From Small Space to BIG Profits: Inside a 240 Sq Room Microgreens Farm

[@Housebarons]

I love the idea of doing live cuts at the farmers market. Getting ready for the market would be so much easier!

[@emoleary811]

HouseBarons also less waste I would guess

[@Housebarons]

@@emoleary811 True Elizabeth, you could just pack up the trays and sell the micros later. Nice!

[@vvvkk]

That's actually how the Asian sell bean sprouts.

[@Tosalsaking]

We were fortunate to meet Mike and his partner at the St. Lawrence Market,Toronto, Canada where they sell their delicious microgreens. We told Mike that we were interested in trying microgreens in our basement and he provided us with valuable information to get us started. Today we harvested our first tray of microgreens. Thanks Mike @littlefarmthatcould see you on Saturday.

[@OnTheGrow]

Glad to see more farmers embracing the idea of bringing cargo trailers to the market! We knew it would make for a fun presentation. If he gets power to it, he can show them how they are grown in the space like we do! Keep up the great work!

[@OrtoForesta]

Great stuff, Curtis, as usual! We will definitely work on Mike's inspiration and extend our production here in the UK's wet winters. If anybody is interested in following us setting this up from scratch, stay tuned - we will be posting some videos soon!

[@fezwhy]

This will only work if you are in a booming area with lots of restaurants. Most consumers will not buy this at the market. I have never seen any success at the 5 area markets near me. However if you are an outgoing person you can get some great customers by meeting local chefs and giving them samples to try. Yes you can make the money, but there will be some money up front for equipment costs. Electricity, water, nutrients are minimal costs.

[@leviburns89]

Booming meaning new as well. Most established chefs and restaurants have long lived relationships with all they need. Its different if you're offering something rare or hard to get, such as truffles or wild mushrooms. But every Tom, Charles, and Harry with $500 tax return will be knocking on their door asking to sell their "unique" product.

[@blakeavila4409]

Levi Burns what if you dried it all out and turned it into seasoning? Then it could last a long time and you could sell it whenever.

[@leviburns89]

@@blakeavila4409dried microgreens seasoning... make everything taste like grass lol

[@Brian-Keith]

That's my experience. not enough interest. Too much work, not worth the time

[@lilwarrior989]

To little butter for to much toast.... Great line, and a smart young man.

[@slappy8941]

It's "too little" and "too much", you lazy dumbass.

[@leviburns89]

Would've been really cool if we could've actually seen the room...

[@DonnyGreens]

Yes I wanna see!

[@josemiguelbermudez6324]

Yeahh. Me too

[@JBrander]

Probably had lots of weed growing around the corner, explains the $1200/week 😂

[@dankgenetics9663]

Dude has 64 flats going. 10-12 oz of micro greens per flat at 20$/pound. Pretty simple stuff and easy to comprehend. I want to know what license(s) I would need to sell in Colorado. Specially to restaurants and at the local farmers market.

[@joeexworkingpoortaxpayer4652]

@@dankgenetics9663 You need a license to be a farmer?

[@BBhashyam]

Curtis - thanks for showing us the videos. Do you think high density shelving will help produce more in a small space or do you think it may pose air flow issues?

[@karlahnee]

Such a humble guy! Great work!!

[@misterbulger]

Sounds like a better option than a room mate lol. I have about that same amount of space in my upstairs. I already have a used furniture and appliances side hustle. It wasn't really worth going to the flea & farmers market (combined market) but now it totally would be!

[@RicaRoseHopeful_Voluntarist]

Dang, those are some fine looking greens!! 🌱

[@TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

“Too little butter over too much toast”, brilliant quoting Bilbo Baggins, or the wizard J R R Tolkien...

[@corithefrugalflower]

Great feature, would love to see an update on this Local guy! 👌👏

[@tylerharlow7820]

this is inspiring - Im in an apartment now but hoping to move into my first house within the next 2 years. I really want to start a microgreen operation when I have the space!

[@the1rawdawg]

Kool! I'm looking into micro greens for another stream of income and this is motivating. Thanks!

[@TPSDmike]

I'm into year three. Valentines day week we grossed $5100. I have two employees. I have yet to make a paycheck for myself. So, there's that.

[@BaldNedFlanders]

Who new farmers had a crm system, that’s so cool

[@spaulding304]

Thanks for the course and priceless knowledge Curtis and Luke. I'm waiting on my tax returns to come in to kick it off this Spring at two of the farmers markets near me. Already have a foot in a restaurant just down the road!!! 👍 Can't thank you all enough.

