Giving Away the Farm
I decided to see if there was a local market for packets of tobacco seed. Not wanting to confront the indignant, organic, free range, sustainable tofu crowd at the farmer's market, I chose to test market seed packets at two small locations.
The first is a local gas station / convenience store that also sells larger veggie seed packets and transplants to the local farmers. The second was a wonderfully ramshackle produce mart that similarly sells quantity seed to local farmers.
My plan was to make up two small seed racks of 10 seed packets (~200 tobacco seeds per pack), divided into 3 varieties: Kelly Burley, Hickory Pryor and Bafra. The racks are cheap, small, plastic 5" wide brochure racks from Office Max. I had Office Max print out and laminate a pair of tall rack inserts, that go behind the seed packets and lend more visibility to the display.
This tall, laminated insert stands behind the packets, and rises above them.
The packets themselves are labeled with variety and a retail price on the front. A label attached to the back includes basic growing instructions.
The front and the back of the 2-1/2" x 4-1/4" paper seed envelope.
The seed itself is measured to far exceed the stated seed count, and is enclosed within a 2" x 3" 2 mil Ziplock.
When I approached each of the location managers/owners, they immediately pointed out that nobody ever requests tobacco seed. Duh.
I handed each of them the small counter-top rack, including 10 seed packets, and said, "These are free. If you sell all of them, you get to keep $27.50. If they sell well, and you want more, here is the pricing sheet."
The sheet has my detailed contact information, followed by:
---------------------------
SEED - to be started indoors March through April
(1) Dozen seed packets (@$1.40 ea) = $16.80 cost
sells @ $2.75 ea. = $33.00 marked retail
TRANSPLANTS - set out after last frost
(18) 3-1/2" potted transplants (@ 1.50 ea) = $27.00 cost
sells @ $3.00 ea. = $54.00 suggested retail
ESTIMATED YIELD per PLANT:
100-200 cigarettes
or
6-12 corona-size cigars
or
2-5 oz. pipe tobacco
---------------------------
Before I departed, I mentioned that if they are interested, I would do the same thing with a tray of 18 transplants in May. The first tray would be free, with a potential $54 clear profit.
My thinking about this is not about making money this year, but raising an interest for wider distribution for 2013.
Notice the plug for FTT. It's main purpose is to minimize the need for handing out further instructions.
Bob
I decided to see if there was a local market for packets of tobacco seed. Not wanting to confront the indignant, organic, free range, sustainable tofu crowd at the farmer's market, I chose to test market seed packets at two small locations.
The first is a local gas station / convenience store that also sells larger veggie seed packets and transplants to the local farmers. The second was a wonderfully ramshackle produce mart that similarly sells quantity seed to local farmers.
My plan was to make up two small seed racks of 10 seed packets (~200 tobacco seeds per pack), divided into 3 varieties: Kelly Burley, Hickory Pryor and Bafra. The racks are cheap, small, plastic 5" wide brochure racks from Office Max. I had Office Max print out and laminate a pair of tall rack inserts, that go behind the seed packets and lend more visibility to the display.
This tall, laminated insert stands behind the packets, and rises above them.
The packets themselves are labeled with variety and a retail price on the front. A label attached to the back includes basic growing instructions.
The front and the back of the 2-1/2" x 4-1/4" paper seed envelope.
The seed itself is measured to far exceed the stated seed count, and is enclosed within a 2" x 3" 2 mil Ziplock.
When I approached each of the location managers/owners, they immediately pointed out that nobody ever requests tobacco seed. Duh.
I handed each of them the small counter-top rack, including 10 seed packets, and said, "These are free. If you sell all of them, you get to keep $27.50. If they sell well, and you want more, here is the pricing sheet."
The sheet has my detailed contact information, followed by:
---------------------------
SEED - to be started indoors March through April
(1) Dozen seed packets (@$1.40 ea) = $16.80 cost
sells @ $2.75 ea. = $33.00 marked retail
TRANSPLANTS - set out after last frost
(18) 3-1/2" potted transplants (@ 1.50 ea) = $27.00 cost
sells @ $3.00 ea. = $54.00 suggested retail
ESTIMATED YIELD per PLANT:
100-200 cigarettes
or
6-12 corona-size cigars
or
2-5 oz. pipe tobacco
---------------------------
Before I departed, I mentioned that if they are interested, I would do the same thing with a tray of 18 transplants in May. The first tray would be free, with a potential $54 clear profit.
My thinking about this is not about making money this year, but raising an interest for wider distribution for 2013.
Notice the plug for FTT. It's main purpose is to minimize the need for handing out further instructions.
Bob
