Help me with a new organic farm project!

Help me with a new organic farm project!

Partners and I are thinking about starting a farm to grow, use and sell fresh organic vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts (hoping to use biointensive or other effective natural methods of agriculture).
I want to know your opinion and advice on: what we could grow on land this big, what would be the general ideas for a biointensive farm here, what should we start with, is it worth it in this climate/region/time to start an organic farm? What sizes/quantities of crops should we expect and prepare for on 5 hectares? We will of course still have to build relationships with the biggest retails stores, local clients, exporters, which ones are more important on the first stage? Also, please just write whatever you think is important.
I'll try to give you all information I can at the moment, and I will also answer all following questions from you.

We are located in Eastern Bulgaria, between cities of Varna and Burgas.
Climate is Mediterranean and continental (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Bulgaria#Climate)
We are offered 5 hectares of agriculture land with the following promised:
1 km from our "office" in downtown
the only land chunk this big and this close to use
suitable for organic farm (i.e. synthetic pesticides and herbicides were not used here for at least 20 years, we'll have to test the soil, of course)
electrical line is there (as you can see on the photos)
small river passes just behind this piece of land (so irrigation can also be taken care of)
The whole 5ha are currently leased to a company which grows wheat on one half and corn on the other half.
Today, when these photos were taken, it was +30C. There is not much rain throughout summer. However, agriculture is the main business for a lot of folks in Bulgaria (the other big areas being real estate and tourism, probably). The land in Bulgaria is very fruitful, and many professionals say that the climate is more suitable for vegetables and fruit production than in neighboring Greece and Turkey, which are nonetheless more successful in exporting their crops.

Here are the photos of the 5ha:
http://www.flickr.com//photos/readme123456/sets/72157630219734304/show/
Here's a video tour around:
http://youtu.be/VoHFWraTrko

Thank you so much for attention to my questions. I hope I can give you more details to clarify what we're working on.

Vladimir

 

I have some Organic Gardening/Farming experience, and will be glad to help you.
You have asked several questions and I'm working on the answers, which I'll post soon.

In general, I think you have a fantastic opportunity.

Peace,
poor_old_dad

 

"What we could grow on land this big?" "What sizes/quantities of crops should we expect and prepare for on 5 hectares?" "Is it worth it in this climate/region/time to start an organic farm?"

On 5 hectares [12.2 acres] you could grow a commercial amount of many things [vegetables, fruit, mushrooms, cut flowers, nursery plants, etc.]. There are successful small wineries on 1.5 hectares, my farm is about 2 hectares. As to "is it worth it", if it is something you feel you would like to do... yes.


"What should we start with?"
Start with research. From the pictures & video you posted, it looks like the soil and local climate are good. Go around and ask other local farmers about, well, everything: Local climates, crops, markets, problems, sources of supplies and information, local vendors and buyers, who to do business and who to avoid.
Also study "your" 5 hectares. Make a map of what is there now and where it is. This will be the first step creating a plan for future. Study the soil in many places within the 5 hectares, is it all the same or are there areas that are more rocky, sandy, wet, etc. than other areas. If possible get a soil test, you may find a tester at: http://www.coreindex.com/companies/c/Agriculture-Forestry/Soil/Soil-Testing/z/Bulgaria/


"We will of course still have to build relationships with the biggest retails stores, local clients, exporters, which ones are more important on the first stage?"

In the first stage build relationships with local retailers, restaurants and clients. Find out what there is a demand for and what others in your area grow. Try to find a few things that are in demand, but few grow. Big retailers, and exporters are markets your farm can grow into.


"What would be the general ideas for a bio-intensive farm here?"

This is an area I am familiar with, but have never done. In my opinion, bio-intensive is more effort and best used to get more results from limited space. You should have plenty space. Some other goals of bio-intensive gardening are soil improvement and sustainability. These are goals in any organic gardening/farming effort. My garden areas are laid out in beds about 120cm wide and 14.5 meters long [4 feet by 48 feet]. Some of the beds are in production, some in cover crops that will build the soil as part of a crop rotation plan.


I hope these answers help, please feel free to ask anything.

Peace,
poor_old_dad