From Ground Up: The Essential Core Infrastructure for Small Farms!

[@natesmith8782]

Thanks for consistently spreading great information and making these videos. They have really helped me get a good understanding of what it's going to take to become a farmer.

[@leeknivek]

an older rototiller tends to work pretty good, too. i got one at the dump, for free, so old that it had points ignition. a new set of points and it's a one-pull start.

[@edhorsegolfer4784]

Hey Curtis, Another great video. Just a few points. The vehicle I own will work for just starting out. I can rent the needed tiller for 100 dollars for 24 hours. The commercial coolers I saw were 2500.00 give or take a few, fortunately I can build the room fully insulated and buy the cool bot for 500.00 and I already have a window unit that was given to me. With tools I already own I figure I can limp in with about 1/3 acre and an infrastructure of about 4k. That doesn't allow for tarps and irrigation but I padded it 1000.00 for the things I will need that I haven't thought about yet like the Laser Printer. I have to adapt and overcome just starting because I just don't have the capital. Anything I have built before I have always made it pay for itself. I would never go into debt to start up a project because. It can fail. Thank you.

[@booradley5263]

It's funny when information is free I start to take it for granted. Thanks for the video.

[@Bayplaces]

Worth mentioning: I got a Ford Econoline where I live in California for $2,500 and in three years I've used it lightly, put 30,000 miles on it, and have spent less than $1,500 on maintenance, repairs, and tires. The cost of a bike trailer at $1,000 really starts to compete. And honestly depending on where you live a $1,000 for a custom trailer seems like a steal of a deal. At least around here. I spent $1,000 on my Surly bike trailer and it's nowhere near custom. Another $1,000 was spent on my Surly Long Haul Trucker bike and I got a deal on it. After two Surly racks and 4 Ortleib panniers, my bike actually cost me more than my van. I also spend more annually on bike maintenance than vehicle maintenance. I go through more money on tires, chains, chain rings, tubes, lube, etc on my bikes than my van. Additionally there are inherent risks associated with using your private vehicle as a business vehicle. I wouldn't want to be caught in an accident with my van registered as a private vehicle loaded full of business equipment. Easy way to get screwed on getting covered. Definitely worth addressing. I've also seen Ford E350 vans with as few as 120,000 miles on it costing as much as $1,800 with a beat up body. Beats spending $20,000+ on a new Transit any day. I'll add that I love your videos. Just a valuable detail. I'd only start thinking of a Transit van long after playing with beat up old Ecolonine vans.

[@4seedsfarmok978]

I run a BCS 739 also, perfect tool for small farms imo, maybe not necessary to own one the first year but your gonna need one eventually especially as you develop customers and techniques (green manures, plastic mulch etc). I'm looking into a flail mower now and a harrow.

[@JonathanSeagullUtube]

My tiny farm opinion: Post Harvest area is VERY IMPORTANT ! Scales/bags/boxes/wash area/fan(area to final dry). Hand tools very important: #1 shovel (big strong one, shorter light one) #2 rake !!! Greens cutter: yes ! (not doing massive greens yet, just spinach and kale. When more greens come online I will get a greens cutter) Vehicle (electric bike: excellent) yes ! Tilther (I'm soo gonna get one one day, rake and hand for now.) yes! Fridge(s) dedicated to product: yes ~ walk in cooler is great ! Rototiller ? Only if free of grass and weeds that love to be cut up into 1,000 pieces! And free of weed plants with a gazillion seeds just waiting to be spread by the rototiller. I would use a rototiller in a "jungle" type area that needed to be chopped up (like with wild shrubs with tree like bark and roots etc) and left with tarp cover for several months...then worked by shovel. I would use a rototiller if I was able to leave tarps on for a season or so. IF a person is in shape, your body and a shovel (on like less than 1/2 acre) is a very good tool. Takes longer. I cut grass in sections and face the leaves of the cut sections down and stack them on top of each other, carefully taking out the grass and roots, leaving the yummy soil just below the root systems. There is far less weed seeds, and I am able to remove 99% of the "evil root weed plants". I plant peas or nasturtiums in the cracks of the top area of the stacked lawn sections and WOW excellent broken down soil ready for next season! The area that has had grass removed is ready for soil amendments and seeding.

