Podcast Summary: Simple Farmhouse Life

Episode 324: Why More Stay-at-Home Moms Are Starting Farm Stands (Is It Worth It?)

• Host: Lisa Bass
• Guest: Rayla, Founder of Farmstand Club
• Date: January 13, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Lisa Bass explores the emerging trend of stay-at-home moms and families launching roadside farm stands as a means of earning income, building community, and connecting more deeply with their local food system. Lisa is joined by Rayla, founder of the Farmstand Club, who shares her firsthand experience running a successful multi-family farm stand business and guiding others to do the same. Together, they discuss the motivations, logistics, profitability, and community impact of the farm stand movement, with practical advice for anyone interested in starting their own stand.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rise of Roadside Farm Stands

• Back to Basics, Forward to Community:
  Both Lisa and Rayla reflect on how farm stands feel both nostalgic and timely, tapping into a desire for local, additive-free foods and meaningful neighborly connections.
  • Lisa: “It seems like it's almost like going back in time. Like you'd think that that would have been something we did a long time ago and now we no longer do things like that. So why do you think this trend is growing?” (03:31)
• Post-Pandemic Community Needs:
  Rayla highlights that isolation post-COVID has left many people, especially moms, craving a sense of community and purpose at home.
  • Rayla: “There's kind of like, this weird breakdown mentally of like, I need community. How am I supposed to get community? We've been in our home for 28 years, and we didn't know our neighbors until we started Farm Stand.” (06:28 & 06:57)

2. Getting Started: From Idea to Open Stand

• DIY Approach to Building:
  Rayla describes starting with a recycled TV console as their first stand, then gradually upgrading as needs and regulations shifted.
  • Rayla: “We literally stuck it out in the front yard, we baked, and off to the races we went. And that's how it started.” (04:37)
• Check Local Laws:
  Planning/zoning and cottage food laws differ by state and even county. Rayla stresses the importance of checking regulations before setting up shop.
  • “Most states allow cottage foods laws...But if you're actually looking into the farm stand, its a three sided basic walk up stand is going to be your best bet.” (09:25)
• Location & Accessibility:
  Placement matters. Stands should be visible from the road, with large, bold signage, and safe parking/turnaround spaces.
  • Rayla: “Think big and just bold, not artsy, cutesy. ... We literally have...a piece of plank that literally has the word bread on it written in black.” (13:50)

3. Business Logistics and Operations

• Baking & Stocking Schedule:
  Simplicity is key. Each member bakes according to preference, and products are packaged/stocked daily or multiple times per week.
  • Rayla: “We chose really simple recipes for that reason...my sister does the chocolate chip cookie, the sourdough chocolate chip cookie, and her entire bake takes two hours. That is baking, packaging, and loading into the farm stand.” (19:38)
• Managing Inventory Among Multiple Families:
  With five contributors, they use simple inventory sheets to track who baked and sold which items for fair profit distribution. (21:01)
• Top-Selling Items:
  Sourdough bread, cookies, scones, and brownies are most popular ("big four"). Basic, well-made baked goods outsell more niche items in most markets. (16:14)
• Packaging:
  Clean, sealed, and visually appealing packaging with a clear window is important for self-serve confidence and aesthetics.
  • “Packaging in general, you want it to be cute and you want it to be clear and you want it to be clean.” (35:35)
• Offering More Than Baked Goods:
  Seasonal produce and other local items (eggs, honey, crafts) can be included, but most stands focus on baked goods for simplicity and freshness. (15:52)

4. Marketing & Community Building

• The Customer Experience:
  Creating a “Hallmark moment” or memorable visit—through decorations, music, notes, and packaging—is a major traffic driver.
  • Rayla: “We wanted to create like a Hallmark moment. ... We've had so many people pull over and take photos in front of our farm stand.” (22:33)
• Social Media & Privacy Balance:
  Instagram and local Facebook groups are effective, but viral attention can overwhelm. Rayla moved to a text-list system for regular local customers.
  • “Our biggest advertisement local is actually our text list...people, they love to get their bread text.” (28:10; 28:37)
• Collaborative Spirit:
  Farm stands in the same area support each other. Having more stands actually increases public awareness/demand instead of cannibalizing customers.
  • “Your customers [will choose] based on your product versus someone else's. ... It's less competition.” (34:07)
• Events & Discovery:
  An app or farm stand map could help people discover stands, but, as yet, there’s no widely used national platform. (26:28)

