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What Your Farmers Market Dollar Actually Does

Farmers market vendor greeting a customer while selling fresh local produce, including tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, and squash.

What Your Farmers Market Dollar Actually Does “When I started Good Agriculture, of course I started visiting farmers markets regularly and buying from local farmers. My friends and family started telling me how great my cooking had gotten. I hadn’t gotten any better at cooking—I was just buying great ingredients grown with love.” — Alex Edquist   If you’ve ever spent a Saturday morning at a farmers market, you know the scene: coolers opening and closing, fresh produce arranged neatly on tables, and customers stopping to ask what’s good this week.   What you don’t always see is the work that happened before the market opened.   Long before the first customer arrives, produce has been harvested, washed, packed, loaded into trucks, and carefully arranged on tables. Then comes the drive to the market, the setup, a full day of talking with customers, and finally the trip back home to prepare for the next week.   National Farmers Market Week was a chance to celebrate all of that work and the people behind it. What happens to your food dollar? Many people assume that most of the money they spend on food goes directly to the farmer who grew it. In reality, the journey from farm to table is often much more complicated. Food passes through distributors, processors, transportation companies, retailers, and many others before it reaches consumers. For years, the USDA’s Economic Research Service has found that farmers typically receive only a fraction of each dollar spent on food. In 2024, it was estimated that farmers received 5.8 cents from every food dollar. Direct sales change that equation. Whether farmers sell through a farmers market, a farm stand, or a CSA, they can keep a much larger share of what they earn. That money helps pay employees, purchase supplies, repair equipment, invest in the coming season, and support the farm for years to come. Every dollar spent at a farmers market doesn’t just buy food, it directly supports the person who grew it. Why farmers keep showing up Farmers markets aren’t easy. The hours are long, the weather is unpredictable, and every market day represents a big investment of time and energy. Still, many of the farmers we work with continue showing up every week because of the relationships they build there.   Customers become familiar faces, farmers receive feedback directly from the people cooking their food, and children grow up stopping by the same stands each season. That kind of connection is difficult to find at your local grocery store.   Of course, grocery stores play an important role in our food system, and farmers markets aren’t meant to replace them. But there is something special about knowing the person who grew your food, asking questions, and hearing the story behind what you’re buying. A good reason to stop by If you’ve been meaning to visit your local farmers market, it’s a great time to start. . Pick up a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, or a basket of tomatoes. Strike up a conversation and see what’s in season. You might leave with great ingredients. And if Alex’s experience is any indication, people might even start complimenting your cooking.

