There are plenty of cash crops that could be possible to grow on small farms. In the USA most of the people who are especially interested in farming and intend to gain maximum outputs from investing minimal time period and short space, always look forward to growing highly economical value crops in their small farming foundations.
As per the annual analysis of the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA), almost 90% of farming productions in the USA are based on small farms and they are interested in growing valuable crops by investing minimum wages. Additionally, according to yearly evaluation, the annual gross income from these kinds of farming is almost $349,000 even if the operator works per time or the owner retires shortly.
Therefore, in this article, we will discuss 10 such profitable crops for farming in the USA that have a remarkable financial outcome in a short span of time. So, let’s dive in:
1. Lavender
Lavender is known as the most versatile crop among all the best cash crops in the USA. The small farming producers can earn more than average profit from harvesting lavenders in the small farms. Not a single lavender can be found as wastage. You can market it in several ways. Such as a lavender extract is used for making essential lavender oil, soaps, skincare products as well as it is the most common ingredient of aromatherapy.
The dried up leftovers can be used for making aromatic candles. Its raw flowers are sold by the florists and it also can be used to make floral wreaths, floral arrangements for different occasions. Crafters use the dried lavenders for making handmade crafts. Moreover, the essence of lavender also can be used as food ingredients for making gourmet products like cake flavors, ice-creams, etc.
2. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are super specialty high-value crops for fresher farmers. This indoor-grown crop has a great monetary outcome. Moreover, these fungi are some of those crops that are the easiest to produce in the shortest possible time.
As per an article published in BizFluent, the starting production costs of two special gourmet mushrooms that are oysters and shiitake are really very low. Moreover, according to the last few years’ economical statistics, the annual gross income from selling specialty mushrooms is more than $106 million.
3. Cilantro
Cilantro belongs to the house of Apiaceae and is well known as an annual harvesting herb. It doesn’t need too much space to grow and requires fewer cultivation inputs. Cilantro can be both used as cooked and raw. The seeds of cilantro are also used in traditional Chinese cuisine. Cilantro is remarkably popular for use as a special medical component for making digestive enzymes, supplements, etc.
4. Wheat
Everyone is very much aware of wheat as a popular cash crop. Though it is better to grow wheat in the Great Plain states, yet if beginners want, they can try cultivating it on the small roll gardens or small farming yards. There are several different types of wheat to be grown. Though it takes throughout the year for harvesting, yet the high demands of wheat products has made it one of the most profitable crops.
5. Gourmet Garlic
In the last few years, gourmet garlic has become a popular high-value crop as this particular seasoning and cooking ingredient has owned a very important place in everyone’s kitchen. It is used as a natural remedy for high blood pressure and also used as an edible antioxidant. The cultivation process is so easy that anyone can grow them in the kitchen garden too. If garlic is harvested in a large area, the sale per acre becomes $10,000 and the annual income might be approximately more than $82.000.
6. Basil
Basil is renowned specifically as a culinary herb as most of the continental, tropical and regional dishes are enriched with plenty of basil dressing. Harvesting herbs have larger outputs than leafy green vegetables, so the upstart growers are very interested in producing Basil’s. The process of growing basil is so easy that anyone can grow it in the garden area or small containers too. You can also grow them in small scale yards too if the environment is suitable enough for farming the same. You can sell your home productions directly to the grocery stores, food producers, or to buyers also.
7. Ginseng
Ginseng is very much in trend in farming for small harvesters as well as beginners. This very crop is a very common ingredient for making varieties of medicines, skincare and haircare products, food supplements, and teas too. It is also used as a culinary component in the Asian and North American cuisines. Though it takes a longer period to yield, after harvesting you can expect a lot more profit because of the crop’s worldwide demands.
8. Soybeans
Soybeans are known as the most protein-rich food that is similar to chicken. This is a very good high protein food substitute for vegetarians. Soybeans are used for making soy milk, tofus, fermented soy foods, etc. Since the year 2013 growing soybeans has become more productive than harvesting corn. And the production is increasing every year remarkably. The average annual income from per acre soybeans harvesting is more than $675.
9. Goji berries
Goji berries are popularised as superfoods as they are considered to be enriched with plenty of food value, antioxidants, and vitamins. They are very much common for making gourmet foods, organic juices, smoothies, etc. Moreover, it contains Cancer aiding and anti-aging benefits. The annual income from harvesting goji berries can be more than $10,000. Moreover, the bonus point is you don’t need to re-plant this shrub based plant every year to continue the production every year.
10. Saffron
Saffron is the most expensive international crop and considered to be one of the costliest culinary herbs all over the globe. The purple flower bulbs of saffron require an adequate sunny environment to thrive.
To produce one pound of saffron, it would need more than 75,000 crocus flowers and per pound dried saffron’s selling cost is more than $2500, according to the present market price. The price is high because extracting saffron from the flowers is fully manual. So, labor cost has to be considered.
Well, there are innumerable other cash crops but let that be a topic of another day. Hope that the best ones around the world are already in your knowledge now.