[@jasonsmith4969]

Can I ask you how would one get a restaurant interested in purchasing?

[@spaulding304]

@@jasonsmith4969 Samples are your best friend. Ask to talk to the chef or food manager directly and tell them about your product and provide them the samples. Restaurants typically like the herb variety grown to the true leaf stage. It gives each variety a more unique characteristic at that stage, but not all chefs are made equal and may take anything you have. Get straight to the point on your product and your reasoning talking talking with them, don't ask personal questions until another day after you've made a deal. Go ahead and start dining at their establishment and get familiar with their menu. They would appreciate that. Always kind of mimic who you're talking too as well to get on their level. It would help build rapport. If they already have a microgreen producer, I'd undercut their prices. Oh and when you provide samples, I would ask if they prefer them to be sold in the flat or harvested. Chefs would love the fact they are still alive and well when they buy it. It then has no processing involved. The last thing, and Amazon did this right, customer service is an absolute way of keeping your clients. Ask if they ever need anything changed, how you could do better, or what they would like to see. Good luck. 👍

[@kickballfever]

@@jasonsmith4969 I worked as a manager for a startup that was an urban farm catering to upscale restaurants in nyc. As the other comment mentioned...samples. We would send out tons of sample boxes to restaurants who fit a certain profile we were looking for. Make sure your samples look great and are packaged nicely, include business cards. I suggest looking at restaurant menus online focusing on higher end places and places that specialize in farm to table. It would also be a good idea to approach restaurants that are members of a restaurant group, once you get your foot in the door with one you'll probably get business with the whole group. Also, try approaching Michellin Star restaurants, they're big on fresh ingredients, pay top dollar, and it's a good look for gaining future clients.

[@BeingWolfy]

What is the best room temperature for growing micro greens? Thanks!

[@dallimamma]

::: Great young man! I hope he’s very careful with the general public bringing in bad bugs...

[@billastell3753]

What do you mean?

[@dallimamma]

Bill Astell ::: You’d be amazed how easy it is for us to drag in bugs and/or eggs on us, or our footwear and clothing. That’s why most people in indoor grow spaces use Tyvek suits, hairnets & booties.

[@billastell3753]

As I understand the operation, the sprouts are cultivated without soil. I believe bugs would die for lack of nutrition in a sprout operation since from start to end you only have about a week and no place for eggs or the bugs to live. I over winter plants indoors and on occasion have a thrip challenge due to my use of soil. The thrips come in in the soil not on a person. Outside those minor annoyance no problems. Perhaps dallimamma you could share what problems you have seen in a sprout operation?

[@dallimamma]

Bill Astell ::: Just in indoor grown & greenhouse cannabis mostly, but there are lots of pests that damage the greens and the roots, that’s why I commented, to see if any precautions are necessary. Spider mites, Scale, Thrips, Mealy bugs, Whitefly, Aphids, Root Aphids, Fungus gnats. High humidity can encourage mold & mildew, though probably not such a big concern with such a fast turnover crop.

[@flightographist]

@@billastell3753 Most large growers have phytosanitation standards to prevent crop infection by organisms brought in by visitors, things like fungi, viruses, bacteria, and of course insects. Some of the places I frequent sanitize vehicles entering the property, bleach baths to step through at doors etc

[@keinlieb3818]

Scale up by using solar panels to light up your internet lights. Especially as solar panels are the ultimate scale-able power supply system so you don't have to blow your wad on too much power that you don't need right now.

[@keinlieb3818]

@@user-gn5wv2lx5t if you've ever had to run power cord then you'd know just how much money you could save installing solar powers. The last time I installed power to spare house we spent over $2,000 in equipment alone. Not counting labor to dig a trench and installing. To run a few grow lights can be as cheap as $500 for solar panels to produce enough power to power the lights and save on a power bill. It all takes capital. If you're going to run it out of your house, then sure, the power is already there so just plug in and way cheaper. But, if you're building a whole new building just for the plants, just something to think about.

[@baronkimble5378]

I switched to cut and pack at the market and it helped a lot

[@alexandeurross4169]

I used to cut fresh at market. Then I switched to precut and packed at home to save time because I felt like i was losing sales when I was talking to someone. My sales PLUMMETED. Having the fresh trays was pivotal to my microgreen success at market.

[@fatherofchickens7951]

Seems like you’d have less waste. Smart idea!

