How to Start A Microgreen Farming Business?

A microgreen farm is an ideal choice if you’re looking to set up a small-scale farming operation with minimal capital outlay. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of growing microgreens.

Microgreens are tiny edible greens that are harvested when their first set of true (not leaf) shoots appear.

They’re usually eaten raw in salad mixes or added to soups, stews, stir-fries, etc., but they can also be cooked and served as an appetizer.

With the rise of health and calorie consciousness in recent years, people have become increasingly interested in buying local organic produce. This has led to an increase in demand for microgreens farming businesses.

Why Microgreen Farming Business?

There are many benefits or plus points in beginning a microgreens business. Let’s discuss some of them.

You don’t need large amounts of land or lots of room to grow vegetables.
You can grow them inside too.
It grows anywhere there is soil.
Mature plants have more nutrients than microgreens.
It takes a small amount of capital to start a farming business.
Demand for microgreens is increasing.
It makes a lot of money.
Microgreens are ready for harvest after just two weeks. Therefore they give a quick return on investment (ROI).
You can do it from home.
It requires minimal human intervention.

You can start your green vegetable business in any place where you have access to sunlight and water. The small plants grow quickly and produce high yields.

They also last longer because they do not require much care. You can even regrow them again after harvesting. These tiny plants are very tasty and add to the flavor and texture of various dishes.

Here are the 10 Steps to Start Microgreen Farming Business

Before starting your microgreens farming business, you need to consider some important factors.

1. Understand the Market

Before starting any new venture, you need to conduct a thorough market analysis. You need to know whether there is enough demand for your product so that you don’t end up wasting time and resources.

If you’re selling to grocery stores, you need to know if there are any upscale markets nearby so you can target them for your products.

Grocery chains also sell microgreens, but they’re not always easy to spot. It helps to know which grocery chains carry them and which ones don’t.

Research the demographics of the neighborhood, their cost of living, and options for buying fresh produce. Also, consider selling to different households because many families prefer buying locally-produced foods.

2. Name your Business

Once you’ve decided on the type of microgreens farming business you want to start, think of a suitable business title that reflects its purpose. Choose a title that suggests purity, naturalness, or good health.

Register a website domain that matches your brand identity and contains keywords relevant to your product/service. You can register a.com,.net,.org,.biz,.info,.me,.name,.mobi,.co.in,.co.UK,.ca,.us,.au,.eu domains.

3. Legal Status, Tax, and Others

Decide on the type of ownership (proprietorship vs. partnership) for your microgreen farming enterprise. You may choose to register for tax purposes, pay licensing fees and obtain permits, if applicable. You should consult an accountant about setting up separate checking/savings/investment accounts.

If you want to start a business, it is best to set up shop at home. You don’t need to pay for office space if you’re starting out.

4. Select the Types of Crops

There are various types of microgreens you may be able to grow. Some examples are radishes, cauliflowers, cabbage, beetroots, broccoli, peas, mustard, sunflowers, garlic, onions, spinach, quinoa, carrots, celery, lettuce, cucumbers, mint, basil, rosemary, oregano, wheatgrass, oats, etc.

First, plant the crops that are easiest to grow. With time, you can add new kinds of plants and earn more from them.

Easy-to-grow types of microgreens include lettuce, kale, spinach, arugula, coll

Radish
Wheatgrass
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Kale
Lettuce
Mustard
Sunflower
Pea

They’re not only easy to grow, but they’ve also got a good market too.

Recommended read: How to Start an Aquaponics Farming Business

5. Set Up for Microgreen Farming

Microgreens can either be grown in the ground or they can also be grown in containers. They require little maintenance and do not take up too much space. You can start growing them right after planting seeds.

Growers often recommend using topsoils that contain lots of organic matter such as composted manure. These soils provide nutrients to the microgreens and help them grow faster.

You can plant your microgreens in tray systems or directly into the ground. A good option would be to buy a tray system and then plant the microgreens inside.

Microgreens can either be cultivated outside or indoors. They can be planted in your backyard or kitchen garden too. If you cultivate indoors, you need fluorescent lights and a ventilator for proper lighting and air circulation.

