Next Barn Over-Massachuetts
When Massachusetts farmer Ray Young looked at their thriving sweet potato enterprise, they saw untapped potential.
For years, sweet potatoes had been one of the most profitable crops at Next Barn Over, but limited storage space meant the farm couldn't capitalize on demand beyond January. Without proper storage conditions, Ray estimated the farm was missing out on several months of sales each year.
"Sweet potatoes can store well into the spring with the right conditions," Ray said. "We felt like we were leaving three or four months of sales on the table."
The challenge stretched beyond crop sales. Limited winter work made it difficult to retain experienced employees, forcing the farm to rebuild its workforce each season.
Working with Prosperity Partners, Ray explored whether investing in a dedicated wash, pack, and storage facility could support expanded sweet potato production while creating new opportunities for the farm. Together, we analyzed enterprise budgets, projected expanded production, and evaluated how increased revenue could support financing for a new building and equipment upgrades.
The numbers pointed to a promising opportunity.
With a business plan in place, we helped Ray pursue funding through several Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources programs, including the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG). In August, Next Barn Over received the exciting news that its FSIG application had been awarded.
The grant will support construction of a new facility that will help the farm extend sweet potato sales, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen year-round farm viability.
What began as a conversation about storage has become an investment in the future of the farm, creating opportunities for growth, employee retention, and long-term resilience.
Interested in strengthening your farm business? Wolfe's Neck Farm's Northeast Farm Fund is offering grants of up to $50,000 for business development projects, with technical assistance available through the Prosperity Partners team.
