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How to Start a Farm: Plan Your Operation

Think about your operation from the ground up and start planning for your business.  A good farm business plan is your roadmap to start-up, profitability, and growth, and provides the foundation for your conversation with USDA about how our programs can complement your operation. 

Keep reading about planning your business below, get an overview of the beginning farmer's journey , or jump to a different section of the farmer's journey.

On This Page

Why you need a farm business plan.

A comprehensive business plan is an important first step for any size business, no matter how simple or complex. You should create a strong business plan because it:

• Will help you get organized . It will help you to remember all of the details and make sure you are taking all of the necessary steps.
• Will act as your guide . It will help you to think carefully about why you want to farm or ranch and what you want to achieve in the future. Over time, you can look back at your business plan and determine whether you are achieving your goals.
• Is required to get a loan . In order to get an FSA loan, a guarantee on a loan made by a commercial lender, or a land contract, you need to create a detailed business plan . Lenders look closely at business plans to determine if you can afford to repay the loan.

How USDA Can Help

Whether you need a good get-started guide, have a plan that you would like to verify, or have a plan you’re looking to update for your next growth phase, USDA can help connect you to resources to help your decisions.

Your state's beginning farmer and rancher coordinator  can connect you to local resources in your community to help you establish a successful business plan. Reach out to your state's coordinator for one-on-one technical assistance and guidance. They can also connect you with organizations that specifically serve beginning farmers and ranchers.

It is important to know that no single solution fits everyone, and you should research, seek guidance, and make the best decision for your operation according to your own individual priorities.

Build a Farm Business Plan

There are many different styles of business plans. Some are written documents; others may be a set of worksheets that you complete. No matter what format you choose, several key aspects of your operation are important to consider.

Use the guidelines below to draft your business plan. Answering these kinds of questions in detail will help you create and develop your final business plan. Once you have a business plan for your operation, prepare for your visit to a USDA service center. During your visit, we can help you with the necessary steps to register your business and get access to key USDA programs.

Business History

Are you starting a new farm or ranch, or are you already in business? If you are already in business:

• What products do you produce?
• What is the size of your operation?
• What agricultural production and financial management training or experience do you, your family members, or your business partners have?
• How long have you been in business?

Mission, Vision, and Goals

This is your business. Defining your mission, vision and goals is crucial to the success of your business. These questions will help provide a basis for developing other aspects of your business plan.

• What values are important to you and the operation as a whole?
• What short- and long-term goals do you have for your operation?
• How do you plan to start, expand, or change your operation?
• What plans do you have to make your operation efficient or more profitable ?
• What type of farm or ranch model (conventional, sustainable, organic, or alternative agricultural practices) do you plan to use?

Organization and Management

Starting your own business is no small feat. You will need to determine how your business will be structured and organized, and who will manage (or help manage) your business. You will need to be able to convey this to others who are involved as well.

• What is the legal structure of your business? Will it be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, or other type of entity?
• What help will you need in operating and managing your farm or ranch?
• What other resources, such as a mentor or community-based organization , do you plan to use?

Marketing is a valuable tool for businesses. It can help your businesses increase brand awareness, engagement and sales. It is important to narrow down your target audience and think about what you are providing that others cannot.

• What are you going to produce ?
• Who is your target consumer ?
• Is there demand for what you are planning to produce?
• What is the cost of production?
• How much will you sell it for and when do you expect to see profit ?
• How will you get your product to consumers ? What are the transportation costs and requirements?
• How will you market your products?
• Do you know the relevant federal, state, and local food safety regulations? What licensing do you need for your operation?

Today there are many types of land, tools, and resources to choose from. You will need to think about what you currently have and what you will need to obtain to achieve your goals.

• What resources do you have or will you need for your business?
• Do you already have access to farmland ? If not, do you plan to lease, rent, or purchase land?
• What equipment do you need?
• Is the equipment and real estate that you own or rent adequate to conduct your operation? If not, how do you plan to address those needs?
• Will you be implementing any conservation practices to sustain your operation?
• What types of workers will you need to operate the farm?
• What additional resources do you need?

Now that you have an idea of what you are going to provide and what you will need to run your operation you will need to consider the finances of your operation.

• How will you finance the business?
• What are your current assets (property or investments you own) and liabilities (debts, loans, or payments you owe)?
• Will the income you generate be sufficient to pay your operating expenses, living expenses, and loan payments?
• What other sources of income are available to supplement your business income?
• What business expenses will you incur?
• What family living expenses do you pay?
• What are some potential risks or challenges you foresee for your operation? How will you manage those risks?
• How will you measure the success of your business?

Farm Business Plan Worksheets

The Farm Business Plan Balance Sheet can help gather information for the financial and operational aspects of your plan.

Form FSA-2037 is a template that gathers information on your assets and liabilities like farm equipment, vehicles and existing loans.

• FSA-2037 - Farm Business Plan - Balance Sheet
• FSA-2037 Instructions

Planning for Conservation and Risk Management

Another key tool is a conservation plan, which determines how you want to improve the health of your land. A conservation plan can help you lay out your plan to address resource needs, costs and schedules.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff are available at your local USDA Service Center to help you develop a conservation plan for your land based on your goals. NRCS staff can also help you explore conservation programs and initiatives, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) .

Conservation in Agriculture

Crop insurance, whole farm revenue protection and other resources can help you prepare for unforeseen challenges like natural disasters.

Disaster Recovery

Special Considerations

Special considerations for businesses.

There are different types of farm businesses each with their own unique considerations. Determine what applies to your operation.

• Organic Farming  has unique considerations. Learn about organic agriculture , organic certification , and the  Organic Certification Cost Share Program  to see if an organic business is an option for you. NRCS also has resources for organic producers and offers assistance to develop a conservation plan.
• Urban Farming  has special opportunities and restrictions. Learn how USDA can help farmers in urban spaces .
• Value-Added Products . The Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC) is a national virtual resource center for value-added agricultural groups.
• Cooperative.  If you are interested in starting a cooperative, USDA’s Rural Development Agency (RD) has helpful resources to help you begin . State-based  Cooperative Development Centers , partially funded by RD, provide technical assistance and education on starting a cooperative.

