Tomato Data

I know that my reader has been waiting patiently for an analysis of our net earnings from the 2012 growing season.  A little more patience is in order, however, because I have not yet crunched all the numbers.  Nevertheless, I am ready to present some preliminary data.  I've done a little work on the tomatoes because they were the clear winner in terms of metric tonnes of food produced.  Actually, the total was 277 pounds.  As you can see from the graph, most of that came during August and September, with our largest one day haul coming on August 26th.  On that day we picked 40 pounds of tomatoes.

So, what is that all worth?  Well, the way I calculate it is by asking what you'd pay, per pound, at the grocery store.  I think you can pay $1/lb sometimes, but I think you can also pay $3/lb, depending on the time of year and the quality of the fruit.  Of course, during August, when everybody has tomatoes in the yard, you are probably going to get something a little closer to the bottom end.  So, I set my market rate at $1.50/lb, which gives us a total of $415.50 in value.

Before we get too excited about that, I'd just like to reprint an excerpt from a homesteader magazine that my father-in-law sent over.  This is from Anna Quarles, in Georgia, and it sums up my feelings pretty well.  It is great to grow your own food, but ain't nobody going to keep doing it if the costs so clearly exceed the earnings that it becomes foolish.  But let's let Ms. Quarles tell it:

"I know we reap benefits that we are not able to put a price on, such as better health due to the exercise and wholesome food.  I know we get to feel good because we are helping to save the environment because our food is not trucked or flown in from great distances.  But, really, let's get down to basics here.  If I don't have enough money coming in to pay for the seed and the equipment, not to count the taxes and property insurance, then eventually I will not be able to afford to plant the seed.  People laugh about the man who spends $1,000 to produce a half dozen tomatoes in his backyard, but this is no laughing matter.  I can't afford to waste money in that manner if I expect to be able to continue to pay my bills in the future and continue doing something I enjoy."