Produce Farm Business Plan

Mixed Greens Salad Gardens (MGSG) is an exciting new company that meets an unsatiated need for quality salad greens. The close proximity to Eugene ensures a steady flow of customers. MGSG is a start-up grower and distributor of exotic salad greens for restaurants and individual consumers. MGSG is located in Blue River, Oregon and serves the southern Willamette Valley. MGSG's objectives are to develop a product-based company whose goal is to exceed customer's expectations, increase production efficiency by 10% a year, and lastly, and develop a sustainable farm business, able to survive off their cash flow.
Products
MGSG will sell a spring mix of salad field greens. These greens will include but are not limited to: red leaf, arugula, radicchio, mustard greens, endive, and chicory. These greens are grown for use in salad mixtures, purchased by the end consumer as well as by restaurants who then serve it to their patrons.
The Market
MGSG has decided to target two distinct market segments, individual customers and restaurants. The individual customers will purchase greens from MGSG at the Tuesday and Saturday Farmer's Market. This segment is growing at 12% and has 12,000 potential customers. The second segment is local restaurants. This market is smaller at only 28 potential customers, but is more consistent in demand throughout the year.
Competitive Edge
MGSG has two competitive edges that will help them maintain strong growth rates, increasing their market penetration. The first edge is quality. MGSG prides themselves on the high quality of exotic salad greens. Greens that do not meet MGSG high standards of quality are rejected as imperfects and go to a not-for-profit food bank. MGSG's second competitive edge is their flexibility. The entire farm has been set up to allow them to change crops or scale existing crops to meet demand. This is highly unusual as most farms are unable to change crops mid year.
Management
MGSG is led by Heidi Ponic. Heidi initially got her start in growing while working at a greenhouse. After college, Heidi went to work for a large grass seed company. This experience is what solidified Heidi's desire to continue working in an agricultural capacity. Soon after her experience at the Willamette Seed Company she decided to enroll in Oregon State University's Master of Horticulture Program. Heidi's Masters provided her with requisite detail and skills to develop her own farm business.

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1.1 Objectives

The objectives for the first three years of operation include:

1. To create a product-based company whose goal is to exceed customers' expectations.
2. The utilization of Mixed Greens' lettuce products in at least 20% of the top restaurants in Eugene as listed in local paper's restaurant reviews.
3. To increase the efficiency of our production by 10% a year.
4. To develop a sustainable farm, surviving off its own cash flow.

1.2 Mission

Mixed Greens Salad Gardens' mission is to provide the highest-quality salad greens. We exist to attract and maintain customers. When we adhere to this maxim, everything else will fall in to place. Our services will exceed the expectations of our customers.