6 Money Making Agriculture Business Ideas That Don’t Require Land

Agronomy Consultancy

Money can be made in agriculture by helping farmers get more from their investments. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and over-production harm the most vital resource a farmer has: their soil. This can cause a downward cycle in production that forces small producers out of business. Because of this, soil scientists and plant physiologists are valuable assets to modern agriculture. They are especially important as farmers shift to meet demand for organic produce.

Agronomy describes the network of soil scientists, geneticists, plant physiologists, and other experts who provide the research backbone of the agricultural industry. They help to supplement the traditional knowledge of farmers with new technologies and tools to increase yields and produce tastier, healthier crops.

Agronomy is also good business. Consultants are in demand across the country, working as city and state employees, in private industry, and as independent contractors.

Sample position: Agronomist, $58K/yr average; up to $104K/yr

Infrastructure, planning, sales, and installation

Modern farms of all sizes and types need basic infrastructure to operate. After all, crops need water, livestock must be contained, and all products must be harvested, processed, and stored. There’s always money in helping farmers plan for, acquire, and install that infrastructure. Opportunities for entrepreneurs are present throughout that entire sales process.

Of course, there is also a lot of competition from established companies in this lucrative business. The more specialized the infrastructure product or service you offer, the better. For example, farmers install agricultural curtains to help regulate and control temperature, sunlight, and rain for their livestock. Installing a high-quality agricultural curtain can help improve the comfort of animals, which studies repeatedly show can increase yield and help prevent illness.

In most cases, ag curtains need professional installation to work properly. They are controlled using a system of tubing, strap systems, and motors to allow full customization. Specialists who source the textiles and mechanical parts, then help install the systems, tend to benefit from this demand.

Sample position: Agricultural Equipment Sales Manager, $70K/yr

Farm Transportation

Transportation can pose significant challenges for small farmers trying to get their products to market. Limited access to transportation can affect how a farmer moves products into the supply chain, which can slow down their business growth. To improve transportation without purchasing a fleet of trucks, many will team up with agricultural transportation companies to get their products on the road.

In many areas, only one or two companies can handle agricultural transport needs. For example, most livestock have specific requirements for comfortable transportation, such as well-ventilated trailers and no-slip floors for hooved animals. You need the right equipment to do the job safely.

Providing access to transportation for farmers can generate a strong profit. Entrepreneurs can provide the raw materials for transportation, including trucks, trailers, and other equipment designed for livestock and produce. Alternately, agricultural trucking companies can take on a transport role, allowing farmers to spend more time with their crops (and less time traveling around the state bringing products to market).

Sample position: Independent Truck Owners/Operator, $115K/yr

Agritourism

People enjoy feeling connected to the land. In recent years, more people in cities are interested in learning where their food comes from and how it’s made. People have experienced the dining aspect of farm-to-table; now they want to see the farm itself.

The recent rise of agritourism as an industry shows great potential for entrepreneurs. Traditionally, farm tourism was mainly the domain of individual farmers, who hosted small tours of their farms for interested visitors. An industry of agritourism consultants has also emerged to assist farmers who may lack experience in customer relations, liability, marketing, and event planning.

Sample position: Company Owner, the sky’s the limit

Foraging

If you love backcountry hiking, foraging can be a surprisingly profitable venture for knowledgeable entrepreneurs. Fine dining restaurants will pay top dollar for unique, flavorful, locally sourced ingredients. People with experience finding and harvesting mushrooms and other hard-to-come-by culinary delights can earn considerable sums.

However, foraging is not a business model that easily scales without access to land. Regulations restrict most foraging activities on public property, limiting opportunities primarily to private land. Many foraged ingredients are highly seasonal, and locating them consistently requires specialized knowledge and intuition developed over years of experience. Sustainable foraging means taking only small amounts to maintain ecological balance, rather than harvesting at a commercial scale. Over-harvesting natural resources can quickly deplete local supplies, jeopardizing both the ecosystem and the success of a budding business. As a result, foraging is best suited to small-scale operations and is unlikely to become a highly lucrative or large-scale enterprise.

But for people who love the outdoors and have experience collecting wild foods, foraging can be a great way to launch a small business.

Sample position: Forager, $200-$300/hr

Worm/Insect Farming

If cows were the size of a beetle, they wouldn’t need much land to farm. Like cows, many insects are a good source of protein, and they’re popular in dishes around the world. Other small creatures, such as earthworms, are vital to the ecosystem, making them valuable to gardeners, farmers, and fishermen. You can start farming worms or insects at home, in your backyard, or even in your apartment.

Sample position: Worm Farmer, up to $20/lb

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