weeding or fertilizer and/or pest control application
• Handles farm implements and machines as instructed by the section manager/supervisor
• Assist in handling the harvest of strawberries and related nuts and fruits
• Carries out task in line with the stated job description
• Assist in transport working tools and equipment from the farm and back to the designated store room
• Handles any other duties as assigned by the line manager

Front Desk/Customer’s Service Officer

• Welcomes guests and clients to the farm by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients
• Receives parcels/documents for George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC
• Distribute mails in George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC

6. SWOT Analysis

George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC do not intend to launch out with trial and error hence the need to conduct a proper SWOT analysis. We know that if we get it right from the onset, we would have succeeded in creating the foundation that will help us build a standard strawberry farm that will favorably compete with leading farms in the United States of America.

We are quite aware that there are several strawberry farms all over San Jose – California, which is why we are following the due process of establishing a business.

We know that if a proper SWOT analysis is conducted for our business, we will be able to position our business to maximize our strength, leverage on the opportunities that will be available to us, mitigate our risks and be equipped to confront our threats.

George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in the Fruit and Nut Farming industry to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to help us create a Business model that will help us achieve our business goals and objectives.

Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC;

Our strength as a strawberry farm company is the fact that we have healthy relationships with loads of major players in the agriculture industry. We have some of the latest strawberry farming tools and equipment that will help us cultivate and process strawberries with less stress.

Aside from our relationship (network) and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have some the most experienced hands in the fruits farming line of business under our payroll.

Our weakness could be that we are a new strawberry farm in the United States, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance especially from international markets in the already saturated and highly competitive Fruit and Nut Farming industry; that is perhaps our major weakness. Another weakness is that we may not have the required cash to promote our business the way we would want to.

• Opportunities:

Wineries represent a significant market for fruit farmers. Grapes and strawberries are the industry’s largest product segment, and wine producers buy the largest share of grapes. An increase in demand from this industry will boost revenue for fruit farmers, particularly from vineyard operators.

Revenue from wineries is expected to increase going forward, presenting a potential opportunity to the industry. The bottom line is that, the fact that strawberries and other related fruits and nuts are considered healthy and good for the heart will increase its demand therefore opening up opportunities for us to sell of produce.

An increase in the price of fruit positively affects the industry. Price fluctuations reflect supply levels, downstream processing activity, global demand and other factors. The price of fruit is expected to decrease in the coming year, presenting a potential threat to the industry. So also, bad weather cum natural disasters and unfavorable government policies can a pose a threat to our business.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

If you are conversant with rising technology and scientific development in the agriculture industry, you will quite agree that strawberry farming is at the front burner. Greenhouse fruits and nuts farming is rapidly gaining entrance in our world today.

Greenhouse farming gives room for greater control over the growing environment of various crops. Dependent upon the technicality and specification of a greenhouse design, some of the important factors which may be controlled include temperature, levels of light and shade, irrigation, fertilizer application, and atmospheric humidity et al.

So also, if you are a close observer of the trends in the Fruit and Nut Farming industry, you will agree that the industry is anticipated to increase due to increasing consumer health consciousness, which has led to increasing demand for fresh strawberries.

While per capita fruit and nut consumption has remained stable over in recent time, the price of organic cultivated fruits have increased as consumers demand premium, fresh fruits. So also, the number of both small and large farms have been increasing. Small, local farms are benefiting from the organic, local movement, while large farms are improving labor efficiency.

Another trend as highlighted by Wikipedia shows that, to increase consumer demand in the 21st century, commercial producers of strawberries cultivated them mainly for the favorable aroma similar to those of wild strawberries, in addition to having large size, heart-shape, glossy red exterior, firmness, and slow ripening for long shelf-life, favorable to ship by ground transportation from farms to stores.

In US and Canadian grocery stores, fresh strawberries are typically sold in plastic clamshells, and are among the top fresh produce items in grocery revenues.

8. Our Target Market

The end consumer of strawberries and also those who benefit from the business value chain of the fruits and nuts farming industry is all encompassing. Every household consumes produce from strawberry farms as smoothies, jams, dried, preserves, flavor or toppings.

In essence a strawberry farmer should be able to sell his or her farm produce to as many people as possible. We will ensure that we position our business to attract consumers of fresh strawberries not just in the United States of America alone but also other parts of the world which is why we will be exporting our strawberries.

Our Competitive Advantage

George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC is fully aware that there are competitions when it comes to selling strawberries all over the globe, which is why we decided to carry out thorough research so as to know how to take advantage of the available market in the United States.

We have done our homework and we have been able to highlight some factors that will give us competitive advantage in the marketplace; some of the factors are effective and reliable farming processes that can help us sell our strawberries at competitive prices, good network and excellent relationship management.

Our competitive advantage lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team of hardworking and highly proficient farmers and scientists, a team with excellent qualifications and experience in various niche areas in the Fruit and Nut Farming industry.

Aside from the synergy that exists in our carefully selected team members, we have some of the efficient machines and equipment and we will be guided by best practices in the industry.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC is in the business for the purpose of maximizing profits hence we have decided to explore all the available opportunities within the industry to achieve our corporate goals and objectives. Below are the sources we intend exploring to generate income for George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC;

• Sale and supply of different species of strawberries
• Sale and supply of related nuts and fruits such as grapes, almonds, apples, pecans and walnuts, peanuts, cherries, blueberries and cranberries and others
• Sale and supply of processed jam and preserves, as well as dried strawberries.

10. Sales Forecast

From the survey conducted, we were able to discover that the sales generated by a strawberry farm across the United States depends on the size and nature of the farm.

We have perfected our sales and marketing strategies and we are quite optimistic that we will meet or even surpass our set sales target of generating enough income / profits from the year of operation and build the business from survival to sustainability.

We have been able to examine the strawberry farming market, we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. Below are the projections that we were able to come up with for the first three years of running George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC;

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): $250,000
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $400,000
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $750,000

N.B : This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters, and unfavorable government policies . Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are quite aware that the reason why some strawberry farms hardly make good profits is their inability to sell off their farm produce as at when due. In view of that, we decided to set up a standard strawberry processing plant to help us maximize profits.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their set targets and the overall business goal of George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC.

Our goal is to grow George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC to become one of the leading farms in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategies that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in San Jose – California but also in other cities in the United States of America.

In summary, George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC will adopt the following strategies in marketing our strawberries;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to companies that rely on fresh strawberries for their raw materials, restaurants and agriculture produce merchants et al.
• Advertise our business and agriculture produce in agro – allied and food related magazines and websites
• List our strawberry farm on yellow pages ads
• Attend related agriculture and food expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage in direct marketing
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Any business that wants to grow beyond the corner of the street or the city they are operating from must be ready to utilize every available means to advertise and promote the business. Below are the platforms you can leverage on to boost our strawberry farm brand and to promote and advertise our business;

• Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events/programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our business
• Install our Billboards in strategic locations all around San Jose – California
• Engage in roadshow from time to time in targeted neighborhoods
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• List our strawberry farms in local directories/yellow pages
• Advertise our strawberry farms in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles and trucks are well branded with our company logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

We are quite aware that one of the easiest means of penetrating the market and acquiring loads of customers is to sell them at competitive prices hence we will do all we can to ensure that the prices of our produce are what farmers would look towards beating.

One thing is certain, the nature of strawberry farm makes it possible for farmers to place prices for their farm produces based on their discretion without following the benchmark in the industry. The truth is that it is one of the means of avoiding running into a loss.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via Point of Sale Machines (POS Machines)
• Payment via mobile money transfer
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our clients make payment for the purchase of our fresh strawberries without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When it comes to calculating the cost of starting a strawberry farm with a standard greenhouse farm, there are some key factors that should serve as a guide. The most important expense is the construction of the greenhouse. In view of the above, here are some of the basic areas we will spend our startup capital in setting up our strawberry farm;

• The total fee for incorporating the business in United States of America – $750.
• The total cost for payment of insurance policy covers (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $9,400
• The amount needed to acquire/lease a farm land – $50,000
• The amount required for preparing the farm land – $70,000
• The cost for acquiring the required working tools and equipment/machines/fencing et al – $30,000
• The amount required for purchase of the first set of strawberry and other related fruits and nuts seedlings – $10,000
• The amount required to set up a standard packaging and processing plant within the farm facility – 100,000
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $40,000
• The cost of launching an official website – $600
• The amount required for payment of workers for a period of 3 months – $100,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,000

Going by the report from detailed research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need an average of four hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($450,000) to start a standard strawberry farm with fruit juice processing plant business in the United States of America.

Generating Funds/Startup for George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC

George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC is owned and managed by George Walter and his immediate family members. They are the sole financier of the firm, but may likely welcome other partners later which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources.

• Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the startup capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $80,000 and soft loan from family members $20,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $350,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the number of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of their employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business, then it won’t be too long before the business closes shop.

One of our major goals of starting George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running. We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to sell our farm produce a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

George Walter® Strawberry Farms, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner of our business strategy.

We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check : Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts : Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of farm land in the outskirt of San Jose – California (preparing the farm land inclusive): Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Startup Capital generation: Completed
• writing of business plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Printing of Packaging and Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Building /construction of greenhouse and hothouse facility: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed strawberry cultivating tools, machines and equipment and construction of strawberry processing plant: Completed
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Farm land Treatment, Health and Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with key players in the industry: Completed

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[Pdf Sample] Business Plan Guide For Strawberry Farming Docx

In this article, we will explore the key aspects of a strawberry farming business plan and how to develop a comprehensive plan for your strawberry farm. Whether you are a new farmer looking to start a strawberry farm or an existing farmer seeking to expand your operations, having a well-defined business plan is essential for success.

[Pdf Sample] Strawberry Farming Business Plan Proposal Docx

Executive summary.

The executive summary provides an overview of your strawberry farming business plan. It should include a brief introduction to your business, its goals, target market, competitive advantages, and financial projections. This section serves as a snapshot of your entire business plan and should entice readers to explore further.

Business Overview

Read Also:  [Pdf Sample] Business Plan For Small Vegetable Farming Docx

Market Analysis

Conduct a thorough market analysis to understand the demand for strawberries in your target market. Identify your target customers, such as retailers, wholesalers, or individual consumers. Analyze market trends, competition, and consumer preferences. This analysis will help you develop effective marketing and sales strategies later in the plan.

Farming Operations

Outline the farming operations involved in growing strawberries. Describe the variety of strawberries you plan to cultivate, the required land preparation, planting methods, irrigation systems, and pest and disease management strategies. Discuss the expected yield and harvesting techniques. Include details about the equipment, tools, and machinery needed for efficient farming operations.

Marketing and Sales Strategies

Watch This Video On How To Start Strawberry Farming Business

Financial Projections

Risk assessment.

Evaluate the potential risks and challenges that may affect your strawberry farming business. Identify both internal and external risks, such as weather conditions, pests, diseases, and market fluctuations. Develop contingency plans to mitigate these risks and explain how you will adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Consider insurance options to protect your farm and investments.

Here Is The Download Link To Business Plan Proposal For Strawberry Farming By Agrolearner

How much land do I need to start a strawberry farm?

Are there any specific climate requirements for strawberry farming, how long does it take for strawberries to bear fruit.

After planting, strawberries generally take around 4-6 weeks to bear fruit. However, this timeline can vary depending on the variety, climate, and growing conditions. Some varieties may produce fruit earlier, while others may take slightly longer.

What are the common pests and diseases that affect strawberry plants?

How can i market my strawberries effectively.

Creating a well-structured and comprehensive strawberry farming business plan is crucial for the success of your venture. It helps you clarify your goals, analyze the market, and develop effective strategies. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can create a professional business plan that showcases your expertise and attracts potential investors or lenders. Start planning today and lay a strong foundation for a thriving strawberry farming business.

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How to Start a Strawberry Farm in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

Updated:   February 22, 2024

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Strawberries remain one of the most popular berries in the country, with demand steadily rising over the past decade. In 2022, the market hit a $19 billion evaluation and should reach more than $32 billion by 2031. For those considering strawberry plants as a source of income, now’s the time to plant strawberries.

As health consciousness grows, so does interest in berries. With versatile uses for snacking, salads, baking, jams, and more, homegrown strawberries appeal to consumers across demographics.

This guide will walk you through how to start a strawberry farm. Topics include market research, competitive analysis, marketing, customer focus, registering an EIN, obtaining business insurance, forming an LLC, and more.

1. Conduct Strawberry Farm Market Research

Market research is essential to any business planning to grow strawberries. It offers insight into the best time to start growing strawberries, when to avoid planting strawberries, top forms of fruit production, your local target market, and more.

Some details you’ll learn through market research for your strawberry farming business include:

• The average American consumes a staggering 6.5 pounds of fresh strawberries per year.
• Berries now rival oranges as the most popular fruit choice.
• The best harvest often comes from June bearing strawberry plants. June-bearing strawberries develop flower buds late in the summer season.
• Nearly 90% of consumers report purchasing strawberries in the past 3 months.
• Strawberries support heart health, blood sugar control, anti-inflammatory response, and cancer prevention.
• Most states can support local strawberry farming during the warmer months.
• Homegrown berries command premium seasonal prices, often fetching 2-3 times more per pound than wholesale California berries at the grocery store.
• Beyond fresh eating, strawberries hold appeal for baking, jams, beverages, juices, and more.
• Kids, teens, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers all enjoy strawberries, making them relevant across demographics.

While land, labor, and initial investments pose barriers, profit potential remains high. Smaller farms can net $15k to $60k per acre, with premium organic fetching 2 to 4 times more. Direct marketing through farmers’ markets, farm stands, and “pick-your-own” u-pick ventures can boost revenues.

2. Analyze the Competition

Competition analysis is essential for any new farming venture. For strawberry farms, key competitors fall into a few categories:

Research larger commercial strawberry operations in your state or region. In areas like California, prime growing areas are dominated by sizeable producers exporting berries across the U.S. Smaller local farms generally supply direct-to-consumer channels instead.

Profile nearby u-pick/agritourism farms. Search online directories and county extension guides to identify alternatives. Compare acreage under production, operating months/hours, pricing, and any value-added products or farm activities offered. This establishes the competitive bar.

Evaluate availability and pricing at regional farmers’ markets and farm stands. Visit markets during peak strawberry season and note key vendors and pricing across different berry cultivars. This can help shape competitive pricing and positioning.

Finally, search online to review the web presence and digital marketing of competitors. Assess their professionalism, product photography/messaging, website optimization, search visibility, and social media engagement. This flags areas for differentiation.

While the commercial berry industry is consolidated, opportunities exist through direct farm marketing channels. Carving out your niche requires the vigilance of regional alternatives consumers have to source and enjoy fresh, locally grown strawberries.

3. Costs to Start a Strawberry Farm Business

When budgeting to start a strawberry farm, numerous expenses arise. We’ll review key start-up and ongoing costs to provide realistic financial expectations.

Start-Up Costs

• Land Purchase or Lease – Acquiring prime land suited for strawberry cultivation tops the list at $15,000 per acre or more to buy, or $1,000+ yearly to lease.
• Site Preparation & Soil Amendments – Clearing, tilling, grading, installing drainage systems, enhancing soil nutrition, and fumigating for pests often add $5,000-10,000+ per acre.
• Irrigation & Water Access – Drip irrigation, pumps, pipes, and water access can tally $2,500-$10,000 per acre.
• Plants & Propagation Materials – Procure day-neutral bare root or plug starter plants from reputable nurseries, budgeting around $4,500 per acre.
• Propagation materials like containers, trays, grading equipment, and plant food total $500-$1,500 more.
• Field Supplies & Equipment – Priced from $3,000-$15,000+ depending on scale and whether buying new or used equipment.
• Facilities & Buildings – Basic storage sheds or shade structures run $2,500 on up. Cooler rooms for storing freshly picked berries can cost $5,000-$10,000.
• Professional Services – Lawyers and accountants help guide business formation, trademarks, food safety protocols, employee policies, taxes, and insurance at an initial cost of $2,000-$5,000.
• Business Formation, Licensing & Insurance – Forming an LLC or corporation brings state fees of $500-900.
• Working Capital – Keep at least 6 months of operating expenses accessible, so $10,000-$30,000+ depending on your monthly costs. This financial cushion safeguards through unforeseen issues.

Ongoing Costs

• Hired Labor – At $15-$20 hourly for farmhands, labor represents one of the largest recurring costs. For small operations of 1-5 acres, allot $15,000-$50,000+ annually for workers.
• Input Supplies – Fertilizer, pest control, harvest containers, frost protection, field tools, and irrigation parts collectively amount to at least $2,500-$7,500 outlaid each year.
• Equipment Maintenance – Expect $500-$5,000 for the yearly upkeep and seasonal servicing of tractors, field implements, facilities, drainage systems, and more.
• Marketing, Insurance, Utilities, etc. – These easily sum $5,000-$15,000+ per year for small operations. Larger enterprises and agritourism farms cost considerably more to promote and run.

By budgeting smartly for all start-up land, crop, tooling, labor, distribution, and infrastructure expenses, new strawberry farmers can create a bountiful business. Committing sufficient working capital until reaching annual profitability is key.

4. Form a Legal Business Entity

When establishing a strawberry farm, properly structuring your business entity brings key legal and financial advantages. We’ll compare options to steer new growers towards an optimal framework.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship represents the simplest and most common small business structure. Strawberry farmers function as independent owners declaring farm profits/losses on personal tax returns. Low initial paperwork and compliance needs benefit new operations.

Partnership

General partnerships allow strawberry farmers to combine resources with joint ownership distributed across partners. Partnership flexibility assists businesses in changing strategic direction. Unlimited personal liability still leaves owners vulnerable. Ambiguity around authority can breed conflict between partners over time.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

For small to mid-sized strawberry farms, LLCs offer the best of both worlds. As LLC owners, farmers limit personal liability and shield personal assets to the business investment amount. LLC income/losses pass through to members’ taxes, avoiding corporate double taxation.

Corporation

C corporations stand as separate legal entities from owners, providing full liability protection. Ownership is easily transferrable through selling stocks. Outside investments can fund major farmland, facility, or distribution network expansions.

5. Register Your Business For Taxes

Forming a formal business entity like an LLC requires obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Much like a Social Security Number for an individual, EINs provide unique identifiers for tax and filing purposes.

Securing an EIN is mandatory for any LLC with employees, or otherwise necessary in opening business bank accounts, applying for licenses/permits, and documenting farm revenue.

Registering online streamlines the process. Simply navigate to IRS.gov and search “apply for an EIN”, then click to reach the online EIN Assistant. This walks applicants through a series of questions about the LLC structure, ownership details, and responsible parties.

After specifying the LLC is being formed to operate a strawberry farm, the Assistant then prompts filing as needed for employment taxes, excise taxes, or both depending on your hiring plans. The tool auto-generates an EIN confirmation which can be printed directly without awaiting mail delivery.

The entire online EIN process is free and takes under 15 minutes from start to finish. Providing the EIN thereafter to financial institutions when opening business bank accounts or applying for farm loans simplifies those applications.

Additionally, small businesses must register with their State Department of Revenue to collect/remit sales tax on goods sold. For example in Florida, berry farms must file for a state Tax ID through the Department of Revenue’s convenient online portal.

The $5 registration cost and minimal quarterly filing burden pose a small price to legally operate. Thankfully no federal or Florida permits exist specifically for berry farms – the EIN and sales tax ID complete the major regulatory needs so the focus can remain on nurturing those sweet, ripe strawberries.

6. Setup Your Accounting

Meticulous financial tracking is essential for new strawberry farms. Without organized expense reporting, inventory controls, and sales documentation, crucial tax deductions get missed which lowers profitability.

Accounting Software

Implementing small business accounting software like QuickBooks establishes the digital infrastructure for consolidating financial data. QuickBooks integrates with bank/credit card accounts to automatically import and categorize income and expenses, saving hours of manual entry. This software often runs $10-50 monthly.

Hire an Accountant

Enlisting an accountant handles bookkeeping, payroll, quarterly/annual tax paperwork, and optimizing write-offs so farmers focus on nurturing berries. Expect fees of around $100 monthly for basic QuickBooks assistance and up to $500+ monthly for comprehensive accounting support. Come tax season, accountants charge at least $500+ for filing Schedule F and other small business returns.

Open a Business Bank Account

Using a dedicated business checking account facilitates tracking farm-related banking. Single-member LLCs allow personal depositing to simplify transfers, but strictly business activity simplifies documentation. Recording all revenues and separating vendor payments while filing regular Profit &

Apply for a Business Credit Card

Small business credit cards help track expenditures without commingling personal budgeting. Building business credit also spurs access to higher limits and better terms than relying solely on consumer cards. Have your EIN and LLC documentation ready when applying to banks.

7. Obtain Licenses and Permits

Before welcoming your first customers, strawberry farmers must validate full legal compliance. Find federal license information through the U.S. Small Business Administration . The SBA also offers a local search tool for state and city requirements.

Nursery Registration Since strawberry farmers propagate thousands of plant runners for fruiting, all growers require a state nursery license. In Florida for example, registering as a nursery growing stock for commercial resale costs $100+ annually through the Florida Department of Agriculture.

Cottage Food Operation Value-added products like strawberry jams, preserves, or baked goods allow farmers to maximize crop usage while boosting revenues. For approved low-risk offerings produced in home kitchens, consider a Cottage Food permit which runs around $150 annually.

Certified Farmers Market Registration Many strawberry farmers directly market through local farmers’ markets. State departments of agriculture oversee certifications to vend approved products publicly.

In Florida for instance, an annual farmers market permit starts around $350. This reviews application criteria like vendor product sources, handling practices, inspection results, and liability insurance maintenance. Registration simplifies getting approved to vend at local markets countywide.

8. Get Business Insurance

Though extra costs strain farm budgets, business insurance defends berry growers against scenarios jeopardizing their harvests, properties, or livelihoods. General liability coverage insulates owners if visitors get injured onsite. Produce coverage shields against crop loss from unavoidable issues like storms, diseases, or equipment breakdowns.

Without protection, a guest breaking an ankle on uneven ground could pursue legal and medical fees from personal assets. Crop insurance provides vital income stability when forces beyond control damage yields.

Additional uninsured threats like fire, vandalism, or vehicle accidents open scary liability. One student group wanders unsupervised smashing thousands of green fruit. A neglected brush pile ignites flames which spread destroying your barn. An inexperienced driver crashes your produce van rushing berries to market.

Securing coverage begins with inventorying assets on hand plus documenting annual revenue and expenses. Insurers also evaluate risk factors from location, crop types, and onsite activities. Understanding these inputs allows brokers to source plans balancing ideal protection and affordability.

