Living sustainably and growing your own produce takes us back to the days when our grandparents would go to the garden and pick dinner right out of the yard. With a little bit of dirt and planning, an entire year's worth of produce can be harvested and "put up" in jars for enjoyment through the winter. This is nothing new, but what is new is the number of families getting back to nature and back to the land for organics. Living sustainably through permaculture enterprises is generating cash crops of abundance.

Your grass turns to gold when the crop is substantial enough to meet the family's annual requirements with leftovers of fresh produce to sell at the local Farmers Market or from a portable, street-vending fruit stand. By planting an extra row of your favorite produce, income-producing cash crops are picked directly from your garden for community customers who are increasing in numbers.

Research into the financial opportunities for selling at Farmers Markets will identify what are the top sellers in your local area. Nationally, Farmers Markets are realizing double-digit growth each year as more and more customers shop their local Farmers Markets. The Producers are realizing nice profits cutting out the middle man and selling directly to their customers establishing relationships that strengthen year after year. The weekly Farmers Market becomes a ritual for those seeking wholesome, organic foods that promote health through harvest direct from local Producers.

As a Producer, picking the favorites for resale are usually the same favorites you enjoy each year from your own garden. The top sellers may be heavy in supply. Establishing a presence with specialty produce that are strong sellers is a must, and easily accomplished to fill demand. With specialty products like herbs, mushrooms, and flowers such as dahlias and lavender, these strong sellers are complements to a Producers primary product. A Producer increases profits, too, by eliminating packaging and staying with bulk presentations.

You can readily discover what is being sold in abundance by visiting the Farmers Markets in your local area and then plan to compliment the inventory with your own garden and farm products which are unique to you. Do you love artichokes, okra, rhubarb, sunflowers, figs, cantaloupe, grapes? Grow what you love and share what you grow. Grow what you know and share what you sow.

The planting of sunflowers and other "wow-produce" offset the traditional tomatoes, cucumbers and corn, and should not be overlooked as customer-appealing, eye-catching inventory. Exotic produce such as olives, figs and nutmeg often yield higher returns and seasonally offset the early summer crops. With later harvest into the fall, income is increased by additional months of revenue. For example, in the local grocery store a small jar of whole nutmegs can price between $6.95 and $12.95 depending upon which grocer and the boutique organic selection. With the yield from your own nutmeg trees, a fig tree, or flower varietals the Farmer's Market can become a nice secondary income where goods are fairly priced and relationships are personalized exchanges with your customer.

Establishing a portable fruit stand can quickly become a community destination where locals drop in, avoiding the rows of competition at a Farmers Market. The private fruit stand also presents alternatives to the busy grocery store for those fresh, sumptuous commodities that makes every meal memorable. The portable fruit stand can often be placed off-street in a vacant lot or a small, empty plot of land. Obtaining necessary permits to sell from a portable fruit stand is easily obtained from your local city or county offices.

Offering a variety of specialty produce alongside strong selling products establishes a foundation of success with any business and this includes a fruit-stand or Farmer's Market enterprise. A foundation of success is interlinked by a personalized touch, such as that perfect specialty recipe included with every purchase. It's the little things that will endear your customer's loyalty. Be creative, and enjoy turning grass into gold.

© 2011 Aralyn Rose ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ARALYN ROSE | Spokesperson | HOW EASY CAN IT BE? Essay Contest | aralyn_rose@yahoo.com; winecountryranchgiveaway@gmail.com | http://www.olivesandviews.com/ | 404 N. Mt. Shasta Boulevard, Suite 11, Mount Shasta, CA 96067 Phone: 1.415.937.1159 |

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