Birthday Special: Half-Off Farm Bookkeeping

TLDR: We’re celebrating our birthday with a special for farmers! Sign up for bookkeeping service by August 14th, and get HALF off your first two months. We’ve added in examples below to help you see which bookkeeping tier may fit your farm. Still unsure? Talk with our team, and we’ll help you figure it out. The one-time onboarding fee is not included in the discount.    Running a farm already means wearing more hats than most folks can count. You’re managing production, customers, employees, markets, equipment and whatever surprise the weather brings that week. Then, after all of that, you still have to sit down and make sense of your books.   That may look like: Catching up on transactions late at night Searching through receipts before tax season Wondering whether the farm actually made money last month Trying to pull together financial records for a loan or grant Making decisions without knowing what the numbers are telling you   Your books should help you run the farm, NOT create another job for you.   To celebrate Good Agriculture’s birthday, new bookkeeping farmers can receive HALF off their first 2 months of farm bookkeeping if they sign up by August 14. Get Started That means you can get the support you need at a lower starting cost while our team helps you organize your finances, understand your reports and find the right level of support for your farm. Which Bookkeeping Tier Fits Your Farm? Every farm does not need the same kind of bookkeeping. Some farmers need reliable monthly reports. Others need help understanding cash flow, tracking different parts of the operation or preparing for major decisions.   Here is a simple way to determine where your farm may fit. Basics: You need clean, consistent books Regular price starting at $75 per month Birthday special: Starting at $37.50 for your first 2 months Basics may be a good fit if: Your farm has a smaller or more straightforward operation You primarily need your transactions organized and reconciled You want monthly financial statements without a lot of extra analysis You are tired of falling behind and want someone to keep the books current You’ll receive essential monthly statements, including your profit and loss statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement.   This tier helps answer the first important question: Are my books up to date and accurate? Get Started Learn about Basics Essentials: You want to understand what is happening in your farm business Regular price starting at $150 per monthBirthday special: Starting at $75 for your first 2 months Essentials may be a good fit if: Your farm is growing or becoming more complex You want more than standard financial statements You need reports organized around the way your farm actually operates You want a clearer picture of revenue, expenses and financial trends You are preparing for financing, expansion or important business decisions This tier includes the basic monthly statements along with more customized financial information to help you understand what is driving the numbers.   It helps answer: Where is the farm making money, where is it spending money and what needs my attention? Get Started Learn about Essentials Premium: You need deeper financial guidance for a complex operation  Regularly starting at $300 per monthBirthday special: Starting at $150 for your first 2 months   Premium may be a good fit if: You manage multiple farm enterprises, entities or income streams You need customized reporting by crop, product, location or business area You want cash flow projections or help planning for different scenarios You are making decisions about hiring, equipment, expansion or investments You need stronger financial visibility throughout the year—not only at tax time   Premium gives you more detailed, customized reporting to help you plan ahead and make informed decisions.   It helps answer: What happens next, and can the farm afford the decision I am considering? Get Started Learn about Premium Not Sure Which Tier Fits? That is normal.   The size of your farm is not the only thing that determines your pricing or service level. We also look at factors such as: Monthly transaction volume Number of bank and credit card accounts Sales and payment platforms Number of farm enterprises or business entities Whether your existing books need cleanup The type of reports you need   We will talk through your operation before recommending a service. The goal is not to place you in the highest tier. The goal is to make sure you have enough support without paying for work your farm does not need. Spend Less Time Guessing and More Time Running The Farm Good bookkeeping will not make farming predictable. It can, however, give you a clearer picture of where your money is going, how your operation is performing and what decisions your farm can support.   That means less guessing, less catching up and fewer financial surprises.   Our birthday special is available to new monthly bookkeeping customers for a limited time. Get 50% off your first 2 months and let’s find the level of support that makes sense for your farm.   Talk with the team to see how we can get you started!

From First-Time Farmer to Turmeric Grower: Heather’s Journey with Good Agriculture

Team photo of the Good Agriculture team with farmer Heather Fritz at Bloodfire Orchard in Georgia for a farmer spotlight blog post about sustainable farming and farm operations

