Freedom Farmers is an organization that teaches farming and agricultural knowledge to small, urban farmers and green-thumbed entrepreneurs. They are dedicated to helping individuals and families become growers of their own food at home. Freedom Farmers offers courses that can be accessed individually or through a subscription. They also have coaching, a community, and other resources.
Freedom Farmers has 15 courses available, but one course that stands out. That is “Start A Microgreens Business From Scratch” by Jonah Krochmalnek. It teaches you how to plant microgreens at home and sell it online. Jonah Krochmalnek is an online entrepreneur that grows and sells microgreens. He is an instructor at Freedom Farmers and the founder of Living Earth Farm. In his course, he details the same process he took from growing microgreens for fun, to making close to $700,000 a year.
Freedom Farmer reviews are positive, with a 4.1/5 rating on Trustpilot. Users praise the extensive training programs and supportive community. Some users criticize some courses for being too short and overpriced. There have also been complaints about how the platform can be confusing for newbies.
This user and their husband took the microgreens course and had a good experience. They praised the comprehensive content and step-by-step plan. However, they criticized the format of the lessons in that they were too short.
In this article, you will discover the G2O farming method that Jonah teaches. You will learn what is in his course and what other programs Freedom Farmers offer. I will also talk about who the Freedom Farmers and Jonah Krochmalnek are.
Freedom Farmers Pros and Cons
Pros
Microgreens are easy to grow
Margins for selling microgreens are great.
The health benefits of microgreens make them very easy to sell.
Cons
There will be environmental hazards that could be detrimental to the growth and production of your microgreens.
The market is already saturated. You will be faced with companies and businesses that are more experienced and reputable.
Agriculture isn’t for everyone. It’s not the most glamorous job in the world and it can be very technical.
Price
Jonah Krochmalnek's Freedom Farmers course costs $497. Freedom Farmers + costs $99.99/yr. Freedom Farmers Pro costs $599.99/yr.
Refund Policy
Freedom Farmers offers a 30 day money-back guarantee for their courses.
Origin
2022
Reputation
Mostly positive. The Freedom Farmers and Jonah Krochmalnek are prominent figures in the agricultural entrepreneurship space.
Freedom Farmers is great for anyone who is environmentally conscious! It’s cheaper if you just get the subscription.
What Is the G2O Model?
The G2O model, or "Grow to Order" model, is a business approach where you secure customers and their orders before you start growing your products. Instead of growing a large batch of microgreens and then trying to sell them, you first find customers who commit to buying specific amounts. This way, you know exactly how much to grow, which reduces waste and ensures that you only produce what is needed.
Once the microgreens are ready, you deliver them directly to the customers. This method saves time and money and helps avoid the stress of finding buyers. It allows you to have a steady income and manage your resources more efficiently.
According to Jonah, there are three big reasons you should start your own microgreens business:
Start a Microgreens Business From Scratch (Modules)
Other Freedom Farmers Courses
Ray Tyler teaches you how you can build a high tunnel farm from scratch and guides you in every step of the way.
Curtis Stone talks about searching for the best homestead property that suits your needs and lifestyle. This course provides a list of tools, resources, homestead locations, and so much more.
Nicole Knegt provides a detailed, step-by-step process of how to properly store fruits and vegetables so you and your family can be food secure in the next few years.
Darby Simpson talks about the importance of homestead pastured poultry and how you can do it on your own.
Darby Simpson teaches you everything you need to know about homestead pigs and how you can build your own pig farm from the ground up.
David Barchard gives a high-level course which outlines his “Chef Closer System” that closes up to 4 high-paying clients per month. Unfortunately, this program is not intended for beginners and newbies and only caters to farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs that already have existing farms.
Darby Simpson’s talks about livestock farming and lists down a wide array of resources to help you expedite the process of setting up your own livestock farm.
Ben Grimes teaches you the basics of processing different kinds of poultry and provides a definitive guide on how you can efficiently run your own poultry farm.
Darby Simpson provides a comprehensive guide to planning, building, marketing, and expanding your own livestock business.
Darby Simpson gives you everything you need to know about building your own poultry business, from the planning phase to growing your business exponentially.
Darby Simpson provides a general overview of raising pigs, running a pig farm, and how you can duplicate his already successful business:
Paul Grieves teaches you how to properly and efficiently grow and expand your livestock farm into a large -scale enterprise.
Darby Simpson outlines the fundamentals of running a farm business, whether it be livestock, poultry, or any other type.
Darby Simpson talks about the benefits of having your own mini livestock farm and how you can get started as a beginner.
What Are the Freedom Farmers Membership?
Freedom Farmers + costs $99.99/yr
Freedom Farmers Pro
Who Are the Freedom Farmers?
The Freedom Farmers are a group of seasoned farmers and agricultural experts. They are dedicated to promoting organic and sustainable farming. Their mission is to foster community resilience and build sustainable communities. They teach families and individuals how to apply these techniques both indoors and outdoors. This be whether in rural or urban environments.
