Introduction
Dr. Jared Wilson is starting a business called Wilson Family Peach Farm with his wife Susan. The Wilsons will be retiring in the spring from their regular jobs. The farm will offer the Wilsons a chance to work after retirement and to earn income. Additionally, it will allow them both to continue their respective research programs in agriculture and nutrition. Owner’s equity and federal farm assistance loans will be used to purchase approximately 80 acres of prime stone fruit-growing land. The farm will be jointly owned by Dr. and Mrs. Wilson and will be set up as a Limited Liability Company chartered in Georgia.
The Farm and its Products
The farm is situated approximately 3.5 north of Gainesville Georgia. This is one of the best areas in the state for growing peaches and other stone fruit. The soil has a perfect pH and good drainage.
Wilson Family Peach Farm will grow seven varieties of peaches in its first three years. These include the Redhaven (Ishtara), Tenn Natural and Lovell (Bayley, Montclar and Starks Redleaf) and the well-known Elberta. Once profitability has been achieved, the farm can expand to more rare varieties.
These peaches and nectarines have a sweet taste and are low in calories. A single medium peach has only 37 calories. These fruits are rich sources of Vitamin C. While yellow-fleshed varieties can be a good source, they are also high in Vitamin A.
The Market
The United States is home to approximately 25% of the world’s fresh peaches.
Peaches are America’s most beloved fruit. They are responsible for more than 70% of all stone fruits produced in the U.S. South Carolina, Georgia and California follow California’s 72 percent share. In the three-year period, they have averaged about 6 and 4 percent respectively of the U.S. total. Georgia’s peach crop grew to 115 million-pounds last year, bringing in $41.7million. Georgia produces over 40 varieties of commercial peaches, in addition to Elberta. Recent events have revealed that the international peach market is growing, especially in Asia.
Wilson Family Peach Farm plans to sell its crop to three main buyers. The Wilsons will sell the majority of their fruit to local produce stands, which can charge more for better quality fruit. This will allow them to maintain a high profit margin. The majority of the remaining fruit will be sold directly to local fruit packers or distributors who then resell the fruits to grocery stores. Any fruit that is not up to the standards of quality/maturity will be sold on to canneries.
Financial Considerations
The farm will be financed with a farm assistance loan and a significant amount of owner’s equity. This will allow for sufficient cash flow to the farm so that it can begin earning revenue. The farm’s sales will be enough to make it profitable in year 1, and continue to grow through year 3.
1.1 Objectives
The Wilson Family Peach Farm will be achieving these goals over the next three year:
- You will be able to achieve profitability in one year.
- Up to 50 acres additional land can be purchased by expanding by year three.
- Take advantage of the niche market in specialty and hybrid stone fruit.
- For economies of scale, increase the yield per acre.
1.2 Mission
The Mission of the Wilson Family Peach Farm is to provide a retirement occupation and supplemental income for the owners, Jared and Susan Wilson. Additionally, Dr. Wilson and Mrs. Wilson will use the farm as a base to continue their research in nutrition and agriculture.
Success keys 1.3
Farming in the United States is a mature industry with very little growth and a very competitive market. Wilsons will therefore concentrate on the rare hybrid and rare peaches, nectarines, other stone fruits, and on quality to retain supplier contracts with the chain distributors as well as local produce sellers. The Wilsons identified these key elements as the keys to their success.
- Utilize early-harvest varieties for peaches and nectarines to make yourself “first to the market”
- Marketing hybrids to local distributors is the key focus.
- Aggressively pursue cost analysis and reduction.
- Quality can be improved by focusing on post harvest care.