Business Planning Virtual Workshop Series

• Are you thinking about starting your own farm?
• Are you a beginning farmer and wonder what’s out there for assistance to fund capital improvements
and upgrade your equipment?
• Where can I go to get production advice/information?
• Do you want to upgrade your marketing outlets but don’t know how to go about doing this?
• Do you want to learn how to better manage risks on your farm especially in light of recent adverse
weather?
• Are you a small farmer looking to grow and expand your business?

If you answered “Yes” to any of the above then this business planning workshop can help you answer those questions. National Crop Insurance Services in conjunction with the UMass Extension Risk Management Education Program is offering this workshop series at no cost to participants. Each session will include a formal presentation on the subject topic as well as guest ] speakers who are farmers or agricultural service provers with experience in the topics and provide adequate time for questions.

This is a great opportunity to learn about a variety of topics that can benefit your farming operation.  UMass and National Crop Insurance Services is offering a free workshop series for farmers looking to develop their business skills. Sessions begin January 27th, and include discussions on financial planning, marketing, and more.

To register, email either Tom Smiarowski or Paul Russell from UMass Extension with your name, email and city/town and state.

Session 1 (January 27): Financial Planning
This session will focus on basic financial planning and include information on preparing a Balance Sheet and
Income Statement. Guest speaker is Chris Laughton, Director of Knowledge Exchange & Farm Start Program
Manager, Farm Credit East, who will explain how Farm Credit East uses financial statements in making credit
decisions and what you as a potential borrower should focus on.

Future events will be held February 3, 17, 24, and March 10, 17