What Pizza Taught Me About Farming & Cash Flow
A few weeks ago, I made pizza dough for homemade pizzas and handheld pies. The dough came together beautifully, earning me lots of compliments (especially for the handheld pies!). I even posted a reel about it on Instagram.
Fast forward to last weekend: I decided to make another batch for the football playoff games. Same recipe, same process… but this time, the dough wasn’t as good. It was harder to knead and just didn’t come together the same way.
Dough Is Fickle—And So Is Farming
Changes in ambient temperature or humidity can affect how the dough behaves. A skilled baker knows to adjust—without even realizing it, they add more flour or water until the dough feels just right.
Sound familiar?
Of course, the same is true with farming. You can follow a “recipe” but you’re always adapting to the temperature and rainfall (or lack thereof). A flower farmer might alter their “recipe” for a bouquet if some blooms look smaller or less vivid than usual.
Like a skilled baker, you may not realize it, but you’re always taking into consideration a dozen (or more) different things as you tend to your fields, flowers, and animals.
The same is true for cash flow.
Here’s how:
- Your Budget = Your Recipe: At the start of the year, you create a plan for how you’ll run your business.
- Unexpected Events = Adjustments: Rainy markets, failed germination, or other surprises throw off the plan.
- Adaptation = Success: Just like adjusting a dough recipe, you adapt your fields, production schedule, and budget to stay on track.
Building Muscle Memory for Cash Flow
You already know how to adjust in the field, and you probably don’t even think about all the micro-decisions you make. But are you ready to adjust your cash flow?
Ask yourself:
- Will I need to spend more on unexpected seeds or supplies?
- How can I make up for lost revenue if market sales are down?
- Do I need to cut expenses elsewhere to stay on budget?
Three Steps to Mastering Cash Flow Budget Adjustments
- Create a Cash Flow Budget
that’s realistic and keeps you out of a cash flow crunch during lean months. - Stay on Top of Recordkeeping
Enter sales and expenses at least weekly—more often is better! - Review and Adjust Regularly
Compare your actual numbers to your budget. Are you on track? What adjustments do you need to make?
Just like baking, budgeting gets easier with practice. The more you build these habits, the more confidently you can adjust your cash flow—just like you do in your fields (and in the kitchen).
Here’s to the perfect pizza every time!
