SWOT
Strengths:
• Knowledge of Industry
• Funding and Resources
• Availability of Human Resources
• Support Local Economy
• Monetary Support from the State of Michigan - low interest loans available for family and non-profit farms in Michigan to purchase agricultural passive systems (aka. hoophouses). See http://www.michiganorganic.msu.edu/michiganorganic/grants_and_loans_for_farmers for more information.
• Monetary Support from the State of Michigan - low interest loans available for family and non-profit farms in Michigan to purchase agricultural passive systems (aka. hoophouses). See http://www.michiganorganic.msu.edu/michiganorganic/grants_and_loans_for_farmers for more information.
Weaknesses:
• No Current Production
• Time Constraints
• Limited/No Experience
• Not Certified Organic
• Seasonal Constraints
• High Price Due to Lack of Economies of Scale
Opportunities:
• Increased Interest and Expanding Market of Organic Produce
• Large Retail Stores
• Farmers Markets and Organic/ Specialty Stores
• Restaurants
Threats:
• Economy
• Competition
• Loyalty
• Lower Priced Organic Produce
• Soil Depletion
Timetable of Events
• Purchase land and equipment, hire staff – 6 months
• Begin crop production, sell produce at farmers markets and other local venues – 1 year
• Contract with Meijer and Kroger to sell product in their stores
• Become certified organic – 3 year process
• Producers who market less than $5,000 worth or organic products annually are not required to become certified. These operations must still adhere to the federal standards for organic production, product labeling, and handling. Retail Stores may require exempted producers to sign an affidavit stating that they adhere to federal organic standards. (http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/organcert.html#top)
• Continued Expansion
• Break even within first 3 years. Profit in 4th year.
• Once certified organic and have a few years of experience, can produce and sell more crops.
• Eventually able to sell produce at lower prices with economies of scale.
