Building a Sustainable Small Farm Through Online Initiatives

By Theodore West Published on
Small farm sustainable agriculture

Continuing a small farm requires seeds, tools, and ongoing preparation. To help cover some of those basic costs, I recently began exploring a few online initiatives alongside my agricultural work.

The primary purpose is simple: to support the purchase of seeds and materials needed for sustainable agriculture and organic farming practices. I aim to grow vegetables and fruits without the use of chemical pesticides and, as I have done before, share the harvest freely whenever possible. Within the United States, this often takes the form of direct distribution. If regulations allow in the future, I would also like to offer small processed items internationally, such as homemade jams or simple postcards featuring scenes from the farm.

Building a Sustainable Small Farm Over Time

In order to maintain this kind of small farm over the long term, practical and sustainable systems are necessary. One option is to make careful use of online platforms and advertising-based services. That said, money itself is not the goal. My focus remains on combining hands-on farm life with digital tools in a way that supports long-term sustainability rather than short-term profit.

This effort also became possible because of the farming off-season. When fieldwork slows down, it creates the time and mental space to work on things that are difficult to address during peak growing months. Exploring tools such as the Amazon affiliate program is part of this off-season learning process—not with expectations of immediate results, but as a gradual and practical experiment.

Why I Chose the U.S. Amazon Affiliate Program

Some readers may wonder why I chose to work primarily with the U.S. Amazon platform. This decision is not based on a preference for any particular country, nor is it meant to suggest that one system is inherently better than another. Rather, it reflects my own experience working in international and English-language environments.

In those settings, discussions about project goals, operating costs, and background context tend to be more straightforward. Explaining why an online initiative exists, and how it is structured, is often understood as a normal part of maintaining transparency, rather than something uncomfortable or inappropriate.

That said, these observations are entirely based on my personal experience and are not intended as judgments about any culture or group of people. Openness and caution both have their place, and they naturally vary depending on situation and environment. They are not measures of good or bad character.

Through these experiences, I have come to believe that clearly explaining the purpose and background of my work— including the use of platforms like the U.S. Amazon affiliate program— is essential for continuity. Going forward, I plan to continue documenting my farming practices and daily efforts as honestly and thoughtfully as possible.

I would appreciate it if readers could follow this process with an open and understanding perspective.

Season:

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