[@cybersecretary]

Hey, Glad i found your channel. You are wonderful!! I have worked for other farmers for many years and now I am going to do greens and salad things on my own and hope I can have a good crop and sell to restaurants etc. I love the way your lettuce looks! I have about $ 800 US. saved to get started. We bought our place a few years ago and I was very sick for quite a while. I am a lot better and now nothing is going to get in my way of my ideas! I may be older and slower but i am wiser ! I feel I can be settled and really begin to expand and get my garden larger, my soil and more beds established. I have a lot of land with good soil and water. I will take your advice and start small.Just start! We have a lot of trees and shade here int he woods, so some tree trimming/cutting is due. Will hire a guy to till so I won't buy a machine yet. Will make sure I don't have a weed issue in the new area! So it's a matter of hard work, when it gets warm...snow is almost melted. Smart supply and seed buying. I am emptying out and taking over our catch all /wood shed it is about 8'x14' and turning it into a grow house potting shed! Faster and cheaper way to start as I want to get growing , and can't go into debt right now building a new greenhouse. Will be taking off the old mixed roofing, this weekend if the weather cooperates, there is old cracked leaking PVC. and robbed with tin, so that will go....Will replace with polycarbonate. Also taking down the south wall for more sun. Can cover it with plastic or an old window for now. I have a few lights. Get my seeds and micro greens started and then in a few months I hope to make a hoop house. I have wanted to do this for 20 years..and I'm starting it this year seriously no matter what on my own. Start small, be organized..just start. Thanks for all your inspiration.

[@imover9999]

One of your best videos yet as far as useful information. (not at all to put down any of the others, they're all great, just this was a knock out of the park.) Thanks for this, and of course all your other very informative work. I'm planning on starting a small farm when I move house in a few months, and a big question is always "What do I start with?" So this has been very great. Thanks again Curtis, keep doing what you're doing.

[@jeffstreeter3037]

Thanks for the clip. Brought my attention to stuff I never thought about.

[@abideenturky]

Awesome, Awesome, Absolutely amazing, how few courageous people (like you) act as beacon for the rest of us. My applaud to you.

[@RonHelton]

I started using a stirrup hoe 3 years ago. Amazing tool. I can't imagine not having one now.

[@TheJunkyardgenius]

Great video Curtis, you have covered these things in individual videos but got to put into one video.

[@JonathanSeagullUtube]

Thanks for your videos Curtis ! This is an excellent video to post as a primer for ppl starting out growing for commercial markets.

[@grokstone]

Great videos A few of your links for the equipment are now 404 errors. Better check it out or update.

[@elementalearth5096]

thanks for this great resource!! have a great day Curtis!

[@Talex3003]

Hi Curtis! I wonder, why would one need to own a tiller if the only time you gonna use it is when you prepare a new plot - and then go to no till approach? Thank you!

[@waltlars3687]

Great vid Curtis will you do one about what you take to a farmers market

[@One_Call_System]

Nice one! Very useful video for nubbs.

[@seanmcnally9617]

Because you're always talking about efficiency and you mentioned mitigating those operations and actions that do not have a quantifiable Financial return it may be beneficial to do a video specifically on weeding because though it does not have a quantifiable Financial return it is certainly one of those activities that you would want to mitigate so understanding the best and most efficient way to do it is the best and most efficient way to mitigate the activity of weeding

[@Quasar502]

Wow. Beautiful walk thru.

[@bojames3677]

Just started going back to school and after watching your videos I'm thinking about plant/soil science and agronomy, I like your concept of small scale farms. Are there any sort of classes or direction that I should take or look into? food science or even marketing? And having a BS in agriculture would banks take that into consideration as I apply for any sort of loan to start a farm? awesome job with the videos, I'll be looking into getting your book

[@MikeTheFitFarmer]

I strongly recommend Curtis Stone's Profitable Urban Farm Course (profitableurbanfarming.com/). I think you will learn much more knowledge that you can apply right away and you won't go into nowhere near the amount of debt that you will pursuing a degree. I have learn so much from his course and I have a saved a lot of money and time with the material provided in the course.

