Potential Alternative Income Streams for Farmers & Ranchers (Other than crop-based or animal-based agricultural enterprises)


  • Potential Alternative Income Streams for Farmers & Ranchers (Other than crop-based or animal-based agricultural enterprises) ( Word | PDF )

Generated by Extension Ag Program Leaders of the Northeast Region, October 2018

  • Richard Brzozowski, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
  • Enrique Escobar, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  • Darren Jarboe, University of Maryland College Park
  • Michael Masiuk, Pennsylvania State University
  • Amy Papineau, University of New Hampshire
  • Nicholas Polanin, Rutgers University
  • Renee Pusey, Pennsylvania State University

Reviewed by Dr. James McConnon, Small Business Specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Realizing that income from agriculture is seasonal and often uncertain or steady, many farm and ranch families require income off the farm to make ends meet. This list is meant to provide some food–for–thought as potential income opportunities for farm/ranch families. When exploring an individual opportunity, consider the costs (hidden and evident) of time, money, equipment, required licenses, training, advertising, etc. In addition, consider the skills and abilities needed for such an enterprise to be successful. Go through the list and mark those that pique your interest. Research further those marked to determine their feasibility for you and your situation.

Service-Based Enterprises

  • Consultant:  business, marketing, etc.
  • Web designer
  • Bed and Breakfast
  • Chimney sweep
  • Cross country skiing/snowshoeing
  • Hairstylist
  • House cleaning service
  • House/business organizing
  • Music teacher
  • Grant writer
  • Animal control officer
  • Christmas tree disposal service
  • Christmas light decorating (put up/take down)
  • Gravel driveway maintenance service
  • Fence builder/repairer
  • Electric fence mover
  • Drone service (photos, livestock check, other)
  • Street crossing guard
  • US mail carrier/postal worker
  • Garden tiller service
  • Bush hog service
  • Deck repair
  • Handyman/repairman
  • Morning fitness program
  • Classic car experience (driver)
  • Newsletter writer (subscriptions)
  • Tattoo artist/body piercer
  • Plant identifier for property owners (mapping)
  • Sheep shearer
  • Tax preparer
  • Window washer
  • Traveling butcher (livestock, poultry)
  • Deer cutter
  • Goat rental for grazing weeds /vegetation management
  • Chicken rental (seasonal)
  • Guinea hen rental (tick control)
  • School speaker
  • Shredding service (junk mail, confidential papers)
  • Hoof trimmer
  • Livestock AI technician (inseminator)
  • Llama and alpaca shearer
  • Bookkeeper
  • Videographer/Photographer
  • Making property available for photo shoots
  • Pet cemetery
  • Church service space rental
  • Pony/Horse rides
  • Petting zoo
  • Dog walker
  • Notary Public
  • Justice of the Peace
  • Car mechanic
  • Elvis impersonator
  • Proofreader
  • Translator
  • Internet café
  • Electrician
  • Farm tutor
  • Traveling barber
  • Fancy hairdo (curling updo)
  • Arborist
  • Apple tree pruner
  • Compost maker
  • Landscaper
  • Real estate assessor
  • Forest mowing service
  • Shoe repair
  • Feed bin repair service
  • Rodent hunter
  • Produce aggregator
  • Meat sales (door to door)
  • Driveway sealing service
  • Pothole repair service
  • Cemetery superintendent
  • Tutor (elementary, middle, high, ESL)
  • Tupperware representative
  • Mary Kay representative
  • Avon representative
  • Saw sharpening service
  • Ice skater sharpening service
  • Roof raking service (snow)
  • Roof gutter maintenance service
  • Snow removal
  • Musician
  • Birthday parties
  • Storyteller
  • Public speaker
  • Board member
  • State representative
  • Roadside mowing service
  • Lawn mowing service
  • Farm machinery maintenance/repair (stationary or mobile)
  • Sprayer calibration service
  • Tow truck operator
  • Pellet delivery service
  • Alligator wrangler
  • Pasture management service
  • Pasture rental
  • Adult daycare provider
  • Childcare provider
  • Foster parent (state)
  • Personal assistant
  • Farm camp for kids
  • Driving instructor
  • Driving range (golf)
  • Shooting range
  • IPM scout
  • Furniture refinishing service
  • Pet training service
  • House painter (interior/exterior) Spray painter
  • Power washing service
  • Stonework / hardscape
  • Stonewall repair service
  • Designated driver (after party driver)
  • Laundry service
  • Data entry
  • Medical appointment transport
  • Birding tour guide
  • Nature guide
  • Weddings site
  • Festival host site
  • Heavy equipment operator
  • Storage space rental for boats, campers, or other items
  • Glider port
  • Hot air balloon launch site
  • Used farm equipment (finder service/sales)
  • Auto/tractor transport
  • B&B / AIRBNB
  • Ecotourism
  • Snow plowing
  • Firewood sales
  • Firewood splitting service
  • Small engine repair
  • Farmer-for-a-day experience
  • Campground space rental
  • Driver (truck, school bus)
  • Junk hauler / Dump guy
  • Writer
  • Housecleaning service
  • Farm sitting service
  • Cow cuddling
  • Dog sitting service
  • Horse-boarding service
  • Goat yoga experience
  • Forest bathing
  • Property management
  • Service dog raising service
  • Dog breeding / puppy sales
  • Solar energy installer / sales
  • Building demolition
  • Metal salvage
  • Corn maize
  • Haunted house
  • Hay rides
  • Carriage rides (horse drawn)
  • Sleigh rides
  • Dog grooming / dog bathing service
  • Car show host site
  • Telemarketer
  • Antique tractor show site
  • Traveling plant care service
  • Room rental
  • Excavator
  • Stump removal service
  • Drench service
  • Wood chipping service
  • Nativity scene animal provider service
  • Septic tank pumping service
  • Picnic table repair service
  • Hide tanning service
  • Hunting lodge

Product-Based Enterprises

  • Protein snack maker
  • Pie maker
  • Cake maker/decorator
  • Cookie maker
  • Artisan bread maker
  • Wood carver
  • Rug maker
  • Rug Cleaner
  • Rug repair
  • Antique sales
  • Gravel/sand sales
  • Furniture maker
  • Gravestone/Monument sales
  • Ice cream maker
  • Frozen custard maker
  • Scissor sales
  • Livestock feed sales
  • Compost bin maker
  • Arts & crafts
  • Farm art
  • Quilt sales
  • Barn wood dealer (barn demotion and barn board recycler)
  • Candle-maker
  • Bait sales (night crawlers, worms, crawfish, fish)
  • Wine/beer/hard cider brewer
  • Natural soft drink brewer/sales
  • Special farm meal experience
  • Cider donut maker
  • Cake maker /decorator
  • Cooking – chicken potpie sales
  • Processed food sales (jams jellies salsas, etc.)
  • Meals to order (subscription)
  • Aged lumber sales
  • Pet food / dog biscuits
  • Pet casket sales

Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.

© 2019

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