Special Considerations for Individuals

Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers: We offer help for the unique concerns of producers who meet the USDA definition of "historically underserved,"  which includes farmers who are:

• socially disadvantaged
• limited resource
• military veterans

Women: Learn about specific incentives, priorities, and set asides for  women in agriculture within USDA programs.

Heirs' Property Landowners: If you inherited land without a clear title or documented legal ownership, learn how USDA can help Heirs’ Property Landowners gain access to a variety of programs and services

Business Planning

Creating a good business plan takes time and effort. The following are some key resources for planning your business.

• Farm Answers from the University of Minnesota features a library of how-to resources and guidance, a directory of beginning farmer training programs, and other sources of information in agriculture. The library includes business planning guides such as a Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses and an Example Business Plan .
• The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers information about starting, managing, and transitioning a business.

SCORE is a nonprofit organization with a network of volunteers who have experience in running and managing businesses. The Score Mentorship Program partners with USDA to provide:

• Free, local support and resources, including business planning help, financial guidance, growth strategies.
• Mentorship through one-on-one business coaching -- in-person, online, and by phone.
• Training from subject matter experts with agribusiness experience.
• Online resources and step-by-step outlines for business strategies.
• Learn more about the program through the Score FAQ .

Training Opportunities

Attend field days, workshops, courses, or formal education programs to build necessary skills to ensure you can successfully produce your selected farm products and/or services. Many local and regional agricultural organizations, including USDA and Cooperative Extension, offer training to beginning farmers.

• Cooperative Extension  offices address common issues faced by agricultural producers, and conduct workshops and educational events for the agricultural community.
• extension.org  is an online community for the Cooperative Extension program where you can find publications and ask experts for advice.

Now that you have a basic plan for your farm operation, prepare for your visit to a USDA service center.

2. Visit Your USDA Service Center

How to Start a Farm with USDA

Get an  overview of the beginning farmer's journey  or jump to a specific page below.

Find Your Local Service Center

USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.

Learn more about our Urban Service Centers . Visit the Risk Management Agency website to find a regional or compliance office  or to find an insurance agent near you.

Small Business Trends

How to create a farm business plan.

If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more .

Crafting a comprehensive farm business plan is a crucial step towards transforming your agricultural visions into tangible realities. This plan serves as a blueprint, enabling you to formally articulate your thoughts, ideas, and aspirations. Engaging in this process can lead to profound insights, illuminating the path to a thriving agricultural enterprise.

Even though the term ‘farm business plan’ might evoke a sense of formal rigidity, it’s important to remember that this document is, in fact, a living, evolving entity. Just like a seedling that sprouts, grows, and changes with the seasons, your business plan is not meant to be static.

It’s something you nurture, revise, and expand as circumstances dictate and as your farm business matures. Feeling pressure to perfect your business plan from the outset could be paralyzing. Instead, we suggest you view this document as a foundation that can be continuously built upon.

To get you started, we offer a detailed farm business plan template. This invaluable resource can be tailored and expanded to suit your unique agricultural venture, whether you’re cultivating a sprawling wheat field or nurturing a boutique organic herb garden.

The most effective business plans are those that exhibit flexibility and resilience, characteristics that are at the heart of any successful farm business. Agriculture, by its very nature, is a domain subject to the whims of Mother Nature. From unpredictable weather patterns to seasonal variations, farmers of all kinds grapple with an array of external factors.

Therefore, your farm business plan should not only anticipate these challenges but also prescribe adaptive measures to navigate through them. It’s this inherent adaptability that transforms a good farm business plan into a great one.

Writing a Farm Business Plan Template: 15+ Things Entrepreneurs Should Include

A farm business plan, like any strategic document, should be comprehensive, encompassing all aspects of your operation, be it agricultural (crops) or product-based. Utilize these 15 key sections to shape your farm business plan template.

Do bear in mind that while these sections are integral, they are by no means exhaustive. Your farm business plan may necessitate additional topics based on your specific farming operations.

Creating a robust business plan is of paramount importance, whether you’re kickstarting a farm venture or acquiring an existing one. Our farm business plan template starts off with an executive summary.

Executive Summary

The executive summary provides an essential overview of your farm business. It helps to streamline communication and understanding between various stakeholders, such as internal team members, potential lenders, business partners, and customers. When drafting your executive summary, consider the following key components:

• Business Profile : Provide a snapshot of your farm business, describing its nature and scope. Are you into crop cultivation, livestock rearing, or any specialized farming practices?
• Products : Clearly outline what product or products your farm will produce. These could range from dairy products to specific crops or even services like agrotourism.
• Production Methodology : Describe how you plan to achieve your production goals. This could involve discussing your farming techniques, usage of technology, or unique methodologies.
• Target Audience : Identify the individuals or groups who will be interested in your farm products or services. These might be local consumers, restaurants, farmers’ markets, or even online customers.
• Key Strategies : Highlight the strategies you plan to implement to run and grow your business. This could cover marketing techniques, sustainability practices, or partnerships.
• Mission and Vision : Briefly outline the mission and vision of your farm business. This helps to convey your long-term objectives and core values.

Remember, your executive summary is essentially the first impression of your business plan. Making it comprehensive, clear, and compelling will help attract interest and support from stakeholders.

Goals and Objectives

A well-crafted business plan should encapsulate both personal and economic goals and objectives. Many successful farm business plans also address environmental stewardship and community outreach. You may want to include goals around preserving farm resources for future generations, ensuring that both the operational and stewardship aspects remain within the family.

Introduction

Your introduction should provide information about the business owners, including their backgrounds and levels of industry experience.

Mission Statement and Values of Your Farming Business Plan

This section enables you to express the core values that led you to the farming business, whether it’s an urban farming venture or a homemade product-based farm. Your mission statement should reflect these values. Sustainable practices and conservation are often key motivations that draw people to farming, so don’t be shy to share your commitment to such principles.

