Herb & Microgreen Farms

Specialty farms cultivating fresh culinary herbs and microgreens for restaurants, grocery, and direct consumers. High-value, small-footprint crops that suit both rural and urban indoor growing environments, with strong restaurant chef relationships as the primary market.

Herb & Microgreen Farms startup costs and profit margins

Estimated startup cost
$5K to $300K
Typical profit margin
30% to 65%

Revenue model

Direct restaurant supply at premium per-ounce pricing. Farmers market direct sales with strong margins. Grocery retail placement. CSA add-on items. Dried herb processing for retail. Custom growing for specific restaurant menus.

Startup requirements

Greenhouse or indoor growing space, seed sourcing for culinary varieties, growing trays, LED lighting (indoor), irrigation, packaging for freshness, chef and restaurant sales relationships, GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification.

Key challenges

Extremely perishable product, weather sensitivity for outdoor, high cost of indoor energy, competition from large herb growers (Gotham Greens), managing multiple variety production simultaneously.

Complete startup guide

Read the complete guide to starting a Herb & Microgreen Farm