North Slope Farm – Plans for 2016

Farm Manager – MikeR

Crew – Colleen, Todd, Jacob, Dan & Two 1^st Year Trainees.

(Estimated Full Time Wages: $90,000) (2015: $65,000 incl tax)

Basic Assessment:

Need to generate an extra $30-$40 thousand, in 2016.

Immediate:

• Focus on crops that we could have sold more of – Herbs, Blackberry’s, Strawberries, Asian Pears, Apples, Peaches, Green beans, Tomatoes, Flowers, Micro’s, Seedlings (?), Complete Summary to highlight items we can do better with….
• Expand Sales at Farmstand – Special Focus, with events, Email Newsletter, Visible activity, Beautification and Signs.

Long Term:

• Invest in Production Systems to Increase Production
• Plant more Fruit Trees, Brambles, Strawberries
• Plant High Tunnels with Fruit Trees (Peaches?) – Research and Trials – trees vs brambles vs strawberries
• Develop Dedicated Production Area/System for Micro’s

New Developments to Explore and Test:

• Farmstand: Develop area into child and visitor friendly experience.
• Juicing:  Incorporate processing and bottling into the work week.
• Increasing Egg Production:  Develop feed production system to reduce cost.
• Expand Speciality Herbs: Dedicate growing areas, Drying, Process and Store in farmhouse.