Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for September 10, 2015

I tried cultivating hydroponic herbs at one point for the “restaurant and gourmet trade”. Enter any business and you quickly find out who your competition is. I was competing against farms with greenhouses bigger than your average Costco with seeds supplied by Monsanto that can produce things like basil with 32 different taste, texture, and growth profiles. You haven’t a chance.

In my area, buying local has become a way of life and is no longer the “hip” thing to do. Small family growers are an invaluable resource to local markets, co-ops, and even some major chains.

It is so good to see Gene and Mary Lou again. Welcome back!!!!!!

I have two friends that started a home smoked meats shop..(smoked the real way) . (Bellaire MI.) and are doing quite well…Started small with beef and venison jerky.and are now still small, but have a wider selection, fish sausage, (I know, it sounds icky but it’s great!) chicken jerky, all kinds of smoked fish…Karen makes the best trout patte..These guys just have to find their niche market. It can be done….Maybe they could market cooked or prepared veggies…

Maybe they should start a farm to fork restaurant. They seem to be coming popular in some parts of the country.

A & J commenters have helped me often, so I’ll provide some guidance on what CSA stands for: Community Supported Agriculture.

Thyme is money, I always say . . .

I’m fairly new to this strip. Who are these people?

I’m fairly new to this strip. Who are these people?

soap12Note to all newcomers: Computers sometimes stutter. Repeats can be remedied by clicking on a delete icon which will appear in the lower right corner of your post. Just move your mouse to that position and it appears. Nothing spoils a good joke or comment like repeating it.

My Wife and I run a small organic farm in Maine — Naturally Good Farms — and although we have a few good restaurants and markets to sell to we never could live on what we make. We only do it as a hobby.

Gee, I thought CSA stood for Confederate States of America.

My chickens have many acres to range over (unlike Whole Foods birds that only have 108 sq ft) and offer our eggs for $4/dz. I sell very few and take what did not sell each week to church on Sundays to give away. My wife and I watch very little TV but go out in the late afternoon when our chores are done and watch what we call "Chicken TV’’. They are more fun than the boob tube.<><me

Or, maybe Gene should have stayed in college and finished his degree.

Maybe try starting a CSA. Love mine!

I’m wondering it there is a Farm Co-op in their neighborhood…