Discussions

Hey eBrandoners, just wondering if there are many others who are passionate about healthy eating and would appreciate a market garden, even though it would mean driving out of Brandon 5 minutes?  
Any thoughts would be welcomed and appreciated.

This is precisely what I was hoping for regarding this idea, thanks so very much!

I think it is very important to support local growers and purchase as close to home as possible. I live in BC and the majority of people shop this way.  
Okanagan and local farms come to our town farmers market to sell their produce, most of the time selling out.  
I have also travelled 1.5 hrs to pick a pumpkin, as it was an adventure for my family. See http://www.davisonorchards.ca/ for a great market. Things like petting zoos and tractor rides are great for the kids.  
Offering other locally made product, such as honey, sausage, dairy, etc, is key. And will provide people with convenience of a one stop shop.

I think if you asked any vendor at a local farmers market you would find most vegetables sold there are grown exactly the same way as the certified organic growers do it. I sold at the market for a few years and have never used chemical's on the garden. My fellow vendors were the same. It's an expensive process to get certified.

Thanks for these comments. From personal experience I have  
learned that a plant-based diet is the pathway to vibrant health. Proper diet and exercise really is the answer to healing, and helping others in achieving this is my passion and goal. Thanks again.

If there was a medicine that would improve your life, how far would you drive to get it? I have had numerous mental and physical problems until I realized that I was not eating properly.  
 
At 13, my mother was ready to sign me over to the authorities until we realized I was not eating the healthy food on my plate but the junk food from my stash. By the third day of proper eating, I was even drying the dishes without being asked. "Free Meals" when I worked at McDonalds destroyed my mental well being. It was being forced onto a diabetic diet during the final months of my pregnancy that made my depression and anger management problems disappear. A workshop for foster parents told my sister that within three days of a child being switched to a healthy diet, most of the behavioral problems resolved themselves.  
 
So, YES, I would be willing to drive an hour to get the good quality "medicine" I need to maintain my mental and physical health at optimum levels. This is a major factor on Saturday mornings to get me out of bed and to the Global Market for the vegetables.  
 
I like how the Co-op carries locally grown produce. There were bags of carrots that were not the perfect ones from Peak of the Market but from a local farm in clear bags with Co-op labels for the register. I have bought a large bag of frozen saskatoons one year. They carry the tomatoes from the greenhouse in Deloraine(?). Sobeys and SuperStore deal with only those organizations large enough to supply all of their stores in western Canada or nationally.  
 
On a related note, when I switched my cat to a food without fillers, I was no longer allergic to her ... and the way she was having to deal with the junk in her food.

Yes I would drive. I might actually prefer if you could pre-order what you want and know it's available when you arrive. Then you don't out wanting 4 things, but only come home with one. I also like how a number of years ago I ordered a weekly basket of veggies for a pre-set price. You got what was in season, and could trade out things you did not like. I ended up trying new things that year that might now have otherwise.

First...Do consider what is already being offered in the city and outside as well. That is your competition. Are they making money? How long have they been in business? What customer base/demographic are they drawing from? Would another of the same be viable? You need to consider these things and more.  
 
I would suggest talking to someone (or observing someone) who is already doing this outside of the city (remember the farmers markets and global village already operating in Bdn...and any CSAs). Consider what they are selling and at what prices...does this cover your costs, and can you still make a profit too?  
 
Meander Pumpkin Patch will be opening as soon as the fall product is ready. They are northwest of Oak Lake...and I believe that they are quite busy when they are open. Observe, then offer something somewhat different.  
 
There is also a place southwest of Virden, north of Kola, that attracts people with animals and such. I don't remember if 5 hey offer any they have a market garden though...but they have a way of attracting people to essentially the middle of nowhere...they are far from a big population.  
 
My thoughts are to build your attractions wisely to bring people out and go from there. Don't be in a huge rush to set up. Plan and take your time. Put a lot of thought into your venture. Write out a plan. Research like ventures online & ask them questions...they won't feel threatened by another person doing the same thing because of distance.  
 
People will drive a long way for something diverse & unique or for quantities at a good price.  
 
I have always thought any more than 20 minutes out might be perceived as too far (but it can still be done further out if you are creative). Five minutes should be very do-able.  
 
Think out of the box. Good luck!

People will come. I sell eggs, chicken and pork as well as veggies. I don''t have a lot but have always had no problem selling my extras.  
 
We took our produce to some farmer''s markets last year. Last year I had a lot of competition and not enough customers - we all went home with a lot of our produce. This year my garden got hailed on and we only have enough to eat for ourselves with what''s left. We attend the same farmer''s markets and this year there is next to no competition and likely would have done very well this year. Oh well.  
 
Last year I also posted our extra''s on ebrandon and had no problem getting people to drive the couple km''s out of town for pick up. There are always the people that will not drive out of the city no matter how close you are (I can literally see the city from my house and get people who won't come out).  
 
Edited by lovemygirl, 2016-08-09 09:30:44

Once again, us eBrandoners prove ourselves to be awesome!  
Thanks again.

Just going to add that just be careful when advertising. I don't think you can advertise organic unless actually certified. We just advertise that we don't use any chemicals or fertilizers.

Thank you for mentioning this, a really important piece. By the sounds of the process and expense of getting certified, I think I would not go that route. I would make absolute sure  
there would be nothing toxic used as I sure don't want that in my food either!!