Pumpkins

[CMV]

So we got a conditional (temporary) farm exemption. Here in NC, that's good for 3 yrs, but then you have to show $10k in farm income and get a permanent one - the conditional expires after 3 yrs and you can't get another. Was joking with the wife when it arrived that will have to get whatever we think we want in next 3 yrs because there's no way we're going to generate $10k farm income.

She took that as a challenge and said "That's ONLY 2,000 pumpkins. If I grow 2,000 pumpkins and sell them for $5 each at the farmer's market, that's $10k." And she sort of latched on to that idea - asking me where on our land she can start planting pumpkins, how many at once would fit in the truck or on the trailer, etc.

I didn't want to poo poo on it, but have a gut feel that 7 AC (not all cleared) isn't going to support that insane amount of pumpkin growing. And even if it did, 15-20 tons of pumpkins just seems like insanity. Anyway....I'm apparently going to be putting a bunch of pumpkins in the ground.....

I know 0 about growing pumpkins. Just till up some land, transplant seedlings into small mounds like I'd do any other kind of garden squash, and then just let em go? I have no delusion that we will grow 2,000 pumpkins. I would not be surprised if net result this fall is one pumpkin that ends up as our jack-o-lantern. But since I'm apparently going to have to put some time into this project, may as well try to make it work. Help me get started please!!!!

Ground is all Carolina red clay with no/very poor top soil. Very rocky. It's all recreational land and potential buyer when I was looking at it couldn't get it to perk. No utilities either....I already have small garden patch and just water by hand from IBC totes and 30 gal plastic barrels. So I guess I need to know (1) what variety of decorative pumpkin is hearty/easy to grow? (2) Where do I get bulk seeds cheap? (3) What kind of soil do they like - what is easiest (meaning maybe not best, but not difficult, not expensive) way to condition soil to make pumpkins happy?

 

[Barnbuilder]

Where in NC? I think I paid over $20 for 2 last year.

 

[Oldoak]

Harris Seeds is where I purchase all my pumpkin seeds from. Excellent bulk prices and a great company that cares about it's customers.

Buy Pumpkin Seeds - Grow Pumpkins from Seed - Leading Supplier
– Harris Seeds

Keep in mind there is more expense than just the seeds. Fertilizer along with insecticide and fungicide material if need be.

 

[UpstateSC_Papi]

Good luck! I've never bought a pumpkin for less than $10 so I might come visit! :thumbsup:

 

[CMV]

So what you're saying is I only need to grow half as many pumpkins but sell for twice as much? awesome! Maybe I can just grow 10 and get $1k a piece

In N. Davidson County NC - Welcome/Midway area.

Thanks for the Harris seed link. Will check that out today!

 

[randy41]

go visit your extension agent. he/she will have info that is location specific.

 

[RNeumann]

I always ask my wife the definition of “we” in case like this! For some reason it has different meanings when it comes to certain tasks....lol

Just curious if the $10k is net or gross. Huge difference obviously. I’d hate to see all the effort only to find the state bases it on the tax return- which, of course, is your net.

Good luck and enjoy the project!

I’m wondering if this is something you could partner with your favorite charity to sell a few. I could see a church or scouts or something giving you $5 each and selling them for $10 each on a Sunday or in front of the local grocery store around Halloween. A win-win! I’d gladly pay $10 knowing the extra few bucks taught a kid a lesson about work and helped fill the coffers for summer camp or something like that.

 

[CMV]

I know the definition of "we" all to well.... WE will help get the seeds started. WE will help put about 25ish seedlings into the ground. WE will help pick about 50 mature pumpkins. WE will sit @ farmer's market for about 6 hrs once. Otherwise, for all else involved in planting, watering, weeding, de-bugging, harvesting, loading, etc, replace WE with ME

No big deal though.....what else am I going to do...watch TV?

I think it is just $10k in farm income. If that's offset 100% by expenses to where you actually net $0, I think it still counts, but does have to be proven via tax return. Not entirely sure - other than initially checking into and getting the temporary 3-yr exemption - haven't really researched it. Once I saw the $10k income requirement I immediately knew that would probably be way too much for what my small piece land and available time to work it could realistically do.

Never know though....she might be onto something with all these pumpkins

 

[UpstateSC_Papi]

I'm sure SC is different from NC but I'll ask anyway as I've been curious... Is the 10K to meet the 3-year tempory for EACH of the 3 years or 10K spread over the 3 years? What benefit does the farm exemption give you? Tax break? Thanks!

 

[CADplans]

That is only a few pounds of "certain" crops,,, usually growing in a corn field,,

you could tell the tax guy you grew pumpkins,,,

:laughing:

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Buy from yourself? Lol

Curious to see how you do. We grew pumpkins in the corn fields with the corn. I was lucky to earn $10 total as a kid selling them, but that was many many yrs ago..

 

[CMV]

for the 3 year you need nothing really - just a 'plan' to generate farm income and willingness to submit future tax returns. If you make it, great, if not, it expires after 3 yrs and you can't get another. The permanent exemption I think is avg of $10k per year over 3 years, but I've also been told one tax return with $10k farm income is good enough so unsure. A "real farmer" here in NC would know better than I would.