Expect to provide lots of specifics on operations, land, equipment, staff, and financials. Multi-peril packages blending general, product, and equipment insurance cost around $5,000 annually for small berry farms, decreasing on a per-acre basis for larger growers. Review all policy terms to avoid surprise loopholes or delays if catastrophe strikes.

Strawberry crop yields and farm continuity depend on many unforeseeable factors, making insurance an essential business safeguard.

9. Create an Office Space

Though centered outdoors, securing office space assists in developing strawberry farms by providing infrastructure for administration, planning, and off-season work. We’ll compare facilities with potential use cases.

Home Office

Converting a spare bedroom or basement into a basic home office running $500+ offers farmers without public venues an inexpensive starting point. This backyard hub supports daily paperwork, quick computer tasks, or phone calls in a quiet, convenient setting separate from family activities.

Shared Coworking Space

As farm staff expands or more collective storage is needed, leasing desks within shared coworking spaces like WeWork allows convenient access to printers/copiers, conference rooms, and front desk staff to handle mailings. Coworking rates range from $200-$500 monthly per dedicated desk, with flexible membership tiers to meet evolving needs.

Retail Farm Stand Office Strawberry operators vending from on-farm stands position small office nooks or clearance areas to stash supplies when not serving customers. Mini-sheds, retrofitted shipping containers, or a blocked-off barn corner minimally furnish spaces for daily operations or quick sales data entry at the point of commerce.

Commercial Farm Office Ambitious strawberry farmers managing larger teams or commercial volumes can invest $1,000-$5,000+ monthly leasing conventional office suites. While pricier, the professional setting and ample room to house multiple employees keep everything conveniently accessible in one secure headquarters.

While day-to-day strawberry farming remains outdoors, maintaining some office footprint matching current and future administrative needs saves time, provides operational infrastructure, and lends professional legitimacy as the berries and business continue growing.

10. Source Your Equipment

Properly equipping a new strawberry farm spans securing land, irrigation, facilities, field implements, and harvest gear. Balancing costs and reliability leads most farmers to blend channels.

Shiny tractors, berry containers, and the like project professionalism but squeeze startup budgets. Still, directly purchasing critical items that directly contact edibles like food-grade storage bins from commercial suppliers ensures peak sanitation and durability. Try Equipment Wholesalers for farm tools.

Buying Used

Gently used equipment significantly discounts spending while still meeting needs. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist reliably connect farmers to previous owners selling quality tools, contingent upon careful inspection. Cold storage units, diesel generators, and many implements easily transfer between owners.

Seasonal or midscale equipment avoids massive upfront investments by renting only as needed. For example, tilling extensive acreage or erecting special event tents temporarily shifts costs to periodic rental fees rather than ownership. Rental shops dot most regions offering reasonable rates and equipment flexibility.

Committed berry farmers preferring the latest gear every few years can leverage leasing agreements, essentially long-term rentals eventually returning implements. This frequently applies to expensive harvesters, conveyors, transplanters and processors best sourced new but too burdensome to purchase outright.

11. Establish Your Brand Assets

Cultivating an identifiable brand helps farms stand out from commodity produce by showcasing their unique growing practices, fruit qualities, or customer service. Memorably branding your berries makes impressions stretching long after those sweet, ripe flavors delight patrons.

Getting a Business Phone Number

Acquiring a dedicated business phone line professionalizes communications versus relying solely on personal devices. Services like RingCentral deliver call routing, voicemail transcriptions, nationwide numbers, and even text functionality across your devices for $30+ monthly.

Creating a Logo and Brand Assets

Logos encapsulate brands instantly, whether opting for illustrative, symbolic, or typeface-based marks. Looka ‘s logo generator quickly crafts custom images like a playful strawberry mascot matching your vision and color palette. Those farm-defining graphics can adorn packaging and all other visuals.

Creating Business Cards and Signage

Hard copy collateral like Vistaprint business cards and exterior signage makes memorable first impressions while establishing legitimacy. When networking or negotiating wholesale partnerships, professionally printed cards support credibility.

Purchasing a Domain Name

Securing aligned domain names ensures customers locate you online while relaying offerings. Services like Namecheap make registering and managing domains simple, typically running under $20 annually.

Building a Website

Every farm requires an online hub detailing offerings, hours, contact forms, and e-commerce functionality. Leveraging DIY website builders like Wix expedites the creation of stylish, responsive sites without coding expertise, typically running $10-$50 monthly. Those less web-savvy can hire experts online via marketplaces like Fiverr to handcraft sites around $500+.

12. Join Associations and Groups

Beyond networking, plugging into local berry grower organizations, trade events, and online communities gives farmers continual insight into amplifying yields, adopting best practices, and building market visibility.

Local Associations

Area strawberry commissions and growers associations like the North Carolina Strawberry Association or Florida Strawberry Growers Association connect producers for marketing promotion coordination plus events like summer field days with guest speakers covering novel growing techniques.

Local Meetups

Attend area farming tradeshows, panels, or agritourism seminars like those discoverable on sites such as Meetup . These recurring events allow growers to exchange insights into maximizing berry quality and productivity. They also build local camaraderie between regional farms as harvests approach.

Facebook Groups

With over 54,000 members, the Strawberry Farm Facebook group and others facilitate crowd-sourcing answers to production issues from pest management strategies to preferred berry varieties and direct marketing innovations.

13. How to Market a Strawberry Farm Business

Spreading the word about your flavorful, ripe berries requires strategic promotion to entice initial customers and maintain buzz as each seasonal harvest approaches. Balancing word-of-mouth referrals, digital discovery, and targeted advertising makes your farm more discoverable across demographics.

Referral Marketing

Everyone craves community connections. Early on, tapping personal networks to sample berries helps validate quality. Satisfying those initial visitors sparks invaluable referrals, especially if thanking cheerleaders with farm gift baskets showing your gratitude.

Digital Marketing

• Run Google/Facebook ads geotargeting nearby fruit lovers, optimized per click or impression with monthly budgets as low as $100
• Start an email newsletter with seasonal availability updates, new product launches, and special subscriber promotions to drive repeat purchases
• Post videos displaying behind-the-scenes processes for educational and transparency appeal, distributing across social media
• Optimizing SEO elements like page titles/descriptions improves search visibility for niche terms around u-pick berries

Traditional Marketing

• Design eye-catching print flyers for placement at local shops, libraries, and realty offices to complement digital promotion
• Sponsor a little league team or community festival to tie the farm to hometown happenings
• Place ads in regional gardening publications to inspire amateur growers with your propagation at scale
• Negotiate an underwriting trade out on community radio stations potentially exchanging berries for underwriting shoutouts

The most effective outreach interweaves digital discovery and one-to-one sharing. This cyclical promotion between virtual mediums and physical connections, constantly referencing each other in where to first encounter your berries, builds synergistic impressions ultimately accelerating trials.

14. Focus on the Customer

Strawberry farming depends on recurring customer purchases to support operating expenses across tight seasonal production windows. Building genuine community connections through exceptional service quality cements loyalty even when commodity berry prices fluctuate at grocers.

Delighting patrons with every interaction differentiates the farm-to-table experience from impersonal produce aisles. For example, infusing warmth into each check-out conversation instead of merely transactions shows you treat community members like family.

Inviting field trip groups and explaining propagation methods in student-friendly ways creates positive impressions reaching parents across the region. Families then visit to anticipate that same educational hospitality around your organic practices or bee pollination partnerships distinguished from industrial competitors.

Human-centric hospitality remains the special sauce that has helped beloved strawberry farms thrive for generations, despite agribusiness mechanization. Sustaining community trust through quality service makes all the difference.

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How to start strawberry farming.

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Starting a strawberry farm can be a profitable venture for those interested in agriculture. Strawberry plants are relatively easy to grow, require minimal space, and can yield abundant fruit. Continue reading to discover how to start a strawberry farm.

Simple Steps to Starting Strawberry Farming

Starting a strawberry farm can be a fulfilling and lucrative business venture. However, like any other business, it requires planning, research, and execution. Here are some simple steps to follow to get your strawberry farming business up and running successfully:

Learn Everything You Can About Growing Strawberries

Before you start your strawberry farming business, it is crucial to gather as much knowledge as possible about growing strawberries.

This includes understanding the soil preparation, which involves testing the soil for pH levels and nutrient content and then amending it as necessary to create the optimal growing environment for the plants.

Plant selection is also vital; choose varieties that are well-suited for your region and resistant to common diseases.

Learn about the irrigation needs of strawberries, as they require a consistent water supply, especially during dry spells. Pest management is another critical aspect; familiarize yourself with common pests that affect strawberries and the best practices for controlling them.

Finally, learn about the harvesting process, as strawberries are delicate and need to be handled with care to avoid bruising and damage.

Set Aside or Acquire a Suitable Plot or Greenhouse to Grow Strawberries

The plot or greenhouse should be in an area with plenty of sunshine, good drainage, and fertile soil.

Plan Your Business and Sort out the Paperwork

Research local laws and regulations regarding strawberry farming, obtain permits and set up a record-keeping system.

Create a Strawberry Farming Business Plan

Develop a business plan that outlines your goals, objectives, and strategies for growing and marketing your strawberries.

Do Market Research

Analyze the local and regional markets, identify target customers, and determine the demand for your strawberries.

Form a Legal Entity and Register Your Strawberry Business

Choose a legal structure for your business, register it with the relevant authorities, and obtain the necessary licenses and permits.

Name and Brand Your Strawberry Business

Create a memorable and unique name and brand for your business that appeals to your target audience.

Open a Business Bank Account

Separate your business and personal finances by opening a business bank account.

Acquire The Equipment Needed for a Strawberry Farm

Purchase or lease equipment such as tillers, tractors, cultivators, and irrigation systems.

Choose Suitable Varieties for the Climate and Buy Seeds or Starters

Select the appropriate varieties of strawberries for your climate and purchase high-quality seeds or starters from reputable suppliers.

Understand Pesticide and Organic Options

Learn about the various pesticide options and organic alternatives available for strawberry farming. If you opt for an organic farm, research natural pest control methods and organic fertilizers.

Soil Testing and Amendment

Conduct regular soil tests to check nutrient levels and pH balance. Based on the results, amend the soil with organic matter, compost, or fertilizers to ensure it meets the specific needs of strawberry plants.

Climate Considerations

Understand the climatic requirements for strawberry cultivation in your region. Learn about frost protection, the importance of sunlight, and how to manage your crop in extreme weather conditions.

Water Management

Develop an efficient irrigation system that ensures consistent moisture without overwatering. Drip irrigation systems are often recommended for strawberry farms to conserve water and prevent diseases.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Implement an Integrated Pest Management plan to manage pests and diseases in a sustainable manner. This involves monitoring pest populations, using biological control agents, and applying chemicals only as a last resort.

Pollination Strategies

Ensure effective pollination of your strawberry plants for a good yield. While strawberries are self-pollinating, encouraging natural pollinators like bees can enhance fruit quality and size.

Grow and Harvest The Strawberries

Plant the strawberries, manage soil fertility, water and weed the crop, and harvest the ripe strawberries.

Growing and harvesting strawberries involves several crucial steps to ensure a healthy crop and a bountiful harvest:

Post-Harvest Handling

Establish a system for carefully handling and sorting strawberries after harvest to reduce damage and spoilage. Learn about proper storage conditions and packaging methods to extend the shelf life of the berries.

Market the Strawberry Business

Develop effective marketing strategies to reach your target customers, such as advertising, social media, and events.

Compliance with Regulations

Stay updated with agricultural regulations, including labor laws, food safety standards, and environmental regulations. Ensure compliance to avoid legal issues and maintain a good reputation.

Choose Where to Sell Your Strawberries

Choosing where to sell your strawberries is a crucial step in your business plan. The first step is to identify potential buyers in your area. Local grocery stores are often looking for fresh, locally-grown produce, and may even pay a premium for organic or specialty varieties.

Restaurants, especially those that focus on farm-to-table or locally-sourced ingredients, are another excellent option. Farmers’ markets are also a great place to sell your strawberries directly to consumers. Additionally, consider setting up a roadside stand or selling directly from your farm, if possible.

Don’t limit yourself to just these options; there are other potential markets as well. Schools, hospitals, or other institutions may be interested in purchasing fresh strawberries. Also, consider reaching out to local food co-ops or specialty stores.

It’s important to establish relationships with your buyers, understand their needs and preferences, and be reliable in your deliveries. Providing a high-quality product consistently will help you build a strong reputation and a loyal customer base.

Also, consider the pricing strategy that will make your strawberries competitive while ensuring a good profit margin for your business.

Sustainability Practices

Implement sustainable farming practices such as crop rotation, conservation tillage, and ecological pest management. These practices not only protect the environment but can also appeal to eco-conscious consumers.

Community Engagement and Marketing

Engage with your local community through events, educational tours, and participation in local markets. Utilize social media and online marketing to reach a wider audience and promote your farm.

Expand Your Strawberry Farm

Grow your business by expanding your production, exploring new markets, and developing new products.

Digital Marketing for Your Strawberry Farm

• Create a Website: Build a professional website for your strawberry farm with information about your farm, products, and how to purchase them. Include high-quality images, your farming story, and contact information.
• Leverage Social Media: Use social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase your strawberries, share updates about your farm, and connect with customers. Post engaging content including behind-the-scenes farm life, harvesting processes, and recipe ideas using strawberries.
• Email Marketing: Develop an email marketing campaign to keep your customers informed about the harvest season, availability of strawberries, special offers, and events at your farm.
• Content Marketing: Start a blog on your website where you can share valuable content related to strawberry farming, recipes, health benefits of strawberries, and sustainable agriculture practices. This can help drive organic traffic to your site.
• Online Advertising: Consider investing in online advertising such as Google Ads or social media ads to reach a larger audience. Target local customers or those interested in organic produce and agrotourism.
• SEO Strategies: Implement Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies for your website to improve visibility in search engine results. Use keywords related to strawberry farming, organic produce, and local farming.
• Collaborations and Partnerships: Partner with local businesses, food bloggers, and influencers to promote your strawberry farm. Collaborations can help you reach new audiences and build credibility.
• Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage your customers to leave reviews and testimonials on your website and social media pages. Positive reviews can significantly influence potential customers’ buying decisions.
• Online Sales and Delivery Options: If feasible, offer online sales of your strawberries and related products. Consider setting up a delivery or pick-up service for local customers.
• Virtual Farm Tours: Offer virtual tours of your farm through video content or live sessions on social media. This can help engage customers who are unable to visit in person.
• Analytics and Feedback: Regularly analyze your digital marketing efforts using tools like Google Analytics. Gather feedback from your customers to understand their preferences and improve your marketing strategies.

In conclusion, starting a strawberry farm involves a blend of agricultural knowledge, business acumen, and marketing strategies. By following these comprehensive steps and embracing digital marketing, you can establish a successful and sustainable strawberry farming business.

Why You Should Start a Strawberry Business

Starting a strawberry business could be one of the most rewarding decisions you could make. Not only does it have the potential for great financial returns, but it also allows you to work outdoors, be your own boss, and contribute to the health and wellness of your community.

Here are some key reasons why you should consider starting a strawberry business:

• High Demand : Strawberries are a popular fruit enjoyed by people of all ages around the world. They are used in a variety of products like jams, jellies, desserts, and beverages, ensuring a steady demand throughout the year.
• Minimal Start-up Costs : Compared to other agricultural businesses, strawberry farming requires relatively low start-up costs. Basic requirements include a piece of land, strawberry plants, and essential farming tools.
• Quick Returns : Strawberry plants typically start producing fruit within 4-6 weeks after planting and continue to produce for several years. This means you can start earning revenue relatively quickly compared to other crops.
• Health Benefits : Strawberries are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients that are beneficial for health. Growing and selling strawberries contributes to the well-being of your community by providing a healthy food option.
• Agrotourism Opportunities : Strawberry farms are popular destinations for agrotourism. Offering pick-your-own experiences, farm tours, or on-farm markets can generate additional income and attract more customers to your business.

The Strawberry Industry in the United States

The strawberry industry in the US generates an estimated $3.5 billion annually, with California alone accounting for over $2.3 billion. The California Strawberry Commission started the “Snack with Heart” marketing campaign in 2020 to promote the health benefits of California strawberries. The best-growing areas for strawberries in the U.S. include California, Florida, and North Carolina.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Strawberry Farm?

The cost of starting a strawberry farm depends on several factors, such as the size of the farm, equipment, land, labor, and marketing expenses. However, it’s generally considered a low-cost investment, with estimates ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 or more.

Understanding the Basics of Strawberry Cultivation

Understanding the basics of strawberry cultivation is essential for anyone looking to start a strawberry farm. Here are the basics of growing strawberries:

Varieties of Strawberry Plants

There are three main types of strawberry plants: June-bearing, day-neutral, and everbearing. Each type has its unique characteristics and growing requirements.

June Bearing Strawberry Plants

These varieties produce buds that bring in a large crop of berries in late spring to early summer. They require a cold winter dormancy period, thrive in milder climates, and require plenty of space between mother plants. Strawberries in general don’t thrive in hot weather.

Day-Neutral Strawberry Plants

Day-neutral strawberries bear fruit all season, without winter dormancy, and can thrive in various climates.

Everbearing Strawberry Plants

Everbearing strawberries produce two to three harvests per season, typically in late spring, summer, and early fall. They also do not require a winter dormancy period.

Using Raised Beds to Plant Strawberries

A raised strawberry bed offers good drainage, consistent soil temperature, better growth, and higher yield. Use a proper soil pH mix specifically formulated for strawberry cultivation in your raised bed.

Increasing The Average Strawberry Yield

Increase strawberry yield with proper spacing, fertilization, pruning, and weed and pest control.

Choosing a Planting Site

Select a site with full sun exposure and well-draining soil. Avoid areas with standing water or heavy clay soil.

Planting Strawberries

Plant strawberries in the spring or fall, and space them according to the variety’s requirements. Water regularly and apply fertilizer as needed.

Mulching Strawberries

Mulching helps maintain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Consider using straw or pine needles as mulch and remove mulch in the early spring before new growth starts.

Pruning Strawberries

Prune dead or damaged leaves and runners regularly to promote healthy growth and improve fruit quality. Remove all foliage after the final harvest of the growing season.

Harvesting Strawberries

Harvest strawberries when they are fully ripe, typically when the fruit is bright red and has a sweet aroma. Gently lift the fruit from the plant to avoid damaging it.

Ways to add Value when Growing Strawberries

There are various ways to add value to your strawberry farm and achieve greater profits, such as:

You can make strawberry jam or jelly from the berries you grow and market it through a store or online.

Start a U-Pick

U-pick operations attract visitors and let them harvest their own berries which can create additional revenue for the farm.

Create a CSA

Build a community-supported agriculture program and offer fresh strawberries to members weekly or biweekly.

Sell at Farmers Markets

Start selling at farmer’s markets offering fresh strawberries and other homemade products.

Offer Pickled Strawberries

A unique and flavorful way to sell your strawberries is by pickling them. It’s a trendy option that customers will love.

The Bottom Line

Starting a strawberry farm doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. With the right knowledge of how to start a farm or how to start farming with no money and this guide, you’ll have the tools in your arsenal to start a strawberry farm.

Once your farm is successful, you can explore agricultural business ideas for diversification. You can start a hay farm, start a tree farm , or even learn how to start potato farming. The possibilities are endless. Good luck!

Strawberry Farm FAQs

How do strawberry farms make money.

Money is earned from selling the harvested strawberries at farmer’s markets, grocery stores, or partner restaurants.

Is it Easy to Grow Strawberries?

Yes. With the right soil, sunlight, and water, anyone can grow strawberries, even in a backyard garden.

Are June Bearing Strawberry Plants the Best?

June-bearing strawberries are widely considered to be the best type of strawberry plant due to their high yield capacity and sweet flavor.

Is Planting Strawberries Hard Work?

While planting and maintaining strawberry crops can be work-intensive, with the right preparation and resources, it can be rather straightforward. Avoid planting strawberries where other vegetables susceptible to Verticillium wilt have recently been planted.

How do I Get the Best Strawberry Crop?

To get the best yield out of your strawberry crop, ensure that you have fertile soil and sufficient space between plants for proper airflow as well as access to direct sunlight.

How Long Do Strawberries Take To Grow?

Depending on the variety of strawberries planted, they usually take about three months from planting until harvest season.

Image: Envato Elements

Three days ago I ate strawberry and left some to grow. I pealed the skins and dried them so I may harvest the seeds this morning . This article is just the perfect motivator to take it beyond growing for my kids. Thank you

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Agriculture Fruit Farm Business Plan

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Farmers Group

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">, problem & solution, problem worth solving.

People want and need vegetables and related food with good taste and high nutritional quality. Our national diet is a disgrace. We have a huge problem of obesity.

Our Solution

We use present and future agricultural technology to produce organic, tasty, and nutritional vegetables. We start with an existing farm that has custom-innovated equipment. To that we add horticultural technology in the production of strawberries will allow double utilization of the climate controlled portion of the overhead.

Target Market

Competition, current alternatives.

Alabama is one of the premier farming areas of the eastern United States. This creates an intensely competitive environment with a large number of industry participants. Since almost all of the produce is considered to be commodities, and large scale buyers are more consolidated than the farmers themselves, overall margins are small and rivalries for wholesaler contracts are strong. Competitive threats come from three main segments:

• Imported vegetables of lower quality.>
• Mississippi pound raised vegetables.
• Alabama vegetable producers.

Direct competition in the individual buyers market segment comes from three farms in the immediate area including the Anniston farm, Organics-To-You farm, and the Terrance Livingston vegetable farm. Each of these competitors has produce stands as well as selling to local farmers’ markets. However, with the exception of Organics-To-You Farm, none of the others focus on a niche market and depend heavily on federal subsidies.

Our Advantages

The Farmers Group strategy is to profitably and efficiently utilize present and future agricultural technology in the production of vegetables. The company, by acquiring an existing profitable vegetable farm with all the necessary custom-innovated equipment, will gain a significant industry advantage. Additional application and utilization of horticultural technology in the production of strawberries will allow double utilization of the climate controled portion of the overhead. Farmers Group hopes to consolidate considerable goodwill already created by exercising the option of not adding another high-production facility to the present supply-demand scenario.

The company’s goals in the first year are to:

• Prepare the future site.
• Relocate and expand Green Acres vegetable system and get it operational.
• Integrate greens culture into the system.
• Have the composting system in full production by early spring of the second year.

The company’s long-term plan is to phase out whichever products are least lucrative and replace them with products that are practical and cost efficient.

