I like to track labor and expenses and see where they land at the end of the year and then compare to the outside market pricing which many of us are forced to work within. Definitely better ways to make a few $$'s but as with many on this thread there are ancillary benefits hard to put a dollar value to.
My early years I'm sure my labor value was far in the negative $/hr. However a decade later and based on 2021 volume of 235 gallon of finished product I was able to earn active family participants ~$20/hr after other expenses. Wolfcreek I congratulate you for wanting to understand your investment. I have seen other small producers at farmer markets with very low prices in comparison and wonder if they are aware of their true cost of production.
2x6 Smokey Lake raised flue w/AUF
16x30 Sugar Shack
7" SL SS filter press
Smokey Lake water jacketed finish pan & bottler
350 RO
517 taps and I seem to keep finding more!