Industry History

Understanding your place within the wider agricultural landscape is key. Be sure to research farms that have historically dominated your region, whether they specialize in vineyards, urban farming, or livestock rearing. Use this research to make educated projections about the future.

Company Background and History

Share the history of your farm if it has been a long-standing family venture or the journey leading up to your purchase if it wasn’t. If your farm business is a startup, focus on the business experience and backgrounds of the involved parties.

Competitor Analysis

Understanding your competition is crucial. In the agricultural sector, farmers often share resources, such as a high-tech corn planter , or cooperate in marketing endeavors. Factor in such synergies when analyzing competitors.

Target Market

Clearly define your target market. This can include area groceries, farmers’ markets, or online customers. If you’ll be relying on online sales, ensure your website is professionally designed, keyword optimized, and easily discoverable.

Products and Services

Describe each product or service offered by your farm, highlighting those features most appealing to your target market.

Organization, Human Resources, and Management Plans

These interconnected elements cover your farm’s day-to-day operations, employee roles and responsibilities (including their job descriptions ), and overarching management plans.

SWOT Analysis

Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify your farm’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This will help you strategize on how to leverage your strengths, mitigate your weaknesses, exploit opportunities, and neutralize threats.

Your vision is the roadmap for your farm’s future. It should express not just your financial aspirations but also your plans for the farm operation in the long run.

Growth Strategy

A comprehensive growth strategy should outline your plans for debt reduction, savings, and business expansion. Keeping detailed farm production records is key to evaluating the effectiveness of your growth strategy.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include elements like balance sheets, income statements, projected cash flows, loan repayment schedules, and depreciation factors.

Marketing Strategy

A robust marketing strategy is essential for your farm’s success. Look into brochures, advertisements, and joining co-op groups. Resources from institutions like the University of Minnesota and Cornell University offer comprehensive insights into effective marketing strategies for farm businesses.

Establishing a Farming Business Entity

Discuss the legal structure of your farm business. Will it be a sole proprietorship, a partnership, an LLC, or a corporation? Outline the pros and cons of each and why the chosen structure is the best fit for your farm business.

Detailed Description of Farm Operations

Include a section that provides an in-depth look at your day-to-day farm operations. This can cover everything from crop rotation plans, livestock breeding programs, to the use of technology and machinery in your farming activities.

Risk Management Strategies

Address potential risks and challenges your farm might face, such as natural disasters, market fluctuations, or pest infestations. Discuss the strategies you plan to implement to mitigate these risks, like insurance coverage, diversification, and emergency response plans.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Highlight your farm’s approach to sustainability and its impact on the environment. Discuss practices like organic farming, conservation techniques, and renewable energy usage, which demonstrate your commitment to environmental stewardship.

Community Involvement and Social Responsibility

Describe how your farm business plans to engage with and contribute to the local community. This could include hosting educational farm tours, participating in farmers’ markets, or supporting local food programs.

Supply Chain and Vendor Relationships

Detail your farm’s supply chain and vendor relationships. Explain how you plan to source inputs like seeds, feed, or equipment, and any partnerships with local suppliers or distributors.

Technology and Innovation

Discuss the role of technology and innovation in your farm business. This could include the use of precision agriculture, innovative irrigation systems, or the adoption of farm management software to enhance efficiency and productivity.

Training and Development Plans

Explain how you intend to train and develop your staff. Include plans for ongoing education, skill development, and potentially, leadership training for future farm managers.

Expansion and Diversification

Outline your long-term plans for expansion and diversification. This could involve adding new crops, branching into agrotourism, or exploring value-added products like farm-produced jams or cheeses.

Exit Strategy

Consider including an exit strategy for your farming business. This could be a plan for succession, selling the business, or transitioning to a different type of agricultural operation.

Wrap up your business plan with a conclusion that reiterates your farm’s core mission and vision, and express your enthusiasm and commitment to making your farm business a success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Include a FAQ section at the end of your business plan to address common questions potential investors or partners may have about your farm business. This can include queries about your business model, funding needs, or market potential.

Provide an addendum for additional documents that support your business plan. This can include resumes of key team members, detailed financial projections, market research data, or letters of support from future customers or partners.

Do I Need a Business Plan for My Farm?

Even if you’re knee-deep in the dirt, tending to your crops or livestock, every farming enterprise has the core elements of a business at its heart. These include aspects such as operations, marketing, human resources, and finances. When you embark on developing a farm business plan, it might astonish you to see where the journey takes you. You could end up discovering facets of your farm business that you hadn’t previously considered.

One of the many advantages of constructing your business plan is the opportunity it affords to involve others. Employees, family members, even your loyal farm dog might have innovative small farm business ideas that could significantly enhance your farm’s productivity and marketability. A different perspective can often yield solutions for issues you might not have even been aware of. Therefore, encourage an open exchange of thoughts and ideas. Who knows, the next great idea could be lying right under your hay bale!

More than just a document outlining your farm’s structure, your farm business plan should serve as a valuable decision-making tool. With it, you can confidently navigate the varied terrain of farm management, from daily operations to larger strategic initiatives. When you’ve got a meticulously crafted, robust farm business plan, it doesn’t just narrate your farm’s story, but also provides you with a roadmap to future growth and success.

Beyond this, a top-notch farm business plan can also be a lever that helps you access critical financing. Lenders and investors are more likely to support your venture when they see a well-structured, thoughtful business plan that articulates your vision, illustrates your understanding of the market, and demonstrates your commitment to fiscal responsibility.

So, where to begin? Let’s dive into our fundamental guide to crafting a farm business plan using our adaptable template. This resource has been designed to help you capture every aspect of your agricultural venture, laying a strong foundation for a bountiful future.

How Do I Write a Small Farm Business Plan?

Don’t sit down to write the whole thing. Chip away, one section at a time. Keep in mind that the plan doesn’t have to be the definitive last word. You can make adaptations.

How do you start a farm business plan?

Start with one piece of the business plan. One of the hardest sections of a business plan to write is the Mission Statement . If you get bogged down there, continue and come back to it later.