From First-Time Farmer to Turmeric Grower: Heather’s Journey with Good Agriculture How Heather Got Started Turmeric Farming Four years ago, Heather Fritz had never farmed before.   She was an architectural photographer and drone pilot when she felt led toward farming and eventually landed on growing turmeric in Reynolds, Georgia.   “I wanted to grow something medicinal and I was led to turmeric. As a cancer survivor, it felt like a good fit and I got many signs that pointed me to this crop and all the resources I would need.”   Today, Heather owns Bloodfire Orchards, a permaculture-inspired turmeric farm focused on growing medicinal crops and helping people grow their own medicine. Getting Started with Good Agriculture Heather first connected with Good Agriculture through one of our beginning farmer webinars in 2022 while she was still figuring out how to turn the idea into a business.   “There was a seven-part webinar series for beginning farmers that outlined absolutely everything that I needed to know from the beginning.”   From there, we worked with Heather on a business case to help her understand the numbers behind her farm idea, including expenses, pricing, and long-term profitability. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Good Agriculture (@good.agriculture.hq) Turning an Idea Into a Business Like many first-generation farmers, Heather was learning everything from scratch.   “I had absolutely no experience… in growing anything or even doing yard work. I have done a lot of research and thought that turmeric could be profitable since the majority is imported and quality is inconsistent at best.”   The business case helped her see what building a turmeric operation could realistically look like financially and gave her confidence moving forward.   “Numbers don’t lie and I was confirmed in my belief that I can make money at being a turmeric farmer. Too often small time farming has the reputation of being a losing battle.”   For Heather, seeing the numbers early on helped validate that this was more than just an idea. Continuing to Grow As Bloodfire Orchards continued growing, Heather eventually joined Good Agriculture’s Basics bookkeeping tier to help keep the business organized and save time.   “When we started doing that, it has been exponentially helpful, beneficial, time-saving.”   She also shared that having access to funding opportunities, networking connections, and agriculture-specific support has helped as she continues building the farm.   “This is not a hobby. This is the whole rest of my life and my God Mission.” Not Sure Where to Start? No matter the tier, farmers get a monthly profit and loss statement, cashflow statement, and balance sheet in a way that’s easy to understand. On average, farmers tell us we save them 5-10 hours a week by taking bookkeeping off their plate. And 98% stay with us because the reports help them actually see what’s working and what needs attention. Heather’s story is a reminder that many farmers are starting from scratch. Sometimes the hardest part is figuring out where to begin, and that’s where we come in.    Whether you’re an established farmer or just starting out, we know that bookkeeping and financial planning can be overwhelming. We’re here to help you stick to farming by helping you know where your farm stands. GET STARTED WITH US

Getting Ahead of the Busy Season

TL;DR: Busy season is coming, and the best thing you can do is get ahead of your books now. Keep receipts organized, know what’s coming in and going out, and stay on top of things each month so nothing piles up.  Learn More About Bookkeeping Spring picks up fast. One minute you’re planning, the next you’re in the middle of planting, selling, managing orders, and trying to keep everything moving at once. And bookkeeping? That’s usually what gets pushed to the side. We work with farmers every day who are trying to keep up with their books while running their farm. Most aren’t doing anything wrong, they just don’t have the time. The goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to stay a step ahead before things get busy. Here are a few simple farm bookkeeping tips to help you stay organized and actually understand where your farm business stands this season 1. Don’t Let Receipts Pile Up  It starts small: a few receipts here and there. Then suddenly it’s a stack you don’t want to deal with. Instead, keep it simple: Take photos of receipts as you go Upload them weekly Keep everything in one place This is one of the easiest ways to stay on top of your farm expenses without it turning into a bigger project later. 2. Know What’s Coming In and What’s Going Out A lot of farmers are working hard, but don’t always have a clear picture of their numbers. Before things ramp up, take a minute to look at: What’s bringing in income What you’re spending money on What’s actually left over This is the foundation of farm financial management. You don’t need complicated reports, just clear numbers you can trust. 3. Keep Farm and Personal Spending Separate When everything is mixed together, it slows everything down. It makes: Farm bookkeeping harder Cleanup take more time Taxes more stressful later Even just having one dedicated account for your farm business makes a big difference. GET STARTED WITH US 4. Set a System to Check-In Whether you’re doing a weekly, monthly, quarterly or bi-annual check-in, you want to dedicate time to your finances. If you’re doing this, you don’t need hours because you’re keeping up with a rhythm that works for your business. You’ll need to set aside time to: Review transactions Put them in the right categories (revenue vs. expenses) Make sure things look right Stay on track This is what keeps farmers from falling behind during the busiest parts of the season. 5. Don’t Wait Until You’re Already Behind Most farmers reach out when: the books are behind receipts are piled up or they need answers fast Getting ahead now gives you more control later. That’s the difference between reacting… and actually making decisions for your farm business. Don’t Know Where to Start? Let’s Talk We help farmers with monthly and quarterly bookkeeping, farm financial reports (Profit & Loss, cash flow, balance sheet), bookkeeping cleanup, and finding funding opportunities.  You don’t have to figure this out yourself. We work with farmers to handle their bookkeeping and make sure you actually know where things stand instead of guessing. Learn more about how we help farmers handle their bookkeeping. 

