Earning money is essential for a fulfilling life in Forgotten Valley in Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. As a farmer, your goal is to build a prosperous farm, and the key to success lies in effectively managing your crops, livestock, and valuable finds. This comprehensive guide provides expert tips on how to generate a steady income, whether you’re passionate about agriculture, animal husbandry, or uncovering hidden treasures.
Grow the Best Crops for Maximum Profit
Prioritize Variety and Utilize Fertilizer in Your First Year
Your first year in Forgotten Valley should be dedicated to experimentation and learning the ropes. Vesta will be your primary seed supplier, so invest in a diverse selection to understand which crops thrive on your farm and offer the best returns.
Growing a variety of crops will help you determine the best sellers and the most suitable options for your play style. Some crops can be challenging, requiring specific soil types and longer growth periods, so it’s essential to find the crops that work best for you.
Keep the growth calendar in mind, as most crops are season-specific.
For quick profits, focus on fruits. If you are patient, root vegetables command higher prices because they take longer to mature. Experiment to identify the crops that align with your preferences and financial objectives!
Once you have a solid strategy, use Fertilizer frequently to improve crop quality. Fertilizing twice daily will help increase the grade of your crops at harvest time.
Transition to Hybrid Crops After Year One
In Year Two, you’ll encounter Vinnie, a unique plant residing in Takakura’s house. Befriending Vinnie unlocks the ability to create hybrid seeds. This is when your farm income potential really skyrockets, as hybrid crops sell for significantly more than standard crops. If your goal is to earn big money, mastering hybrid crops is essential.
Creating hybrid crops requires two different seeds or crops, a strong bond with Vinnie, and patience, as the process is one seed at a time.
Unlock the Amazing Field ASAP
Once you’ve created at least one hybrid crop seed with Vinnie, speak to Takakura. He will offer to clear the land behind your farm and create a new field for you.
Upon completion, you will receive an entirely new and larger field, allowing you to cultivate even more crops. The new field also has the most fertile soil on your farm.
The upgrade costs 60,000g and can be purchased from the Ledger after speaking to Takakura.
This new field is perfect for even the most demanding crops because all crop seeds can thrive in this field because of the superior soil quality. Your hybrids require better soil, making this field an ideal choice for growing them.
Utilize the Seed Maker for Fruit Tree Seeds
Although fruit trees need time and attention, the Seed Maker can significantly boost your profits.
The Seed Maker allows you to insert up to 12 fruits or vegetables, and after a short time, you will receive two seeds for every one produce item.
Use this machine to boost your hybrid crop production. Instead of selling the fruits directly (which can be time-consuming to grade up), convert most of your tree fruits into seeds and sell them.
Two seeds will almost always sell for more than one fruit, unless the fruit is of exceptionally high quality. While the Seed Maker requires time, the investment pays off.
Optimize Your Livestock for Profitable Products
Focus on High-Quality Animal Products
While a variety of livestock and chickens are useful, eventually you can focus on specific dairy-based products that generate higher prices.
Star Cows are the most expensive but produce Star Milk, a high-quality milk.
You’ll start with one Normal Cow and eventually be able to build the Processing Room, which can make Butter and Cheese from Brown and Marble Milks.
Brown and Marble Cows are more expensive than standard cows, but the milk they produce is intended to be turned into other products to increase the sale price.
Milking a goat in Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life, showing the process of goat product collection.
After you get a goat in Year Two, you can also make Goat Butter and Goat Cheese, further increasing the value of this already valuable product.
Befriend Your Animals for Premium Products
To get better quality products from your livestock, build a connection with them through caring for them, feeding them Fodder+ as a treat, and talking to them often.
Animals that like you will produce better Animal Products, which sell for more.
Strategic Selling: Maximize Your Profits
You can offload your crops, animal products, and merchandise through the Shipping Bin, Van’s store, or by opening your own store.
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages:
- The Shipping Bin is conveniently located on your farm, but you can’t sell everything, and you get your money a day later.
- Van’s store accepts every item and pays you immediately, but Van only visits twice per season.
- Opening a store allows you to sell everything and receive the money immediately (and befriend the townsfolk), but you’re dependent on foot traffic, and the time investment can be significant.
It’s helpful to keep a few items in your storage for your own use, but it’s best to sell the majority of your harvests and animal products to get the money as soon as possible.
This also applies to extra flowers, dig site finds, and fish that you don’t plan to use. Don’t hold onto items that can be easily sold.
By following these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to a financially wonderful life in Forgotten Valley.
