I personally doubt that living on a smallholding without an outside job is feasible. Maybe if you live in the right area with a nice niche market for something you can grow, then just maybe.
I look at it another way. Our ultimate goal is to live doing as LITTLE outside work as possible. We are on one income, and when this mortgage is finished, we will probably both or one of us work part time, the same time.
Profit is not a word that is uttered much around a small holders kitchen table, least not here. Aching backs, bills, out of service tractors, yes. Don't get me wrong I would not have it any other way, its just that you have to give up a lot of what is considered ' normal ' !
Everything in life is a compromise is it not ? I think the mind set should be , "can I get enough money in to get by ? "
For next year we are looking at more ' up market ' veg. Okra for example is pretty exotic in the Belgian Ardennes. I want to also have a go at Japanese mushrooms, and maybe snails. We have the right climate for them both. I think I will try to sell to local restaurants, and any extra at the local market. This is of course assuming that next year there are still any restaurants open !
Forget the normal root veg like spuds and carrots for re sell. I cannot compete with the local shops. only last week I saw, locally grown spuds here at 5.95€ for 15 kilos ! Grow them for your family and concentrate on higher profit yield stuff for re sell.
Good luck with your search.
Kevin