How much do farm owners make a year?

As you can imagine, the net income varies greatly by type of farm business.

The bottom line after expenses may not be high. Farmers need to consider net worth as assets grow and the farm property increases in value.

How much does it cost to start a small farm?

Getting set up to raise 100 beef cattle costs lots more than getting set up to raise 100 rabbits.

Things like property acquisition, soil preparation, equipment and machinery and the key costs. Other costs may be i rrigation systems , packaging and trucking.

What is the most profitable farming business?

Poultry farming is currently the most profitable – and common – farm business in the world. It includes chicken, turkey, quail, ducks and goose, that are being raised for meat or eggs.

It’s also one of the most expensive businesses to start, requiring significant capital investment. The industry is very labor-intensive and labor costs are high.

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Farm Business Planning

Farm Business Planning is key to beginning farmer success.

It helps beginning farmers :

• Plan for the economic sustainability of a new farm enterprise.
• Obtain funding to purchase land, equipment and other resources from lending institutions, investors and/or grant making agencies.
• Articulate what their farm will look like.

On this page, we compiled free farm business planning resources to help you understand what a formal business plan is, and how to start planning your farm business. Sections include:

• Developing a Farm Business Plan
• Enterprise Budgeting

Enterprise budget resources are included on the farm business planning page because such tools are usually essential in helping you to develop your business plan.

Planning your farm business involves more than is outlined on this page alone. You’ll probably also be interested in funding (loans/grants) , farm incorporation , and risk management . Our  starting a farm page is worth visiting first. Also, you might find the following article helpful, because it touches on many farm business planning topics: Farm Products, What to Charge: Marketing, Price, Calculating Costs, Strategy and Much More .

1. Developing a Farm Business Plan

A  business plan  is a decision making tool that takes the form of a formal document. It states your business goals, why you think you can achieve them, and lays out your plan for doing so. Farm business planning is also a process, not an end product. A business plan is a work in progress, which farm business owners or operators will want to revisit regularly. 

Planning and Funding Your Farm Business  from the Cornell University Small Farms Project has lots of important and useful farm business planning resources.

Rural Businesses  is a web and print publication from the Minnesota institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA).

Building a Business Plan for Your Farm: Important First Steps  is a 20 page farm business planning publication that discusses the initial steps to help you move toward writing a formal business plan.

The Center for Agroecology has a Small Farm Business Planning publication that goes over many of the basics in a step by step format.

Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses is a farm business planning publication available from SARE.

Do I need a Business Plan for my Farm? is a web resource from the New England Small Farm Institute. It’s a great place to get started.

AgPlan  from the University of Minnesota helps rural business owners develop a business plan for free, while also offering sample business plans for ideas, and a way to print or download your plan.

Developing a Farm Business Plan includes several helpful resources from the USDA National Agricultural Library’s Rural Information Center.

Organic Farm Business Planning Page  from North Carolina State University features a number of publications and links related to financial planing for organic farmers.

Agricultural Business Planning Templates and Resources   is an ATTRA publication most relevant to smaller-scale or alternative agricultural entrepreneurs.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Resources offers comprehensive resources on Bookkeeping and Other Basics ; Cash Flow Budgeting and Managing Debt ; Small Farm and Ranch Income Taxes , and more.

Purdue University’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business  has educational resources to explore, such as the New Ventures in Food and Agriculture in Indiana , which offers business planning assistance.

Purdue University Cooperative Extension offers strategic farm business planning tools for commercial farm producers.

Penn State University College of Agricultural Sciences has many Business Planning tools and information.  Penn State Cooperative Extension has a Developing a Business Plan page. Penn State also has a Farm Business Plan Template that allows you to plug in your information and create a basic business plan.

The U.S. Small Business Administration  works with local partners to counsel, mentor and train small businesses. It is worth getting to know their programs and connect with your local office.

The Martindale Center Reference Desk has an extensive  compilation of links to calculators, applets, spreadsheets, courses, manuals, handbooks, simulations, animations, videos and more. Martindale’s Agriculture Center can be of great use to farmers making business plans.

2. Enterprise Budgets

Enterprise budgets project costs and returns for a particular farm production practice. You can use enterprise budgets to make smart business management decisions, and to help you develop a viable business plan.

Enterprise Budgeting Tools of all sorts from the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, including organic crop budgeting tools, many vegetable budgeting tools, the crop conversion tool for side-by-side crop comparisons, specialty crop and livestock budgets, hydroponics budgets, wind calculators, composting calculators, manure calculators, distillers grain budgets, biomass calculators and specialty foods calculators.

Introduction to Farm Planning Budgets for New and Beginning Farmers (Virginia Tech)

Importance and Use of Enterprise Budgets in Agriculture   (University of Nevada)

Enterprise Budgeting (Kerr Center)

Organic Specific Enterprise Budgets

• Enterprise Budgets and Production Costs for Organic Production (ATTRA)
• Organic Crop Production Enterprise Budgets and Information   (Iowa State)
• Organic Enterprise Budget (Kansas Rural Center)

More Enterprise Budget Pages and Information

• Enterprise Budgets List (Virginia Cooperative Extension)
• Dairy Sheep Enterprise Budget (Center for Integrated Ag Systems, UW-Madison)
• Crop Budgets (University of Maryland)
• Farm Management Enterprise Budgets (Ohio State)
• Alabama Enterprise Budget Summaries (Alabama A&M and Auburn) 
• Start developing your business plan with the resources at   https://www.beginningfarmers.org/farm-business-planning/
• You can find more gr eat farming resources at   https://www.beginningfarmers.org/additional-farming-resources/

Details of a Small Farm Business Plan

• Swarthmore College

• Ohio Wesleyan University
• Brandeis University
• Northeastern University
• Urban Farms
• Planting Guides
• Indoor Gardening

Writing a farm business plan can be a tool for you to plan your farming business. It can also be a requirement of securing grants and loans for your farm business. The process of writing a farm business plan may seem overwhelming and intimidating at first, but if you break it down into its component steps, it becomes much more manageable.