Over recent years, Freedom Farmers have established a strong online presence. They have amassed over 556,000 subscribers across 36 countries worldwide. Their educational programs make sustainable farming accessible to everyone.
Who Is Jonah Krochmalnek?
Jonah Krochmalnek is an entrepreneur and founder of Living Earth Farm. This was one of the largest vertical microgreen farms in North America before he sold it. According to local business records, Living Earth Farm produced over 10,000 trays of microgreens per month at its peak. It was supplying produce to more than 50 local restaurants and grocery stores.
Jonah learned about microgreens while volunteering at a local farm. In an Urban Farm Magazine interview, Jonah said that he was particularly inspired by the rapid growth cycle of microgreens. This means they can be harvested in just 7-14 days, making them a highly efficient crop. Over the years, Jonah developed automated systems and innovative techniques for growing microgreens. This contributed to the success and scale of his farm. One of his notable innovations was a custom-built irrigation system. This reduced water usage by 30%, as reported by the Sustainable Agriculture Network.
He currently educates others about microgreens through webinars and courses. Jonah founded his education company, Microgreens Consulting, in 2020. He also collaborates with organizations like Freedom Farmers. Jonah's collaboration with Freedom Farmers has also led to community projects. The goal is to introduce microgreen farming in urban areas to provide fresh produce and create local job opportunities.
His educational programs have reached over 1,500 students globally, with many of them successfully starting their own microgreen businesses, according to testimonials on his website.
Are Microgreens Really Profitable?
Microgreens can be profitable especially since the demand for it is rapidly increasing. According to VegBed, the global microgreens market was estimated to be between $1.77 billion and $2.82 billion in 2023. The industry also has a projected growth rate of around 11% to 14.3% in the coming years. This means there is room to make some profit with a microgreen business. The rise of indoor gardening and vertical farming is also driving the popularity of microgreens. This makes them accessible year-round and maximizing crop yield in controlled environments.
Unfortunately, reality sets in quickly once you realize how harsh the agriculture industry can be. Not only are you at the mercy of large agricultural firms, you will also have to compete with other farmers. Agriculture can be very technical and scientific. This is an industry that’s just not for everyone. Rapidly evolving technologies will require you to keep learning and updating your knowledge.
3 Downsides to Starting a Microgreens Business
1. Microgreens Have Expensive Overhead and Startup Costs
As ironic as it seems, being green-thumbed comes at a hefty price. Costs can quickly accrue and could eventually produce low profit margins.
Here is a quick breakdown of the costs you can expect to incur:
- Seeds: $40-$50 per pound
- Growing trays: $10-$15 per tray
- Growing medium: $30-$40 per bag
- Grow lights: $200-$500 per light
- Watering system: $50-$100
- Electricity: Varies based on location and usage
- Marketing and advertising: $100 to $5,000, depending on your strategy
These numbers might not appear expensive at first. They can quickly pile up if you fail to successfully generate enough sales to cover your expenses.
2. Tasks and Processes for Growing Microgreens are Repetitive and Technical
If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur looking to build a business that has the potential to become passive, a microgreens business might not be a good idea. Agriculture, in general, is a very technical industry that requires a lot of hard work, patience, and constant learning. Even if you find success during your first year, rapidly evolving technologies and practices will require you to keep up to stay in the game.
It’s also a business that will inevitably get your hands dirty, which can be a major red flag for some. Be sure to start your own microgreens business only if it aligns with your passions. If you’re in it for the money alone, you’re in for a huge disappointment.
3. Microgreens Business is Not a Side Hustle
Starting your own farm or agriculture business isn’t a hobby you can just do on the side. You have to fully commit your time and effort for it to become successful and profitable. Given the sheer amount of work and money you will have to put in, treating it like a side hustle will do you more harm than good. Growing and maintaining microgreens involves daily time-consuming tasks. You cannot pursue a business in agriculture if you’re not willing to let go of everything else.
Best Side Hustles in 2024
Here are some of the best side hustles that offer good flexibility and earning potential. These side hustles also allow you to work from home. This makes them a good way to supplement your income.
Best Passive Income Ideas
These best passive income ideas create ongoing revenue streams online. I picked them by their passiveness and earning potential.
Why Local Lead Generation Is the Best Passive Income Side Hustle
Local lead generation is an online business that creates predictable passive income. This makes it a great side hustle. It works by ranking your site on Google and renting it out to local businesses. As there are no physical products involved, the starting costs are very low. Maintenance fees are also small, reaching as low as $30 a month. You start earning as soon as your site is rented. They generate passive income with minimal ongoing effort. A microgreens business requires a lot of time and resources to start and maintain. It also takes a long time to start earning from microgreens.
A local lead generation is also highly scalable. By repeating the rank and rent process multiple times, it can potentially become your main source of income. Each site can earn you $500 to $3,000 a month and there is no limit to how many you can have. This makes it a business model that’s profitable, sustainable, and passive. Local lead generation could be your ticket to achieving time and financial freedom.