Marketing & Sales

Marketing plan.

Farmers Group will initially market and supply its products to target customers. The company is further exploring marketing opportunities on the Internet. To this extent, the company would like to set up a website to market its products.

The company will utilize aggressive advertising strategies to further market its products. These strategies include the promotion of products through the sponsoring of spots on cooking shows and exhibitions, and also engaging prominent chefs to help promote this fledgling industry.

At Farmers Group, the sales process is primarily the same for vegetables as it is for composting products, in that both products will be mainly sold through wholesale marketing. As in the past, live shipments will be delivered by contract carriers in special oxygenated tanks carrying 8,000 vegetables or more, and will be continued as demanded. Farmers Group’s bagged manure products will be delivered and unloaded in sizable wholesale quantities by the pallet.

Smaller, more local orders will significantly increase the overall sales when the 300-450 live vegetables carrying tank system is put into service late in 2000 or early in 2001.

The company’s average sales cycle from first contact to closing of the sale is approximately 3 to 12 days for vegetable products. Farmers Group plans to shorten this cycle. Furthermore, the company estimates that from first contact to sale conclusion, the cycle for fresh strawberries will run 3 days or less. Composted products sale cycle should run from 3 to 12 days.

Locations & Facilities

The farm is located in Calhoun county approximately 4.5 miles outside of Jasper.

The operation will utilize:

• One large greenhouse, enclosing the vegetable area.
• Horticultural greenhouse.
• Filters, water treatment devices.
• Backwash facilities.
• Outdoor vegetable facilities.
• Business office building.

An additional portion of the operation will be the manure composting facility. Local and regional dairy operations have trouble with manure accumulations, and the company hopes to enter into contracts in removing the manure. Farmers Group will then turn this into a saleable product. The company plans to supply the region’s nursery outlets with a top-quality, premium garden and soil amendment product for area horticulture.

While at Mobile Farmers Vegetable Farm James Jackson, steadily used and experimented with compost and fertilized with manure of different kinds. The most important things with manure usage is to eliminate the viable weed seed drawback by thoroughly composting the manure, to add enough cellulose on product to bring it to the proper ratio and to bring its water content to proper levels. A properly composted manure product has no seeds that will germinate and proliferate in it. Additionally, a properly composted manure product has something a chemically formulated synthetic fertilizer does not have: enzymes. Enzymes are critical for producing a truly nutritious and superior flavored product. Research has shown that the superior flavor of a fruit or vegetable is closely related to vitamin content and folic acid content in green vegetables. 

The company is currently seeking contact with Alabama universities in order to learn about and acquire new hybrids of strawberries and vegetables that are hardier and grow faster in our local microclimates. These and other available species and systems will be constantly tracked.

In addition to the above, the company is seeking contacts at Universities in Italy and Germany that are involved in greens, and will continue the quest for the best flavored, large, and firm fall and winter strawberries.

Currently, Farmers Group is conducting research to test certain clay-sand-manure mixture levels to obtain better, cheaper bedding and agronomic soil mixtures that are more effective than the standard used in the industry in Alabama (Pine bark mulch-composted).

Equipment & Tools

The state-of-the-art vegetable equipment starting up in the new location utilizes revolutionary harvest designs that:

• Allow faster, longer growth
• Cut the harvest labor by over 80%
• Decrease loss in weight gain, and
• Eliminate weight loss from shock.

Farmers Group’s first line of production will be the green vegetable and red vegetable. During the summer months Farmers Group will be growing carrots, romaine lettuce, leeks, red onions, summer squash, and spinach. In the fall, production will center on pumpkins, winter squash, globe beets and winter greens. With the growth of the popular organic food niche, and the federal government’s new organic labeling policy, Farmers Group will focus its produce on the intermediate organic label. This means that approximately 70% of the food production process will be organic and all foods produced by Farmers Group will be eligible for the "contains organic ingredients" label. The company’s farm will have a capacity sufficient to produce in excess of 200,000 lbs. of vegetables per year.

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Farmers Group’s strategy is a combination of the two technologies during the cool winter months which will allow the utilization of normally wasted space in the greenhouses for the high price winter greens production. This will allow double cultivation of the greenhouses with almost no additional heating necessary in this climate.

Future Products

In the meantime, the company would like to explore the possibilities of crayfish production. Farmers Group believes this to be a high revenue venture with retail prices running in excess of $15.00 per pound in most places. The company also believes that if crayfish production is successful then it could become the number one endeavor of Farmers Group.

Currently there is a defunct fish farming production facility with all the necessary capital equipment approximately two miles from the current farm. Purchase of this facility would allow Farmers Group to begin production and to capitalize on this higher margin product. What makes this most attractive is the two ventures have significant joint cost potential, allowing for a reduction in marginal costs for all products and creation of real economies of scale that would provide Farmers Group with a competitive advantage.

Milestones & Metrics

Milestones table, key metrics.

• Sales and cost of sales
• Greenhouse output by crop
• overall output per crop
• Fertilizer usage
• Water usage

Ownership & Structure

Farmers Group’s management team is led by Mr. James Jackson, Business Manager, and the current manager of Mobile Farmers Vegetable Farm, who has extensive knowledge of the industry and has been tracking vegetable trends for 30 years.

The company’s management philosophy is based on responsibility and mutual respect. Farmers Group has an environment and structure that encourages productivity and respect for customers and fellow employees.

Management Team

Management will be responsible for supervising and participating in the daily operations of the facility. Management consists of:

• James Jackson, Business Manager, Full Time
• Terry Howard, Executive Director, Full Time
• Kevin Perry, Management Trainee, 3/4 Time
• Victor Green, Management Trainee, 1/4 Time

Daily Maintenance

This group will consist of the following:

• Henry Jones, Logistical Engineer, Full Time
• Colin Henry, Heavy Equipment, Full Time
• Michael Owen, Welder, 1/2 Time

Personnel Table

Financial plan investor-ready personnel plan .">, key assumptions.

Key Assumptions 

Nature and Limitation of Projections

This financial projection is based on sales volume at the levels described in the sales forecast section and presents, to the best of management’s knowledge, the company’s expected assets, liabilities, capital, and revenues and expenses. The projections reflect management’s judgement of the expected conditions and its expected course of action given the hypothetical assumptions.

Nature of Operations

The company is in the business of vegetable farming, greens cultivation, and composting. The company expects to be operating in 2000.

The company’s revenue is derived primarily from the sale of vegetables, strawberries, and bagged composted manure products.

The company’s expenses are primarily those of salaries, utilities, and insurance costs. Other expenses are based on management’s estimates and industry averages.

However, our initial projections indicate profitability well beyond realistic expectations. We’ve added a substantial "other expense" category, especially as we get on our feet in the second half of year one, to allow for realistic expenses … even if we can’t categorize them exactly. Even with these "other expenses" we are still unusually profitable, but we believe that’s because of our innovative technology. 

Revenue by Month

Expenses by month, net profit (or loss) by year, use of funds.

The company is seeking to raise of $830,000 for the purpose of financing the acquisition of the Green Acres Vegetable Farm and Mobile Farmers Vegetable Farm, facilities modifications, equipment, and funding operating expenses. Another $1,000,000 will be invested in the company by its four co-owners. The total is $1,830,000. The following is a breakdown of how the funds will be used:

Acquisition:

Property $1,300,000

Equipment System $400,000

Sub-total $1,700,000

Operating Expenses:

Salaries $80,000

Marketing and promotion $10,000

Other operating expenses $10,000

Sub-total $100,000

Total $1,800,000

Part of the $1,830,00 are the $684,600 startup expenses listed as net worth in Dec 2016. More details are: 

Legal $19,000

Facilities modification $300,000

Organic Herbicides/Pesticides $5,000

Consultants $25,000

Insurance $10,000

Research and development $25,000

Expensed equipment $250,000

Other $50,000

TOTAL START-UP EXPENSES $684,600

Sources of Funds

We will have four investors. Each investor has committed to giving us $250,000, totally $1,000,000. 

We will also have $400,000 in long term borrowing, we will have $400,000 in short term loan and $30,000 worth of bills to pay. 

Projected Profit & Loss

Projected balance sheet, projected cash flow statement.

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Growing Strawberry Plants Commercially

Modified: Feb 11, 2022 by Mr. Strawberry · This post may contain affiliate links · 24 Comments

Growing strawberry plants can be an income-producing alternative to traditional crop farming. There are an abundance of pick-your-own strawberry farms scattered across the USA. Unfortunately, however, numerous farmers each year decide to take the plunge into commercial strawberry growing… and go bust.

If you are interested in growing strawberries commercially, I really recommend that you start by reading this guide .

That resource is an overview of the major aspects involved in starting a commercial strawberry farm. It focuses specifically on starting a strawberry farm in Idaho, but the principles and guidelines are applicable for most regions. The publication is CIS 931, which is one of the publications in a series titled Alternative Agricultural Enterprises: Production, Management & Marketing. It was written by D. L. Barney, B. B. Davis, and J. K. Fellman, and was published through the University of Idaho College of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station.

The basic overview touches upon most of the considerations one should consider prior to venturing into the world of strawberry farming. It discusses:

• The traits of strawberry plants that dictate farming requirements, the basic variables of strawberry cultivars, and the replacement schedule of commercial strawberry fields.
• The environmental requirements necessary for successful commercial strawberry production, the necessity of selecting a region-appropriate strawberry variety, and the harvesting requirements.
• Successful management of a strawberry operation, cash flow considerations, costs and profit expectations, and the various methods of selling strawberries and marketing strawberries.
• The risks of starting a strawberry farm are also discussed as well as the first steps one should take if serious about venturing into the strawberry farming world. A recommended reading list is also provided.

Overall, that resource is a good starting point for anyone thinking about growing strawberries on a large scale or commercially.

Then, with that information as background, continue reading this post to get an idea of the sequential steps involved in growing strawberry plants commercially.

This sequence is followed by most commercial strawberry farmers. Of course, there is some variation between farms, but this overview will give a general idea of what is involved.

Prepare the Land for the Strawberry Plants

Planting the strawberry plants, care for strawberry plants during winter months, strawberry pollination on the farm, commercial strawberry harvesting, additional commercial strawberry farming requirements, growing strawberry plants commercially: conclusion.

In late August most commercial strawberry producers begin preparing their land the new planting of strawberries. Even though strawberry plants are perennial, most strawberry farmers treat them as annuals. After all the strawberries have been harvested, the land is fertilized and plowed. After fertilization and plowing, the soil is mounded into plateau rows and covered with black plastic. Usually, when the plastic is laid, drip tape irrigation is simultaneously placed in the ground. These tasks are accomplished with a specialized tractor-machine. The drip tape will be used to water and fertilize the strawberry plants as they grow and produce. This video shows the plastic and drip tape being laid:

Two other variants can be viewed here and here .

After the ground is prepared, the plants must be planted. This is still done by hand, usually about two weeks after the plastic mulch has been laid. At this time, a tractor is used to mechanically punch holes in the plastic at exact intervals. Workers usually either ride or follow behind the tractor and place plugs into the punched holes as can be seen in the next video:

Between 15,000 and 20,000 strawberry plants are planted per acre (17,500 average). For a large commercial strawberry farm, hundreds of thousands or even millions of strawberry plants will be planted each year.

The commercial operation will sustain their strawberry plants throughout the winter by fertilizing and watering them appropriately. Row covers will be used to protect them from freezing temperatures at night and damaging winds. Around the middle or end ofMarch the plants will begin blooming (depending on climate).

While strawberry plants are generally propagated by runners or division since the modern cultivars do not grow true from seed, the flowers still must be pollinated well in order to ensure plump and full strawberries. With a near-universal market for honey, many commercial strawberry growers have a small side business selling honey. The hives they maintain house the honey bees needed to ensure maximum crop yield, and the honey byproduct generates additional revenue for the entrepreneurial farmer.

Strawberries grow and ripen rather quickly and must be picked daily on a large commercial strawberry farm. The number of workers required to pick varies, but a general estimate is that 65 to 70 workers are needed to keep each 1,000,000 strawberry plants picked. See this link for Strawberry Picking Jobs . The first strawberries will ripen at different times as climate and weather dictate, but late April through mid-June is a typical season.

To maximize yield, many commercial strawberry farms test their plants throughout the growing season to ensure they are getting the nutrients they need to produce the best quality strawberries possible. Leaf samples are often collected weekly or bi-weekly and sent away for testing. Usually, states that have a significant number of strawberry farms will offer the testing at state university laboratories. Testing is important as too much or too little fertilizer will alter the taste and ripening of the berries.

A pump station is also used by most commercial growers. The station provides the water and nutrients the strawberry plants need through the drip irrigation lines laid when the plastic mulch was laid. This also provides an extra measure of liability protection as the water is filtered and tested to make certain all USDA specifications are met.

Growing strawberry plants commercially can be quite profitable. However, the time and equipment expenses involved in starting and maintaining a successful operation are not negligible. Understanding the costs involved and the cash flow of an operating strawberry farm is as crucial (if not more crucial) as understanding the strawberry plants themselves. But, we can all use more strawberries, so if you are ready to take the plunge into strawberry farming, go for it!

More Growing Strawberries

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Reader Interactions

February 29, 2020 at 7:51 pm

Mr. Strawberry, Do you have any reference for commercial greenhouse production of strawberries and the production costs and returns?

Lana rainwater

August 12, 2018 at 1:07 am

I have industrial size chicken housea that i would like to convert to grow strawberries. In southern mississippi. Do you think that is applicable?

Osvaldo Lopez

October 14, 2019 at 11:52 pm

I live in Monterey and I want to start a strawberry farm Does anyone have any advice for me any advice is appreciated also I my dad is a small flowers farmer and I work on is farm since I was a kid and know a little about farming but I want to know more about farming strawberry

September 21, 2016 at 5:21 am

What varieties of strawberry is used for commercial growing?

Mr. Strawberry

September 22, 2016 at 10:54 am

Gil, Many different varieties are used depending on the specific climatic conditions of the area where the growing occurs.

Mphahlele M

September 08, 2016 at 4:48 pm

When is it the appropriate time to prepare and plant strawberries in Southern Africa?

September 13, 2016 at 2:09 pm

Mphahlele, If you plant during your fall season in the southern hemisphere, usually in March, they will be able to establish themselves prior to the colder winter months. Doing so will allow them to produce a good harvest for you the following spring. Good luck!

Marge Gordon

August 06, 2016 at 6:58 am

we are commercial farmers in Zambia. tobacco, wheat, soya maize and cattle. we want to go into strawberries grown in green houses (to obviate the heavy summer rains that we have here). our high temps Oct-nov reach 36 C though once the rains start, latest mid November it cools down. winter night temps 8-9 C though not every night. generally around 12C. very little and seldom do we have frost. green houses would be covered with top plastic (to stop rain) and overall shade cloth when needed. what i need to know is: what variety should we look at and where will we be able to get our plants from? i saw that new cultivars dont grow from seed so can we fly in runners for example or would it have to be smallest plugs available? i would much appreciate your input. regards Marge

August 16, 2016 at 3:41 pm

Marge Gordon, To get the latest cultivars, you will likely need to get plant material imported somehow. The biggest obstacle you are likely to face is importing them. Customs policies for most countries (I’m not familiar with Zambia’s policies) prohibit the importation of living plants due to the risk of spreading exogenous diseases among the native flora. I’d recommend checking with your customs agency to see if it can be done, and what is involved, if so. Good luck!

Hans Oftedal

July 11, 2016 at 1:43 pm

I want to prepare a 1 acre field for plastic culture in southern Oregon. Is there a local business you know of that has the tractor implements used to lay the plastic and drip lines? We need to lease/rent or buy so we can properly prepare the fields? Any info would help!

July 20, 2016 at 2:15 pm

Hans Oftedal, I am not aware of any local businesses that have the equipment/implements available for rent. I’d recommend contacting the local agricultural extension agent for assistance. They are a goldmine of resources and could likely help you get everything rolling. Good luck!

February 09, 2016 at 3:09 pm

just got a question on the best strawberry for hot weather growing

February 11, 2016 at 9:15 am

steve, Strawberry plants are temperate by nature and simply don’t thrive in extremely hot and humid or tropical environments. With that said, Chandler strawberries are more heat-tolerant than many other varieties. Good luck!

Ms strawberry

December 12, 2015 at 6:50 pm

Actually, strawberries can grow in nigeria, very well infact. We have semi-temperate regions like jos and the mambila highlands. Farmers have been growing them commercially in jos. I am also looking into growing in mambila.

December 14, 2015 at 4:58 pm

Ms strawberry, Thanks for your report! Good luck!

December 04, 2015 at 4:37 pm

hey mr strawberry,i planted 6 thousand plants and i would want to know if i need a permit to sell them on streets or markets can u plz help me thnks

December 14, 2015 at 4:53 pm

maxx, It all depends on your local rules and regulations regarding such things. I’d recommend calling your local County Commission office or City Hall to inquire about whether or not a permit is required. Good luck!

November 18, 2015 at 8:16 pm

Mr strawberry man what’s a good company wear I could purchase black plastic for the strawberries beds? I want to buy wholesale.

November 20, 2015 at 8:43 am

fruitman, I’m not sure the best place to buy wholesale. I’d recommend stopping by your local farmer’s co-op or calling your area’s extension agent. They will likely be able to direct you to the best sources. Good luck!

October 12, 2015 at 1:10 pm

Hi Mr. Strawberry, i want to know if it can be planted in a Western African region like Nigeria or Ghana. Please reply

October 20, 2015 at 3:16 pm

lazarus, Unfortunately, strawberries don’t do well in either Nigeria or Ghana. They can be grown, but it is difficult to do it successfully enough to profit from their cultivation. Sorry!

March 04, 2018 at 12:59 am

someone who lives in Senegal is planting strawberries and is doing well. the reason i am reading this because i am interested in opening a strawberry fields in Guinea Conakry myself

crispulo s. magaspi

July 21, 2014 at 10:11 am

can it grow in tropical region

July 24, 2014 at 10:16 am

crispulo s. magaspi, Unfortunately, not very well. Strawberry plants prefer temperate climates. Sorry!

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Strawberry Farming: Best Practices and Profitable Strategies

Introduction.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on achieving success in strawberry farming. At Agrownets, we are committed to providing you with the most valuable insights and expertise to help you excel in the world of agriculture. In this guide, we will explore the intricacies of strawberry farming, offering detailed information, expert tips, and best practices to help you establish and maintain a thriving strawberry farm.

Section 1: Understanding Strawberries

Strawberries, scientifically known as Fragaria × ananassa, are delicious and versatile fruits loved for their sweet taste. Before diving into the specifics of successful strawberry farming, let’s familiarize ourselves with the essential aspects of these delightful berries.

Strawberry Varieties

Strawberries come in various cultivars, each with its unique characteristics. Let’s take a look at one popular variety as an example:

Chandler : Chandler strawberries are known for their large fruit size and exceptional taste. They are highly sought after in both local and export markets due to their attractive appearance and excellent flavor profile. This variety performs well in moderate climates and is suitable for both commercial and home garden cultivation.

Ideal Climate and Soil Conditions

Strawberries thrive in moderate climates, preferring cool winters and mild summers. They require a significant amount of sunlight, ideally 6-8 hours per day, for optimal growth and fruit development.

When it comes to soil, strawberries prefer well-drained, loamy soil with a slightly acidic pH ranging between 5.5 and 6.5. Conducting a soil test and amending the soil as necessary will create an ideal environment for your strawberry plants.

Section 2: Preparing for Strawberry Cultivation

To ensure a successful strawberry farming venture, careful preparation and planning are crucial. This section covers the essential steps to set yourself up for success.

Land Preparation

• Site Selection : Choose a site that receives ample sunlight, is well-drained, and offers protection from strong winds. Avoid low-lying areas prone to waterlogging.
• Clearing the Land : Clear the selected land of weeds, rocks, and debris to create a clean and fertile ground for your strawberry plants.
• Soil Enrichment : Enhance soil fertility by incorporating organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. This improves nutrient availability and soil structure, providing a favorable growing environment for strawberries.

Propagation Methods

There are two primary methods of propagating strawberries:

• Runners : Many strawberry varieties produce runners, which are thin stems that develop from the mother plant and eventually form new plants. You can propagate strawberries by allowing these runners to take root in suitable locations.
• Transplants : Another approach involves purchasing healthy, certified strawberry plants from reputable nurseries and transplanting them into your prepared field.

Choose the propagation method that suits your resources, time constraints, and farming objectives.

Section 3: Planting and Crop Management

In this section, we will delve into the crucial steps involved in planting strawberries and effectively managing your crop.

Planting Strawberries

• Planting Density : Determine the appropriate spacing between plants based on the variety and available resources. Generally, spacing between plants ranges from 12 to 18 inches, with rows spaced 2 to 3 feet apart.
• Planting Depth : Set the plants at a depth where the crown (where the leaves emerge) is level with the soil surface. Avoid burying the crown too deep, as it may lead to rotting.
• Irrigation : Provide adequate irrigation to promote root development and maintain consistent moisture levels. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are recommended to deliver water directly to the root zone, minimizing wastage and reducingthe risk of fungal diseases.
• Mulching : Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or wood chips, around the plants. Mulching helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weed growth, and prevents soil erosion.
• Fertilization : Develop a well-balanced fertilization plan based on soil test results and the specific nutritional requirements of strawberries. Apply fertilizers at the appropriate times to provide essential nutrients for healthy plant growth and bountiful yields.
• Weed Control : Regularly monitor and control weed growth, as weeds compete with strawberries for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Mechanical cultivation or mulching can effectively suppress weed growth.
• Pest and Disease Management : Stay vigilant for common pests like aphids, slugs, and mites, as well as diseases such as powdery mildew and gray mold. Implement integrated pest management (IPM) practices, including cultural controls, biological controls, and, if necessary, judicious use of organic or chemical treatments.

Section 4: Harvesting and Post-Harvest Care

The culmination of your hard work in strawberry farming is the harvest. This section highlights essential practices for harvesting and post-harvest care to ensure top-quality strawberries and maximize shelf life.

• Maturity Evaluation : Regularly assess the fruit’s color, size, and taste to determine optimal harvest time. Strawberries should be fully ripe but still firm, with vibrant red coloration.
• Gentle Handling : Handle strawberries with care during harvesting to prevent bruising and damage. Hold the fruit gently, picking them with the stem intact, and avoid excessive squeezing or stacking.