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan is a roadmap for your small farm . It is both process and product. During the writing of a farm business plan, you'll develop an overall vision and mission for your business. You will think about your short- and long-term goals. You'll define the steps needed to achieve those goals. You'll set the direction for your business to develop over the next five years.

If you're already an established business, your new business plan will show where you're going next. A good business plan should be:

Mission Statement

Your farm’s mission statement is your overarching purpose for your business:

• Why does your farm exist?
• What purpose does your farm serve?
• Where is your farm headed?

This is beyond “make money.” This mission statement is based on your values and your core identity as a small farm.

The goals in your business plan are the specific, measurable “things” you will achieve with your small farm. Short-term goals are defined as those that you will complete within one year. Long-term goals are those that take longer than one year to complete.

SMART Goals are:

• Rewarding, and have a

Background Information

In this section of your business plan, take inventory of what you have right now:

• Where are you located?
• How many acres of land are you farming?
• When did you begin farming?
• How are you currently operating?
• What general practices do you use for such things as conservation, tillage, environmental impact, and marketing?

Farm Strategy

This is where your business plan gets to looking forward. You are going to formulate your farm strategy from now into the next five years or so.

• Gather information and research markets. Make sure that your farm plan fits into the general market in terms of supply and demand. Investigate and analyze industry trends, identify competitors, and define buyers.
• SWOT Analysis. This is an analytical tool that can be used in making decisions. SWOT stands for: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. As a business, analyze your internal strengths and weaknesses. Then look externally at what opportunities and threats exist - competitors, new markets, government regulations, economic conditions, and so forth.
• Create alternative strategies. Looking at the information you've gleaned and the analysis you just did, think through options for your farm strategy. Don't rely on price alone; economies of scale are challenging on the small farm level.
• Don't jump to one conclusion immediately. Really spend some time fleshing out the specifics of some of the strategies and looking at their advantages and disadvantages. Try to find options that combine your internal strengths with opportunities in the external environment.
• Look at all your strategies, then reread your mission statement. The ideal farm plan will fit your mission best.
• Write an implementation plan. This is where you write a plan that will make your new strategy happen.

Marketing Strategy and Plan

In the next part of your farm business plan, you develop and outline a marketing strategy for your products and services. This can build on the research you did in the previous step. For each product, include ​the price, placement, and promotion ideas. Consider how you will convey real and perceived value to your customers.

Management Summary

This part of your business plan details your farm business’ structure. Everyone who is involved in the management of the business should be listed here. External resources are listed here as well.

Financial Analysis

In this section, you will need to detail the financial aspect of your farming operation. List your current finances in detail, including all income and operating expenses. Referring to your new strategy, you will forecast what is needed for future growth and to meet the goals you have outlined in terms of capital. Include what your future operating expenses will be.

Pulling It All Together

Writing a farm business plan is a big project. Don’t let that put you off. Your plan can be as simple as it needs to be for right now. Begin with your mission statement and goals. Do your homework by analyzing markets and researching competitors and trends. Have fun brainstorming alternative strategies and let them marinate a while. Take it one step at a time.

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Farm Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Business Plan Outline

• Farm Business Plan Home
• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Company Overview
• 3. Industry Analysis
• 4. Customer Analysis
• 5. Competitive Analysis
• 6. Marketing Plan
• 7. Operations Plan
• 8. Management Team
• 9. Financial Plan

Farm Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your farm business plan.

We have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their farms.

Below are links to each section of a small farm business plan template. It can be used to create a vegetable farm business plan, fruit farm business plan, agriculture farm business plans or many other types of rural businesses.

Sample Business Plan For Farms & Agricultural Businesses

• Executive Summary – The Executive Summary is the most important part of your business plan. It is a brief description of your farm, its products and services, potential market opportunity, and competitive advantage.
• Company Overview – Also called the Company Analysis, here, you will provide a detailed description of your agriculture business history, its products and other services, and business structure.
• Industry Analysis – In the Industry Analysis, you will provide an in-depth analysis of the industry in which your farm operates including industry trends, market size and growth, and government regulations.
• Customer Analysis – In the Customer Analysis, you will identify your target market and provide insights into their purchasing habits. You will also create customer segments and discuss your marketing strategy for reaching them.
• Competitive Analysis – In the Competitive Analysis, you will identify your direct competition and provide insights into their strengths and weaknesses. You will also discuss your competitive advantage and how you plan to stay ahead of the competition.
• Marketing Plan – The Marketing Plan includes a discussion of your marketing strategy and tactics along with your pricing strategy. You will also provide a budget for your marketing activities including attending farmers’ markets or advertising a farm stand.
• Operations Plan – In the Operations Plan, you will discuss your farm’s day-to-day operations. You will also provide your business goals that you plan to achieve and a budget for your operating expenses.
• Management Team – In this section, you will provide a brief overview of the farm owners and farm management team, their experience in the agricultural industry, and the organizational chart.
• Financial Plan – In this section, you will provide three-year financial statements for your farm. This will include your income statements, projected balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Farm Business Plan FAQs

What is a farm business plan.

A farm business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your farm business. Among other things, a good agriculture farm business plan outlines your business concept, identifies your target audience , presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can  easily complete your farm business plan using our Farm Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Types of Farms?

There are many types of farms. Some have commercial farms that produce crops and agricultural products for sale. Others have cooperative farms owned by people who pool their resources together and share profits among themselves. There are also vegetable farms, dairy, micro, organic, poultry, subsistence, or urban farms.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenues and Expenses for a Farm?

The primary source of revenue for a farm is the sale of its farmed goods such as rice, corn, milk, beef, chicken, depending on the kind of farm a business is.

Some key expenses for a farm are labor expenses, production costs like irrigation, fertilizer, water, and machinery maintenance.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Agriculture Business?

Farm business plans often receive funding from bank loans. Financing is also typically available from grants offered by local and state governments. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are other funding options. This is true for starting any agricultural business.

What are the Steps To Start a Farm Business?