[@JonathanSeagullUtube]

START PLANTING! A little section in a friend / family members lawn. Start as soon as the soil can be worked (Kale, Spinach, Arugula, Tat Sio etc grows well in cold climates) use a small cold frame to get the seedlings hardened. Start in a planter/pots in your home...start NOW and harvest the knowledge of practical experience. The Urban Farmer book by Curtis was a fun read ! And his videos are an inspiration to thousands ! So keep watching and liking!

[@Katharsis540]

Have you heard of Permaculture?

[@furrywhitesnakewithl]

In terms of degrees search "agroecology" or sustainable farming. If you go the agronomy route you will likely learn more about unsustainable industrialized agriculture practices (depending on the program).

[@TheJamesRedwood]

At the risk of being called a knowitall again, this is actually a functional inaccuracy that does relate directly to your work. A pitch fork and a garden fork are different. You can't dig at all with a pitch fork, it is used for pitching hay or similar. The fine tines will bend easily if you try to dig earth with it.

[@happyrootsfarm6156]

If you went straight for the Jang seeder, is there any point in buying the Earthway? Or could you skip it and get a 6 row seeder for your greens and save money in the long run?

[@4seedsfarmok978]

Thanks Curtis awesome stuff. I was wondering where you get your fertilizers of you have a recommended company etc etc?

[@mikemunro3290]

Well done mate great videos.

[@lukkassuhn6761]

So assuming a more plausibly priced used 2-wheel tractor and a jang 1 you're looking at about 10,000 (Canadian?)

[@Stevelemontrudy]

I have a decent rear tine tiller. Far from a bcs, but it breaks up ground with grass on it. Do you think this is good enough for now (followed by lots of compost and a broadfork)? It's all I've got so I'm thinking it's awesome, if just for now.

[@thepubliclandnomad3365]

Hey brother I just wanted to ask you about this video i was on BCS website and the 739 is $3700 and the 710 is under $1700 i was thinking about getting a 710 i only have a few small plots and 3 20x50 greenhouses. whats the major differences between the 710 vs 739 other than different engines and the 739 having 1 more speed adjustment. Thanks

[@chrislayton2025]

What temperature do you keep your microgreens at and do they need to be in a sealed box or can the box be vented?

[@Tito_vibes]

Can you have it where the walk in cooler is in a different location say 10 minutes away...and you harvest the salad greens or what have you at a different farm site...will you have enough time to put the veggies in the cooler...even if its 10 minutes away and you sprayed it with water before?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Yes, that's how my farm is.

[@Tito_vibes]

would a half hour or hour away be too far?

[@nzzenith]

I wanted to start a farm, have planted loads and but there is no such thing as walk in cool rooms for under 8k. So comes down to luck or connections to even get it going. same with the guy who got a 40k cooler in that truck bed.

[@alphasxsignal]

Only do U-pick fresh on the spot and no refrig.

[@tonyshelton6164]

How can I get a copy of your book, I have a lot of question ?

[@RhodeToPrepping]

Do you leave your walk in cooler outside all winter with just the carport type roof covering it?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Yes. The one we're not using now is outside under cover.

[@flamepeace]

How much did you spend in total? I think now you make more money with lecture and book

[@mangofelipe]

extra helpful man! thanks!

[@jacobkendrick4169]

When you first started into microgreens did you just ask customers which microgreens they would pay you for?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

yes

[@stropefarmsllc7630]

Where do you get your bags

[@hart796]

great info!!!!!

[@liamjames6689]

What are you going to transition to for greens spinning?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

I'm working on it now. You'll see very soon.

[@milesesprit7601]

How do I get the book?

[@oscarp1104]

Awesome!!!

[@thisslightlysweetlife3402]

How does this man have the time to do all this stuff alone?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

This is an old video and at this time, this was all I did. Farm and make videos.

[@thisslightlysweetlife3402]

@@offgridcurtisstone Ha! I didn't look at the date.

[@zombieseezombiedo]

Who's this young man?

[@Katharsis540]

Have you looked into Permaculture?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Maybe thousands of times.

[@alphasxsignal]

No dig or no till.

[@TheJamesRedwood]

This is a very generous video however. I hope you don't give your whole book away for free : )

[@rauloliveros516]

where can I get the book?