5. Profitability & Scalability

• Income Range:
  Side income potential is strong and flexible. Reported earnings range from $1,500/week up to $15,000/month, depending on scale, consistency, and offerings. (40:15)
  • Rayla: “It's like any other business. The more you build it, the more they'll come. ... It is very profitable if you want it to be.” (40:28)
• Payment Methods:
  Stands use Venmo, cash, and sometimes point-of-sale apps. Each has pros and cons (Venmo forgetfulness/cash limitations, etc.). (40:47)
• Target Market Size:
  Even with populations of tens of thousands, a single stand cannot serve more than a small fraction—so “oversaturation” is not a concern, yet.
  • “Our farm stand can't even supply, I mean, 1% of [our local population], realistically.” (32:53)

6. Practical & Legal Considerations

• Permits & Food Safety:
  Regulations exist for both preparation (pets, kitchen environment) and sales (property placement, signage). Always check local/county rules.
• Wildlife & Pests:
  Outdoor stands face unique challenges—cats for rodent control, sealed packaging for bug prevention, and problem-solving with other owners. (42:12)
• Privacy and Location:
  For privacy on family property, some owners prefer not to widely share their address unless to local customers. Some invest in separate property for their stand. (38:04)

Memorable Quotes

• On Motivation:
  Rayla (on why farm stands are rising now):
  "They want to be able to bake in their own kitchen. They want to support their neighbors. They want to create community." (06:28)

• On Starting Small:
  Rayla:
  "We literally stuck it out in the front yard, we baked, and off to the races we went. And that's how it started." (04:37)

• On Experience:
  Rayla:
  "We wanted to create like a Hallmark moment...they felt as though they were having a unique experience." (22:33)

• On Profitability:
  Rayla:
  "I've had people who make $1,500 a week. I've had someone who made $15,000 a month. ... It is very profitable if you want it to be." (40:15)

• On Competition:
  Rayla:
  "Even though it's a sourdough loaf of bread, they don't taste the same. ... Your customers [are] based on your product versus someone else's." (34:07)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:49] Rayla’s Introduction & Origin Story
• [06:26] The Drive for Community & Post-COVID Isolation
• [07:32] What Sells Best? (Best Sellers & Profit Margins)
• [09:21] Choosing a Farm Stand Design, Location, and Legalities
• [13:50] Signage Tips for Visibility
• [16:14] Expanding Offerings: Produce, Eggs, and More
• [19:38] Daily/Weekly Operations and Baking Schedule
• [21:01] Managing Multi-Person, Multi-Family Operations
• [22:33] Creating a Unique “Hallmark” Experience
• [28:10] Marketing: From Social Media to Text Lists
• [32:34] Is Oversaturation a Concern?
• [35:01] Packaging for Self-Serve Stands
• [40:15] Profitability and Income Potential
• [41:42] Payment Methods and Customer Convenience
• [42:04] Wildlife, Pets, and Risk Management

Further Resources & How to Connect

• Farmstand Club:
  • Instagram: @farmstandclub
  • Website: farmstandclub.com
  • Facebook Group: Farmstand Club
  • Live trainings, recipe bundles, and starter guides available through their website.

Final Thoughts

This episode gives an inspiring, practical look into the homegrown, community-driven farm stand movement. Rayla and Lisa’s discussion is rich in actionable advice, from the business’s nuts and bolts to the heart behind building local connections. Whether you’re seeking side income, searching for local foods, or just want to simplify and slow down, starting a farm stand—no matter how humble—could be a rewarding journey.

For all links, show notes, and related guides, visit the episode description or www.farmhouseonboone.com