Mini Market Mavericks

Photo by M. Gutierrez Photography

Fall brings more than crisp air and colorful leaves – it’s also a season for small-acreage owners to take advantage of income opportunities. With a little creativity, planning and hard work, even a small farm can become a thriving business.

Let’s discover how homesteaders and small acreage owners are turning their land into profitable ventures through two inspiring examples, along with practical tips and tricks to help make the most of your property this fall.

Income Ideas for Small Acreages

Fall is the perfect season to turn hard work into extra income.

Here are a few ways small acreage owners can profit from the fall harvest:

• Grow pumpkins and host a pumpkin patch
• Beekeepers harvest and sell local honey
• Sell extra garden produce
• Offer farm-fresh chicken or duck eggs
• Bake and sell homemade breads and treats
• Host fall-themed farm events

Successful Sellers

No matter the size, every acreage has the potential to generate income. Here, two owners share what’s possible, and how other homesteaders and small acreage farmers can too.

At Moose Valley Ranch and Black Barn Alpacas, creativity, hard work and a love for animals and community have grown into successful opportunities.

Moose Valley Ranch

Looking to the future, Jessica Garza and her husband recognized that their family’s eastern Washington ranch wouldn’t thrive without a plan.

“We needed a way for the ranch to pay for itself,” Garza explained. “We didn’t want to be the generation that loses the ranch.”

With both still working full-time, the couple began exploring opportunities that could support the land. The first opportunity came along when a friend asked to hold her wedding on the ranch – the event that launched bigger ideas ahead.

Over time, Moose Valley Ranch expanded into weddings, hosted hunts, built a geodome Airbnb and photo sessions that showcased the acreage’s expanse and beauty. But the biggest breakthrough came with the launch of Market in the Mountains, a luxury Western marketplace that has grown from a four-hour gathering into a two-day event featuring more than 150 vendors.

“The first year that the market receipts passed the hay receipts was an eye-opener,” Garza said. “There is truly a never-ending revenue capacity for the market, whereas we can only cut so many bales of hay.”

The market now draws vendors and visitors from across the region, bringing an estimated $1.5 million in direct and indirect economic impact to Stevens County. Local restaurants, Airbnbs and shops all see an uptick, and some vendors have even gone on to open their own brick-and-mortar stores after starting at the market.

But running such a large-scale event isn’t always easy. Garza works on event planning almost every day of the year, handling applications, logistics and bookings. But all of that hard work has paid off, securing the ranch’s financial future.

For Garza, success is more than dollar signs. “It doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s homestead journey. Your path can be uniquely yours – and that’s what makes it work, and what makes it special.”

To learn more about Moose Valley Ranch, visit the website at moosevalleyranch.com.

Black Barn Alpacas

Black Barn Alpacas began when owners Travis and Yussi El-Hibri decided to close their construction company in 2020 and return to their agricultural roots. They explored different sustainable livestock options, with alpacas quickly winning them over.

“Once we met them in person and learned about how sustainable, kind, curious and cute they were, we instantly fell in love,” Yussi El-Hibri said.

What began as a herd of 20 alpacas in Texas has since grown into 150 animals on a thriving 50-acre farm in Maryland, supported by retail, farm events and agritourism.

From the beginning, the farm provided multiple revenue streams. Travis El-Hibri’s retail background made the farm’s alpaca fiber shop a natural fit, where they sell hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, thermo regulating and fully sustainable natural fiber products.

Events were later added, when a friend suggested hosting their first fall festival. After coverage on local television, Black Barn Alpacas hosted more than 20,000 people in one month. This success opened new doors, bringing thousands of visitors to the farm each year ever since.

“That inspired us to introduce agritourism for people to meet and learn about these amazing animals we love so much,” Yussi El-Hibri said.
Today, the farm offers several seasonal events, including “Fleece Navidad” at Christmas, Easter egg hunts, summer camps, luxury picnics, fiber workshops and wellness activities such as yoga and meditation. Their October “Fall ‘Ag’tivities” is the biggest draw and includes hayrides, pumpkin painting, themed games and the chance to meet the alpacas.

“Let’s be real – the biggest draw for our fall offerings is the alpacas themselves,” Yussi El-Hibri laughed.

The journey to success, however, hasn’t been without challenges, from relocating 100 animals across the country to navigating stricter Maryland agritourism regulations. But according to Yussi El-Hibri, flexibility has been key to their success.

“My biggest advice is to pivot. Listen to the numbers and customer feedback – they will tell you exactly what direction your business should go.”

To learn more about Black Barn Alpacas, visit the website at blackbarnalpacas.com.

Photo by Black Barn Alpacas

Tips for Rural Entrepreneurs

Pricing Tips

“Research your competition so you can price competitively. If your product is different and warrants a higher price point, make sure you communicate the value through your marketing.” – Yussi El-Hibri

“Charge your worth. This is especially tough for female entrepreneurs, but whatever you are offering has to be worth it for you to keep going. It’s okay to make money off of your hard work.” – Jessica Garza

Branding & Signage

“In order to pull everything together, there has to be threads of consistency to really nail your brand.” – Jessica Garza

“The key to eye-catching signage is a perfect balance of bold visuals and clear messaging. High-quality images or illustrations naturally draw attention. Colors play a significant role, too –vibrant, contrasting tones stand out more.” – Yussi El-Hibri

Social Media

“Develop your voice and story and try to remain consistent throughout posting.” – Yussi El-Hibri

"Social media, at its heart, is about connection. Determine what is connecting with your ideal customer and find ways to repeatedly scale that into your content. Your customer is the hero of your social media and ensuring that every piece you create focuses on what they're going to get
from that content is key." – Jessica Garza