[@patmog]

@@fatherofchickens7951 I'm not sure it's about less waste, more about the consumers seeing it as more "fresh". Microgreens can't just be taken back home and store for two more weeks. You have a pretty tight cycle unlike veg in the ground.

[@lauramjstewart]

Ok, when I am ready to do this I will take your online course Curtis, wow, this is so exciting!

[@atlanticacresfarm]

Hey Mike, how are ya buddy I hope your still doing well and soo happy to see you:) Congratulations Sarahann From The Ground Up Canada 🌱

[@ericfulda4196]

Curtis, The term Full Spectrum is a marketing term and a not accurate (IES) lighting term. There is no such thing as a full spectrum light. There is a CRI (Color Rendering Index) and Kelvin color temperature, and efficacy which measure efficiency as lumne/watt. Thanks for all the great youtube content. I need to speak to you about some land I want to start market farm in 2020.

[@zaclejeune]

This dude seems chillllll

[@Samt1958]

Great video and information as usual!!! Thanks man! Keep them coming!

[@JohnSmith-nh3bc]

NEAT! EVEN FOR PERSONAL CONSUMPTION NEEDS! TIED IN WITH PRE-PORTIONED MEAL PLANS! INTERESTED IN ALL THE POSSIBLE VARIETIES!

[@joblogister4235]

how is this possible? why are there not bigger indoor companies wich take over the market?

[@EarthlyKisses]

Because they sleeping on this. On top of the fact that they don't care about your health.

[@canadianadvancedsk8]

shelf life is too short .

[@bjrn4046]

Its still a niche marked

[@chesshooligan1282]

@@EarthlyKisses I don't care about your health either, but I sure care about a potential profit. There has to be more to this story than what's being told.

[@JesusSaves86AB]

@@chesshooligan1282 Some folks like to buy local and organic. How is that difficult to comprehend?

[@teddrankin6064]

Curtis which course is the gentleman talking about? I see you have several

[@JK-vb6ju]

How much watts are you using and how much is your electric bill?

[@leftright5341]

So cool and that dude seems super chill too

[@chrisclutter9454]

That was awesome!!! Thanks Curtis!! 🙏🏼

[@jducky3643]

Who are the main buyers at these markets??🤔 im a head chef who often struggles for decent supply, but my spare room grows something else

[@catlinfoster1683]

J Ducky something else eh?? Haha

[@SHx589]

Cute.

[@moihawk666]

i think most small growers don't know most restaurant owners or head chefs

[@spoolsandbobbins]

Wow! Really great set up. Thanks for sharing.

[@Nyjetsfan1289]

Watching your videos is what’s putting me to sleep at 2 am... good looks bro

[@55Bluesgirl]

All these amazing plants provide amazing fuel for our bodies Excellent share All the very best in this service for wellness

[@idonowhattoputhere23]

1:00 skip the ad

[@dravafox]

MIKE! BROTHER! Looking good! Miss your (buckwheat!!) greens!

[@DonnyGreens]

Lmao

[@voldemort1993]

Could you do microgreens as like a side-gig ? How much time does it take to keep this going ?

[@kickballfever]

You could absolutely do it as a side gig...it's basically just propagation in the beginning, harvesting at the end, and maintenance in the middle. For something small scale it's not a full time job.

[@Jessebowyer]

Quick question 1,200$ in revenue, what’s the net profit?

[@fromthesky1050]

2.00 $

[@stevegwizzle3560]

$ 5.00

[@DonnyGreens]

probably around $600. You can see the breakdown in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y37Voo17ZbmBjc0

[@LuisRodriguez-ry8oy]

Mike great job you're an inspiration keep up the energy and good job .

[@lovemyself1st]

Oh Man, this dude is down the street from me. Crazy!

[@DonnyGreens]

Wow lucky you, walk over and buy some greens!

[@mememan9007]

@@DonnyGreens no

[@kushsquall]

Respect bro bless up to the dude on the microgreens.

[@microacres8207]

Great video Curtis, love seeing this model being duplicated.

[@grinningtiki220]

What is the depth of the trays? I have been using the standard size (10x20) and it uses to much soil.

[@88bubbles88]

grinningtiki220 was thinking the SAME thing...these are much shallower than i’ve been using. Great job Bilbo!