Starting a farming business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

• Develop An Agricultural Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed agriculture business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  It should also include your business goals and mission statement. You can quickly complete your farm business plan using our Farm Business Plan Template here .
• Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your farm business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your farm business is in compliance with local laws.
• Register Your Agriculture Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your farm business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 
• Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your farm business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 
• Choose a Business Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 
• Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 
• Acquire Necessary Farm Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your agricultural business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 
• Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your farm business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful farm business and agribusiness planning:

• How to Start a Farm Business

Where Can I Get a Farm Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free farm business plan template PDF here . This is a good farm business plan template you can use in PDF format.

12: Business Plans

What is a business plan.

A business plan is a document that helps you to organize and succinctly summarize the vision you have for your business. The plan contains the operational and financial objectives of a business, the detailed plans and budgets showing how the objectives are to be realized.

A good business plan will contain the following:

• Your business vision, mission statement, key values, and goals
• Description of the product(s) you intend to produce
• Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats the business may experience are described
• Production plans
• Marketing plans
• Estimated start-up costs
• Information on your legal structure and management team
• Current financial statements or projected financial statements.
• Resume or brief explanation of your background and relevant experience
• Less than 10 total pages so that people actually read it

Helpful Publications for Writing a Business Plan

General Business Resource Publications:

• Starting an Ag-Business? A Pre-Planning Guide http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2004/Cornell_AEM_eb0408.pdf
• Business Transfer Guide: Junior Generation http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2016/Cornell-Dyson-eb1605.pdf
• Producing a Business Plan for Value-Added Agriculture http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2007/Cornell_AEM_eb0708.pdf
• Business Planning for the Agriculture Sector: A Guide to Business Plan Development for Start-up to Mid-size Operations http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2010/Cornell_ pdf
• Building a Sustainable Business (Sustainable Agricultural Research Education (SARE)Publications) sare.org/publications/business.htm 280 pages of education and practical exercises to guide you through the financial, management, and interpersonal skills needed to start a successful farm business. Order hard copy for $17 or download PDF online for free.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Publications for Specific Commodities:

• Landscape Business Planning Guide http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2003/Cornell_AEM_eb0313.pdf
• Writing a Business Plan: A Guide for Small Premium Wineries http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2002/Cornell_AEM_eb0206.pdf
• Writing a Business Plan: An Example for a Small Premium Winery https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/122203/2/Cornell_AEM_eb0207.pdf

Getting Help Writing a Business Plan

Agriculture Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Agriculture Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and farm owners create business plans to start and grow their agricultural companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating an agriculture or farm business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a good business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write an agriculture business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is an Agriculture Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your agricultural business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It is a valuable tool that explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.  

Why You Need a Business Plan for an Agriculture Business

If you’re looking to start an agricultural business or grow your existing agricultural company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your farm to improve your chances of success. Your agricultural business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.  

Sources of Funding for Agricultural Businesses

With regard to funding, the main sources of funding for an agricultural business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review a comprehensive business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for agricultural companies.

    Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for an agricultural business.

If you want to start an agricultural business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. A good farm business plan should include 10 sections as follows:

Executive Summary

Company overview, industry analysis, customer analysis, competitive analysis, marketing plan, operations plan, management team, financial plan.

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan. The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of farm business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have an agricultural business that you would like to grow, or do you have a farming operation that you would like to sell? Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the agricultural industry.
• Discuss the type of farm you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

In your company overview, you will detail the type of agricultural production you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of agricultural businesses:

• Animal feed manufacturing : the production and sale of food formulas for farm animals.
• Agrichemical and seed manufacturing : the production and sale of agrichemicals (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides) and seeds to farmers that support the growth of their crops.
• Agricultural engineering : development, testing, and implementation of new agriculture tools and machinery to improve the process for farmers.
• Biofuel manufacturing : the production of energy from biomass.
• Crop production : the process of growing and harvesting a variety of crops such as fruits, vegetables, and grains.

In addition, the company overview needs to provide information about the business history.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include reaching X number of harvests per year, the number of customers served, or reaching $X amount in revenue.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the agricultural industry. While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the agricultural industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies industry trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in this section:

• How big is the agricultural industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your agricultural business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

The customer analysis section must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of agricultural business you operate. Clearly, schools would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target market into segments in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target audience. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other farms and agricultural producers.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of farmers, wholesalers, and distributors.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of agricultural business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for your customers to engage with you?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For an agriculture business, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of agricultural company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you produce fruit, soy, or vegetable products?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your agricultural company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your agricultural business located on a small or large farm near your customer base? And, will you operate one or multiple locations? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Attend farmers markets
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your farm business, including scheduling employees, tracking inventory, accepting orders and payments, and meeting with customers.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to reach your Xth harvest, or when you hope to generate $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your farm business to a new region.

To demonstrate your potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing agricultural businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing an agriculture business, or owning their own farm.

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, how many pounds of each crop do you plan to yield each season? And what is your sales strategy to grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your farm business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a farm business:

• Cost of farm equipment and supplies
• Operating expenses
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up costs (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your farm’s location lease or a list of agricultural equipment and machinery used on your farm.  

Free Business Plan Template for a Farm or Agriculture Business

You can download our farm business plan PDF template here.  

Agriculture Business Plan Summary

Putting together a business plan for your agriculture business will improve your company’s chances of success. The process of developing your plan will help you better understand your target market, your competition, and your customers. You will also gain a marketing plan to better attract and serve customers, an operations plan to focus your efforts, and financial projections that give you goals to strive for and keep your company focused.

Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your business plan.  

Additional Resources for Starting an Agriculture Business

• How To Start a Farm
• Sample Farm Business Plan
• Starting a New Agricultural Business
• Small and Mid-Sized Farmer Resources
• Starting a Sustainable Agriculture Business
• Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans
• Business Resources for Those Starting to Farm or for an Existing Farm

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan professional services can help you create a winning business.  

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Small Farming Business Plan

Want to transform your small land into a farming business? Indeed, a brilliant business venture to undertake. After all, all sorts of farming businesses enjoy a vast market.