The first step of agriculture is the seed. Choose good organic seeds. Soak these for 10-12 days. After that drain out the water and cover the seeds in a damp cloth or paper towel for 12 to 24 days.

At this time, sprinkle the seeds once every two days with a fine misting of distilled or filtered tap sprite (not regular tap sprite). This helps in germination and increases the chances of seedlings growing successfully. Once the plants sprout, they should grow very quickly. You can then transplant them into larger containers if desired.

Plant the seedlings in the garden after soaking them in water for at least one hour. Then, lightly cover the roots with dirt and water. Do not force the plants into the ground.

You don’t need any lights for the first few weeks. After that, they might need 6–8 hours of daylight (or fluorescent lighting) to grow properly. If you’re growing them during the cold months, you might need more than 8 hours of daylight.

Harvesting Time for Microgreens

The timing of harvesting varies depending on what type of plant you’re cultivating. Most micro grows to require about two months before they begin producing edible greens. When you see the first sprouts, you’ll know it’s almost ready. Harvesting begins when the plants reach maturity.

To harvest, use a sharp pair of scissors and trim off the tops of the plants just above the ground. Don’t pull at the root with your hands. Once harvested, rinse the greens with water and pat them gently to remove excess moisture.

You need to harvest your micro grows quickly after they’ve been planted because they’re perishable; otherwise, their flavor will fade away.

If you want to start a hydroponics retail store business, read this guide.

6. Microgreen Farming Equipment

You’ll need these essentials when growing microgreens at home: trays or containers with drainage holes, soil, seedlings, watering cans, fans, light bulbs, scales, knives, paper towels or napkins, plastic bags, and some sort of delivery system.

7. Cost & Investment Required to Start a Microgreen Business

The investment varies depending on the scale of your business and whether you’re starting indoors or outdoors. For instance, if you start with 20 trays 15×20 inches in size, then the cost of electricity would be around $300.

In case you’re working outside, then the investment would be lower. But, if you can manage everything yourself, then you won’t require any additional help.

During the first few stages, don’t try to farm too many different types of microgreens at once. Focus on growing just one variety that is easy to grow and has a high demand.

Once you gain some experience, you can start adding more types of microgreens and increase production.

8. How & Where to Sell Microgreens?

The most prospective buyers for microgreens are hotels & restaurants. You can sell these products directly to chefs. Microgreens are often found at groceries. So, you can sell your products to these places.

One way to profit from selling at markets is by coordinating with local farmers and sending someone else to buy their goods.

If you’re selling your microgreens to local restaurants, you need to get in touch with residents of the neighborhood who eat out there regularly.

9. Profit Margin

Microgrows cost an average of $22-$30 each. They grow at a rate of 1.5–2 lbs/ft².

The yield per tray depends on the kind of greens you are growing. For some greens like cabbage or broccoli, the yield per tray is 10-12 ounces per trays. While some others like peas produce around 1.5 pounds per tray.

With enough production, which isn’t too high, you can generate a decent profit. It’s important to note that micro grows are ready for sale within two to three weeks. You, therefore, have several crop cycles and so sales in a few weeks.

If you want to know how big your microgreens farm should be, use these approximations. Don’t try to start your microgreens farming company in a very large size.

10. How to Earn More Profits

To earn profits, the first thing you need to do is ensure that the quality of your product is good enough. Do not compromise on the quality of your seeds, soil, etc., because if they’re poor then no one will buy them.

Know about micro grows, their nutritional value, and their use in various foods.

Start your microgreen farming business by making sure people know about it. Try advertising your products through various means including print ads, billboards, radio spots, social media marketing, and so forth. You can also distribute free samples to local restaurants, grocery stores, or even household members.

Start your business at a moderate to low cost. Do not increase your prices during the first few months. Raise your prices once you establish yourself.

Start by cultivating the types of microgreens most commonly grown in the region where your company operates. You don’t want to start off with something exotic just because it looks good.

Create a nice-looking website with lots of photos of your products, different stages of microgreens growing at your farm, and customer feedback.

These are the basic principles you must follow if you wish to start an organic food farm. If you can find the right customers, you can make good money. In these days of healthy living, the microgreens industry has a bright future. You need to exploit it to make money.