Post-Harvest Care

• Cooling : Promptly cool harvested strawberries to maintain their freshness and extend shelf life. Ideally, cool the berries within 1-2 hours after harvest by placing them in a cool storage area or using forced-air cooling methods.
• Sorting and Grading : Sort strawberries based on size, color, and quality. Remove any damaged or overripe berries to ensure only the best fruit reaches the market.
• Packaging and Storage : Pack strawberries in clean, ventilated containers or clamshell trays to protect them during transportation. Store them in a cool, refrigerated environment to preserve their flavor and extend shelf life.

Example Project: The Green Valley Strawberry Farm

Location: Green Valley, a picturesque region known for its moderate climate and fertile soil, has become an ideal location for strawberry farming. The farm is situated on a gently sloping terrain, providing excellent drainage and ample sunlight exposure.

Variety Selection: The Green Valley Strawberry Farm cultivates the Chandler variety due to its exceptional taste, large fruit size, and high demand in local and export markets. This variety has proven to thrive in the region’s climate, making it a preferred choice for commercial farming.

Land Preparation: Prior to planting, the farm underwent meticulous land preparation. The site was carefully selected to maximize sunlight and minimize exposure to strong winds. The land was cleared of weeds, rocks, and debris, creating a clean and fertile ground for strawberry cultivation. Organic matter, such as compost, was incorporated to enrich the soil and optimize nutrient availability.

Planting and Crop Management:

The farm adopted a meticulous approach to planting and crop management. Strawberry plants were spaced at a density of 12 inches within rows spaced 2 feet apart, providing ample room for growth and facilitating efficient harvesting and maintenance. Drip irrigation was implemented to deliver precise amounts of water directly to the root zone, ensuring optimum moisture levels while conserving water resources. Mulching with straw aided in retaining moisture, suppressing weed growth, and preventing soil erosion.

The farm implemented a comprehensive fertilization plan based on regular soil tests and the specific nutritional requirements of strawberries. By carefully monitoring and adjusting the fertilization schedule, the Green Valley Strawberry Farm ensured that their plants received the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and abundant yields. Regular weed control measures, including mechanical cultivation and mulching, prevented weed competition and maintained the cleanliness of the farm.

Pest and Disease Management:

The Green Valley Strawberry Farm implemented an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to effectively control pests and diseases. Regular scouting and monitoring helped identify any signs of common pests such as aphids, slugs, and mites. Beneficial insects were introduced as biological controls to reduce pest populations naturally.

In cases where pest pressure became significant, targeted organic treatments were applied judiciously, ensuring minimal impact on the environment and consumer safety. Additionally, the farm implemented preventive measures to combat diseases like powdery mildew and gray mold, such as proper sanitation practices, adequate plant spacing for air circulation, and regular removal of infected plant material.

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Care:

At the Green Valley Strawberry Farm, the harvest was conducted with utmost care and precision. Trained workers evaluated the fruit’s maturity based on color, size, and taste, ensuring that only fully ripe and high-quality strawberries were picked. Gentle handling techniques were employed to minimize bruising and maintain fruit integrity.

Immediately after harvest, the strawberries were taken to a designated cooling area within the farm. Forced-air cooling methods were employed to rapidly lower the temperature and preserve freshness. The berries were then sorted and graded based on their size, color, and quality. Damaged or overripe berries were removed, ensuring that only the finest fruit reached the market. The strawberries were carefully packaged in clean and ventilated containers or clamshell trays, protecting them during transportation.

To maintain the strawberries’ peak freshness and flavor, the Green Valley Strawberry Farm stored them in a cool, refrigerated environment. This ensured an extended shelf life and preserved their quality until they reached the consumers.

Earning Calculation for Strawberry Farming

Strawberry farming can be a profitable venture when managed efficiently. Here, we provide a simplified example of how to calculate potential earnings from a strawberry farm. Please note that actual earnings may vary depending on factors such as market demand, farm size, yield, pricing, and production costs.

• Yield per Acre : To determine the yield per acre, we’ll consider an average yield of 15,000 pounds per acre. This yield can vary depending on various factors such as cultivar, growing conditions, and management practices.
• Market Price : The market price of strawberries can fluctuate based on factors such as supply and demand, location, and quality. For this example, let’s assume a conservative market price of $2.50 per pound of strawberries.
• Total Revenue : To calculate total revenue, multiply the yield per acre by the market price per pound. Using our example figures, the total revenue per acre would be:Total Revenue = Yield per Acre x Market Price = 15,000 lbs x $2.50/lb = $37,500
• Production Costs : It is essential to consider the production costs involved in strawberry farming. These costs can include land preparation, irrigation, fertilizers, labor, pest control, packaging, marketing, and other miscellaneous expenses. For this example, let’s assume the production costs per acre amount to $15,000.
• Net Profit : To determine the net profit, subtract the production costs from the total revenue:Net Profit = Total Revenue – Production Costs = $37,500 – $15,000 = $22,500
• Return on Investment (ROI) : ROI is a measure of profitability and indicates the return on the investment made in the strawberry farm. To calculate ROI, divide the net profit by the production costs and multiply by 100 to express it as a percentage:ROI = (Net Profit / Production Costs) x 100 = ($22,500 / $15,000) x 100 = 150%

This simplified example demonstrates that, in this scenario, a strawberry farm with a yield of 15,000 pounds per acre, a market price of $2.50 per pound, and production costs of $15,000 per acre could generate a net profit of $22,500, resulting in an ROI of 150%.

It’s important to note that these figures are estimates, and actual earnings can vary significantly based on various factors as mentioned earlier. Conducting a detailed financial analysis specific to your farm’s circumstances, including accurate production costs and market research, will provide a more precise understanding of the potential earnings from strawberry farming.

Strawberry Farming Near Me

• Strawberry Farming Near Me : If you’re searching for strawberry farming locations near your area, you can explore local farms or agricultural regions that specialize in growing strawberries. This allows you to experience the joy of picking fresh strawberries directly from the fields and supporting local farmers.

Example: “Discover the Best Strawberry Farms Near You: Find Fresh Delights Just Around the Corner”

• Strawberry Farm Baguio : Baguio, a popular tourist destination in the Philippines, is renowned for its strawberry farms. Visitors can indulge in the delightful experience of picking strawberries and enjoying the scenic beauty of the farms in this charming city.

Example: “Experience Strawberry Paradise in Baguio: Delight in Farm-Fresh Berries and Breathtaking Views”

• Strawberry Farm Genting : Genting Highlands in Malaysia is known for its cool climate and picturesque strawberry farms. Tourists can engage in strawberry picking activities while enjoying the refreshing ambiance and scenic landscapes.
• Strawberry Farm Picking : Strawberry farm picking offers a hands-on experience, allowing individuals to pluck ripe and juicy strawberries directly from the plants. It’s a fun and engaging activity for families, friends, and strawberry enthusiasts.
• Strawberry Farm La Trinidad : La Trinidad, located in the Philippines, is famous for its strawberry farms. It offers a vibrant agricultural landscape where visitors can explore vast fields of strawberries and learn about the local farming techniques.
• Strawberry Farm Picking Near Me : If you’re looking for strawberry farm picking opportunities in your vicinity, there may be local farms or agricultural destinations that offer this delightful experience. Enjoy the thrill of hand-selecting your own strawberries and savoring their sweetness.
• Strawberry Farm Kundasang : Kundasang, located in Sabah, Malaysia, is renowned for its scenic beauty and thriving strawberry farms. Visitors can immerse themselves in the lush greenery, breathtaking landscapes, and indulge in strawberry picking amidst the cool mountain air.
• Strawberry Farm Cape Town : Cape Town, South Africa, offers a unique strawberry farming experience with its favorable climate and fertile soils. Strawberry farms in Cape Town showcase the region’s agricultural prowess and provide a delightful opportunity to taste the finest locally grown strawberries.

Example: “Cape Town’s Strawberry Delights: Explore the Vibrant Farms and Savor the Essence of South African Berries”

• Strawberry Farm Cameron : Cameron Highlands in Malaysia is synonymous with strawberry farming. The cool climate and high altitude create ideal conditions for cultivating strawberries, making it a must-visit destination for strawberry enthusiasts and nature lovers.
• Strawberry Farm George : George, a picturesque town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, is known for its thriving strawberry farms. Visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty of the region while indulging in strawberry picking and savoring the taste of freshly harvested berries.
• Strawberry Farm Baguio Tourist Spot : Baguio’s strawberry farms are not only a delight for strawberry enthusiasts but also a popular tourist attraction. With their vibrant fields of red berries and interactive picking experiences, these farms have become must-visit spots for tourists exploring the beauty of Baguio.
• Strawberry Farm Chambers Flat : Chambers Flat, located in Queensland, Australia, is home to thriving strawberry farms. Visitors can enjoy the serene countryside setting, pick their own strawberries, and immerse themselves in the charming agricultural atmosphere.
• Strawberry Farm Tagaytay : Tagaytay, a popular destination in the Philippines, offers beautiful strawberry farms where visitors can experience the joy of strawberry picking while enjoying the cool climate and breathtaking views of the Taal Volcano.

Example: “Tagaytay’s Strawberry Adventure: Pick, Taste, and Delight in Fresh Strawberries with a Majestic Volcano Backdrop”

• Strawberry Farm Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch, nestled in South Africa’s renowned wine region, is also home to thriving strawberry farms. Visitors can explore these farms, taste delectable strawberries, and discover the agricultural heritage of the area.
• Strawberry Farm Riyadh : Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, boasts strawberry farms where locals and visitors can experience the pleasure of picking their own strawberries and indulge in the flavors of freshly harvested berries.

Example: “Riyadh’s Strawberry Delights: Immerse Yourself in the Aroma and Taste of Locally Grown Saudi Arabian Berries”

• Strawberry Farm Nuwara Eliya : Nuwara Eliya, located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, is famous for its picturesque strawberry farms. Visitors can enjoy the cool climate, scenic landscapes, and indulge in strawberry picking while exploring this charming hill station.
• Strawberry Farm Taif : Taif, a city in Saudi Arabia, is known for its strawberry farms that thrive in its moderate climate. Visitors can witness the cultivation of high-quality strawberries and savor the taste of these locally grown gems.

Example: “Taif’s Strawberry Oasis: Experience the Bountiful Harvest of Saudi Arabia’s Prized Berries”

• Strawberry Farm Bacchus Marsh : Bacchus Marsh, located in Victoria, Australia, is home to flourishing strawberry farms. Visitors can immerse themselves in the scenic countryside, engage in strawberry picking, and relish the flavors of freshly picked berries.
• Strawberry Farm Auckland : Auckland, New Zealand, offers a variety of strawberry farms where visitors can enjoy the pleasures of strawberry picking, explore the scenic landscapes, and experience the freshness of locally grown strawberries.

Example: “Auckland’s Strawberry Delicacies: Discover the Juicy Joy of Hand-Picked Berries in New Zealand’s Vibrant City”

• Strawberry Farm Perth : Perth, Western Australia, is home to thriving strawberry farms that offer a delightful experience for visitors. With opportunities for strawberry picking and enjoying the region’s natural beauty, these farms provide a memorable outing for all.
• Strawberry Farm Mangere : Mangere, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, boasts strawberry farms that offer a delightful experience for locals and visitors. With lush fields of strawberries, visitors can enjoy picking their own berries and relish the freshness of locally grown produce.
• Strawberry Farm Langkawi : Langkawi, a beautiful island in Malaysia, is home to strawberry farms where visitors can enjoy a unique agricultural experience. From strawberry picking to tasting fresh berries, Langkawi’s strawberry farms offer a memorable journey for all.
• Strawberry Farm Mahabaleshwar : Mahabaleshwar, a hill station in India, is famous for its strawberry farms. Visitors can witness the cultivation of strawberries in the scenic landscapes and enjoy the flavors of these delectable berries.
• Strawberry Farm Cebu : Cebu, an island province in the Philippines, offers strawberry farms where visitors can experience the joy of strawberry picking and sample the fresh, mouth-watering strawberries grown in the region.

Example: “Cebu’s Strawberry Adventure: Delight in the Juicy Goodness of Locally Grown Berries in the Heart of the Philippines”

• Strawberry Farm Fraser Valley : Fraser Valley, located in British Columbia, Canada, is known for its thriving strawberry farms. Visitors can explore the lush fields, pick their own strawberries, and relish the flavors of these delicious locally grown berries.

Example: “Fraser Valley’s Strawberry Wonderland: Experience Farm-to-Table Freshness in British Columbia’s Breathtaking Landscape”

The Green Valley Strawberry Farm serves as an excellent example of implementing the best practices and techniques for optimal results. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide and adapting them to your specific location and circumstances, you are well-equipped to establish and maintain a thriving strawberry farm. Remember to stay vigilant, regularly assess your plants’ needs, and seek guidance from local experts to overcome any challenges that may arise along the way. Wishing you abundant harvests and a prosperous strawberry farming venture!

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How to Start a Strawberry Farm

Starting a strawberry farm can be a profitable venture for those interested in agriculture. Strawberry plants are relatively easy to grow, require minimal space, and can yield abundant fruit. Continue reading to discover how to start a strawberry farm.

Is Strawberry Farming Profitable?

Strawberry farming can be a lucrative business venture with the right knowledge and effort. With a well-thought-out business plan, proper management, and expertise in cultivating strawberries, owners can reap the rewards of running their own profitable strawberry farm.

Why you Should Start a Strawberry Business

Strawberry farming can be a great way to make a living in the agricultural industry. It requires minimal start-up costs and provides access to a large market for selling fresh produce. With an ideal climate, soil fertility, and plenty of water, strawberry cultivation can also be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

The Strawberry Industry in the United States

The strawberry industry in the US generates an estimated $3.5 billion annually, with California alone accounting for over $2.3 billion. The California Strawberry Commission started the “Snack with Heart” marketing campaign in 2020 to promote the health benefits of California strawberries. The best-growing areas for strawberries in the U.S. include California, Florida, and North Carolina.

Simple Steps to Starting Strawberry Farming

Starting a strawberry farm can be a fulfilling and lucrative business venture. However, like any other business, it requires planning, research, and execution. Here are some simple steps to follow to get your strawberry farming business up and running successfully:

Learn Everything You Can About Growing Strawberries

To become a successful strawberry farmer, it is essential to learn about soil preparation, plant selection, irrigation, pest management, and harvesting.

Set Aside or Acquire a Suitable Plot or Greenhouse to Grow Strawberries

The plot or greenhouse should be in an area with plenty of sunshine, good drainage, and fertile soil.

Plan Your Business and Sort out the Paperwork

Research local laws and regulations regarding strawberry farming, obtain permits and set up a record-keeping system.

Create a Strawberry Farming Business Plan

Develop a business plan that outlines your goals, objectives, and strategies for growing and marketing your strawberries.

Do Market Research

Analyze the local and regional markets, identify target customers, and determine the demand for your strawberries.

Form a Legal Entity and Register Your Strawberry Business

Choose a legal structure for your business, register it with the relevant authorities, and obtain the necessary licenses and permits.

Name and Brand Your Strawberry Business

Create a memorable and unique name and brand for your business that appeals to your target audience.

Open a Business Bank Account

Separate your business and personal finances by opening a business bank account.

Acquire The Equipment Needed for a Strawberry Farm

Purchase or lease equipment such as tillers, tractors, cultivators, and irrigation systems.

Choose Suitable Varieties for the Climate and Buy Seeds or Starters

Select the appropriate varieties of strawberries for your climate and purchase high-quality seeds or starters from reputable suppliers.

Grow and Harvest The Strawberries

Plant the strawberries, manage soil fertility, water and weed the crop, and harvest the ripe strawberries.

Market the Strawberry Business

Develop effective marketing strategies to reach your target customers, such as advertising, social media, and events.

Choose Where to Sell Your Strawberries

Identify potential buyers, such as local grocery stores, restaurants, and farmers’ markets.

Expand Your Strawberry Farm

Grow your business by expanding your production, exploring new markets, and developing new products.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Strawberry Farm?

The cost of starting a strawberry farm depends on several factors, such as the size of the farm, equipment, land, labor, and marketing expenses. However, it’s generally considered a low-cost investment, with estimates ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 or more.

Understanding the Basics of Strawberry Cultivation

Understanding the basics of strawberry cultivation is essential for anyone looking to start a strawberry farm. Here are the basics of growing strawberries:

Varieties of Strawberry Plants

There are three main types of strawberry plants: June-bearing, day-neutral, and everbearing. Each type has its unique characteristics and growing requirements.

June Bearing Strawberry Plants

These varieties produce buds that bring in a large crop of berries in late spring to early summer. They require a cold winter dormancy period, thrive in milder climates, and require plenty of space between mother plants. Strawberries in general don’t thrive in hot weather.

Day-Neutral Strawberry Plants

Day-neutral strawberries bear fruit all season, without winter dormancy, and can thrive in various climates.

Everbearing Strawberry Plants

Everbearing strawberries produce two to three harvests per season, typically in late spring, summer, and early fall. They also do not require a winter dormancy period.

Using Raised Beds to Plant Strawberries

A raised strawberry bed offers good drainage, consistent soil temperature, better growth, and higher yield. Use a proper soil pH mix specifically formulated for strawberry cultivation in your raised bed.

Increasing The Average Strawberry Yield

Increase strawberry yield with proper spacing, fertilization, pruning, and weed and pest control.

Choosing a Planting Site

Select a site with full sun exposure and well-draining soil. Avoid areas with standing water or heavy clay soil.

Planting Strawberries

Plant strawberries in the spring or fall, and space them according to the variety’s requirements. Water regularly and apply fertilizer as needed.

Mulching Strawberries

Mulching helps maintain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Consider using straw or pine needles as mulch and remove mulch in the early spring before new growth starts.

Pruning Strawberries

Prune dead or damaged leaves and runners regularly to promote healthy growth and improve fruit quality. Remove all foliage after the final harvest of the growing season.

Harvesting Strawberries

Harvest strawberries when they are fully ripe, typically when the fruit is bright red and has a sweet aroma. Gently lift the fruit from the plant to avoid damaging it.

Ways to add Value when Growing Strawberries

There are various ways to add value to your strawberry farm and achieve greater profits, such as:

You can make jam or jelly from the berries you grow and market it through a store or online.

Start a U-Pick

U-pick operations attract visitors and let them harvest their own berries which can create additional revenue for the farm.

Create a CSA

Build a community-supported agriculture program and offer fresh strawberries to members weekly or biweekly.

Sell at Farmers Markets

Start selling at farmer’s markets offering fresh strawberries and other homemade products.

Offer Pickled Strawberries

A unique and flavorful way to sell your strawberries is by pickling them. It’s a trendy option that customers will love.

The Bottom Line

Starting a strawberry farm doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. With the right knowledge of how to start a farm or how to start farming with no money and this guide, you’ll have the tools in your arsenal to start a strawberry farm. Once your farm is successful, you can explore agricultural business ideas for diversification. You can start a hay farm, start a tree farm , or even learn how to start potato farming. The possibilities are endless. Good luck!

Strawberry Farm FAQs

How do strawberry farms make money.

Money is earned from selling the harvested strawberries at farmer’s markets, grocery stores, or partner restaurants.

Is it Easy to Grow Strawberries?

Yes. With the right soil, sunlight, and water, anyone can grow strawberries, even in a backyard garden.

Are June Bearing Strawberry Plants the Best?

June-bearing strawberries are widely considered to be the best type of strawberry plant due to their high yield capacity and sweet flavor.

Is Planting Strawberries Hard Work?

While planting and maintaining strawberry crops can be work-intensive, with the right preparation and resources, it can be rather straightforward. Avoid planting strawberries where other vegetables susceptible to Verticillium wilt have recently been planted.

How do I Get the Best Strawberry Crop?

To get the best yield out of your strawberry crop, ensure that you have fertile soil and sufficient space between plants for proper airflow as well as access to direct sunlight.

How Long Do Strawberries Take To Grow?

Depending on the variety of strawberries planted, they usually take about three months from planting until harvest season.

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This article, “ How to Start a Strawberry Farm ” was first published on Small Business Trends

Source: Small Business Trends

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Strawberry Production

Strawberries on Matted Row

Strawberry production can be a good fit for many small scale and part-time farming operations. The high value of strawberries creates potential for significant profit from a small planting; however, management of this crop is intensive and there is the likelihood of encountering a number of production difficulties.

Most strawberries produced in the United States are consumed fresh. Several decades ago more than 40 percent of strawberries produced in the United States were processed, but in recent years this figure has declined to less than 20 percent. Typically, the price received for processing strawberries is less than half that received for fresh-market berries. In Pennsylvania and surrounding states, nearly all strawberries are used for fresh-market sales.

Strawberries are grown on more than 60,000 acres in the United States today. The top fresh-market-strawberry-producing states are California and Florida by far, with North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania also in the top five states. The United States ranks first in the world for strawberry production, followed by China and Spain.

Because they are so perishable, strawberries are well suited to farm market and pick-your-own operations, where time from harvest to sale can be kept to a minimum. Roadside stands (either your own or another grower's) and pick-your-own operations provide opportunities to receive relatively high prices for your strawberries, but you may have some additional expenses for advertising, building and maintaining a facility, and providing service to your customers. With pick-your-own operations, you save on harvest costs, but you must also be willing to accept some waste.

Grower-harvested berries are most commonly sold in open quart and pint containers, such as pulp, wooden, or plastic baskets (rather than plastic clamshells). When berries are sold through local retailers, such as a grocery store, it may be wise to discuss preferred containers prior to harvest. Containers like clamshells protect berries from handling by others and may provide greater food safety, but they may also give consumers the initial impression that berries are not locally produced. Prominent signage indicating the origin of the produce may help to remedy this situation.

When selling through local retailers, you must take the time to contact produce managers and must provide good quality strawberries when stores require them. Recently, widespread interest in buying local has resulted in increased opportunities to work with local retailers.

Other marketing alternatives available to the strawberry grower include other types of wholesale markets such as auctions, cooperatives, and processing firms. In wholesale marketing, either you or a shipper can take your crop to the market. Shippers generally sell and transport strawberries for a predetermined price. Wholesale marketing is subject to the greatest price fluctuations. Marketing cooperatives generally use a daily pooled cost and price, which spreads price fluctuations over all participating producers. Depending on your location, processors may or may not be a marketing option. Processors are less likely to contract with small-acreage growers. For more information on marketing, consult Fruit and Vegetable Marketing for Small-scale and Part-time Growers.

In recent years, the price received by Pennsylvania growers has been either the highest or the second highest among states for which this information is available. This high price may be partially attributable to high demand and proximity to markets, as the highest prices are typically received near population centers. However, there is also a strong correlation between price and quality, and growers should take note that the effort put into producing a high-quality product is likely to pay off.