[@apollothealchemist]

Such a great idea! This would be the coolest microgreen stand at the market guarenteed🙌🏼

[@alexandroutsos5990]

this guy doesn't just sell micro greens he sells the good stuff as well. I gotta say hes confident for a guy who has a you tube channel

[@breonnataylorspuckeredturd8116]

Wow, I’d be scared of that kinda transport......maybe custom integrated shelving in the trailer. Great video

[@ardenpeters4386]

Exciting to hear a success story! Thx

[@dragonshoarddesign3094]

I bought a house that has a 1000 sqft greenhouse the tech is bit dated and small amount of maintenance but functional. I really need information on how to get it making me money, I know it is a potential gold mine, but I don't know where to start. I keep seeing all these microgreen videos, is that still a thing? or was it a fad that in now trending down? I have already start strawberries hydroponics in the house. I will have 4 different varieties of tomatoes, some other odds and ends. How do I turn it functional business?

[@ChannonWW2214]

Great video very good content, inspiring is this is something I would like to get into I will be following the channel and I just subscribed I only last year started growing a garden again and had pretty good success outside in containers 4 self. But microgreens is where I want to go it is a great health movement and business opportunity. Thanks :-)

[@DonnyGreens]

Let me know if you need any help Shannon! My microgreens business is now doing over $100k/year! 🌱💚

[@arielleezechukwu5349]

this was all i needed to see. thank you for sharing.

[@elmarty4803]

Love the videos, many of the ideas in your videos and Donny Greens videos are crushed by the bureaucratic nonsense in the state of Colorado. Without a commercial setup or commercial kitchen, you cant make, process, or package anything for sale that needs to be refrigerated at home. You have to have a corporation, commercial business or property with a kitchen license. Colorado is a bit crazy at times.

[@shanemillard608]

Keep rocking it!

[@alexweedon1601]

nice to see you back to the more traditional videos

[@jacobswaney9798]

When u almost say microdose instead of micro greens 😂 4:20

[@spaulding304]

Those darn Canadians, eh?!

[@sonicsoftly]

LOL

[@maw-6479]

Lool

[@manictiger]

[A wild Joe Rogan appears] Did someone say DMT?

[@randomdudefpv4927]

LOOOOL Good one :D

[@kyleganse4978]

Woah I feel this is amazing. I am interested in this where I live :D

[@kickballfever]

I do this sort of work professionally. Where do you live?

[@denisebrewer4437]

Growing the food doesn’t seem to be the problem. Finding the buyers for the food seems to be the problem That concerns me most

[@workfromhome598]

Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

[@josephippolitom.d.519]

You have a very abundant growth. Do you use a fertilser ?

[@nancyfahey7518]

Maybe you can do a follow up video?

[@nickwit21]

Completely blew my mind

[@officialspaceefrain]

Más props man. Keep hustling.

[@SamSung-ck2ib]

How much your electricity its gonna be at the end of the month ? 🤔

[@deanhatt]

It depends on the lights you use, if you're using LED grow lights AND add fans, it's usually less than 100 per "shelf row" which is 4 trays. So 64 / 4 = 16 rows * 100 watts = 1600 watts (which explains why he just started blowing fuses) Lights are on 17 hours a day, so ~27,000 watts or round up to 30kwh a day. That translates to 4.50$ per day, 150$ per month at 15 cents per kwh. Wow that is a lot less than expected. Good on him.

[@rociohernandez8659]

Solar panel 😘😘

[@gregisaacson660]

Which microgreens do you recommend I start growing? There are so many to choose from

[@DonnyGreens]

I made a video on this, i think it will help you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqbSnn6Qn9ljhqs

[@mad_scadd89]

How would you secure the grow racks inside the box truck so they don't move or tip over?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Straps.

[@Eveproguides]

I live in a small city of 135k or so people. Half or so are students. Not sure it's worth the capital investment for a market 20 times smaller than Toronto? If I could get $300 a week it would be worthwhile to boost income.

[@microacres8207]

we live in a city of 70K and still make over 2K/mo just here plus we sell alot more to the neighbouring cities. CAPEX is very minimal for this

[@morganlogman3948]

Great information excellent job

[@wilbing8465]

Please respond if you have an answer/answers. I want to do this really bad for personal consumption. Anyone have a good link for starting out? And is this renewable - regrowing, or do they all die once harvested? How costly is it to make, say, 35 servings a week? How often do I need to buy seeds? Thanks in advance for any help.

[@leviburns89]

Google works wonders....

[@madsniperD]

They don't grow back once cut, you have to keep growing from new seeds. You can't reuse the dirt either, but you can compost the dirt and the cut roots and use the result for future microgreens. The trays, seeds, and dirt are all on amazon.

