A Guide to Setting Up an Organic Farm in Australia – What You Should Know

More and more Aussies are looking to relocate from the city and set up an organic farm in a rural region of the country, and there are many reasons for such a decision. A family might decide that city life is unhealthy and they would prefer to raise their kids in a natural environment, while also developing a sustainable business that involves producing organic farm produce.

Start with a business plan

Every business idea needs further development to turn it into a viable business enterprise; you might need capital to add a few inexpensive storage sheds and some essential farming equipment, while a solid business plan would cover every potential obstacle. You need to crunch the numbers to determine the full cost of setting up the business, while also working out how much revenue you would need to make the business a viable concern.

A comprehensive business plan would include the following sections:

An overview of the business and the industry
A detailed costing of the startup
Running costs
A list of essential assets
Finance options
Determine a break-even point
Marketing plan
Logistical issues and how to overcome them
5-year forecast

There are free resources online to help you develop a sound business plan, which you can find using Google or another major search engine.

Choosing crops to grow

Of course, a lot depends on your chosen location and the richness of the soil; talk to agricultural experts if you are in any doubt, while online resources can help you to determine the best crops. One good idea is to reach out to other farmers in that area and tap into their wisdom, which can save you from making certain mistakes.

Purchase or lease the land

If you can afford it, buying the land freehold might be the best option, while long-term leasing is another option to consider. One thing to understand is that real estate is never going to devalue; it is a question of how much appreciation farmland would see over a specific period of time. Either way, make sure you ask a lawyer to scan any legal agreement before you make a commitment, which should ensure that you are protected. Click here for a step-by-step process to register a business.

Play devil’s advocate

It is always wise to take a negative stance and try to find reasons why a project might fail; spend time looking for potential obstacles and find ways to overcome these. It is never a good idea to be too optimistic when thinking about a new business.

Registering the business

It is important to register the business with the federal government, and you may be eligible for financial support. Start by contacting the state authorities and making enquiries about setting up a farm. Once you have an ABN, you can go ahead with your plan, safe in the knowledge that everything is above board.

We hope this short blog helps you get your business plan off the ground.