Prices in Pennsylvania range from $1.00 to nearly $4.00 per pound for pick-your-own strawberries, and from $3.00 to $8.00 per quart for picked strawberries. An open-top quart of strawberries averages about 1.4 pounds, but the weight varies with cultivar and berry size. Prices for strawberries for processing are much lower and are subject to greater fluctuation because of international supply-and-demand conditions. Processing prices have ranged from around $0.30 to $0.80 per pound in recent years. Nationwide, average processing prices are less than half that of average fresh-market prices, and processing berries account for only about 8 percent of the strawberry industry value of production.

Depending on the type of plant grown, plants may be fruited during the typical early summer strawberry season or during the summer and fall. Growers should evaluate supply and demand before planting large areas to strawberries. Fruit production at less typical times of the year can either give you a competitive advantage or leave you with fruit having little or no market, depending on consumer preference and market channels in your area. As consumers become more accustomed to year-round strawberry availability, more growers are reporting increased demand for local berries over a longer season.

Strawberry Plant Growth: Effects on Production Options

Strawberry varieties fall into two main types, June bearing and day neutral. In Pennsylvania and nearby states, June bearing strawberries produce their fruit in the late spring and early summer, hence their name. However, they may produce their fruit in May, June, or early July, depending on variety, production methods used, and location. June-bearing varieties are well adapted to all parts of the region and constitute much of the current strawberry acreage.

Day-neutral strawberries bloom and fruit repeatedly, usually in flushes, throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Day-neutral varieties generally perform best in cooler regions. Either type of plant can be grown in a matted-row production system or in raised beds using plastic mulch.

These systems are described in brief under "Production Systems," with greater detail provided in the Mid-Atlantic Berry Guide for Commercial Growers and Season-Long Strawberry Production with Everbearers for Northeastern Producers.

The aboveground portion of the strawberry plant consists of a crown, leaves, runners, flowers, and fruit. The crown is a compressed stem from which leaves, runners, and flowers arise, and may contain smaller branch crowns in addition to the original crown. Runners are long stolons on which daughter plants are produced and may be used to fill in a bed. Temperature and day length determine which plant parts are being grown and how quickly. This affects the timing and relevance of cultural steps in different production systems.

The strawberry plant has an extremely shallow root system, with roots extending only about 6 inches deep in clay loam soils. Because of this shallow root system, and because flower blossoms can be killed by spring frosts, irrigation is either strongly recommended or a necessity, depending on the production system. For more information on crop irrigation, consult Irrigation for Fruit and Vegetable Production .

Site Selection

Strawberries can be grown on a variety of soils. Choose a well-drained site that receives plenty of sun and is close to an irrigation source. The slope of the site should be no greater than 12 percent. The term "well drained" refers to drainage through the soil profile. A sloping site is not necessarily well drained.

Soil should have a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 and should be tested the fall before planting is intended. Do not use a site in undisturbed sod because it can harbor root-feeding grubs that can damage the strawberry roots. Also, strawberry plantings should not follow V erticillium -susceptible crops such as peppers, eggplant, potatoes, or tomatoes. Soil that has been used to grow these crops should be either planted with a non- V erticillium -susceptible cover crop for five to eight years or fumigated before planting. Cover cropping for at least a year with a crop such as rye or sudangrass is highly recommended to help control weeds before strawberry beds are planted. In addition, cover crops can be plowed under to add organic matter to heavy soils. Fertilizer requirements vary with soil type, location, and production system, and thus are not discussed in this brief publication.

Production Systems

Matted-row production for june-bearing varieties.

Matted-row production relies on the establishment of a filled-in row of strawberry plants through runner and daughter plant proliferation. The original mother plants are planted on a relatively wide spacing. This is a relatively low-cost system for producing strawberries. Matted-row production was the standard strawberry production system in the region for many years, and it is still the system used for most of the strawberry acreage. It is frequently used for pick-your-own operations.

In matted-row production, dormant crown strawberry plants are usually planted 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 36 to 48 inches apart. Spacing decisions depend on the size of your equipment. Growers should purchase cultivars resistant to red stele and verticillum wilt from a reputable nursery (table 1).

These plants should be set in April as soon as the soil can be worked. Flower blossoms should be removed during the first season. This practice sacrifices the first year's crop, but it enables growers to establish a bed of vigorous plants. It is especially important to closely monitor and control pests in the first year. During mid- to late summer, the original plants will begin to produce runners and daughter plants that should be moved into the rows. After daughter plants fill in a 12- to 18-inch-wide bed, runners and daughter plants that begin to fill the aisles may be removed during cultivation operations.

Four inches of clean straw mulch (about 2 tons of straw per acre) should be applied when the plants are dormant, usually between late November and late December. This practice protects the strawberry plants from sudden temperature fluctuations and helps prevent frost heaving, which can break roots and expose crowns to cold temperatures. The straw should be removed during the following March when the soil temperature reaches 40 degrees at a 4-inch depth. Plants flower in April to May depending on location. Fruit matures 26 to 30 days after flowering.

After fruiting is complete, the beds are renovated (mowed, narrowed, fertilized, and treated with herbicides in conventional production) and the fruiting cycle begins again. Fruit size decreases with the age of the bed, and overall yield declines after about two to three years.

In the mid-Atlantic states, a well-maintained matted-row strawberry planting of June bearers should produce an average of 10,000 pounds per acre, though yields range widely from half to twice this much.

Plasticulture Production for June-bearing Varieties

This system works best in warmer regions with a relatively long growing season. High yields are dependent on plants' producing branch crowns rather than daughter plants. Low yields are common in cooler areas (zones 6a and cooler) due to a shorter period of suitable conditions for plant growth and flower bud initiation in the fall. Capital input into this system is fairly high, though yields and fruit quality also have the potential to be high. The degree of management required is high, and so is the need for attention to detail.

Many growers who raise strawberries using plastic mulch use the same bedding equipment that they already have for vegetable production, though the strawberry plants would benefit from higher beds that drain easily and warm more quickly. Plug plants (actively growing plants grown in cell trays) are planted through the plastic mulch late enough to discourage excessive runner formation, but early enough to promote plant establishment and branch crown formation. This is early to mid-September in warmer locations (USDA hardiness zones 7a and warmer) and mid- to late August for colder sites (zone 6b).

Alternatively, dormant bare-root crowns can be used. These are planted during mid-July in warmer locations and from mid-June to mid-July in cooler areas (later than for matted-row production to minimize runners, which need to be removed). A good spacing for plants is in double rows 12 inches apart on each bed, with plants staggered 12 inches apart within each row.

Floating row covers are applied in the fall when daytime highs are in the low 70s to keep plants actively growing and to encourage more branch crowns and flower buds to form. The row covers also provide winter protection, as they reduce wind desiccation and buffer the planting from temperature extremes. In more northern locations, straw mulch (added under the covers) in addition to row covers may be helpful, though rodent pressure will be greater. In the spring, straw should be removed from the beds and placed in the walkways as soon as the plants resume growth. Row covers should then be pulled back on if early fruiting is a goal. Row covers should be removed as soon as the plants begin to bloom to allow pollinators access to the blossoms.

Since establishment-year inputs are high and following year inputs are quite low with the plasticulture system, many growers hold their plantings over for a second year of harvest. Yields from carryover plantings can be high. Plantings are renovated by mowing off the leaves, thinning the crowns, and resuming watering and fertilization to encourage new growth. Row covers are not applied until winter for protection of carryover plantings.

In lieu of carrying plantings over, double-cropping with another crop (replacing the strawberry plants using the same plastic) can be accomplished using warm-season crops in warmer areas and cool-season crops where the growing season is shorter.

The goal is to produce marketable yields of about 1 pound per plant, or over 14,000 pounds per acre. However, most growers in the region find yields of 0.75 to 0.9 pound per plant to be more attainable. If yields are below 0.5 pound per plant, a different production system should be considered.

Matted-Row Production for Day-neutral Varieties

Day-neutral strawberries can be grown in a matted-row system as described for June bearers, with some differences. The intention is to establish plants quickly that can produce fruit in the first season, so day-neutral strawberry plants are planted at a close spacing, with plants 5 to 10 inches apart in the row. Runners are removed throughout the first season and flowers should be removed for the first 6 weeks after planting. Mulching day-neutral plants with 4 inches of clean straw is essential since mulch prevents large fluctuations in moisture availability and temperature.

Plants fruit from mid-August through the first hard frost during the first year. In subsequent years in warm areas, plants produce three crops--an average-sized spring crop, a small summer crop, and a heavy fall crop. In cooler areas, plants may produce more consistently through the year. Fertilizer requirements are higher than for June bearers. In a matted-row system, day-neutral plantings are normally kept for only two to three years, as berry size decreases quickly. Day-neutral cultivars suitable for production in the mid-Atlantic region are described in Table 1.

Plasticulture Production for Day-neutral Varieties

This system is the one most commonly used, and it is best suited to cooler areas of the region, as high temperatures can cause plants to cease flowering or negatively affect pollination. In areas where the summer becomes hot (highs in the high 80s and 90s) the highest yields are obtained in the fall, and little production occurs from late July to late August. In areas that are cool throughout the summer, such as high-elevation areas (maximum temperatures typically reaching the low to mid eighties), the highest yields are obtained during the summer. Plantings are typically kept for only one year, or carried over to include a spring harvest in the second year. Fruit size drops off considerably after this time.

After the soil is prepared, plastic-mulched beds and trickle irrigation tape are laid as for June-bearer plasticulture production. A reflective or white-on-black plastic (white side up) plastic is preferred to keep soil temperatures cool.

Planting occurs in late spring rather than summer as with June bearers on plastic, using either dormant plants or large-size plug plants that are produced from dormant plants in a greenhouse. This allows for rapid plant establishment and quick fruit production. Details on producing these types of plants are outlined in the Mid-Atlantic Berry Guide for Commercial Growers . A common plant spacing is 12 inches apart in a staggered pattern within each row in double rows that are 12 inches apart. Production may be extended into the fall if row covers are pulled on during early frost events.

Yields of day-neutral varieties are typically higher than those of June bearers because of the extended harvest season. Yields of 0.75 to 1.25 pounds of fruit per plant are reasonable for a high-yielding cultivar that is suited to your site.

Harvest and Postharvest Handling

Strawberries must be picked and handled very carefully. Berries are harvested at least three times per week. The fruit must be firm, well colored, and free from rot. When harvested at the right time and handled properly, strawberries will remain in good condition for a few days. Proper postharvest handling of strawberries is essential. Cooling the berries removes field heat and lengthens their shelf life. Harvesting early in the day while temperatures are cool and then precooling the fruit before selling or shipping extends shelf life significantly.

Pest Management

Several insect pests and diseases can cause crop losses; therefore, it's important to monitor and control pests. Some pests affect the flowers and fruit, while others attack the foliage, stems, crowns, and roots of the plant. Pest management involves many aspects of production, with pesticide application being only one. Learn to correctly identify pests, incorporate scouting into your routine to catch problems early, and become familiar with the pests' biology. Many pest problems can be avoided or greatly reduced by proper site selection, crop rotation, judicious timing of various operations, and the use of disease-free plants.

Birds can be a serious problem on many strawberry farms. Netting, chemical repellents, scare tactics, and noise devices may be required to protect the crop. Deer also can cause extensive damage to the plants by trampling and eating the plants and ripening berries. Hunting, fencing, and repellents all can reduce deer damage.

Weeds must be controlled, as strawberries have shallow root systems that put them at a disadvantage when competing for water and nutrients. Many weed problems can be greatly reduced by avoiding sites with persistent weed problems and eliminating weeds before planting. Shallow cultivation and herbicide application can control weeds after establishment, but persistence is needed. Few herbicides are available for strawberries, but if they are applied appropriately and if hand and machine cultivation is employed when chemical controls cannot be used or fail, a strawberry planting can be very profitable.

Sample Budgets

Included in this publication are strawberry production budgets for June-bearing matted row production and June-bearing plasticulture production, as these systems are the two most widely used. Day-neutral production costs are similar to costs of June-bearing production for either system, with the exceptions that plant costs and fertilizer costs are somewhat higher, harvest container and labor costs should be higher due to higher yields (only if berries are sold as already picked), and timing of some operations is different.

The first table summarizes the costs of land preparation, establishment, and mature production for a matted-row planting of June-bearing strawberries, while the second table summarizes the costs of land preparation, establishment, and mature production for a June-bearing plasticulture planting. These budgets assume that your berries will be sold in containers. If you intend to sell berries in a pick-your-own operation, you can subtract costs for harvesting and containers. These sample budgets should help ensure all costs and receipts are included in your calculations. Costs and returns are often difficult to estimate in budget preparation because they are numerous and variable. Therefore, you should think of these budgets as an approximation and then make appropriate adjustments in the “Your Estimate" column to reflect your specific growing and resource situation.

Additional strawberry budgets can be found in the Mid-Atlantic Berry Guide for Commercial Growers . More information on the use of crop budgeting in farm management decision-making can be found in Budgeting for Agricultural Decision Making .

You can make changes to the interactive PDF budget files for this publication by inputting your own prices and quantities in the green outlined cells for any item. The cells outlined in red automatically calculate your revised totals based on the changes you made to the cells outlined in green. You will need to click on and add your own estimated price and quantity information to all of the green outlined cells to complete your customized budget. When you are done, you can print the budget using the green Print Form button at the bottom of the form. You can use the red Clear Form button to clear all the information from your budget when you are finished.

Sample Budget Worksheets

Initial resource requirements.

Land: 1 acre

• Land preparation: 4-6 hours
• Establishment: 60-65 hours
• Production: 55-60 hours
• Custom harvest labor (mature): $4,000-$6,000
• Land preparation: $300-$400
• Strawberry plants: $900-$4,000
• Mulch: $180-$300 per year

Fuel, repairs, maintenance, and depreciation of machinery: $10-600 per year

Local Regulations

All agricultural operations in Pennsylvania, including small and part-time farming enterprises, operate under the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. A specific part of this law is the Nutrient Management Act. Portions of the act may or may not pertain to your operation, depending on the number and/or sizes of animals you have. However, all operations may be a source of surface or groundwater pollution. Because of this possibility, you should contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District to determine what regulations may pertain to your operation.

• Risk Management

You may wish to consider several risk-management strategies for your operation. First, you should insure your facilities as well as your crops. This may be accomplished by consulting your insurance agent or broker. If you are planning a pick-your-own marketing option, you should consult your insurance salesperson since you may not be covered under your farm owner's policy. Second, you may want to insure income for your entire operation through a crop insurance program called Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP). To use WFRP you must have five years of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Schedule F forms. If your business structure is either a C or an S corporation, the necessary information can be entered into a Schedule F for crop insurance purposes. You can then contact an agent who sells crop insurance and insure the income of your operation. For more on agricultural business insurance, see “Agricultural Alternatives: Agricultural Business Insurance." For more information concerning crop insurance, contact a crop insurance agent or check  Crop Insurance .

New food safety regulations may or may not apply to you depending on the size of your operation. For more information on this topic, visit the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) website .

When using any pesticides in your enterprise, remember to follow all label recommendations regarding application rates and personal protection equipment requirements. Also remember that any Worker Protection Standards apply to both the owner and employees.

For More Information

Publications.

Childers, N. F. The Strawberry, a Book for Growers, Others. Gainesville, FL: Horticultural Publications, 2003.

Crassweller, R. Fruit Production for the Home Gardener . University Park: Penn State Extension, 2006.

Demchak, K., et al. Mid-Atlantic Berry Guide for Commercial Growers . University Park: Penn State Extension, 2013.

Dunn, J. W., J. W. Berry, L. F. Kime, R. M. Harsh, and J. K. Harper. "Agricultural Alternatives: Developing a Roadside Farm Market". University Park: Penn State Extension, 2006.

Dunn, J. W., J. K. Harper, and L. F. Kime. "Agricultural Alternatives: Fruit and Vegetable Marketing for Small-scale and Part-time Growers." University Park: Penn State Extension, 2009.

Handley, D., and M. Pritts (eds.). Strawberry Production Guide. NRAES-88. Ithaca, NY: Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service, 1996.

Harper, J. K., S. Cornelisse, L. F. Kime, and J. Hyde. “Agricultural Alternatives: Budgeting for Agricultural Decision Making." University Park: Penn State Extension, 2013.

Kime, L. F., J. A. Adamik, E. E. Gantz, and J. K. Harper. “Agricultural Alternatives: Agricultural Business Insurance." University Park: Penn State Extension, 2004.

Lamont, W. J., J. K. Harper, A. R. Jarrett, M. D. Orzolek, R. M. Crassweller, K. Demchak, and G. L. Greaser. “Agricultural Alternatives: Irrigation for Fruit and Vegetable Production." University Park: Penn State Extension, 2001.

Lamont, W. J., M. D. Orzolek, J. K. Harper, L. F. Kime, and A. R. Jarrett. "Agricultural Alternatives: Drip Irrigation for Vegetable Production." University Park: Penn State Extension, 2012.

Lantz, W., H. Swartz, K. Demchak, and S. Fritz. Season-Long Strawberry Production with Everbearers for Northeastern Producers . SARE: Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, 2010.

USDA-NASS. “Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts: 2015 Summary." July 2016.

Associations

North American Strawberry Growers Association 30 Harmony Way Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Canada E-mail: [email protected]

Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association 815 Middle Road Richfield, PA 17086 E-mail: [email protected]

• National Arboretum - USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Prepared by Kathleen Demchak, senior extension associate in horticulture, Jayson K. Harper, professor of agricultural economics, Lynn F. Kime, senior extension associate in agricultural economics, and Willie Lantz, extension educator, University of Maryland Extension.

This publication was developed by the Small-scale and Part-time Farming Project at Penn State with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Extension Service.

• Farm Management
• Production Economics

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Personalize your experience with penn state extension and stay informed of the latest in agriculture..

How to Start a Berry Picking Farm

A berry farm can operate in one or both of the following ways: it can sell its berries to a distributor, such as a farmers market, or it can let customers into the field to pick the berries themselves, charging by the weight of the berries that the customers picked.

Learn how to start your own Berry Picking Farm and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a berry picking farm by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Berry Picking Farm
• Form your Berry Picking Farm into a Legal Entity
• Register your Berry Picking Farm for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Berry Picking Farm
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Berry Picking Farm
• Get Berry Picking Farm Insurance
• Define your Berry Picking Farm Brand
• Create your Berry Picking Farm Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your berry picking farm. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Berry Picking Farm Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your berry picking farm?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a berry picking farm.

Before opening your farm, there are a number of large items you will need to invest in.

• Land - A PYO farm requires a larger plot of land that is close enough for consumers to come and visit, with ample parking.
• Liability insurance - Because customers are visiting the farm, liability insurance is often higher for PYO farms.
• Tractors - Two 70– 80 hp tractors are recommended. Budget for approximately $65,000, if purchased new.
• Heavy duty mower - $1,000
• Fertilizer spreader - $1,200
• Herbicide sprayer - a 200 gallon sprayer will cost approximately $2,000
• V-bladed sweep plow - $2,000
• Drain runner (spinner) - $2,000
• Land clearing - Average cost is $3,000 per acre
• Ditching & drainage - Average cost is $120 per acre
• Forming beds - $25 per acre
• Plants - You will need approximately 1210 per acre at a cost of $0.50 per plant
• Irrigation pond - The required number of irrigation ponds is determined by the size of your farm.
• Irrigation well
• Sprinklers, pipes and valves - Average cost is $120,000
• Pumps - Cost is $9,500 per pump
• Marketing supplies

What are the ongoing expenses for a berry picking farm?

Until you’ve completed your sixth year, you will have purchases that must be made on an annual basis. For example, your second year, you will need to invest in an airblast sprayer, which will set you back approximately $7,600 and farm trailers for transporting picking trays. Experienced farmers recommend budgeting for four trailers at $1,000 a piece. In years three through six, your budget should include between $50,000 and $200,000 in additional equipment.

Additional ongoing expenses include:

• Weed, disease, and insect control - costs will include labor and materials
• Land lease or mortgage

Who is the target market?

Restaurants or wholesale food distributors will make up the bulk of your commercial berry business. You will be dealing with seasonal high volume sales. For the you-pick farm, your clientele will be more adventurous consumers who enjoy the time spent harvesting their own fruits. This customer will be looking for high quality berries and an inviting atmosphere from the owner and staff.

How does a berry picking farm make money?

Berry farms generate revenue from the sale of their produce. If selling to a wholesale retail buyer, the pricing is by flat. You-pick sales are by the fruit and by the pound.

The average price for a flat of berries at market is $14. Pick your own customers are charged per pint or by the pound. The average price for a pint is $4.78. Per pound prices average between $3.48 per pound and $4.92 per pound.

How much profit can a berry picking farm make?

There are a number of factors that affect your berry farm’s profitability. For instance, how you structure your business, the health of your soil, the type of berry you grow, the weather, and your irrigation system all affect your annual profits. The average berry farmer reports a loss for the first few years. After that, however, average profits are reported at between $1.3 million and $2.8 million.

How can you make your business more profitable?

There are a number of strategies you can implement to increase your farm’s profitability:

• Bake, can, freeze, and/or dehydrate your berries.
• Open your farm to the public for entertainment, particularly during the holiday season. This could include - petting zoos, hayrides, and holiday festivals.
• Offer educational tours and seminars
• If you have enough land, grow corn and host a corn maze during Halloween.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your berry picking farm is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

Federal Business Licensing Requirements

There are federal regulations regarding what can and cannot be added to, sold as, and processed with food. Attached is a resource from the Food and Drug Administration detailing the process of starting a food business: How to Start a Food Business

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a berry farm business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Certificate of Occupancy

A berry farm business is generally run out of a plot of land. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location :
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a berry farm business.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
• If you plan to purchase or build a location :
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your berry farm business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

Food Regulations

When selling food, you will need licensing from a local health department; all establishments serving food are required to pass a health inspection. Tips for faring well on a health inspections

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Berry Picking Farm needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Berry Picking Farm.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a berry picking farm

Your marketing strategy will be defined by the type of berry farm you decide to open. For a PYO farm, well-displayed road signs are recommended as the best form of marketing. Word-of-mouth will ensure a steady influx of both new and returning clients. Experienced farmers indicate that billboards, radio, and television ads are often not effective.

Regardless of which type of farm you open, the Internet will also serve as an effective marketing tool. Make sure your farm is listed in online registries such as Yelp and Google Business. Active social media accounts are also a great way to reach new and current customers, keeping them apprised of the latest news. Many farmers have also found success advertising through county fairs and craft shows. Opening your farm to elementary school classes for field trips is another great way to let the public know what you offer.