Anyone can start a farming business. However, a detailed business plan is essential to drive this business to its desired potential and secure funding if required.

Need help writing a business plan for your small farm? You’re at the right place. Our small farming business plan template will help you get started.

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

How to Write A Small Farming Business Plan?

Writing a small farming business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

Introduce your Business:

• This section may include the name of your small farming business, its location, when it was founded, the type of small farming business (E.g., vegetable farming, bee farming, aquaculture, organic farming), etc.

Market Opportunity:

• For instance, you may include fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices as products and mention organic produce, exotic fruits, and local produce as some of your USPs.

Marketing & Sales Strategies:

Financial highlights:, call to action:.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

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2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

Business Description:

• Vegetable farming
• Bee farming
• Aquaculture
• Organic farming
• Describe the legal structure of your small farm, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.
• Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.

Mission Statement:

Business history:.

• Additionally, If you have received any awards or recognition for excellent work, describe them.

Future Goals

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

Target market:

• For instance, farmers’ markets, specialty retailers, and local customers would be an ideal target audience for smart farming businesses.

Market size and growth potential:

• For instance, the global smart farming market is expected to reach 53 billion dollars by 2032, so it is crucial to define the segment of your target market and its growth potential.

Competitive Analysis:

Market trends:.

• For instance, agrotech and automation have a booming market; explain how you plan on dealing with this potential growth opportunity.

Regulatory Environment:

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your small farming business plan:

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

Describe your farm products:

Describe the type of products your small farming business will offer. A vegetable farming business may include a detailed description of crops and their varieties here.

Mention products:

Provide a list of products that will be available at your small farm. This list may include,

Value-added services:

Quality measures:.

• This may include quality control processes, clear service standards, regular maintenance, and training.

Additional Services

In short, this section of your small farming plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

• For example, organic and sustainable practices, fresh local produce, and exotic products could be some of the great USPs for a vegetable and fruit small farm.

Pricing Strategy:

Marketing strategies:, sales strategies:, customer retention:.

Overall, this section of your small farming business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your small farming business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

Staffing & Training:

Operational process:, equipment & machinery:.

• Explain how these technologies help you maintain quality standards and improve the efficiency of your business operations.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your small farming business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Founders/CEO:

Key managers:.

• It should include, key executives(e.g. COO, CMO.), senior management, and other department managers (e.g. farm manager, sales manager.) involved in the small farming business operations, including their education, professional background, and any relevant experience in the farming industry.

Organizational structure:

Compensation plan:, advisors/consultants:.

• So, if you have any advisors or consultants, include them with their names and brief information consisting of roles and years of experience.

This section should describe the key personnel for your small farming services, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:.

• This exercise will help you understand how much revenue you need to generate to sustain or be profitable.

Financing Needs:

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the small farming industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your small farming business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

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This sample small farming business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful small farming plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our small farming business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a small farming business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful small farming business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your small farm.

How to get funding for your small farming business?

There are several ways to get funding for your small farming business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are:

• Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
• Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your business, usually online.
• Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought startup options.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

How do I write a good market analysis in a small farming business plan?

Market analysis is one of the key components of your business plan that requires deep research and a thorough understanding of your industry. We can categorize the process of writing a good market analysis section into the following steps:

• Stating the objective of your market analysis—e.g., investor funding.
• Industry study—market size, growth potential, market trends, etc.
• Identifying target market—based on user behavior and demographics.
• Analyzing direct and indirect competitors.
• Calculating market share—understanding TAM, SAM, and SOM.
• Knowing regulations and restrictions
• Organizing data and writing the first draft.

Writing a marketing analysis section can be overwhelming, but using ChatGPT for market research can make things easier.

How detailed should the financial projections be in my small farming business plan?

The level of detail of the financial projections of your small farming business may vary considering various business aspects like direct and indirect competition, pricing, and operational efficiency. However, your financial projections must be comprehensive enough to demonstrate a complete view of your financial performance.

Generally, the statements included in a business plan offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.

What key components should a small farming business plan include?

The following are the key components your small farming business plan must include:

• Executive summary
• Business Overview
• Market Analysis
• Products and services
• Sales and marketing strategies
• Operations plan
• Management team
• Financial plan

Can a good small farming business plan help me secure funding?

Indeed. A well-crafted small farming business plan will help your investors better understand your business domain, market trends, strategies, business financials, and growth potential—helping them make better financial decisions.

So, if you have a profitable and investable business, a comprehensive business plan can certainly help you secure your business funding.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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How to design the farm shop for your future

Think about how your operation will evolve to make your shop a functional space for the long term.

Title: Associate Digital Director, Successful Farming. Experience: Natalina Sents Bausch grew up in southeast Iowa, active in 4H and FFA. Immediately after graduating from college, she spent a year visiting farmers and ranchers in all 50 states. Through blogs and photography, the project told the stories of more than 100 farm families. In 2017, Natalina joined the Successful Farming team to cover new farm machinery and news coverage for Agriculture.com. The role expanded to include managing content distribution through newsletters, social media, and search.

Collaboration is key

Restructure farm shop storage, electric vehicles in your farm shop.

• Rethink your farm shop's roof
• Your farm's connected, smart office

Physical and digital security

As technology keeps advancing, so do your farm’s shop needs. Although the products and priorities within your shop may be changing, surrounding yourself with a competent team is still key as you consider the role of electric vehicles on your farm, rework your storage spaces, rethink your shop’s roof, keep your office current, and secure it all. Here are thoughts from industry leaders to get conversations started with your family and contractor.

“Good design begins with honesty, asks tough questions, comes from collaboration and from trusting your gut,” said automobile designer Freeman Thomas.