The exemption lets you buy tractors and other things with no state sales tax. I think it is also needed if you wanted farm tags on a vehicle. For purposes of the exemption, an item is used in “farming operations” if it is used for the planting, cultivating, harvesting, or curing of farm crops or in the production of dairy products, eggs, or animals. So really I have no idea what I would/wouldn't pay sales tax on with it. I think if I went to TSC and bought some fencing or tractor attachments it would be tax free. If I bought a gun safe or bag of candy there, probably not.

 

[CADplans]

Buy from yourself? Lol

In Virginia, you must sell a certain percentage of food, to be able to sell mixed drinks.

One local bar had a $2,500 ham sandwich on the menu,,, If the bar owner saw the end of the month coming, and, had not sold enough food, he would start having the expensive ham sandwich for lunch each day,, until enough food was sold.

That could easily be done,, $2,000 eggs, from the one chicken,,,
that chicken could save the farm in less than a week,,, :thumbsup:

 

[CMV]

Buy from yourself? Lol

Curious to see how you do. We grew pumpkins in the corn fields with the corn. I was lucky to earn $10 total as a kid selling them, but that was many many yrs ago..

$10? probably a more realistic goal than $10k Will have ~$100 in seeds, a couple bags of fertilizer, and then just time. Not holding out hope that come this fall we're in for a windfall from growing pumpkins. But will be something to do and worst case I will probably have a nice spot cleared with conditioned soil when all said & done. Maybe put some grapes, berries, or whatever I'd rather have in some of that space next year. Have lots of blackberries growing wild that I call surprise berries - some taste great, some are the sourest thing known to man - always a surprise because they all look the same . I put some grapes in a few years ago and they produced really well last year, so wouldn't mind more of those. Sadly the seedless grapes I bought and got going are plain old concord full of seeds. But they taste good.

 

[CMV]

In Virginia, you must sell a certain percentage of food, to be able to sell mixed drinks.

One local bar had a $2,500 ham sandwich on the menu,,, If the bar owner saw the end of the month coming, and, had not sold enough food, he would start having the expensive ham sandwich for lunch each day,, until enough food was sold.

That could easily be done,, $2,000 eggs, from the one chicken,,,
that chicken could save the farm in less than a week,,, :thumbsup:

yes, but I'd be paying income tax on that too....so while I might be able to do some creative accounting ledger entries to generate however much income I wanted, I'd be on the hook for fed & state taxes on that income. Definitely not worth not paying state sales tax on some stuff here & there.

But that is a good point for someone doing subsistence farming....might be worth assigning value for the crops/critters to feed your family to get to the $10k number....

 

[UpstateSC_Papi]

for the 3 year you need nothing really - just a 'plan' to generate farm income and willingness to submit future tax returns. If you make it, great, if not, it expires after 3 yrs and you can't get another. The permanent exemption I think is avg of $10k per year over 3 years, but I've also been told one tax return with $10k farm income is good enough so unsure. A "real farmer" here in NC would know better than I would.

The exemption lets you buy tractors and other things with no state sales tax. I think it is also needed if you wanted farm tags on a vehicle. For purposes of the exemption, an item is used in “farming operations” if it is used for the planting, cultivating, harvesting, or curing of farm crops or in the production of dairy products, eggs, or animals. So really I have no idea what I would/wouldn't pay sales tax on with it. I think if I went to TSC and bought some fencing or tractor attachments it would be tax free. If I bought a gun safe or bag of candy there, probably not.

Gotcha. Well again, good luck. Looking at Google Maps, I'm about 3 hours away and we have family we visit in the Fort Mill, SC area from time to time. Keep us posted and when your crop comes in, I'll drive up and buy a few from you!

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I had a pumpkin patch a few years ago. Had a bunch of fun doing it. Had my Sunday School class over, hayride to the pumpkin field and everyone got a pumpkin or two, no charge. All for fun, not profit.

I am convinced I could do it for profit if I had more level land. Insects are a problem, and to do it commercially, that would have to be addressed. There is lots of information out there. Just start googling and reading. I think you will have fun.

By the way, be cognizant of maturity from time of planting. You want them to mature in time for Halloween but not too early.

 

[tomplum]

Part pumpkin patch, part corn maze. Easy 10 grand if you are close enough to a metro area.

 

[JFoy]

So what you're saying is I only need to grow half as many pumpkins but sell for twice as much? awesome! Maybe I can just grow 10 and get $1k a piece

In N. Davidson County NC - Welcome/Midway area.

Thanks for the Harris seed link. Will check that out today!

Small world CMV... I'm in Arcadia off Hwy 150. PM if you're interested in lunch sometime.

JFoy

 

[Oldoak]

Part pumpkin patch, part corn maze. Easy 10 grand if you are close enough to a metro area.

Unfortunately, in this day and age, don't forget the added cost of liability insurance and possible frivolous lawsuits when dealing with the general public. Particularly when you turn any activity into a commercial enterprise.