Small Green Business Planning

Snow! I woke up around four a.m. and it was snowing. Now, while that is not all that unusual, it has been a long Winter and Spring has been teasing us for weeks. This just felt like a slap in the face. In fact, it is a reminder of where I live and the reality that the weather is what it is. We need to appreciate and celebrate that rather than complaining.

Last week we began an exploration ofboth the nutritional and economic potential of a range of cash crops that have, for the most part, been ignored by the industrial agricultural factory. In addition, we will visit the ancient world and disucss the possibilities of crops which are thousands of years old and the civilizations that grew them.

Before we begin this adventure, I feel that it is important to get a sound understanding of what i feel is an essential element of any sustainable enterprise and that is the principle of right livelihood. The work that we do or the business that we operate must be one that is ethically based and that will do no harm. No harm to other people, no harm to the ecosystem. It is this principle of right livelihood that can make a food-based business such as growing herbs organically, a sound ecologically responsible enterprise.

Once you know what the concept of right livelihood entails and have decided what crop or crops you wish to grow or which aspect of the food business you are interested in you can begin to develop your business plan. The business plan is your guide to a successful venture. If you do your homework, you increase your chances of success, considerably. Knowledge is the key to success for any small business and the food game is no exception.

Next week we will begin our journey into the world of exotic but not invasive plants that may well fill a niche in your local marketplace. We will also take a look at cooperative and community-businesses. It is often preferable to work together rather than attempting to go it alone. You may also want to consider the possibility of a non-profit instead of a for-profit enterprise.

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