How to keep customers coming back

As a general rule, 80% of your business comes from 20% of your customer base. To ensure a positive word-of-mouth, make sure your farm is safe and clean. Your staff should be friendly and knowledgeable.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Individuals with farming experience and the acreage to grow berry bushes and plants will be some of the best fits. Having experience or training in agricultural management and business is also a desired skill set. If you choose to open a pick your own (PYO) farm, experience in customer service and public speaking can also prove beneficial.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a berry picking farm?

Since you are running a farm, much of the day-to-day activities will consist of tending to the fruit trees and plants. There will also be some amount of time marketing and selling your produce. And, if customers are picking fruit in your farm, customer interaction will be an important part of your routine. In particular, you will be:

• Feeding, mulching, and planting crops
• Pest control and pruning
• Monitoring and repairing irrigation systems
• Routine maintenance and upkeep on farm equipment
• Ordering fertilizer and re-stocking supplies
• Interacting with customers on social media or a website
• Interacting with you-pick customers
• Marketing and promotions
• Harvesting and packaging produce
• Managing your staff

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful berry picking farm?

Being well-versed in agriculture techniques and trends, particularly for fruit-bearing plants, is usually necessary. Some berries will demand an attentive farmer to thrive. Being-detail oriented in your farming and business dealings will be equally helpful in your success. You must also be a determined and hard-working individual. Farming requires equal parts intelligence and elbow grease. It is also necessary to understand the business of farming and how to read and predict consumer trends.

What is the growth potential for a berry picking farm?

Generally, berry farms are popular, as many consumers enjoy fresh fruits. The you-pick market has become particularly popular as of late. Farming can be an all-consuming endeavor, but berry farms can be modest in size, yet still give profitable returns. For many larger farms, they not only offer fresh produce, but also job opportunities to many local and regional workers.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a berry picking farm?

The following are some tips from established berry farmers:

• Keep in mind that many crops take between one and three years before they start producing enough to really turn a profit. Strawberries, raspberries, and ground cherries produce heavier harvests. Blueberries and blackberries are easier to grow.
• It’s important to keep in mind that PYO farms are considered “seasonal,” as they do not do as well when the economy is up. This is happening less now though, as people are becoming more conscious of the preservatives that go into fruits and veggies that are pre-packaged.
• Because weather is also a factor, experienced farmers urge you to consider having a farm that offers a mixture of both services. That way, if weather is bad one weekend, you don’t lose out on one-fourth of your business.
• For a PYO farm, be sure to have a phone number dedicated to your business, with a voice mail that provides information regarding your prices and hours of operation.
• Weekends and summer holidays will be your PYO’s busiest times, so make sure you are open.

How and when to build a team

To build a successful farm, you will need to assemble a team from the start. PYO farms require longer hours, but a smaller staff, as the sorting and packaging is done by the customer. Farmers cite labor costs at an average of $8 per hour, per employee. This will vary, depending upon your region.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• North American Strawberry Growers Association
• North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association
• Franchise opportunity with Berrybrook Farm

Real World Examples

• Michigan farm
• Georgia farm
• North Carolina farm

Further Reading

• Tips for starting a berry farm
• A guide to different kinds of berries you can grow
• Learn about more Family Fun Business Ideas!

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

Starting a Strawberry Farm

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• 26 expert advice
• 77,755 views

Starting a commercial strawberry farm takes interest, experience, and capital. If you are planning to cultivate strawberries for profit, you must undertake intense preparation to get off to a good start.

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Prepare yourself for this task by having your questions about strawberry farming answered by reading our basic guide.

Strawberry Farm Startup Needs

Starting a commercial strawberry farm is not for everyone. It requires a special interest in strawberry farming and selling, years of experience in strawberry growing, and a lot of capital. You’d need some $1,000 to raise an acre of strawberries. You’d need to purchase or lease at least a few acres of land and get the equipment to cultivate a crop. You’d need a tractor, spreader, bedder, pickup truck, irrigation system, mowers, and sprayers. This equipment costs a lot if you buy them, that’s why some farmers opt to rent instead. More importantly, you have to have the experience in growing  strawberries, perhaps by learning it from childhood if your family already owns an orchard or by working for one strawberry farm for a long time. Experience and knowledge are needed to grow a sensitive crop like a strawberry.

Strawberry Cultivation Basics

Strawberry planting  and harvesting often can take up to a year. You’d need to go through several stages of planning, planting, cultivating, and harvesting. To start a farm, you’d need to prepare your soil for strawberry growing. Check on the kind of soil you have by performing a soil test. Strawberries prefer loam soil, particularly sandy loam soil. Knowing your soil type and composition will help you decide how to prepare it for cultivation. You might need to broadcast lime in order to adjust its pH to the preferred pH strength of 6 by strawberries. Then you need to apply fertilizer and fumigate the soil to control weed growth. You’ll need to spray fungicides and insecticides later when the strawberries have grown. A major task in strawberry farming  is the installation of irrigation and sprinkler system for the water needs of the plant. All these processes could take almost a year. But there are also varieties that ripen in shorter times. The Chandler variety is the most commonly preferred variety because of its adaptability to the climate.

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Because of the complexity needed in growing a crop like strawberry, intense preparation is necessary. In order to successfully start a farm, someone planning to do so should come up with a business plan to contain all the necessary aspects of the business. The business plan  should include information on what kind of strawberry farming system will be used, the orchard layout, the farming timetable, marketing strategy, and the financial analysis for the farm.

The financial aspect should include the variable costs for seeds, fertilizer, pesticide, labor, and overhead; and the fixed costs such as money spent for acquiring land, and paying depreciation, taxes, and insurance.  

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154 Comments

• ajay   said on July 9, 2009 it is an innovative idea for the farmers.
• Shahram Akbaroff   said on October 2, 2010 I want to grow Starting a Strawberry Farm in state of Rasht in North of Iran near Caspian sea. Looking forward to have your information. Wish you the best, Shahram Akbaroff
• Rudi Vortsman   said on January 24, 2011 I am looking at starting a Strawberry farm in Senaki, Georgia within the next 6 - 9 months.
• David McElrath   said on February 11, 2011 looking to start a strawberry farm in Cortland Ohio. Which is in northeast ohio just outside youngstown ohio
• Eric Crambes   said on March 1, 2011 Hello, I am looking to start a strawberry farm in Hollister, California, USA In the next 6 months or so. The property I am looking at buying was used for farming strawberries about ten years ago or so, I'm up for quite the adventure I've been told. Hope to hear and learn more!
• Chieftan   said on March 25, 2011 Interested in Strawberry farming in Sant Kabir Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh, India.

@Chieftan, Hi Chieftan, Well Strawberry is the fruit which you can cultivate easily. Here are some useful points for growing strawberry plant.

• This plant need height, sunlight. In simple word You should farm it in summer. Avoid to plant it in open area.
• Well drained soil which should be high in organic is best for Strawberry plant. Avoid to plant these where tomato, eggplant or potato have been grown before. It is always good to plant strawberry in green manured field.
• There are different varieties of strawberry available. You can choose the best breed as per your area. Some varieties like Royal Sovereign, Srinagar and Dilpasand are best for hilly area. Torrey, Toiga and Solana are best for banglore and mahabaleshwar as well. Pusa Early Dwarf Breed is best for north India.
• There are different planting techniques used for planting strawberry. March to april is the best time for planting strawberry.

Raghunath Natarajan Startup Biz Hub - Advisor (Staff)

• debra richards   said on April 8, 2011 I am wishing to start a strawberry farm. Any information(s) will be of the utmost benefit for me. Thank-You. [email protected], prince george, british columbia, CANADA, V2L 3B1

@debra richards, Hello debra richards, strawberry farming is really a wonderful idea, it is very easy to grow and you can produce fruitful amount from this farming. Here are some basic points you need to follow for this farming.

• You should plant the strawberries in 12 to 18 inches distance in rows and each rows must be at least in 3 feet distance from each other.
• It needs slightly less than neutral pH and well drained soil. These plants need height, sunlight and avoid to plant it in open area.
• The root of the plant should be straight down towards soil. The important point is if you want to grow enough strawberries for profit then you should have good size of land, (In one acre of land you can get 10,000 pound of strawberries) hire workers and rent machinery.
• The most complex part of growing strawberry is that to get disease-free plants. i have mentioned some other points in previous comments, you can read them as well.
• Vidya Sagar   said on April 22, 2011 My farm is located in the hills( Himalayas) in Mussoorie in Uttarakhand-INDIA at 6000 ft.S0il is very rich in Phosphorus(Rock Phosphate)& Excess Manganese(toxicity),PH-7.2,Irrigation-Natural spring water.Can I take up Strawberry cultivation?Request suggest a suitable fertilization program.
• artur baculi   said on November 15, 2011 i live in south of brazil state of parana .what time of the year/month is to plant strawberry ?
• dinesh sati   said on April 23, 2012 dear Friends i am planning for a farming of vegetables and strawberry in Bageshwar? plz guide me the project cost,, in 2 bigha land. What cost i will have to face in this business in starting. and what types of vegetable i can grow their mostly which can give me a good profit and well turn over. plz mail me: [email protected]
• Rafaela du Plessis   said on May 9, 2012 maputo - mozambique. i want to farm strawberries, what you guys advice me.
• Monotosh   said on May 26, 2012 dear, I want to cultivate Strawberry in west bengal whereas the soil quality is half of muddy and half of sandy.Can you let me know please about the required soil quality and cultivation process and market also where i can get good buyer.
• Elvis Muchimbiri   said on July 23, 2012 My strawberry field is on two acres. The plants are two weeks old. The field is located in Hatcliff, Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
• ravindra singh   said on August 5, 2012 I WANT TO START STRAWBERRY ALONG WITH LEMON FARMING IN HARIDWAR(UTTRAKHAND) & IN NCR DELHI, PLZ, TELL ME THE ECONOMICS OF THE SAME. THANKS.
• chris   said on August 10, 2012 hi im interested in starting a strawberry farm pick your own in maryhill. ontario canada any tips would be great thanx
• job kichwen   said on September 14, 2012 hi i intend to start a strawberry farm in kenya [africa] please advice on best variety that will suit my region and also tips on the business side of it. thanks.
• rahul   said on September 14, 2012 [email protected] please tell growth stages of strawberry with days after planting
• bhat N R   said on September 19, 2012 Please let me know the suitability of Bangalore, India for Strawberry cultivation.
• Rutvik Patel   said on October 3, 2012 Hi I am intend to start a strawberry farm in Gujarat(India), Which type of soil i need to prepare, kind of condition to be build up, and which kind of majors to be taken in to account while farming, I need to grow up in 0.4 Hector of Land, Nd which type of variety that suit my region and also need your help or i would say tips on the business side. Awaiting in anticipation, thanks a lot in advance
• Dha   said on October 10, 2012 @Raghunath Natarajan, I intend to start a strawberry farm in the Shayadri ranges around Pune. Could you please provide me some addresses in and around Mahabaleshwar, India; for purchase of Strawberry seeds for plantation.
• sangeeta   said on October 12, 2012 Please guide me in detail regarding starting a strawberry farm in rajasthan at the earliest. Thanx.

@Dha, we don't have such contact but try to hit a government horticulture near by to find the reliable resources to buy the seeds.

• Dha   said on October 18, 2012 @Raghunath. Thank you sir.
• Entrepreneur Farmer   said on November 21, 2012 I have been farming strawberries for the last two years in Central Kenya. The returns are good but I need to venture more into the overseas market. Meanwhile though I have a lot to offer in terms of writeups, demonstrations and also quality seedlings for those in need of them. You can send me an email at [email protected]
• G shekar reddy   said on December 1, 2012 My farm is nearer to HYDERABAD.I want to start STRAWBERRY farming.So please guide me.
• KILIOBA   said on December 25, 2012 I'M IN KITENGELA, NAIROBI, KENYA AND I WANT TO ATTEMPT THIS STRAWBERRY FARMING IMMEDIATELY FOR COMMERCIAL USE KINDLY GIVE ME A DETAILED PROFILE...
• Waweru   said on December 26, 2012 I am located in Limuru in Kenya and i would like more information on growing of strawberries. kindly assist.
• Prakash   said on January 19, 2013 Mahabaleshwar, maharashtra india. hi , i have taken strawberry farming since 2 years. So any one want information like strawberry market, planting, strawberry types, then i will provide it . My email id [email protected] we have also available seeds for plantation.
• patrick tana   said on January 22, 2013 i am from western kenya and want to start strawberry farming. I need advice on the best variety and the market.
• James Wahome   said on February 3, 2013 Dear Writer, Many thanks for your informative article on strawberry farming. I recently had a discussion with one of my dearest friend on this subject. I was immediately drawn to it because of my love for strawberries. I grew up with a small orchard of strawberries, I however do not have any experience when it comes to commercial farming where real bucks are at stake. I would be more than grateful for any advice on how to gather the experience and knowledge to start commercial production of strawberries.
• Ehabahe Samuel   said on February 6, 2013 Please, kindly furnish me with a detail feasibility study on how to start a commercial strawberry and apple farming in Edo State, Nigeria.
• RENUKA   said on February 9, 2013 Sir, I want to know whether it is possible to grow Strawberry commercially in tamil nadu , india. With regards Mrs Renuka
• gaurav rana   said on February 16, 2013 sir, i want to grow strawberry in field area of uttar pradesh district bijnor. are here climatic conditions suitable. please guide me;
• maruthi   said on March 12, 2013 i am from india andhra pradesh i would like to grow strawberry field (nizamabad) Red Soil, where can i get plants and information please feel free and mail me, best regards, maruthi
• victor abel   said on March 22, 2013 hi! am from lugari kenya and i would like to start planting strawberry but i dont know where i can get the seeds. the soils from where i come from is sandy-loamy and water is not the problem please help me to get them. in need to know the one that take three months to mature and also the price. thanks
• Comfot Farms   said on April 3, 2013 Pls sir, i need information on how to grow strawberry commercially in Ogun State, Nigeria.
• Comfort Farms   said on April 3, 2013 Please sir, I need information on how to grow strawberry commercially in Oke-Odan, Ogun state Nigeria.
• Dipak   said on April 12, 2013 Hi, this is Dipak from west bengal, India. I am very much interested in strawberry farming. Please guide me in details on project cost in a land of 10000 sqft, Type of land required.market to sell etc. Thanks.
• Regina   said on April 24, 2013 Thank you for such a informative piece on strawberry farming. i plan to start strawberry farming for commercial purposes in Ruai- Kenya and i need to know all about strawberry farming as i have no prior experience
• Supul Chandra Brahma   said on April 24, 2013 My location is kokrajhar district in Assam I want to plant strawberry this year please suggest me
• Musheer   said on May 12, 2013 I am from India Uttar Pradesh I would like to grow stranerry field in (Allahabad) where can I get plants and information please feel free and mail me. Thanks & Regards, Musheer
• Ashish Thakre   said on May 30, 2013 I am from gondia district from Maharastra. I want to know the information regarding to cultivate the strawberry. thank you. Ashish Thakre
• TAKUDZWA SACHITI   said on June 7, 2013 I am a starter in the strawberry farming around Harare in Zimbabwe ,I would like to know wider markets around the country into the region as well
• Sanjay Verma   said on July 11, 2013 I have land near Ambala Cantt in Haryana . I am interested to grow strawbery . Will you please guide me for preparation of land , cultivation & other precautions till the final stage . Also what soil tests should be done & from where .
• kotesh   said on July 16, 2013 i want to start the strawberry farms in Andhra pradesh, india, hyderabad. Interested to grow the strawberry farms. will please guide me and send details of the project how to start the primarlly in strawberry farms.
• Mehernosh Sorabji Madon   said on July 27, 2013 I am a retired man and I want to grow strawberry in my Kitchen garden, in Navsari, Dist Navsari, Gujarat. From where should I get the seeds or Small Plants .Pl. guide me and oblige. Thank you very much, Mehernosh Madon
• Lucy Njeri Wanjema   said on August 10, 2013 i am in Kiambu Kenya i would like to start this can you please explain the exact amount of cash i will need in 0.4 h. how to find the best seedling, is there ready market
• P.L.VENKATESH   said on August 25, 2013 Halo i am interested in doing commercial strawberry cultivation at kodaikanal, Tamilnadu. can you help me in this project. thanking you.
• chamily   said on September 22, 2013 I want to take training for STRAWBERRY CULTIVATION to start cultivation at comilla Is it possible for you to kindly help me in this respect. Kindly reply at the earliest at my e-mail or contact me at my mobile. [email protected], Mobile:01722141430 Dhakha, gazipur bangladesh
• rachel   said on October 9, 2013 what machinery exactly would be best used for a strawberry farms and would you need a cover crop?
• ariuka   said on October 13, 2013 I'm interested in cultivating strawberry for commercial purpose. I have 1 acre land and our country faces extreme cold -20-30degrees in Celcius. Could you please suggest me winter stable and more fruity type of the strawberry. Thank you in advance.

[email protected] || Strawberry Farming Expert

• Pavan   said on November 8, 2013 My farm is near by Hyderabda. I want know some details of strawberry forming like, 1) where i can get seeds r plants 2) which kind of soil is suitable to crop strawberries. and my soil is Red soil, is it ok? 3) what kind of fertilizers and pesticides we can use 4) which season is suitable for the crop
• ahsan habib   said on November 10, 2013 I live in Bngladesh, which is a monsoon plain-land country. I want to set up a strawberry farm. I need some information on 1. soil type, 2. fertilizers needed, 3. watering, 4. best season for yielding 5. suitable type of the strawberries.
• Dintle   said on November 26, 2013 I really want to start strawberry farming business in Botswana. I need some vital advise on this one. Especially the type, season etc. for the fruit to be ploughed
• KAILASH   said on January 4, 2014 FARMERS FROM PUNJAB CAN CONTACT ME WE ARE GROWING IT IN HOSHIARPUR AND PHAGWARA. 07508155747
• suzy   said on January 11, 2014 those in kenya you can contact 0726275060 we have strawberry seedlings, grapevine, lemon, kiwi seedlings.
• Ashwin   said on January 17, 2014 Dear sir, I also interested for strawberry farming, so pls guide me and how much costing in one acre , my land is in jamnagar
• toks   said on January 24, 2014 i wish to go on small scale strawberry, table grapes and apple farming in Nigeria. Please i need a link in Kenya.
• Deff   said on February 4, 2014 I would like to start a strawberry farm on 5 hectares in Nassarawa state, 30km from Abuja in Nigeria. Do furnish me with requirements.
• Lihas   said on February 13, 2014 Where can I get Strawberry saplings in and around bangalore. Can I import the saplings online?
• yogesh adhiya   said on February 18, 2014 Please provide information on feasibility of strawberry plantations in Dahanu , dist -Thane , Maharashtra
• sovan kumar pal   said on March 17, 2014 I am from katwa, in burdwan district of west bengal. I want to start strawberry farming. Any kind of help i.e.training, supply of saplings, market etc. will be strongly solicited.
• nimesh   said on March 19, 2014 INDIA GUJARAT ANAND. Want to know suitable variety of strawberries to be grown nearby. Thanks. Regards.
• j.brahma   said on March 27, 2014 I am living in India, Assam (Bongaigaon) i want to know is it possible to grow a strawberry or strawberry farm with a good crops in my location and which strawberry varieties is best for my location Bongaigaon. And strawberry plant local name
• Norris Wilson   said on April 2, 2014 I have a couple acres in the Central Valley near Fresno, CA. The soil is right as I used to truck sand in when I used to ride horses in the arena. I haven't used it for horses in about 5 years. I want to know what the best variety is and the best way to irrigate. I see a lot of other farmers planting in Oct. on raised beds using sheets of plastic I guess for weed control.
• Hiker   said on April 22, 2014 I started with 30 plants last year now i already have a 500+ plants and growing , now to expand but i do disagree with some unnecessary cost. Farming is patience it is better you start small and get splits from your plants as from there .You will learn a lot from starting small and mistakes will not be costly as when you launch a big farm full of strawberry plant. Strawberry need water so plan on that as drip irrigation is the preferred as you save on water and time you will waster watering individual plants. For more inbox me : [email protected]
• SHIVALIK AGRO FARMS   said on May 19, 2014 FARMERS FROM PUNJAB CAN CONTACT ME WE ARE GROWING IT IN HOSHIARPUR. 07508155747. SOIL TESTING AND WATER TESTING IS MUST FOR THIS. FARMING NEAR CITIES / TOWNS FOR EASY MARKETING IS AN ADDED ADVANTAGE AS THIS FRUIT BEING OF SHORT SHELF LIFE. THIS CULTIVATION IS VERY LABOUR INTENSIVE WHICH REQUIRES LOT OF CARE. [email protected]
• Tariq Jamil   said on June 1, 2014 Can I try it in mountain area plz
• Gurnand Dhillon   said on June 3, 2014 Hello friend, I am from amritsar, punjab INDIA. I am interested in strawberry farming in 1 acre of land, is it possible to grow strawberry in amritsar ? If yes, then please tell me how I can start and how I can contact you and meet you. THANKS
• Anita   said on June 11, 2014 Hi. I am located in Bangalore. I grow strawberry. It is my hobby. I have right now strawberry plants ready for immediate sale. Everbearing and Junebearing variety. You may contact at email - [email protected].

