Executive Summary
A phased approach to building a profitable vegetable and flower farm, starting with high-margin crops in 2026 as supplemental income, scaling to primary income by 2027, with agritourism (fall pumpkin patch) as a seasonal revenue multiplier.
Revenue Targets
2026 — Foundation
$15,000 - $25,000
Supplemental income while establishing operations and learning the market.
2027 — Scale Up
$50,000 - $75,000
Primary income with pumpkin patch launch and expanded production.
2028+ — Diversify
$75,000 - $100,000
Established agritourism, CSA, and wedding flower markets.
Key Advantages
Free Water
Unlimited lake pumping access saves thousands annually in irrigation costs.
Family Labor
60 hours/week between owner and retired relatives at no additional cost.
Equipment Ready
Existing tractor and tools eliminate major startup equipment costs.
DFW Access
60-70 miles to premium Dallas/Denton farmers markets.
Your clay soil requires 2-3 years of consistent amendment with compost. Plan for intensive soil building in Year 1 with raised beds and heavy organic matter application.
Phase 1: 2026 — Foundation Year
Land Preparation (January - March)
Focus on creating ½ acre of intensively amended raised beds rather than trying to fix all 3 acres. Use 42" wide beds with 18" paths for efficient production.
| Soil Amendment | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk Compost | 10 cubic yards | $350-400 |
| Coarse Sand | 5 cubic yards | $150 |
| Cover Crop Seed | Winter rye, crimson clover | $50 |
| Soil Test | Texas A&M AgriLife | $30 |
| Subtotal | ~$550 |
2026 Startup Budget
Your $2,000 budget covers all startup essentials with a small buffer.
Sales Channels
🏪 DFW Farmers Markets
Primary channel. Dallas Farmers Market ($45 app fee), Good Local Markets, Denton Community Market. Plan 1-2 markets/week during peak season.
🏠 Farm Stand
Secondary. FM 1199 frontage for local traffic. No permit needed for whole, uncut produce you grew. Builds word-of-mouth.
🍽️ Restaurants
Tertiary. Target farm-to-table restaurants in Denton/Frisco. Specialty peppers and herbs have highest demand. Start with 2-3 accounts.
Phase 2: 2027 — Scale to Primary Income
Expanded Production: 1.5 Acres
Add heirloom tomatoes ($5-8/lb), garlic ($15-20/lb), microgreens ($20-30/lb), and begin planting peonies and dahlias for future seasons.
🎃 Fall Pumpkin Patch Launch
This is your agritourism leverage point. One acre of pumpkins plus basic activities can generate $20,000-35,000 in October alone.
| Revenue Stream | Details | Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Sales | 2,000 pumpkins @ $5-15 avg | $15,000-25,000 |
| Admission | $5/person × 500-1,000 visitors | $2,500-5,000 |
| Activities | Hayrides, corn pit, photo ops | $1,000-2,000 |
| Fall Flowers | Seasonal bouquets | $1,500-2,500 |
| Fall Season Total | $20,000-35,000 |
Pumpkin Patch Startup Costs
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 75A provides liability protection for agritourism operations. Post required signage and have visitors acknowledge inherent risks.
Future Revenue Streams (2028+)
Spring U-Pick Flowers
$20 admission includes bucket. Zinnias, sunflowers, wildflowers. Minimal labor, high margin.
Wedding Flowers
Partner with venues in Gainesville/Denton. Bulk bucket sales. Requires cold storage investment.
CSA Program
20-30 boxes × $35/week × 20 weeks = $14,000-21,000. Predictable, prepaid income.
Cottage Foods
Texas law allows $150K/year. Dried herbs, jams, arrangements. Requires food handler cert.
