How To Open a Farm Store: 5 Key Steps

Ready to turn your passion for regenerative farming into a profitable business? Opening a farm store is the best place to start.

But launching an on-farm store is a daunting project that comes with a lengthy to-do list, including everything from designing eye-catching signage to implementing an effective grassroots marketing strategy.

In this blog, we’ll explore how one family took the leap and started a successful on-farm store — plus a detailed walkthrough of how to open and grow your very own farm store.

A Farm Store Success Story

Nearly 20 years ago, the Hitzfield family decided to turn their modest shed into a self-serve farm store to sell pasture-raised eggs and meat products.

They expected a few customers and a small sales volume — but to their amazement, the Seven Sons farm store grew steadily, winning over customers and generating consistent revenue.

Eventually, they expanded the store’s footprint and hired a full-time employee to manage it. Their on-farm store now makes over $300,000 in annual sales.

How did they do it? We’re here to tell you.

Keep reading to get insights from the Seven Sons story and learn how to start a farm store in five simple steps.

1. Choose the Right Location for Your Farm Store

The right location is an essential ingredient for retail success — but choosing the perfect spot to set up shop can be tricky for family farms.

Often, the easiest option is starting a store on your farm’s land. That way, you can greet customers, restock your coolers, and maintain your farm store without making the trek to an off-site retail location.

If you’re in a rural area far from a busy main road, don’t worry. Building a dedicated customer base is more important than capitalizing on heavy foot traffic.

2. Research Farm Store Regulations

Before opening your farm store, make sure you thoroughly understand the laws about selling perishable products like eggs, meat, dairy, and produce.

Regulations vary by area, so rely on your state’s agricultural department and local extension office to learn about:

Zoning and building regulations for farm stores
Food safety regulations and best practices
Business license and permit requirements
Sales tax guidelines
Insurance requirements

Researching and complying with these laws before opening your farm store will protect you from future fines and legal trouble.

3. Create a Convenient Farm Store Shopping Experience

Once you have the regulatory green light, get ready for your first customers.

Here are three must-haves to create the perfect shopping experience at your on-farm store.

Eye-catching signage: Design signage to welcome customers, guide them around your farm store, and share information about your farming practices.
Well-managed inventory: Customers expect your store to be perfectly stocked with their favorite farm-fresh products. Use farm inventory software to keep your harvests organized and fresh.
Efficient checkout: Shopping from your farm store should be as easy as visiting the local supermarket. Invest in farm store POS software to quickly and securely accept credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments.

Crafting an excellent shopping experience is step one on your journey to build a thriving farm store customer base.

4. Experiment With E-Commerce

Want to make it even easier for customers to shop with you? Consider launching an online farm store.

E-commerce lets customers enjoy your farm’s products without trekking to your physical location. They can browse your harvests, learn about your farming practices, and place a convenient online order for pickup or delivery.

Getting into the e-commerce game might sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Simply look for farm software that includes a website builder and online order management.

5. Become a Farm Store Marketing Pro

The number-one ingredient for success is a loyal customer base — which is why becoming a marketing expert is the final step in learning how to open a farm store.

One of the best ways to attract customers is to build an online presence for your farm store. Claim your Google Business Profile, and update it with your operating hours, photos of your store, and information about what you sell.

We also recommend building a simple website for your farm that includes your family farm story, farming practices, and product descriptions. You can also start a blog or create social media posts to boost your search engine optimization (SEO) rankings and win over potential customers!

Once you’ve attracted a customer, your focus should shift to retaining them. Start a customer loyalty program, offer convenient subscription box options, and plan regular promotions to encourage them to save and spend.

Looking for inspiration? Seven Sons, White Oak Pastures, and Polyface Farms all have fantastic farm store websites.

Set Your Farm Store Up for Success With GrazeCart

Now you know how to start a farm store; all that’s left to do is partner with the right farm store software provider.

Designed by and for farmers like you, GrazeCart includes everything you need to launch and grow your farm store, including weight-based inventory management, integrated payment processing, a built-in e-commerce platform, and sales-boosting marketing features like subscription options and customer loyalty.

You’ll also have 24/7 access to our team of industry experts who are committed to your farm store’s success.

Ready to take the leap? Start your free trial of GrazeCart today.