If there’s one word which always applies to the worlds of agriculture and homesteading, it’s flexibility. Learning to adapt to all the curve ball thrown at you – from adverse weather conditions to an income which fluctuates drastically – means that staying agile in your thinking is a critical skill. It can make all the difference between staying afloat or sinking without a trace. Trends in agriculture and food have the potential to make a big impact on the fortunes of a homesteader – and keeping your finger on the pulse means you can weigh up the opportunities and take advantage where possible. Here are three coming trends that you should jump into early.
Keeping It Local
More and more consumers are becoming aware of the importance of understanding the origin of their food. In a world where food is dominated by faceless corporations, who show little concern for their environmental impact and whose attempts at corporate social responsibility can fall a little flat, people are increasingly searching for an alternative. Food sourced direct from farm to fork can now command a premium as never before, so stressing your heritage and local ties is hugely important.
Whether you have ambitions to become a recognized brand on the farmer’s market circuit, or you want to develop links with local restaurants, understanding the value of your local, greener status means you can capitalize on this growing awareness. In an age full of greenwashing and misleading marketing campaigns, the authenticity you can bring to your customer’s tables is your most valuable asset.
Taking A Data Led Approach
Big data is changing every single business and industry. Although the quiet, rural world of homesteading can seem a million miles away from bar charts and data analytics, it’s power can be used for positive change within an agricultural set-up.
From pheromone canisters to encourage mating to auto-feeders which alert you of a dispensing problem, technology should be your best friend when you are running a business on a small farm, where margins are so critical. And having crucial information such as knowing that Grain Brokers Australia Reports that Barley Harvest and Grain Quality has increased can really influence your decisions and process when it comes to crops and husbandry.
Technology is also become much more accessible and affordable, even for the most humble of homesteads, but it can help us to make smart choices. As a small farm, you can actually have the flexibility to make quicker decisions than the big enterprise operations, and that allows you to evolve operations at a much quicker rate.
Find Your Niche for Your Small Agribusiness
Agriculture is a zero-sum game, which means that the larger operators have to be incredibly competitive, and there’s a lot of consolidation. Within that environment, small agribusiness need to focus on their niche – what only they can do well that the big boys can’t match.
Build long-term relationships with customers and suppliers, and you can make it work for you. Whether it’s breeding heritage poultry, or jumping on some of the emerging bio-dynamic farming techniques, decide on your unique selling point and keep that vision uppermost in your mind.
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