[email protected] || Consultant

• Terry   said on June 22, 2014 Hi, am from kenya and i want to start strawberry project but am so confused. how much capital do i need? is the best? how's the market? your help please. thank you
• Nicelia   said on July 9, 2014 Hello I am from Kenya Meru region and interested in strawberry farming. How can I start as small scale business, capital needed for 1/4 acre. where to acquire the split within Meru.
• satyanarayana   said on July 10, 2014 please guide me to cultivate raspberry near hyderabad
• Mandeep Singj   said on July 21, 2014 I am a banker and interested in growing strawberry. I am from punjab having good land. Can anybody help me to start cultivation of strawberry? I shall highly oblige...
• Mandeep Singh   said on July 21, 2014 Kindly guide me to start strawberry farm. Mandeep Singh, [email protected]
• Felix Kimani   said on August 1, 2014 I am Gatundu South in Kenya 2,200 metres (sorry) above sea level and I intend to grow strawberries on 1 acre of land. Please advise me on preparation and best practices suited to this area.
• nick   said on August 7, 2014 we are cultivating Strawberry plants, located in bangalore. right now we have Strawberry plants available (ananassa : big fruit). you may contact for plants and suggestions regarding Strawberry plant and other exotic Plants. Email me : [email protected]
• Rahul   said on August 7, 2014 Hello friends Strawberry transplanting will start in north India from Mid September to mid November. It is right time to book plants in advance. Ofra variety is good for Haryana region early maturing. Chandler is good for Punjab and Jammu region. When Ofra fruit is over in haryana then Chandler fruit supply starts from punjab. There is heavy booking from punjab region this season and plant rate is also high due to bad weather. Happy strawberry farming.
• Rahul   said on August 8, 2014 @Gurnand Dhillon, @Mandeep Singj. Strawberry can be grown in any part of Punjab and Amritsar also provided ph value of soil and water is suitable. Soil ph of 6.0 to 6.5 is best but 5.5 to 7.0 is also good. Soil water should be sweet. Many big farmers are exporting to europe and arab countries. Himachal hills are good for nursery and runner multiplication. Sweet Strawberry farming. Good luck.
• Rupinder Singh   said on August 18, 2014 Hi. I am from ferozepur, Punjab. I want to grow strawberry. Pls guide me

[email protected] || Consultant

• sahil   said on August 18, 2014 please guide me to grow strawberry plants and from where to get these? Please give your contact no. also. From where to get seeds or plant cuttings? Thanks.
• Neeraj   said on August 20, 2014 Dear @Rahul i want to transplanting strawberry in haryana so tell me which verity is suitable and what time is best for planting.
• Rahul   said on August 20, 2014 Dear @Neeraj Ophera or opra vatiety is very popular among commercial growers of haryana in particular Hisar region. It is high yielding bright colour and hardy fruit. This fruit can be easily transported without any damage to distant places. This is early maturing variety as compared to Chandler. Regarding best timing for transplanting before 15 September. As per me me early transplanting will get high value of fruit. Ophera can also be tried in southern districts of punjab. Hope my answer satisfies your query. Best of luck.Go for sweet Ophera strawberry farming.
• Gursharan cheema   said on August 31, 2014 I am from tarn taran punjab. I want to start strawberry farm. Kindly guide me
• nitish chauhan   said on September 13, 2014 hello, we are providing strawberry plants which are being multiplied from tissue culture plant which are more resistant to disease than traditional plant .we have chandler variety at blooming buds nursery rajgarh himachal. booking has started so please contact as soon as possible for you're booking at 9805623763
• sahil   said on September 13, 2014 hi...rahul....what is right time to plant strawberry in Punjab ...??And how to prepare the field???
• Munish   said on September 14, 2014 We are supplying strawberry runner plants chandler and opra variety to punjab and haryana farmers since last two years . we supply directly to the farmers doors step. We not only supply but also assist right from planting to marketing. Our rates our lowest and plants are sourced from H.P Government nurseries. Please call at 8872498470. For supply and booking.
• jasneet singh   said on October 6, 2014 sir, i want to do this strawberry farming, my location is patila, punjab, india. Plz guide me about the entire process from sowing to sale in the market. Thanks
• Royal Patel   said on October 23, 2014 I want to start strawberry farming in.Gujarat in middle region of Gujarat. Please guide me regarding planting time and care for it.
• Rahul   said on October 23, 2014 Hi mr.patel ehat is max min temperature of ur farm area. What is ph value of soil and water ?If trmp goes Above 30 than it may not be possible to grow it.Please answer these than i will guide u.
• venky   said on October 24, 2014 Am from Hyderabad,i have some doubts on strawberry cultivation .. Where can I get seeds or plant in Hyderabad ?? Is it suitable for Hyderabad whether ???
• Rahul   said on October 24, 2014 Yes u can grow it in hyderabad. U can have plants contact [email protected]
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Strawberry Farming Project Report, Cost, Profit Guide

Table of contents, introduction to strawberry farming project report, plant and its properties of strawberry, cultivars or varieties of strawberry, soil and climatic requirements for growing strawberries, land preparation and planting  of strawberries, propagation of strawberries, manure and fertilizer requirement for growing strawberries, irrigation requirements for growing strawberries, intercultural practices of strawberry garden, pest and disease management of strawberry orchard, harvesting and yield of strawberries, post-harvest handling of strawberry fruits, assumptions of strawberry farming project report:, loans and subsidies for strawberry farming in india.

If you are planning for profitable strawberry farming, then you can go through this Strawberry Farming Project Report .

Strawberry is the fruit obtained from a flowering plant belonging to a hybrid genus (Fragaria x Ananassa). Basically, the cultivated variety of Strawberry is a cross between two different varieties i.e. Fragaria Chiloensis from western America and Fragaria Virginiana from Eastern America. This is a plant native to temperate regions. The first fruit was grown wild in France, later it was cultivated for various purposes. It is now being cultivated widely throughout Europe, United States, and Canada.  In India, we can find Strawberry farms in Nainital, Dehradun, Mahabaleshwar, Kashmir valley, Kalimpong and Bangalore. The fruit of this plant is famous for its fragrance and flavor. The use of Strawberry is found in different products like food, beverages, confections, perfumes, and cosmetics.

The Strawberry farming business can be profitable only if it is marketed well. Farmers in India face difficulty in managing the warm winter climates. The All India Strawberry Growers’ Association is greatly concerned about the decrease in the production of Strawberries during the past few years and is taking measures to improve the quality and quantity of production. Strawberry Farming in Greenhouse or Strawberry Farming in Polyhouse adapts similar conditions of outdoor Strawberry cultivation. However, Hydroponic Greenhouse Strawberry farming will have a different set of procedures.

This Strawberry farming guide or  Strawberry farming project report gives details about its farming methods and at the end of the discussion, one can find the investment (Cost of cultivation of Strawberry in India) and profit details (Strawberry farming profit per acre in India) for farming Strawberries.

The Strawberry is a low-growing herbaceous plant having a fibrous root system and a crown with basal leaves. The plant is also considered to be perennial in nature because its leaves remain green even during winter. The leaves of the plant have saw-tooth edges with a hairy texture. The flowers of the plant are either white or reddish in colour. The flowers grow in small clusters on a slender stalk arising from the axils of the leaves. The roots of the plant become woody as the plant ages. The mother crown of the plant develops runners that touch the root and the ground; this is how the plants grow vegetatively.

Strawberry is not a true berry, but it is considered to be an accessory fruit. The fruit of Strawberry consists of too many seeds and develops from the enlarged flower receptacle. The fruit is heart-shaped and the flesh within is either white or dark red depending on the cultivar. The length of the fruit ranges between 2 to 5 cm.

The fruit is expected to contain very few calories and carbohydrates. They also have low monosaturated fat content but do contain omega-3 fatty acids and polysaturated fat. The fruit is also good in protein and mineral content.

Strawberries are generally distinguished into three different categories based on the period they grow such as June bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral. There are many varieties of Strawberries available, but out of those some resistant varieties used for cultivation are:

• Fruits are large with a firm skin
• The weight of the fruit is 18 g
• Fruits have good flavour and color
• Used in desserts
• Tolerant to viral attacks and physical damages
• The weight of the berry is 9 g
• The fruit matures very fast
• Tolerant to viral attacks
• The fruit is large with normal firmness
• Produce too many runners
• The weight of the berry is 6 g
• The fruit is of good quality
• Tolerant to attacks
• Fruit is obtained even in the off-season
• The fruit is large with conical or block-shaped
• Good for desserts
• Fruit is bright red in colour and conical in shape
• The taste of the fruit is sweet with an acidic tinge
• The weight of the berry is 15 g
• Good plant for runner production
• Fruit is a day-neutral and early ripening variety
• Overbearing variety
• Red coloured fruit with medium size
• Excellent flavour
• Fruit is sweet or slightly acidic to taste
• The weight of the berry is 25 g
• Red-colored fruit with large size and firm skin
• Tolerant to attacks and diseases

Some ever-bearing varieties of Strawberries are Albion, Aromas, Diamante, Everest, Evie2, Evie 3 Fort Laramie, Hecker, Mara des Bois, Monterey, Portola, Quinault, Tribute, Tristar, San Andreas, and seascape

It is very clearly known that Strawberries are grown under the sun, but high summer temperatures have a negative impact on fruit size and quality. Cool temperature favors fruit growth. The roots are also expected to experience less stress in cool climatic conditions. Environmental parameters like temperature, photoperiod, and light intensity are of extreme importance during Strawberry cultivation. The optimum day temperature should be around 22 to 25˚C and the night temperature is expected to be around 7 to 13˚C. Frost is dangerous for the plants.

Strawberry plants should never be allowed to wilt due to lack of water in the soil, so a sufficient volume of water is to be supplied to the plants. In dry areas or areas with winter rainfall supplemental irrigation is to be provided during the summer. Too much rain or water supply can split the fruit, so care must be taken to supply water just necessary for the plants.

The plants require well-drained sandy loam or loamy soil with an average pH range of around5 to 5.5. If the land is prepared well before planting and if a sufficient amount of compost or organic manure is added to the soil, then the plants can be grown in clayey soils as well. Soils which are too saline in nature and have a water logging problem are not suitable for cultivating Strawberries.

The land selected for cultivating Strawberries should have adequate air and water drainage facilities. Low lying areas should not be preferred for these plants as they are subject to frost and other damages. Land that was previously used for planting solanaceous crops like Tomato , Potato , Pepper , and Eggplant , etc. should be avoided for farming Strawberries else they should be fumigated properly before planting Strawberry plants. Land which was used for planting sod should also be avoided.

Stones, weeds, etc. in the land area should be removed and it should be ploughed thoroughly to improve aeration. Matured compost is added to the soil for improving its fertility. Sometimes lime is also added to the soil structure to correct its pH range.

Planting strawberries should be done carefully such that the crown of the plant is above the soil surface. Proper depth estimation should be made during planting because too deep or too shallow planting can be dangerous. The planting is generally done in double rows with an in-row and diagonal spacing of 20 x 20 cm. The spacing between the plants should be around 30 x 30 cm for early planting and 10 x 10 cm for late planting. Depending on the planting density a maximum of 66,000 plants can be accommodated in a hectare of land. Before planting, raised beds are prepared on the land and are mulched with plastic material. The dimensions of the raised bed should be such that the width is 60 cm, height is 45 cm and the pathway is 50 cm. The mulch is a black plastic sheet of about 100 m in length, 1 m wide, and 30 to 40 microns thickness. Organic substances like straw can also be used as mulch and are expected to be much cheaper than plastic mulch material. Transplanting is done usually in the months of March-April, September-October, or January-February. Apart from the raised bed method Strawberries can also be planted in other methods like matted row, hill system, spaced row, plastic mulch base, etc.

Propagation of Strawberry plants is done through runners. Production of runners should be done separately because they tend to produce true-to-type plants and carry most of the diseases to the new plants. Runners for Strawberry plants should be grown on land where Strawberry plants have not been grown for 3 to 4 years. The runners from the plant should be picked in the month of September and planted into polybags containing a mixture of soil, sand, and well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) for about one month.

Lime and phosphorous elements should not be added to the farm after planting if they have already been applied during the land preparation. The farm has to be supplemented using nitrogen and potassium fertilizers throughout the farming season. The level of potassium and nitrogen within the soil should be around 20 to 30 mg/kg and 40 to 80 mg/kg respectively.

Fertigation is the best and economical way of fertilizing plants. 12: 61:00 of NPK @ 500 grams should be applied every alternate day after 20 to 50 days of planting, similarly the remaining days 13:00:45 of NPK @ 500 grams should be supplied. After 50 to 60 days of planting 19: 19: 19 of NPK fertilizer @ 500 grams should be supplied on alternate days (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) and calcium nitrate @ 250 grams is supplied on the remaining days (Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday). 60 to 100 days after planting of Strawberry plants, 16:08:24 of NPK @ 500 grams is supplied on alternate days and 00:00:50 of NPK @ 250 grams should be supplied on the other days. The plants should be supplemented with 12 g of micronutrients once a week.

The time and frequency of irrigation depend on certain factors like soil type, water quality, the weather of the location, season, type of fruit, mulch material , and the type of irrigation system used. If planting is done on sandy soils, then water is supplied in small quantities at regular intervals of time i.e. 2 to 3 days. For clayey or loamy soil types, heavy irrigation is given with an interval of 4 to 5 days between each cycle. Strawberry plants grown in warmer climates need more irrigation when compared to those in colder areas. Different irrigation systems like overhead sprinklers, micro-sprinklers, and drip irrigation can be used for Strawberry farming.

If a drip system is being used, then it should have 1 or 2 lateral lines of 16 mm thickness and drippers should be attached at every 30 cm. The discharge rate from the drippers should be around 2 to 4 liters per hour.

Weeds in the farmland can be either controlled by mechanical or chemical techniques. Hand hoeing is a labor-intensive task and is not generally preferred on Strawberry lands.

The materials used for mulching the farmland are paddy straw and black polythene film. Both these materials ensure good weed control, early cropping, reduce rotting and increase the yield of the crop.

To control the plant density, maintain the plant beds, and remove the older plants renovation of the Strawberry plantings should be done. These Strawberry plants grow very fast and get overcrowded thereby giving space to diseases and lesser yield. Renovation can be done in the following ways:

• After a week of the last pick, the leaves of the plants 1 inch above the crown area are removed through a mower.
• Plants in the rows are thinned either by hoeing or by harrowing.
• Rows are narrowed to 6 or 8-inch width.
• The crops are fertilized after renovation.
• Selected herbicides should be applied if necessary.
• Light irrigation is given to stimulate new growth.

De-blossoming or removing the flowers is practiced to prevent fruiting and increase the production of runners.

Generally, runners from a plant are allowed to root along the rows until the formation of adequate crowns, but after that, all the excess runners should be removed from the rows.

Diseases normally occur in plants where the rainfall is above normal. Some common diseases found in the Strawberry plants are categorized into Foliage diseases like powdery mildew, leaf scorch, and spot; root diseases like verticillium wilt, black root rot, red stele, etc.; fruit rots like gray mold, anthracnose, rhizopus, leather rot, etc. All these can be either controlled using proper chemical treatment methods or can be prevented using cultural methods like proper plant spacing, avoiding fertilizers during spring, mulching the soil beds, removing plant debris from the farm and destroying it immediately, cooling the fruit immediately after harvest, using cultivar with high disease resistance, providing proper air between the plants, removing weeds, etc.

Common pests of Strawberry plants are white grubs, cutworms, and root weevils. These can be controlled by using proper chemical sprays. Fumigating the soil is also helpful in some cases. Organic or biological control measures like neem oil spray can also be used to prevent pests.

Strawberry fruits are generally hand-harvested during the early morning or late afternoon when the temperatures are low. Fruits are picked only after attaining complete maturity i.e. taste of the fruit is sweet and the color is red. Harvesting is done either twice a week or every second day. Picking the fruit should be done using the forefinger and thumb. The fruit is detached by twisting about 2 cm from the stem. While picking care should be taken not to damage the fruits and so they are placed in containers without stacking. Fruits that are overripe should be stored separately. The collected fruits should be protected from the sun, warm wind, and dirt. Small and large fruits also should be separately handled. Fruits ripen during February-April in plain areas and during May-June in hilly areas.

Punnets of transparent plastic trays are used as general packaging material for Strawberries. The yield of the Strawberries varies according to season, locality, and cultivar. The maximum yield from a one-hectare Strawberry farm is expected to be around 25 tons.

Temperature is an important factor that determines the shelf life of a Strawberry. The temperature variations from harvest to sale have a great impact on marketing the produce. A warm atmosphere causes the fruit to get destroyed easily, so the best temperature to store these fruits is 0 to 2˚C. Generally, the fruits are pre-cooled within one hour of harvesting and then stored in refrigerators. The storing area should be cool and well-ventilated. Under proper storing conditions, the fruit of Strawberry can be preserved for 4 days. The shelf-life of unripe, red to pink colored fruits is around 7 to 10 days at 2˚C.

The fruits are wrapped with suitable wrapping material to create an artificial atmosphere, where oxygen is reduced and carbon dioxide is enhanced so as to maintain its quality. Wrapping the fruits helps reduce contamination and bruising.

Cost and Profit Analysis of Strawberry Farming Project/ Strawberry Farming Proejct Report

Economics of Strawberry production:

The investment details for farming Strawberries in one hectare of land are discussed here. It is estimated that the farming is done on a plain zone because the cost and labor required for other zones like ghat areas may differ from this estimate. There is also a possibility of family labor being involved in the farm operations, but here we assume that the labor is hired (both men and women). We also assume that the average wage of both the categories of laborers (men and women) is the same, but practically during project implementation, it is observed that depending on the state and location the charges or wages of men and women are different.

Labor wage per day: Rs 300 (varies in between Rs 250-400 per day).

Cost of Strawberry planting material: Rs 5 per piece.

Strawberry farming is a labor-intensive system and the details of labour required for the entire farming cycle are given here for reference.

The average produce of Strawberry from 1 hectare of land is: 10,000 kg

The average sale price of Strawberry per kg: Rs 150 (varies in between Rs 100-450 depending on the variety and quality of produce)

Total income from the farm is roughly estimated at around: Rs 15, 00,000.

The average profit from the farm is assumed to be: Rs 7, 77,600.

This profit is obtained in one or two years of planting. In addition to this income, there is a possibility of income being generated by the runners obtained from the farm (around 35,000 runners), which can be sold in the market. The investment details do not specify the land rental charges, transport costs, electricity, water, fencing, depreciation values, etc. It is important to note that even though the details of these things have not been mentioned here, but they should be considered during the practical implementation of the project.

Depending on the type of farm, the Horticulture Board has different schemes outlined for different states. It is advisable to refer to the Horticulture board website for exact details. Every component of the project is supported with different amounts of subsidies. The average subsidy is expected to be around 75-80% of all important crops. If you are serious about growing Strawberries commercially, it is advised to go for Strawberry farming training .

In case if you are interested in this: How To Grow Organic Lettuce .

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10 COMMENTS

Interested in strawberry farming

PL suggest any training institute,which provide training on cultivation of strawberry

Good to hear about you Mr Reddy keep helping farmers.

Please Suggest any training institute, which provide training on cultivation of strawberry.

interested in doing the strawberry cultivation in varanasi (up).please help me with all the details

I am interested in Strawberry Farming!

Thanks for the information eagerly hoping to start strawberry farming

Can contact me for strawberry plant’s, will help you with all the necessary guidelines to start strawberry farming

Helo Poojaji, I want to start strawberry farming, can you guide me and also provide plants??

Are you able to source any information regarding hydroponic growing of strawberries?

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Pick your own strawberries at these seven farms in Central Jersey

Strawberries in the Garden State are readying for their short-lived closeup.

Though the strawberry season is only from late-May to June, there are plenty of Central Jersey fields to fill a basket or two.

Here are some tips:

• If unsure where to pick, just ask − staff members can point you in the right direction for the best berries.
• Bring a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle because it gets hot in the field.
• Walk slowly through the fields to avoid damage to berries.
• Check under the leaves of plants as strawberries hide under leaves.
• Call or check the farm’s website before making a plan to go − it’s hard to target the exact date strawberries are ripe for the picking.
• And if you can't eat all the strawberries fresh, preserve them by making jam or sauce, or freeze them.

Bonacorsi Family Farm, Frenchtown 

With two spots for strawberries, this third and fourth generation of family farmers do not charge an entrance fee and open for strawberry picking in early June.

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For pick-your-own strawberries, head to the Frenchtown location. There also is a self-serve stand in Flemington. This farm accepts cash or checks only and provides containers. Go: 662 Pittstown Road, Frenchtown; 1137 Croton Road, Flemington; facebook.com/bonacorsifamilyfarm ,

More: From snapdragons to sunflowers, here are 4 flower farms to pick from in Central Jersey

Giamarese Farm and Orchards, East Brunswick

Strawberries make their appearance at Giamarese Farm and Orchards in late May. Typically, the farm offers strawberry varieties such as Cabot, Chandler, Daroyal, Darselect, Mayflower, Rutgers Scarlet, Sunset and Wendy.

The farm is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Arrive at least 90 minutes before closing.

Go: 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick; 732-821-9494; giamaresefarm.com/pick-your-own.html .

Melick's Town Farm, Oldwick

Although it has several locations, Melick's Town Farm in Oldwick is where it's at for strawberries.

The pick-your-own season, which began mid-May, features the Chandler strawberry variety.

Reservations are open daily at 4 p.m. for the next day after the ripening berry supply is evaluated. The farm is open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday.

Go: 170 Oldwick Road, Oldwick; 908-439-2318; melickstownfarm.com/strawberries/ .

Peterson Family Farm, Flemington

Peterson Family Farm will open the first week in June and offers strawberry varieties Earliglow, Jewel and All Star.

Strawberry picking trays and carriers are available for $1 or bring your own. Repeat customers who previously used the farm's picking trays can wipe them out and re-use them.

Pick-your-own strawberries are $4 per pound, and farm-picked berries are $8 per quart.

Go: 438 Quakertown Road, Flemington; 908-782-1682, petersonfarm.net/u-pick/ .

Snyder’s Farm, Somerset

Many varieties of strawberries are available for picking at Snyder's Farm, which is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last car in at 3 p.m.) on weekends only. Or, check their Facebook and Instagram pages to find out about mid-week pop up dates. Strawberry-picking season begins May 25.

Admission is $5 pe person, which includes a wagon ride to the field. Pay for what you pick in cash-only, but there is an ATM on-site.

With free quarts containers that hold about one pound of strawberries, the farm also sells $2 flat boxes. Visitors can also bring their own containers. While here, try their homemade strawberry ice cream.

  Go: 586 South Middlebush Road, Somerset; 732-496-0441, snyders-farm.com .

VonThun Farms, South Brunswick

A five-generation working family farm, you-pick strawberry season will begin Memorial Day Weekend but call first as crop conditions can change. The season runs through the mid-June.

Picking hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, with the last admission a half-hour before closing. Cost is $3 per person.

The farm will host a strawberry festival June 1-2 and 8-9 with hayrides, animals, food trucks, face painting and strawberry picking. The last admission to the strawberry festival will be sold at 4 p.m.

The farm market also features strawberry-themed items such as jams, jellies, preserves, salad dressings and more.

Go: 519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction; 732-329-8656, vonthunfarms.com .

email: [email protected]

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com , part of the USA Today Network. Contact: [email protected] or @CherylMakin . To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Parkesdale Farms experiments with new crops and has no plan to sell out: ‘We’re not going anywhere’

Parkesdale’s rich harvest goes back generations.

Plant City’s Parkesdale Farms may be known for its strawberries, but it grows a lot of crops and has no plans to slow down any time soon. Russell Rhodes reports.

