Lifestyle Most people who have had no experience of growing a commercial horticultural crop have little appreciation of the amount of your time that the crop demands. Try to get a realistic assessment of the time required. Many crops require detailed attention 365 days a year, similar to a dairy farm. Also, if you plan to supply into a whole sale market then someone will need to start the day very early. These time demands will have a considerable impact on your lifestyle, and that of your family.
Brochures are sometimes very lyrical about the idyllic lifestyle associated with hydroponics.
If you enjoy farm life, then that's great. But, if you plan to become a 'gen tleperson' farmer-then think again. Certainly some hydroponic systems have a major advantage in reducing physical work, such as bending down to pick strawber ries. Nevertheless, there is still a high work load involved. In my experience the highest drop out rate of those starting into commercial hydroponic is retired people.