I specifically have been interested in growing herbs, spices and flowers for industry use like lavender. Maybe grow organic and specialty seasonal vegetables for local restaurants, etc. Am I nuts? Does anyone know where I can begin? I have been a teacher until now, just wondering. Thanks!
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well i don’t know any names but theres some school in uhm northern california i think thats geared towards that, and no your not crazy 
im sure if you really want to become a farmer and looked into it you could either find a local thing or something online, i also know that theres farming groups around… depends on where you are really.. good luck!
Hire yourself out to an organic herb farm and learn the ropes. Then you can get started on your own. Good Luck!
Know where i would start in my area, but not yours. I would check and see what was available for land in your area. You could try share cropping or a straight up lease. Equipment will be your biggest concern, if you have to borrow money plan on it costing 6 to 10% more than any other venture you can get into. Start small to learn the ropes, talk to folks to see where you may sell your products, growing something on spec is not good, stick to things with a known market.
You have an admirable goal, and one that is defiantly within your reach. Your biggest thing is getting started with some land. The good news is that the kind of farming you are thinking about does not require a lot of land. Start small and keep your teaching job. Get started without having to depend on the farming to make a living. Research your market, if you have a market through your local restaurants, that’s great. You have to have that arranged before hand and know what they want and need. Your local County Extension Agent can give you a lot of information on growing as well as marketing your product. Make him your best friend.
If others have done it, so can you.
One place you can find information is Mother Earth magazine. Go to your library and read current and back issues.
As already suggested. keep your teaching job and start small with a little bit of land.
Answering in the most stripped-down, general way, I would consider leasing land from a local farmer and clearly state your intentions. Your region may not be appropriate to grow everything you want to grow. Even simpler, take a summer and interview and/or shadow farmers in similar trades. The organic growing community is especially tight knit, and would likely be happy to introduce the organic processes to you!
