How a woman turned her Los Angeles backyard into an urban farm that sells to restaurants and hosts events
She booked nearly $7,000 in revenue in 2020, after creating new revenue streams.
By Emily Canal
Business Insider
Feb 22, 2021
Excerpt:
Joanna Bassi was working as a product assistant on the hit show “How to Get Away with Murder,” spending LA’s sunny days trapped inside, when she re-evaluated what she wanted in life.
She desired more time outside and a way to support her community. Bassi didn’t have to look far; her unused backyard was 150 feet by 75 feet, enough space for an urban farm that could grow fresh produce for local establishments.
The founder of Rose Hill Farm located in the Montecito Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, had never been a serious farmer or gardener. “I literally just took the biggest risk knowing that I would love it,” she said.
Bassi started from the ground up in January 2018, and by the following year, she netted nearly $6,000 in revenue from selling at farmers markets and local restaurants, according to documents viewed by Insider.
In 2020, the pandemic temporarily closed Bassi’s restaurant clients and hurt business. She still managed to book nearly $7,000 by creating new revenue streams.
Here’s how Bassi built an urban farm from scratch and her advice for fellow farming entrepreneurs, including how to diversify your income to survive the tough times.
