The goal of the Agricultural Alternatives series is to help you evaluate all aspects of a given enterprise before you commit your time and money. Whether you are a full-time farmer looking to diversify or a part-time farmer looking to generate additional income from your property, there are many important issues to consider when selecting a new enterprise.
Elsa Sanchez, Ph.D., Francesco Di Gioia, Ph. D., Lynn Kime, Jayson K. Harper, Ph.D., Michael Orzolek, Ph.D., Steve Bogash
Multiple markets exist for growers with fewer than 5 acres, and many field operations, such as land preparation, planting, and harvesting, can be custom hired. More
Jayson K. Harper, Ph.D., Lynn Kime, Robert Crassweller, Ph.D.
The life of the orchard is expected to be at least 20 years, so the initial investment may be spread over a longer period of time than many crops. More
Jayson K. Harper, Ph.D., Lynn Kime, Miguel Antonio Saviroff, MS, William Lamont, Jr., Ph.D., Steve Bogash
Debido a la amplia diversidad de tipos y el alto consumo por los consumidores, las papas son una buena opción empresarial para muchos productores. More
Lynn Kime, Melanie Barkley, David Hartman, Jayson K. Harper, Ph.D.
Compared to most other livestock enterprises, spring lamb production has lower investment costs and labor requirements, and quicker returns on investment. More
Pumpkins are well-suited to small-scale and part-time farming operations. Marketing opportunities, such as wholesale, retail, and pick-your-own, are options. More
The high value of strawberries creates potential for sizable profit from a small planting; however, the potential for serious problems also exists. More
Melanie Barkley, Lynn Kime, Jayson K. Harper, Ph.D.
Demand for goat meat, milk, cheese, and hide has steadily increased in the United States along with the proliferation of ethnic and specialty markets. More
Lynn Kime, Robert E. Mikesell, Jayson K. Harper, Ph.D.
While the trend in the swine industry continues towards larger farms, opportunities remain to make money by raising hogs in a part-time enterprise. More
Lynn Kime, Jayson K. Harper, Ph.D., R. Michael Hulet
Professional game breeders in Pennsylvania produce one-half million commercial pheasants annually, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission also produces birds. More
Articles 
