Pick Your Own: Profit, Pressure & People on Small Farms

What if you could add value to your farm without scaling production? In this episode, we explore pick-your-own as a diversification strategy—covering the realities, the opportunities, and what farmers need to know before opening the gate.Key episode moments(00:00) Is pick-your-own actually more profitable than wholesale?(01:30) From city life to farming: buying a rundown blueberry farm with no experience(04:30) COVID pivot: opening the gates and inviting the public in(08:30) Why customers—not strategy—often drive the shift to PYO(14:00) Burnout from farmers markets → “people are paying me to pick my fruit”(15:30) Location matters—but people will travel for the experience(17:30) The reality of customers: education, behaviour & managing expectations(20:00) Does it stack up? Labour savings vs crop loss and margins(29:30) Marketing that works: social media timing + a strong website(41:30) Final advice: start small, ask for help, and know if it suits your personalityRead the full transcripthttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1vvs2_PqBmqMlhXEjoZjc3Ul332DDtBl2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103831811474414598304&rtpof=true&sd=trueExplore more from our guests below:meliorafarm.com.aucedarcreekorchards.com.auhigginscreekfarm.com.auWant more info about our pick your own guide. Click the link below:https://forms.gle/M4uShQbCU954w2JEAIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a fellow horse owner, and leave a review — it helps us continue bringing these important conversations to life.Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.