| |
Is
forest farming profitable? |
|
With
good planning and careful attention to your crops, you can make a
small profit. However, It is rare for this kind of farming to earn
any more than supplemental income over a long period of time. If you
are looking for potentially small income after expenses, and you enjoy
the challenge of doing something new, forest farming might be for
you. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
How
much money will I make? |
|
If you are asking
this question early on, then forest farming may be disappointing for
you. Forest farmers are people who enjoy the outdoors, are curious
about the complex ecology of the forest, and are willing to lose money
in the interest of learning and gaining a unique experience. Profits
will be small, yet the earnings can cover all equipment and labor
expenses, perhaps the taxes too. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
How
many acres will work? |
|
Many
forest crops can be raised profitably in very small forests - less
than five acres. More forest is better because the unique conditions
required by forest crops are created by very large groups of trees. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
How
much money do I need? |
|
Your
capital expenses will vary depending on your project and how much
equipment your already have. Most projects listed on this website
require $250 - $1000 to get started. If you need to buy valuable equipment
such as a chainsaw, a rototiller, or an ATV, you should plan on shelling
out much more than $1000. One of the biggest expenses is fencing and
purchasing the raw materials such as pots, seeds, or mushroom spawn.
The money your spend on equipment may be tax deducible if you qualify. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
What
kind of woods do I need? |
|
Your
forest has unique characteristics that go beyond the tree species.
Many projects work best if you have shady, mature hardwood forests.
If you have a pine plantation, a moist stand of saplings, or a very
young forest, there are still some projects - like berry propagation
- that will work out fine. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
What
do most people overlook? |
|
Time
and family support. Make sure you are not adding forest farming onto
a long list of incomplete projects in your life. To do it right, you
will need to spend several hours a week or days per month devoted
to your forest farming project. If your spouse, partner, or children
have other ideas of what you should be doing with this precious time
and discretionary money, make sure you have their backing. Otherwise,
a well-intentioned project can become an unfortunate loss of time
and money. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Return
to SCNY Forest Farming home page |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
For
details and specific questions, contact Jim Ochterski at (607) 535-7161
or jao14@cornell.edu |
|
|
