Of Florida’s 47,000 farms, 93% are considered small farms. According the the latest USDA data, in Collier County there are 322 farms, 139 new and beginning farmers and 4% of total farms in the county that sell direct to consumer (USDA, Census Data 2017).

As a beginning producer, you’re probably excited to get started on planting and harvesting but there are a number of important factors to consider that will help you be successful. Fertilizer, irrigation, pest management, financing, business planning, marketing, labor, food safety, buyer and regulatory hurdles are all equally important avenues to explore before jumping into your venture.

This upcoming workshop is for beginning farmers interested in starting their farm in Collier County. We’ll help you narrow in on enterprises and practices that suit your farm goals, help you learn about the process and get your questions answered.