Ideas for a speciality crop

[deere755]

I am needing ideas for a specialty crop on a 5 to 10 acre plot. The wife says it can not be real time consuming as we are very busy with the kids sports and she says it can not interfear with our boating time. Any ideas on what would be a good crop for a small tract in central Illinois. All that I can think of take a lot of time such as strawberries, sweet corn, etc. It is being farmed now but it is a real pain to get to with todays equipment. I have been wanting to do something with it for a few years now.

 

[randy41]

a lot of people around here grow christmas trees and nursery trees.

 

[KaiB]

You may want to look at sunflowers if you're not too wet there. If you're close to the suburbs and can handle the people and insurance issues, I've often thought that "rent out" gardens would be a good idea.

Build a greenhouse and starter frames, till a bunch of plots and lease to those who want to garden but can't.

 

[MossRoad]

Pumpkins.
Sweetcorn contracted to a local market.

 

[mjarrels]

Half Indian corn and half gourds.

mark

 

[EddieWalker]

I've always been impressed by the success some people have had growing lavender. It might not grow in your area, but for those who have done it, they are making some serious cash.

Of couse, it's all in the marketing and finding people to buy it.

There are allot of small greenhouse and nurseries in my area. They have a few acres and sell potted plants on there front yard. Some have added statuary and potting soils. Its all what you can provide and how much traffic is at your location.

Others set up booths at the flea markets we have here and sell there plants there. Prices are always cheaper from these people and we have several that we buy from when we want some plants.

Eddie

 

[schmism]

Horseradish?

we usually see a few feilds of about that size planted around my parts as the "horseradish captial of the world" is a mear 20 min from me....

http://www.horseradishfestival.com/

 

[pappy19]

I've known a number of small plot farmers that finally decided to plant garlic,most get certified organic, and are making a bundle selling locally.

 

[Egon]

Nice grass. Otherwise all the other activities will be curtailed.

 

[jpm]

which nice grass are you talking about