Are You an Apple Farmer or a Potato Farmer?

I heard this story several years ago and thought it extremely appropriate to entrepreneurship, business, and everyday life.

There were 2 farmers purchased some acreage north of town.  One was a potato farmer and one was an apple farmer.  In the spring they both tilled the soil and prepared the ground for planting.  Soon after, they planted their crops and thru spring and summer they watered and fertilized their crops.  Come fall, the potato farmer harvested a huge crop, took it to market, and was able to sell enough to take care of his family thru the rest of the year.  The apple farmer had small trees to show for all his efforts and had no harvest to sell.

The next spring the potato farmer prepared his soil and planted his potatoes.  Then both farmers watered and fertilized their crops all spring and summer.  Come fall, the potato farmer once again had a huge crop that he took to market and was able to sell.  The profits he made enabled him to take care of his family all year long.  The apple farmer had much larger trees, but no crop to sell.

I'm not sure exactly how long it takes for an apple orchard to produce fruit, but eventually the apple farmer has a crop, that with limited effort, produces year after year for generations.  The potato farmer has to go back and do it all over again year after year!

Now, let's say something happens to the potato farmer and his kids have no desire to become potato farmers.  This legacy ends and the land he used produces no harvest and therefore no income for future generations.  In the event something happens to the apple farmer, his kids can choose to become farmers or hire someone else with limited effort to continue to tend to and harvest their apples.

Are you a potato farmer or an apple farmer?  What are you doing or what can you do to produce more income thru apples in your life?  Let me know your thoughts! Stumble It!

Comments

[Leanne Magraith]

Good story to illustrate that going for what looks like easy money doesn't always pay off in the longer term.

I am starting a weight loss business. Instead of trying to earn some quick money, I am putting some time into study.

Like the apple farmer, I will not earn much money initially, however the more study I do, the more options I will have for earning money in the longer term.

[Neil]

Great insight. I too plan to be an apple farmer. Lots of initial hard work with no tangible results, only to have things start pouring in over time.

Thanks for the post.

[David Allred]

Great story! I appreciate this. So many people learn the best through stories, including myself.

Definitely an apple farmer for me. The sad thing is...most people will bail out on their apple orchard because they get discouraged, while if they were just persistent a little season longer, will reap the rewards. The solution to that is VISION. You have to know and see the end result.

Thanks again!

[Charlene]

terrific story! and timely, as well. Here I was, getting a bit down because nothing is happening yet. But, I have been planting seeds and spreading the word about my business. I needed the reminder that I would rather be an apple farmer than a potato farmer. All this planting should bear fruit and a large harvest, one day :)

[PizzaForADream.com]

@ David Allread
You're right about VISION. Most don't have it and in today's "microwave society", this means they're setting themselves up for failure before they even get started.

@ Charlene
If you know in your gut that what you're doing is right, then keep planting those seeds! It's taken me 13+ years of planting seeds in several different ventures before I found my apple orchard! You can do it!

[Rodney@Blogging with WordPress]

Personally, I think the best strategy is to do both! Not many of us can afford to plug away for ages without any payback. But long-term residual income is obviously a great goal.

The other reason to go with both is for diversity - perhaps one day everyone will decide they no longer like apples or potatoes, or some disease will wipe one out. But you'll still be able to carry on with the other.

[Anita Campbell]

Hi PizzaForaDream,

This is a great story that describes the difference between a business that makes one-time sales and a subscription-based business. A subscription based business brings in small amounts at first (a few monthly subscriptions at a time). But once those monthly subscriptions build up, the numbers begin to look big -- AND -- that annuity stream is like the EverReady bunny -- it keeps going and going and going ....

Anita

[PizzaForADream.com]

@ Rodney

I couldn't agree with you more! I've got multiple "potato farms" and a single "apple farm" currently. With 5 mouths to feed, it's going to take a large apple farm to put all our security in this. Within a year though, I hope to finally reach that point.

@ Anita

Patience is the key!!! Unfortunately, few in our society have patience anymore and instead go for the easy money.

[blackbv]

Thank you for submitting this article to the small and home business carnival.

[Trump Network]

Great story! This is definitely pertinent to being an entrepreneur! I believe the story has a lot to do with the power of Leverage and while it may take time to harvest, it will definitely reap greater rewards than creating quick results. This is why I love the network marketing business model because it is truly the epitome of being an apple farmer! Thank you so much for sharing such a powerful analogy and life story.
~MD