Coastview Aquaponics Business Plan

[Chris Smith]

  I am posting our business plan in hopes that it will help others who wish to start a small aquaponics farm. This plan forced us to look into many aspects of our proposed business. I recommend everybody who wants to start any business to prepare a similar plan.
 
 This plan was last revised in March 2010 and the last changes are in a different color. I am glad that I am posting this plan as it has made me re-read it. I realize that it is needing some updating! We have gone in a slightly different direction than this plan calls out and we will have to spend some time updating it in the near future.

  After cutting and pasting the plan into this discussion I have decided to attach it as a PDF. The cut and paste version was not presented here as it is in its original format.

               

 

[Steve Berg]

Chris-

 

Thanks for sharing this.  Any updates to this since?  We are in the process of setting up a similar farm here in the states.  I am curious how a year has changed your perspective!

[Don Taylor]

Chris,

Thanks this has been educational.

Two questions:

1. Did you find that your estimated operating expences match reality?

2. When selling live lettuce, how would a head do in a vase of water in a window. I am thinking pick what you need as you go, for the end user. 

[Nigel Clement]

All I can say Chris is thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Chris Smith]

Aloha Don,

My operating costs are a little higher than estimated and I am not selling as much lettuce as estimated. My farm has evolved into a completely different direction than what my business plan reflects. I need to update my business plan but I have 53 projects on my list to complete before I can spend the time updating.

Live lettuce will keep for a week easily in a jar of water on the kitchen counter and 3 weeks+ in the fridge if coco coir is used as a media. The coir is important because it acts like a sponge and holds lots of water for the roots. The roots need to be broken off at the bottom of the net pot. Too much root will cause rotting issues.
Don Taylor said:

Chris,

Thanks this has been educational.

Two questions:

1. Did you find that your estimated operating expences match reality?

2. When selling live lettuce, how would a head do in a vase of water in a window. I am thinking pick what you need as you go, for the end user. 

[Chris Smith]

You are welcome Nigel. I wish I had a better starting point when I began the process. That's why I an sharing!

Nigel Clement said:

All I can say Chris is thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Philip Gauthier]

Thank you so much Chris, This gives me a great place to start.