[@MrMkapusta]

Who do you sell to....grocery stores, restaurants,etc?

[@hyperslow3810]

He sells 90's infomercial bullshit to dumb people. The green trays are just for show.

[@manictiger]

​@@hyperslow3810 Some might call you "negative", but I think you might be right. The math isn't explained. Very sus. Also, to sell this stuff, you have to go through health and safety. It's part of why I don't sell the stuff I grow: 1. I don't grow enough to make it a business 2. I don't feel like dealing with a third layer of paperwork, after my 5t0ck tr4ding and real 3st4te.

[@stacking4retirement222]

Awesome job!! Congratulations, Mike!!

[@mouttouvignesh3165]

Any value additions using micro greens?

[@cakopinolo]

What is the perfect temperature and humidity to grow microgreens??

[@drangpo6904]

need a mic on someone when you're interviewing them. for your next videos :)

[@thebigaverage-jordanspeck9045]

Amazing how prices and the ability to make a living is that must easier in America. Purely on price and customer base.

[@rangerdoc1029]

$1200 is awesome, but what's the profit margin?

[@Abrxs365]

Divide rented/owned space with the spare rooms, add 100~$ for electricity, 20 for water, keep track and add your work hour cost that you think you are worth - 1200$ portfolio = profit. The upfront costs, time spent and skills needed to build the portfolio, and when do you see the red are the questions that needed to be asked.

[@joshbaer9438]

Stoked for this video

[@passionatedreamer7311]

Hi Curtis can I do microgreens in tropical climate country. Will I still need a room to do it? Thanks

[@ejtheinsane]

Any info on how to make a good website for a starter???

[@lashbay5951]

Very nice set up 👍🏾

[@vitaifill2093]

What book?

[@rafaelfagundes1652]

Good afternoon friend, where can I find this structure for microgreens?

[@farmerbobsgarden5554]

very cool. lots good luck to you

[@tristam_90]

This is awesome that it in Toronto!!

[@michaelschaller7572]

Thats so awesome though

[@DonnyGreens]

Micros are rad! And profitable!

[@jnn8551]

What’s the name of the app

[@teal_livinglifeincolor2115]

I don't see a link for the software you talk about in the beginning of the video.

[@goodgirlsguide]

Could have shown us whhat the room looked like

[@Unclejohntyskitchen]

Great video, love it

[@richganga3024]

Where can you get the seeds in Toronto

[@Dragonflies6]

Would love a link to where you buy seeds?

[@lkennett]

I have the same shelves, what kind of grow lights are those?

[@TheRealHonestInquiry]

4-foot T5 fluorescents. You would put 2 per rack. Some sort of warranty is nice on these... DO NOT buy the brand "Lightech" they are too cheap to work properly!

[@nellafantasia08]

what brand of juicer is that one?

[@richardscarlett7942]

Getting old and bad knees from plumbing, looking for something else to do. I have been looking at YT videos on growing your own personal vegies. I have almost an acre to do something with. I live in Texas, I have never seen any microgreens, never seen them on a restaurant menu, never seen anyone order or eat them in a restaurant. Is this a Vegetarian restaurant thing? Is this just a California thing?

[@lilmissdaydreamer4741]

Microgreens are usually fancy healthy additions to meals. Like on top of Salads, veggies and in sandwiches etc. I am curious what you decided to do with your land, did you start growing Microgreens?

[@battlerealestateinvestment2029]

What insurance do you have in order to sell to businesses?

[@TPSDmike]

We currently have a $1MIL insurance policy through the farm bureau. Costs us around $113 a month.

[@jameskenik5106]

Great video! Ty! Also what's up with the birds chirping?

[@dallimamma]

James Kenik ::: Birds start chirping at first light, which actually helps the plants’ stomata to open; so they are already awake and ready to grow at sunrise...

[@dallimamma]

James Kenik ::: Also, it’s such a happy sound for the humans as well!

[@jameskenik5106]

I love it I just wasent sure if it was indoors or a recording or real but it's really cool ty!

[@dwaynejava]

It seems seeds are expensive. Where is a good source of reasonably priced seeds?

[@neilsjmcmahon]

I like this guy seems cool

[@DONDONDON865]

Wanted to see his setup :(

[@arioprananda3527]

where to buy bulk seeds

[@DonnyGreens]

True Leaf Market is a great source or if you are in Canada, Mumms 🌱💚