Cash vs. Accrual

TL;DR: Most farmers use cash accounting for taxes because it’s simpler, but growing farms often use accrual to track true profitability. Here is how to decide which one makes sense for your farm business.    There are two main ways to track your farm’s income and expenses: Cash or Accrual. The most common method is cash filing, simply recording money as it hits or leaves your bank account. However, some farms choose accrual to see the bigger picture of their financial health.   This IRS breaks down the difference between the two. Here is our version specifically for farmers: What is Cash Filing? The cash method means you count transactions only when money actually changes hands. If you sell and get paid today –> today’s income If you buy seed and pay today  → that’s today’s expense It works just like your bank account: money in, money out. This is why most farmers use it—it is easier to manage and aligns well with the seasonality of farming (e.g., buying fertilizer in December to lower your tax bill for that year). What is Filing Accural? Accrual means you report income when you earn it and expenses when you incur them, regardless of when the cash actually moves. Let’s say you invoice a customer for seedlings but they pay you next month—accrual accounting counts for it today instead of next month.  If you sell a crop today, but get paid next month → accrual counts it today If you grab supplies now but pay later → accrual counts when you get the supplies Why do this? It helps farmers see the true profitability of their operation. For example, if you have a barn full of grain that you haven’t sold yet, cash accounting says you are “broke,” but accrual accounting shows you have valuable inventory assets. How Do I Known What’s Right for Me? Cash filing is default. If your farm is small or simple, cash is the most straightforward bucket. If your farm is growing, has significant inventory, accrual accounting might be necessary. You don’t have to figure this out yourself. We work with farmers to handle their bookkeeping and tax strategy, whether you file on cash or accrual. Learn more about how we help farmers save time and money with our bookkeeping.

Farm Bookkeeping and Tax Tips Webinar Recording

Bookkeeping and taxes are two of the biggest stress points for farmers, especially heading into tax season. In this session, Good Agriculture CEO Alex Edquist explains how to read your financial statements, structure your chart of accounts using Schedule F, track revenue and expenses correctly, and understand depreciation.

Farm Bookkeeping and Tax Tips Webinar Recording

Watch the Advanced Farm Bookkeeping webinar recording to learn practical strategies for improving cash flow, budgeting effectively, and making data-driven financial decisions that strengthen your farm’s long-term profitability.

Advanced Farm Bookkeeping Webinar Recording

Watch the Advanced Farm Bookkeeping webinar recording to learn practical strategies for improving cash flow, budgeting effectively, and making data-driven financial decisions that strengthen your farm’s long-term profitability.

What is a Schedule F Form?

Tax forms

A clear guide to IRS Schedule F for farmers – what it is, who must file, and how to report farm income and expenses accurately for tax season.

The Business of Farming with ASAN

In this conversation with Rachel of the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network, Alex and Reba share practical insights on managing farm finances, planning ahead for tax season, and using business tools to help farm operations thrive.

Preparing Your Farm for Taxes Webinar Recording

In this webinar recording, the team focused on helping farmers understand what actually matters when it comes to taxes and how to prepare without scrambling at the last minute. Alex and Euna walked through the basics of farm taxes, including which forms farmers need to file, common deadlines, and how income and expenses flow through a farm business.

Watch The Business of Farming with ASAN Recording

In this conversation with Rachel of the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network, Alex and Reba share practical insights on managing farm finances, planning ahead for tax season, and using business tools to help farm operations thrive.

What is EQIP?

What is EQIP? Learn how the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) helps farmers access funding for conservation practices, improve soil health, and strengthen long-term farm sustainability.

September 15th Tax Deadlines Are Coming!

The September 15th tax deadline is approaching. Learn what farmers need to file, how estimated payments work, and what steps you can take now to stay organized and avoid penalties.

