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Why an Ag-Adjacent Side Hustle Could Be Your Best Move Yet
We’ve all heard of a side hustle—those extra gigs outside your full-time job that bring in extra income and help you hit your financial goals. But have you thought about an ag-adjacent side hustle?
It’s more than just a side business. It’s a strategic move that complements your farming or ranching goals. We’re talking about something that not only brings in extra cash but also places you close to other ag folks and landowners, utilizes farm-related assets, and helps balance out the seasonality of farming. It’s the kind of gig that helps justify hiring quality labor by sharing duties between your farm and the side hustle.
That’s what makes it “ag-adjacent.” It’s a hustle that works for you today and sets you up for future farming success, whether you’re already in ag or trying to break into it.
Key Takeaways
An ag-adjacent side hustle is a business that complements your farming goals, boosts income, and helps you build valuable connections in the ag community.
Start small and strategic by identifying your skills, recognizing a need in your area, and using what you already have to get your side hustle going.
Real opportunities can come from side hustles—like building relationships that can lead to access to ground and a future farming operation.
Why Start an Ag-Adjacent Side Hustle?
Let’s picture it like this: You’re standing on a dock, gazing out over a beautiful lake. You see a shiny new boat—your dream farming career—floating out in the distance. The problem? It’s too far to just step onto, and let’s be honest, you’re not a strong swimmer.
That’s where an ag-adjacent side hustle comes in. Think of it as a rope to pull the boat closer to the dock. It’s a stepping stone between your current non-farming job and your full-time farming dream.
Here’s why it makes sense:
Business Skills: It teaches you how to run a business, setting you up with the experience you’ll need when you’re managing your own farm.
Cash Flow: The extra income can help cover farming startup costs, like land or equipment.
Shared Assets: You can justify purchasing assets that are useful for both the side hustle and your farm.
Build Equity: You’re building equity that can be sold or leveraged for your farming venture down the road.
Income Diversity: It reduces risk by diversifying your income and may even create opportunities for future generations to stay on the farm.
It’s all about laying the groundwork for a future that doesn’t rely entirely on your farming operation. As you grow your side hustle, you’ll build relationships, gain assets, and learn valuable lessons that tie directly back to your farm goals.
Jeff’s Grant Writing Story
Take Jeff from rural Minnesota. He excelled at writing and research during college and helped his uncle’s farm by finding an obscure grant opportunity and writing the application. Jeff didn’t just help secure those funds—he discovered he was good at it and enjoyed it. Seeing the need for grant assistance for other farms, he decided to offer his services, helping them source and apply for grants.
In the process, Jeff built relationships with a few nearby farms that had no successors lined up. Over time, one farm offered him the chance to rent ground and equipment, with the potential to take over the operation in (hopefully) about 10 years. What started as a side hustle not only brought in extra cash but also helped Jeff build valuable connections, gain farm business knowledge, and position himself for a future in farming.
Jeff’s story shows how a well-planned ag-adjacent side hustle can do more than just bring in extra income—it can pave the way for long-term farming opportunities.
How to Get Started
Now that you know the “why,” let’s talk about the “how.” Jumping into an ag-adjacent side hustle doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, I’ve got a simple worksheet to help you get started.
But first, here’s a quick rundown of the initial steps:
Assess Your Skills: What are you naturally good at? Are you a pro at fixing machinery? A social media whiz? Great at managing business finances? Figure out what you bring to the table.
Identify a Need: What’s in high demand in your community? Maybe farmers around you need reliable equipment repair, grant writing, or temporary labor during peak seasons.
Inventory Your Assets: What do you have to work with? Tools, equipment, relationships, or specialized knowledge? All of these can be leveraged to build your side hustle.
Once you’ve assessed your skills, identified a need, and taken stock of your assets, you’re ready to start brainstorming ideas.
Need more guidance?
That’s where the Ag-Adjacent Side Hustle Worksheet comes in. It walks you through each step, helping you turn your skills and resources into a viable business idea. Whether it’s mobile equipment repair, grant writing like Jeff, or crop consulting, this worksheet will help you map out your side hustle and get it off the ground.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to pull that boat closer to the dock, now’s the time to act. Download the Ag-Adjacent Side Hustle Worksheet below and take the first steps toward building a business that supports your farming dreams.