Structured support to help you set goals for your farm business resulting in a written business plan with financial projections by attending 6 sessions over 7 weeks. Topics include assessing your resources, risk management, marketing strategy, financial & capital planning, goal setting and quality of life, and applying it on your farm. The course is taught by instructors with years of experience working with farmers – Ray and Jaqueline of Fish Park Consulting and Rose Wilson, guest speaker on Reaching your Market. Enrollment is open to farmers who have been managing a farm business in Massachusetts for at least the three prior years, but could also have years of experience and utilize the course to plan for growth or to obtain financing.
Prior to taking this course, participants should understand how to generate financial statements by attending or listening to recording of Farm Financial Foundations, or have had similar financial management training. Note: Those who take both the Farm Financial Foundations workshop and Growing Your Farm Business Planning course will meet requirements for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) certified borrower training for financial management.
2026 Growing Your Farm Business Plan course schedule* - in-person & virtual classes on Tuesdays, January - March 2026:
- January 13 (in person* 2:00-5:00pm) - Assessing Resources; Farm Operations & Management
- January 20 (virtual 5:30 – 8:00pm) - Develop Mission & Marketing Strategies
- January 27 (virtual 5:30 – 8:00pm) - Financial Management & Planning
- February 3 (in person* 2:00-5:00pm) - Applying it on your Farm - Goal Setting
- Week of February 10 individual meetings with instructors
- Week of February 17 – no class
- February 24 (in person* 2:00-5:00pm) - Wrap-up: MDAR grants & resources, potluck celebration
*Course location for in person classes TBD – location will be determined based on interest from applications received with an effort to minimize driving time for the majority of participants.