PLANT CITY, Fla. - When people hear the name "Parkesdale", they think of beautiful red berries and the world-famous treats made with them at Parkesdale Farm Market in Plant City. But farmer Matt Parke thinks about his family's legacy.

His grandfather and great-grandfather moved down from Pennsylvania to establish Parkesdale Farms in 1956.

"He planted ten acres, which was unheard of because a five-acre farm was huge then. Everybody was like, '’You crazy Yankee! You're not going to be able to sell it all or pick it all'. And he did. And the following year they did 20 acres," Parke shared.  

Now, it's grown to 430 acres and it's not just strawberries. 

This season, Parke will grow about 25,000 boxes of beans and 90,000 boxes of peppers.

Parkesdale Farms also grows, among other things, onions, blackberries, and peas which are all sold at the market. 

READ: More Florida farmers adding blackberries to their fields

"We love selling our produce locally to whoever wants to come get it for your wholesale price because it's definitely cheaper than buying it from wherever you're at," Parke said.  

He is always on the lookout for a new crop. 

READ: Celebrating the strawberry: Parkesdale Farm Market strawberry shortcake

This year, he has a trial crop of artichokes on a small quarter acre. It's a new crop to Florida. 

"They harvest at a time here in Florida when California has a void in their market, when they're switching regions. So, the market can be, you know, a little bit higher at that point. And we're going to try to capitalize on that," Parke explained.  

With each new crop, Parke carefully weighs factors like growth rate, input cost, profitability, and the effect on already existing crops. 

READ: Florida corn farmer's 'field of dreams' strives to help country be food self-sufficient

"There's always a level of excitement whenever you're growing a new crop because you've never done it before," Parke stated. "But it's all learning curves. If you think you know everything about farming, you're going to be out quick."

Parke says he loves the peace and tranquility of his fields, but the market in which he sells his products is anything but quiet. 

The market price for vegetables can change in a matter of hours and sometimes the timing doesn't always work in his favor. 

READ: Multi-generation farm supplies watermelon to Florida

On top of keeping up with the market, labor expenses are skyrocketing. 

Parke says contract workers have received the largest raise in U.S. history over the past two years. It makes it hard to keep up with his competition in Mexico. 

"I think they give them like $12 a day to pick, and we're paying $12 in between four boxes to pick. So, competing with that is just hard," he shared.  

READ: 'I get to work where I love:' Historic Cedar Key fuels clam industry in Florida

The cost of land in the area has also gone up. 

All these pressures are forcing many farmers in the area to sell and head south to cheaper land or get out of farming altogether. 

"But we're going to be the last of the Mohicans in the Plant City and Dover area," Parke said. "We're going to be the last ones to sell out. So, all the neighbors out there, don't worry. We're not going anywhere."

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In your field: Dan Hawes - "The shorts have been out more in the past few days than the whole of 2024"

Dan Hawes grew up on an arable farm in Suffolk and now produces strawberry and raspberry plants for the UK fruit market with Blaise Plants, sister company to Hugh Lowe Farms, Kent. The business grows outside, under tunnels and in glasshouses and produces more than four million plants a year. The arable side includes environmental schemes, with a mix of wheat, oilseed rape, beans and barley crops

Hopefully since my last article you will have seen some British strawberries start to appear on the shelves. Glasshouse crops kicked off at the end of last month and field crops under tunnels are now...

To continue reading this article...

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In your field: Dan Jones - "I am one of the luckiest people in the world to have a way of life I love"

Dan Jones farms 650 ewes at the National Trust-owned Parc Farm, which sits on the Great Orme, a limestone headland which rises up 208 metres (682 feet) on the North Wales coast near Llandudno. His Farm Business Tenancy covers the 58 hectares (143 acres) at Parc Farm, plus 364ha (900 acres) of grazing rights on the hill

In your field: James and Isobel Wright - "The cost of straw and diesel kills the job"

James and Isobel, with their two young children, recently bought their first farm, and plan to run beef and sheep over 13.8 hectares (34 acres), renting a further 44.5ha (110 acres). James works for tech firm Breedr as a product manager. You can follow them on Twitter @jpbwfarm

• Saturday, May 18, 2024

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Get Your Own Strawberry Farm: The Ultimate Checklist!

By henry sheykin, resources on strawberry farming.

• Financial Model
• Business Plan
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan
• SWOT Analysis
• Business Model
• Marketing Plan

Are you considering venturing into the strawberry farming business? With the increasing demand for fresh, locally-grown strawberries, this industry is ripe with opportunities for growth and profitability. According to recent market research, the strawberry farming industry in the US has been experiencing steady growth, with a market value of over $1 billion in the past year alone. To help you navigate the process of buying or acquiring a strawberry farming business, we have prepared a checklist of essential steps to ensure a smooth and successful transition. Let's dive in!

Firstly, it is crucial to conduct thorough research on the strawberry farming industry and gather market information. This will provide you with valuable insights into current trends, consumer preferences, and potential competitors. By understanding the market dynamics, you can make informed decisions and position your business for success.

Next, it is essential to determine your financial capabilities and prepare a budget for the acquisition. Assessing your financial standing will help you establish a realistic budget and identify any additional funding required. This will also allow you to explore financing options such as loans or investment partners.

Seeking professional assistance to evaluate the strawberry farming business is another vital step. Engaging experts who can assess the business's assets, debts, and profitability will help you make an informed decision. This evaluation will provide valuable information for negotiating the terms of the acquisition.

Once you have gathered the necessary information, it's time to develop a detailed business plan. This plan should outline your vision, goals, strategies, and financial projections. A well-crafted business plan will serve as a roadmap for your strawberry farming business, guiding your operations and ensuring long-term profitability.

Securing financing, if required, is a crucial step in acquiring a strawberry farming business. You can apply for loans or seek investment partners who share your vision and can provide the necessary capital. This financial support will help you cover the acquisition costs and provide working capital for your operations.

Negotiating the terms of the acquisition is a delicate process. It involves discussions on the purchase price, conditions, and transition period. Collaborating with the current owner to find mutually beneficial terms will ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruptions to the business.

Performing due diligence on the strawberry farming business is essential to uncover any hidden risks or liabilities. This step involves examining financial records, legal documents, and any potential environmental or regulatory issues. Conducting thorough due diligence will safeguard your investment and protect you from future complications.

Once due diligence is complete, it's time to finalize the acquisition by signing the necessary legal documents and transferring ownership. Working with lawyers and financial advisors will ensure a legally sound and seamless transition of ownership.

With the acquisition complete, it's time to implement your business plan and financial model. Use these guiding documents to lead your operations and make data-driven decisions. By following efficient production techniques and crop management practices, you can maximize profits and ensure high-quality yields.

Embarking on a strawberry farming business can be a rewarding and lucrative venture. By following this checklist and leveraging the unique opportunities offered by direct sales and value-added products, you can connect with your local community, promote sustainable agriculture practices, and build a prosperous business. So, start planning your strawberry farming journey today!

Research The Strawberry Farming Industry And Gather Market Information.

Before embarking on the acquisition of a strawberry farming business, it is essential to thoroughly research the industry and gather relevant market information. This step will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the strawberry farming sector.

Start by exploring the local and regional markets to assess the demand for strawberries and identify potential customers. Visit farmers' markets, roadside stands, and grocery stores to observe consumer preferences and purchasing patterns. This firsthand observation will enable you to tailor your business strategy to meet the specific needs of your target market.

Conduct research on the overall strawberry farming industry, including production techniques, crop varieties, and pest control methods. Stay updated on the latest advancements and technological innovations in the field to enhance your productivity and competitiveness.

• Identify key competitors: Research and analyze existing strawberry farming businesses in your target area. Study their pricing strategies, product offerings, and customer satisfaction levels. This information will help you identify gaps in the market and develop a unique selling proposition to differentiate yourself from competitors.
• Analyze market trends: Stay informed about the latest market trends and consumer preferences. Understand factors such as demand fluctuations, seasonal variations, and potential challenges like weather conditions or disease outbreaks. This information will enable you to adjust your production and marketing strategies accordingly.
• Study regulatory requirements: Familiarize yourself with the local, state, and federal regulations governing strawberry farming. Understand the licensing, certification, and food safety standards that you need to comply with. Ensure that you have a clear understanding of the legal and regulatory aspects surrounding the acquisition of a strawberry farming business.
• Attend industry conferences and events to network with experts and fellow strawberry farmers. Learn from their experiences and gain valuable insights into the market.
• Join online forums and communities dedicated to agriculture and strawberry farming. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and seek advice from experienced professionals.
• Consult agricultural extension services, universities, and research institutions that specialize in strawberry farming. They can provide valuable resources, publications, and guidance to support your research efforts.

Determine Your Financial Capabilities And Prepare A Budget For The Acquisition

Before embarking on the acquisition of a strawberry farming business, it is essential to assess your financial capabilities and establish a budget. This step will help you determine the maximum amount you can invest in the business and ensure that you have enough capital to cover not only the acquisition costs but also the ongoing operational expenses.

• Begin by evaluating your personal finances and determining how much you can comfortably allocate towards the acquisition. Consider your savings, available credit, and any potential sources of financing.
• Take into account the upfront costs associated with the acquisition, such as the purchase price, legal fees, and any additional expenses related to the transfer of ownership.
• Factor in the ongoing operational costs of running a strawberry farming business, including labor, equipment, supplies, marketing, and maintenance.
• Identify any potential financial risks or challenges that may arise during the acquisition process or in the early stages of operating the business. It is important to have contingency plans in place.
• Consider consulting with a financial advisor or accountant to help you assess your financial situation and create a realistic budget.
• Research industry benchmarks and seek insights from other strawberry farmers to gain a better understanding of the financial requirements and profitability expectations in the industry.
• Be prepared to allocate additional funds for unforeseen expenses or potential downturns in the market.
• Explore potential financing options, such as agricultural loans or partnerships with investors, to supplement your available capital.

By determining your financial capabilities and preparing a comprehensive budget, you can make informed decisions regarding the acquisition of a strawberry farming business. This step will help ensure that you are financially well-prepared for the venture and set the foundation for a successful and sustainable operation.

Seek Professional Assistance To Evaluate The Strawberry Farming Business Including Its Assets, Debts, And Profitability.

When considering the acquisition of a strawberry farming business, it is crucial to seek professional assistance to evaluate its current assets, debts, and overall profitability. This step will allow you to make an informed decision and minimize any potential risks associated with the acquisition.

One of the professionals you should consider engaging is a certified public accountant (CPA) who specializes in agricultural businesses. Their expertise will ensure a thorough evaluation of the financial records, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. They will be able to analyze the business's financial health and provide insights into its profitability.

In addition to a CPA, it may also be beneficial to consult with a farm appraiser or agricultural consultant. These professionals can assess the physical assets of the strawberry farming business, such as land, equipment, irrigation systems, and infrastructure. Their evaluation will give you a clear understanding of the value and condition of these assets.

Valuable Tips:

• Choose professionals who have experience specifically in evaluating agricultural businesses, as the nuances of the industry can greatly impact the assessment.
• Request a comprehensive report from the professionals detailing their findings, recommendations, and any potential risks they have identified.
• Consider seeking multiple opinions to ensure a well-rounded assessment of the strawberry farming business.
• Keep in mind that professional assistance may come with a cost, so factor this into your budget for the acquisition.

By seeking professional assistance, you will gain valuable insights into the strawberry farming business's financial standing, its assets, debts, and overall profitability. This knowledge will be essential in making an informed decision and ensuring that you are acquiring a viable and profitable business.

Develop A Detailed Business Plan Outlining Your Vision, Goals, Strategies, And Financial Projections.

When acquiring or starting a strawberry farming business, it is crucial to develop a detailed business plan that outlines your vision, goals, strategies, and financial projections. A well-crafted business plan serves as a roadmap for success, providing a clear direction for your operations and helping you make informed decisions.

Vision: Start by defining your vision for the strawberry farming business. What do you want to achieve in terms of growth, sustainability, community impact, and innovation? Your vision will guide your overall strategy and shape your business model.

Goals: Next, outline your measurable goals that align with your vision. These goals could include increasing sales revenue, expanding production capacity, developing new distribution channels, or improving operational efficiency. Setting clear and specific goals will help you stay focused and track your progress.

Strategies: Once you have defined your vision and goals, develop strategies to achieve them. Identify the key tactics you will employ to differentiate your strawberry farming business from competitors, attract customers, and build brand loyalty. Consider factors such as sustainable farming practices, product quality, marketing efforts, and customer engagement.

Financial Projections: A critical component of your business plan is creating realistic financial projections. This includes estimating the costs involved in acquiring or starting the strawberry farming business, such as land purchase, equipment, labor, and marketing expenses. Additionally, project your anticipated revenue based on market research, pricing strategies, and sales forecasts. By accurately projecting your financials, you can evaluate the profitability and feasibility of your venture.

Tips for Developing a Detailed Business Plan:

• Conduct thorough market research to understand the demand and competition in the strawberry farming industry.
• Ensure your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).
• Consider incorporating sustainable and eco-friendly practices into your strategies to attract environmentally-conscious consumers.
• Collaborate with experts in the agricultural industry to gain insights and guidance for your business plan.
• Regularly review and update your business plan to adapt to changing market conditions and opportunities.

Secure Financing, If Required, By Applying For Loans Or Seeking Investment Partners.

Once you have determined your financial capabilities and prepared a budget for the acquisition of a strawberry farming business, it's important to secure financing if necessary. This step will enable you to have the necessary funds to purchase the business and cover any initial expenses.

One option for securing financing is by applying for loans. You can approach banks or other financial institutions that offer business loans specifically designed for agricultural ventures. Gather all the required documents, such as your business plan, financial statements, and personal credit history, to support your loan application. It is essential to thoroughly research potential lenders and compare loan terms and interest rates to choose the most suitable option for your circumstances.

Another avenue for securing financing is seeking investment partners. Consider approaching individuals or organizations that have an interest in agriculture or sustainable farming practices. These partners can provide the necessary capital to acquire the strawberry farming business in exchange for a share of ownership or return on investment. Creating a well-structured partnership agreement is crucial to establish clear roles, responsibilities, and profit-sharing arrangements.

Tips for securing financing:

• Prepare a comprehensive and well-researched business plan to present to potential lenders or investors.
• Highlight the potential profitability and growth opportunities within the strawberry farming industry.
• Build relationships and network within the agricultural community to connect with potential investment partners.
• Consider utilizing crowdfunding platforms or agricultural grants for additional financing options.

Securing financing is a critical step in acquiring a strawberry farming business, as it provides the necessary capital to move forward with the purchase. Whether through loans or investment partners, adequate financing will enable you to execute your business plan and ensure the success of your strawberry farming venture.

Negotiate The Terms Of The Acquisition, Including The Purchase Price, Conditions, And Transition Period.

Once you have thoroughly researched the strawberry farming industry and evaluated the potential business, it is time to enter into negotiations for the acquisition. This step is crucial as it will determine the terms, purchase price, conditions, and transition period of the transaction.

1. Prepare your negotiation strategy: Before entering into negotiations, it is essential to have a clear strategy in mind. Define your goals, priorities, and non-negotiable terms. Determine the maximum purchase price you are willing to pay and the conditions that must be met for a successful acquisition.

2. Consider the purchase price: The purchase price is a critical factor in the acquisition process. Assess the financial health of the strawberry farming business, evaluating its assets, debts, and profitability. Use this information to negotiate a fair and reasonable purchase price. Consider hiring a professional appraiser or business evaluator to help you assess the true value of the business.

3. Discuss the conditions: In addition to the purchase price, negotiate the conditions of the acquisition. These conditions may include the transfer of contracts, licenses, permits, and leases associated with the business. Also, consider any necessary approvals or permits required by local authorities for your operation.

4. Determine the transition period: Establish a transition period that allows for a smooth transfer of ownership and knowledge. This period is crucial for familiarizing yourself with the operations, processes, and systems of the strawberry farming business. Negotiate the length of the transition period and the level of support and training provided by the previous owner.

• Be flexible but also stick to your key objectives during negotiations.
• Seek advice from professionals such as accountants, lawyers, or experienced farmers to ensure favorable terms.
• Consider the potential for future growth and expansion when negotiating the purchase price.

Remember, negotiating the terms of the acquisition is a critical step that will impact the success and profitability of your strawberry farming business. Take the time to carefully navigate this process to ensure a mutually beneficial agreement that meets your objectives and sets your business up for long-term success.

Perform Due Diligence On The Strawberry Farming Business To Uncover Any Hidden Risks Or Liabilities.

Performing due diligence on a strawberry farming business is crucial to identify and assess any potential risks or liabilities before finalizing the acquisition. This step involves a comprehensive assessment of the business's financial, legal, operational, and environmental aspects. Here are some essential considerations to guide your due diligence process:

• Financial Evaluation: Review the strawberry farm's financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, to understand its profitability, financial stability, and cash flow position. Validate the accuracy and consistency of financial records and assess any outstanding debts or liabilities that may impact the business.
• Legal Assessment: Engage legal professionals to undertake a thorough examination of the strawberry farm's legal documents, contracts, agreements, and permits. Ensure compliance with local and regional regulations regarding farming practices, land use, zoning, licenses, and permits. Verify that there are no pending lawsuits, disputes, or outstanding legal issues that may hinder future operations.
• Operational Analysis: Evaluate the farm's production processes, infrastructure, and equipment. Assess the quality and reliability of the farming equipment and machinery, such as irrigation systems, storage facilities, and harvesting tools. Determine if any repairs or upgrades are necessary to maintain efficient operations.
• Environmental Review: Understand the environmental impact of the strawberry farming business. Assess pesticide and fertilizer usage, adherence to sustainable farming practices, and the farm's compliance with environmental regulations. This evaluation is essential to uphold ecological sustainability and mitigate potential risks associated with environmental contamination.
• Engage Professionals: Seek assistance from experienced professionals such as lawyers, accountants, and farm consultants who specialize in agricultural due diligence to ensure a thorough evaluation of the strawberry farming business.
• Physical Inspection: Visit the farm in person to visually assess the condition of the infrastructure, crops, and equipment. This on-site inspection helps uncover any hidden maintenance needs or potential issues.
• Interview Key Personnel: Speak with the current farm owners, employees, and managers to gain insights into the day-to-day operations, challenges, and opportunities. Their knowledge and experience can provide valuable information for decision-making.

By conducting meticulous due diligence, you can uncover any undisclosed risks or liabilities associated with the strawberry farming business. This critical information allows you to make an informed decision and determine if the acquisition aligns with your long-term goals and financial expectations.

Finalize The Acquisition By Signing The Necessary Legal Documents And Transferring Ownership.

After completing the due diligence process and ensuring that the strawberry farming business aligns with your goals and expectations, it is time to finalize the acquisition. This important step involves signing the necessary legal documents and transferring ownership. It is crucial to approach this process with caution and attention to detail to ensure a smooth transition and protect your investment.

Here are some important considerations and steps to follow:

• Engage a legal professional: Hiring a qualified attorney who specializes in business acquisitions is essential. They will guide you through the legalities involved in the transfer of ownership, ensuring that all necessary documentation is prepared and executed correctly.
• Prepare the purchase agreement: The purchase agreement is a legally binding contract that outlines the terms and conditions of the acquisition. It includes details such as the purchase price, payment terms, warranties, and any contingencies.
• Include non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and non-compete clauses: To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the business, it is essential to include NDAs and non-compete clauses in the legal documents. These provisions prevent the seller from sharing sensitive information or competing with the strawberry farming business.
• Transfer ownership: Depending on the legal structure of the business, transferring ownership may involve various actions, such as assigning or transferring contracts, updating licenses and permits, and updating registration with government authorities.

Tips for finalizing the acquisition:

• Ensure all parties involved have reviewed and understood the legal documents before signing.
• Consider consulting with an accountant or tax advisor to understand any tax implications of the acquisition.
• Allocate sufficient time for negotiations and document review to avoid rushing the process.
• Keep lines of communication open with the current owner throughout the transfer process to address any last-minute concerns or questions.

Finalizing the acquisition of a strawberry farming business requires meticulous attention to detail and the involvement of legal professionals. By following the necessary steps and ensuring the proper transfer of ownership, you can confidently move forward with your venture and begin implementing your business plan in the exciting world of strawberry farming.

Implement Your Business Plan And Financial Model To Guide Your Operations And Ensure Profitability.

Implementing your business plan and financial model is crucial in guiding your operations and ensuring profitability in your strawberry farming business. By following the strategies and goals outlined in your business plan, you can effectively manage your resources, optimize production techniques, and make informed business decisions.

Here are some important steps to consider when implementing your business plan:

• 1. Review your business plan regularly: Continuously evaluate and update your business plan to reflect the changing market conditions, customer demands, and industry trends. This will help you stay adaptable and responsive to potential challenges and opportunities.
• 2. Monitor your financial performance: Keep a close eye on your financial metrics and compare them to your projections. Regularly analyze your revenue, expenses, profit margins, and cash flow to ensure that your operations are on track.
• 3. Optimize your production techniques: Explore ways to improve efficiency and productivity in your strawberry farming operations. This could involve adopting advanced irrigation systems, implementing effective pest and disease management practices, and optimizing harvesting and packaging processes.
• 4. Diversify your product line: Consider expanding your offerings beyond fresh strawberries. Explore value-added products such as jams, baked goods, or even strawberry-themed merchandise. These additional revenue streams can help increase profitability and attract a wider customer base.
• 5. Build strong relationships with customers: Nurture customer loyalty by providing exceptional customer service and maintaining consistent quality. Engage with your customers through social media, email newsletters, or customer appreciation events to foster long-term relationships and repeat business.
• Regularly analyze your competitors' strategies and industry trends to stay ahead of the market and identify potential opportunities.
• Consider joining local farmers' associations or agricultural organizations to network with other strawberry farmers and stay informed about industry updates and best practices.
• Continuously seek feedback from customers to understand their preferences and adjust your offerings accordingly.
• Invest in ongoing education and training to stay updated on the latest advancements in strawberry farming techniques and sustainable agricultural practices.

By implementing your business plan and financial model effectively, you can navigate the challenges of strawberry farming and position yourself for long-term success in the industry.

In conclusion, acquiring a strawberry farming business requires careful planning and consideration. By conducting thorough research, evaluating financial capabilities, seeking professional assistance, and developing a comprehensive business plan, individuals can successfully navigate the process. Securing financing, performing due diligence, and negotiating terms are crucial steps in finalizing the acquisition. Once ownership is transferred, implementing an effective business plan and utilizing efficient production techniques can contribute to the profitability and success of the strawberry farming business.

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