Stay Ahead of 2025 EQIP Deadlines

EQIP funding can make a major difference for your farm—but only if you meet the deadlines. This guide breaks down 2025 EQIP deadlines, what farmers need to prepare, and how to stay organized so you don’t miss out on conservation funding opportunities.

Preparing for Tax Season Webinar Recording

Watch our tax season preparation webinar recording designed specifically for farmers. Learn how to organize your financial records, reduce stress at tax time, and make smarter decisions for your farm business.

Federal Funding Freeze – What Does This Mean for Farmers?

Stacks of coins with sign that says funding

A federal funding freeze can create uncertainty for farmers relying on USDA grants, cost-share programs, or financial assistance. Learn what a funding freeze may mean for your operation, cash flow planning, and next steps to stay financially prepared.

Prepare for Tax Season with Us and a Tax Professional

Tax forms and preparing for tax season webinar ad with image of tax professional

Tax season doesn’t have to be stressful. Learn how proper farm bookkeeping and working with a qualified tax professional can help you stay organized, reduce surprises, and confidently prepare your farm business for filing season.

Advanced Farm Financial Management Webinar Recording

Watch the Advanced Farm Financial Management webinar recording to learn practical strategies for improving cash flow, budgeting effectively, and making data-driven financial decisions that strengthen your farm’s long-term profitability.

Farm Bookkeeping Basics Webinar Recording

Watch our farm bookkeeping basics webinar recording to learn how to organize financial records, track farm income and expenses, and build a solid foundation for smarter farm management decisions.

Farm Accounting Basics Webinar

Join our Farm Accounting Basics Webinar to learn the fundamentals of bookkeeping and financial management for your farm. Discover practical steps to organize your records, understand your numbers, and build a stronger financial foundation for your operation.

Lost in Bureaucracy: Uncovering EQIP Deadlines for Farmers

Corn maze

EQIP deadlines for farmers can be confusing and easy to miss. In this guide, we break down how the Environmental Quality Incentives Program works, key application timelines to watch, and practical steps farmers can take to secure conservation funding before deadlines pass.

Preparing Your Farm for Tax Season

Preparing your farm for tax season starts long before filing day. Learn how organized bookkeeping, accurate expense tracking, and proactive tax planning can help farmers reduce stress, maximize deductions, and stay compliant with agricultural tax requirements.

The Numbers Make Cents

Strong farm financial management is about more than balancing the books — it’s about understanding your numbers so you can grow with confidence. When farmers track income, expenses, and profitability consistently, they gain clarity that leads to smarter decisions and long-term success.

Celebrating Two Years of Helping Farmers and Ranchers

Over the past two years, we’ve had the privilege of providing farm financial support for farmers and ranchers across the country. From bookkeeping and tax preparation to long-term financial planning, our mission has been simple: help agricultural businesses stay organized, profitable, and prepared for whatever comes next.

From Grass to Green: The Power of Rotational Grazing

Cows grazing in a field and eating grass

Rotational grazing offers powerful benefits for livestock producers, improving pasture health, increasing forage productivity, and supporting long-term soil sustainability. By strategically moving cattle between paddocks, farmers can strengthen their land while improving herd performance and profitability.

Celebrating Earth Day with 20% Off One-Time Services

This Earth Day, we’re celebrating sustainable agriculture by offering 20% off our one-time financial and bookkeeping services. It’s the perfect opportunity for farmers and ranchers to clean up their books, strengthen their financial systems, and move into the season with confidence.

Mastering Your Farm Finances: A Step-by-Step Guide

Managing farm finances doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. This step-by-step guide walks farmers and ranchers through budgeting, bookkeeping, cash flow management, and tax planning strategies to help build a more profitable and sustainable operation.

Value-Added Producer Grants

Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) help farmers increase profitability by processing, marketing, or branding their products. Learn how these USDA grants work, who qualifies, and how to apply successfully for funding.