Crop Selection
Focus on crops that perform well in North Texas heat, have quick turnover, and command premium prices at DFW farmers markets.
| Crop | Why It Works | Price Point | Expected Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Tomatoes | High demand, extended harvest | $4-6/pint | $3,000-4,000 |
| Specialty Peppers | Shishito, padron, hot varieties — restaurant demand | $6-8/lb | $2,000-3,000 |
| Salad Greens | Fast 30-day cycle, 4-5 harvests/season | $8-12/lb | $2,500-3,500 |
| Summer Squash | Early producer, consistent seller | $2-3/lb | $1,000-1,500 |
| Herbs | Basil, cilantro — quick turn, high margin | $3-4/bunch | $1,500-2,000 |
All heat-tolerant varieties that thrive in North Texas and are easy to grow from seed with low startup costs.
| Variety | Why It Works | Price Point | Expected Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinnias | Heat-tolerant, easy from seed, long bloom | $2-3/stem | $3,000-4,000 |
| Sunflowers | Fast 60-day cycle, striking, succession plant | $2-4/stem | $2,000-3,000 |
| Celosia | Unusual textures, long vase life, drought tolerant | $2-3/stem | $1,500-2,000 |
| Gomphrena | Globe amaranth — dries well, Texas heat-proof | $1-2/stem | $1,000-1,500 |
| Dahlias | Premium stems, divide tubers annually (Year 2+) | $3-5/stem | $2,000-4,000 |
Plant late June/early July for October harvest. Mix decorative varieties for visual appeal and pricing flexibility.
🎃 Carving Pumpkins
Jack-o-lantern types. High volume, $5-10 each. The bread and butter of your patch.
🥧 Pie Pumpkins
Sugar pumpkins for baking. Smaller but premium pricing for culinary customers.
👻 Specialty Gourds
White pumpkins, warty varieties, mini pumpkins. Higher margins, Instagram appeal.
🌽 Ornamental Corn
Indian corn, decorative varieties. Sells alongside pumpkins for fall decor.
Financial Projections
2026 Projection (Year 1)
| Revenue Source | Conservative | Optimistic |
|---|---|---|
| Farmers Market — Vegetables | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| Farmers Market — Flowers | $5,000 | $8,000 |
| Farm Stand Sales | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Restaurant Sales | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Total Revenue | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Expenses | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| Net Profit | $12,000 | $21,000 |
2027 Projection (Year 2)
| Revenue Source | Projection |
|---|---|
| Farmers Market (Vegetables + Flowers) | $25,000 - $35,000 |
| Restaurant/Wholesale | $5,000 - $8,000 |
| Farm Stand | $3,000 - $5,000 |
| 🎃 Pumpkin Patch (October) | $20,000 - $30,000 |
| Total Revenue | $53,000 - $78,000 |
| Expenses | $8,000 - $12,000 |
| Net Profit | $45,000 - $66,000 |
Revenue Growth Trajectory
Operational Calendar
January
Seed ordering, soil testing, crop planning. Order compost for delivery.
February
Start transplants indoors (tomatoes, peppers). Begin bed preparation.
March
Direct sow cool-season crops. Transplant starts after last frost (~mid-March).
April
Markets begin! Apply to DFW farmers markets. Succession planting starts.
May - June
Peak harvest season. Plant pumpkins late June for October harvest.
July - August
Heat management with shade cloth. Flower harvest peaks. Maintain irrigation.
September
Fall crop planting. Pumpkin patch preparation — signage, activities, marketing.
October
🎃 PUMPKIN PATCH SEASON — Open weekends. Peak revenue month.
November
Plant garlic. Season wrap-up. Sow cover crops for winter soil building.
December
Planning for next year. Equipment maintenance. Rest and recover!
Weekly Labor Allocation (60 hrs total)
| Task | Hours/Week |
|---|---|
| Field Work (planting, weeding, harvesting) | 25 |
| Market Sales (including travel) | 16 |
| Post-Harvest Handling | 8 |
| Admin/Planning/Sales Outreach | 7 |
| Irrigation Management | 4 |
Action Items
Immediate Next Steps (Jan-Feb 2026)
Year 1 Success Metrics
Year 2 Success Metrics
With your farming background, existing equipment, free water access, and family labor — you're starting from a stronger position than most. The key is starting small, learning the market, and scaling what works.