Island Economics

San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:

• •Island subscribers value avoiding ferry trips to mainland grocery stores
• •Close-knit community creates word-of-mouth subscriber growth
• •Limited pickup locations work well on small islands
• •Vacation homeowners may want summer-only subscriptions
• •Year-round residents appreciate winter egg or storage crop boxes

The $500 Experiment

Test this idea before investing heavily:

Getting Started

1. 1
   Start with a small subscription base (10-20 families)

   • •Small numbers let you learn what works before scaling
   • •Easier to course-correct with intimate customer relationships
   • •You can deliver exceptional service while refining your systems
2. 2
   Plan crop successions to ensure consistent weekly variety

   • •Subscribers expect something new each week, not the same thing repeatedly
   • •Succession planting spreads harvest over the season
   • •Variety planning is the hardest part of CSA—start early
3. 3
   Set realistic expectations about seasonal availability

   • •Subscribers need to understand what local and seasonal actually means
   • •Early communication prevents disappointment when crops fail or arrive late
   • •Transparency builds trust and reduces complaints
4. 4
   Create a pickup or delivery system that works for your scale

   • •Weekly logistics can become your biggest time sink
   • •Pickup reduces your labor but requires convenient location
   • •Delivery is valued by customers but costs time and fuel

Where the Money Goes

Expected startup and operating expenses:

Don't Cheap Out On

Areas where quality investment pays off:

Smart Places to Save

Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:

• •Use reusable boxes that subscribers return each week
• •Central pickup site eliminates delivery time and fuel
• •Partner with other farms to fill gaps rather than growing everything yourself
• •Digital communication instead of printed newsletters
• •Accept help from subscribers at harvest events (builds community and reduces labor)

Cash Flow Considerations

Financial timing and planning notes:

• •Upfront subscription payments provide cash before the season starts
• •Pre-payment model means you buy inputs with customer money, not yours
• •Payment timing (seasonal upfront vs. monthly) affects cash flow significantly
• •Consider payment plans for subscribers who can't pay lump sum

Risk Reducers

Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:

• •Under-promise and over-deliver on box contents
• •Have backup suppliers for items when crops fail
• •Include mix of reliable crops and experimental items each week
• •Build subscriber community so they support you through challenges
• •Start smaller than you think—it's easier to add subscribers than disappoint them
• •Keep detailed records for planning next year's improved program

Island Economics

San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:

• •Island subscribers value avoiding ferry trips to mainland grocery stores
• •Close-knit community creates word-of-mouth subscriber growth
• •Limited pickup locations work well on small islands
• •Vacation homeowners may want summer-only subscriptions
• •Year-round residents appreciate winter egg or storage crop boxes

The $500 Experiment

Test this idea before investing heavily:

Getting Started

1. 1
   Start with a small subscription base (10-20 families)

   • •Small numbers let you learn what works before scaling
   • •Easier to course-correct with intimate customer relationships
   • •You can deliver exceptional service while refining your systems
2. 2
   Plan crop successions to ensure consistent weekly variety

   • •Subscribers expect something new each week, not the same thing repeatedly
   • •Succession planting spreads harvest over the season
   • •Variety planning is the hardest part of CSA—start early
3. 3
   Set realistic expectations about seasonal availability

   • •Subscribers need to understand what local and seasonal actually means
   • •Early communication prevents disappointment when crops fail or arrive late
   • •Transparency builds trust and reduces complaints
4. 4
   Create a pickup or delivery system that works for your scale

   • •Weekly logistics can become your biggest time sink
   • •Pickup reduces your labor but requires convenient location
   • •Delivery is valued by customers but costs time and fuel

Where the Money Goes

Expected startup and operating expenses:

Don't Cheap Out On

Areas where quality investment pays off:

Smart Places to Save

Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:

• •Use reusable boxes that subscribers return each week
• •Central pickup site eliminates delivery time and fuel
• •Partner with other farms to fill gaps rather than growing everything yourself
• •Digital communication instead of printed newsletters
• •Accept help from subscribers at harvest events (builds community and reduces labor)

Cash Flow Considerations

Financial timing and planning notes:

• •Upfront subscription payments provide cash before the season starts
• •Pre-payment model means you buy inputs with customer money, not yours
• •Payment timing (seasonal upfront vs. monthly) affects cash flow significantly
• •Consider payment plans for subscribers who can't pay lump sum

Risk Reducers

Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:

• •Under-promise and over-deliver on box contents
• •Have backup suppliers for items when crops fail
• •Include mix of reliable crops and experimental items each week
• •Build subscriber community so they support you through challenges
• •Start smaller than you think—it's easier to add subscribers than disappoint them
• •Keep detailed records for planning next year's improved program