Farmers’ Market: Pencil it out
As a result of the fire at Delphinium Blue Farm, I am facing the expense of a new building plus replacing equipment, birds, and supplies such as bedding and feed. It is, in a perverse sort of way, a positive experience.
Farmers and growers, like other small business owners, have to run their business like a business. The accounting system may be an elaborate computer program or a pile of backs of envelopes scrawled with hen-scratches, but however it is done, it is essential that we “pencil it out.”
The egg business must give me a return for my money. Purchasing replacements as day-old chicks is less expensive than buying adult, producing birds, but requires a brooder with added heat until they feather out. I need specialized (i.e. small!) equipment as well as a somewhat different housing configuration for chicks than is necessary for layers.
The farm also must input six months worth of feed and bedding before the first output — golf-ball sized pullet eggs sold 18 for the price of 12. Egg sales, and ultimately meat sales once the birds have gone through two laying cycles, need to pay the way for each bird for the whole of her lifespan, including the nonproductive months. Without the economy of scale-feed by the carload, for example — available to large factory farms with birds in battery cages —”break even” is a higher bar. Cage-free housing and pasturing the animals outside on grass in the summer months is a more humane method of production, but adds the expense of fencing, seed, soil amendments, and increased labor.
Like most small business owners and folks on salary, I won’t include my hourly wage; it would be just too depressing.
Farmers and growers work hard for their money, long hours out and about in all kinds of weather, taking risks with things like late frosts or sudden flooding that can wipe out a field. Or a fire. There are times when prices of fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, plants and flowers, or animal products on sale at the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market may be brought into question.
Venders hear, “It is cheaper at Walmart.” Most commonly, I silently ask, “Is it really? Is it fresh and flavorful? Are you certain that it was not exposed to pesticides no longer legal in the United States for safety reasons, but still used in other countries? Was it grown under conditions that encourage clean, healthy food with no backlash to the environment as might be found on a factory farm? What is a safe “back yard” worth to you? Is it still cheaper if it makes you or your family unwell? Who grew the food you are putting in your mouth? Are they neighbors? Someone who has a vested interest in your community? A local business that pays taxes and contributes in other ways to making The Crown of Maine a good place to live and raise a family?
What is that worth to you? Aren’t you willing to support neighbors and friends by shopping locally?” Perhaps this is the point where the consumer needs to “pencil it out” as well.
Editor’s note: This weekly column is written by members of the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market. For more information or to join, contact their secretary/treasurer Steve Miller of Westmanland at 896-5860 or via e-mail at beetree@xpressamerica.net. The group’s website is https://sites.google.com/site/presqueislefarmersmarket/