• Honesty  with other members of your farming partnership will help to keep priorities and budget expectations on the same page. Take time to hear from each generation to understand the technology or accessibility features that are important to them. Transparency with your banker and insurance agent will also be critical along the way.
• Tough questions  are easier to address up front with your plumber, electrician, or other contractors than after construction has begun. Tackle uncertainties early in the planning to save time, money, and frustration.
• Engage and collaborate  with others as you plan. Borrow ideas from fellow farmers, online floor plans, and social media. Many resources are available. Take what makes sense for your farm and leave the rest. Remember to reach out to the appropriate agencies in your region for any necessary permits or licenses. Double-check any zoning restrictions for large-scale solar or rainwater capture infrastructure. Grants or cost-sharing programs may also be available for certain projects, depending on your area.

Check out these Facebook groups for farm shop inspiration:

• Farm Shop ideas
• Post-frame pole barns and pole buildings
• Pole Barns and Buildings

These Extension resources offer more farm shop plans:

Many of these plans are several decades old, but can be used as a starting place for conversations with your family and contractor.

• Iowa State University: Farm Shop Plans
• Iowa State University: Midwest Plan Service Building Plans
• Colorado State University: Blueprints - Farm Building Plans
• North Dakota State University: Machinery Building Plans
• Purdue University: Planning Farm Shops for Work and Energy Efficiency
• Purdue University: Planning Guide to Farm Machinery Storage
• Trust your gut.  You and your family know your farm business best. This is your space to live and work. Carefully consider your routines, preferences, and physical needs as you work with other parties to execute your plans. Just because a standard size or spec is popular, doesn’t mean that is the right answer for you.

Less chemical storage? 

Variable-rate spraying may mean farmers will need to store less volume of chemicals.

Nadav Bocher, CEO of Greeneye , a precision spraying technology company , says customers can reduce use of non-residual herbicides by as much as 88%. “Essentially, that’s getting 12% of the volume of the product as opposed to 100% of this product. That greatly impacts the logistical planning for the shop and their operations,” he says.

More technology storage? 

Find a clean charging place to store devices. Consider a designated parking area for drones. Consult your drone’s manufacturer for storage guidelines.

Setting up your shop's drone zone

Nathan Mick is the owner of Humminbyrd Drones , an agriculture drone retailer based in Osborne, Kansas. After studying ag economics and agronomy at Kansas State University, then working in the industry for 10 years, Mick returned to his family's farm to start the drone business.

“We've got large farmers who buy them to do all their fungicide acres. On the other end of the spectrum, we've got smaller farmers that can't justify a half million dollar sprayer, but can buy a $30,000 spray drone and do a lot of their acres on their own,” he explains. Other customers have started side businesses, plant cover crops, or manage pasture with their drones.

Regardless of its role in the operation, a drone needs proper care to run efficiently. In addition to having a climate controlled area to safely store drone and remote control batteries, a space to wash the drone down may be a handy addition to your shop's design, Mick says.

“Depending on how many drones you have, or what your tender trailer set up is, you may want to have a spot to park that,” he adds.

A dedicated workbench space to charge and complete minor repairs when you come in at night will help you be prepared to hit the ground running the next morning, he says. A couple 110 outlets in this zone will be sufficient. A small tote or cupboard is enough to keep a few spare propellers or an extra pump on hand to minimize downtime.

Specialized parts storage?

As you adopt new technology, bolt bins and spare tires won’t keep you running like they used to. Consider upgrading your parts storage to accommodate extra camera parts and sensors that will become increasingly important.

Perhaps this is the time to ditch the notebook or “check the shelf and see” strategy of inventory management. A shared spreadsheet or software program may be a more efficient way to track what you have on hand.

Continually improving inventory and fleet management

Sabrena Thomsen has been the office manager for an Arion, Iowa trucking company and family farm since 2021. She acknowledges parts management is a work in progress for the businesses, but a few recent updates have helped the operation get closer to their goals.

Installing cameras pointed toward the parts storage area has helped Garrett Land and Cattle Company keep an eye on what is coming in and out of inventory. With multiple employees and machines to manage, seeing who took what, from where, for which vehicle, from your phone, can be handy.

For the trucking business, Fleetio , a fleet management software, helps Thomsen and team manage everything from fuel receipts to parts. When a truck in their fleet needs maintenance, a work order can be created within the Fleetio app, parts are allocated to that specific vehicle, and costs can be assigned to the job as well.

If you’re looking to adopt a system like this, Thomsen says, be proactive instead of reactive. “Do your research about the product before you implement it.” Changing systems or processes multiple times can be stressful and builds resistance to change within your team.

While adopting a new system came with challenges, and everyone has a different appetite for change, she says there's a return on investment. “New software can be scary, but in the end, most of the time it is going to be beneficial and time saving on everybody,” she says.

Her office work has been significantly streamlined thanks to the new software. For example, tabulating fuel expenses is no longer a time consuming, multi step endeavor. “Now I only have to do one step,” she smiles.

As the operation looks to keep improving their parts and fleet management, Thomsen hopes to add details to their inventory records. “Right now, we don’t put in the quantity of parts, but we can see how much we’re spending on the parts as a whole. To get down to the nitty gritty quantity amounts is where we want to move forward.”

Increased climate control? 

Be aware of temperature, light, and humidity in your designated storage areas. Biological products and batteries can be particularly sensitive to these conditions.

If you expect electric vehicles (EVs) to be part of your operation, incorporating the appropriate infrastructure might be something new to consider.

If your shop is powered traditionally and you’re tapped into a local electrical grid…

• Running extra electrical when you build is likely cheaper than retrofitting your shop down the road.
• “The standard right now is a 50 amp 220 service. That can be used to charge electric vehicles,” explains Brent Erspamer of Polaris. “For most electric vehicles, that will be fast charging.”
• Consider placement of 220 service near each bay door. If you run extra 220 that isn’t used for charging vehicles, it may give you more flexibility to move your welder, air compressor, or other large tools around the shop.

If your EV charging is powered by an off-grid solar source…

• This may help you avoid impact from system-wide outages caused by fires and natural disasters, notes Tom McCalmont of Paired Power.
• An off-grid system for EV charging is also a way to avoid burdening older infrastructure you know is stressed but don’t have the capacity to upgrade.

Rethink your farm shop's roof

Additional infrastructure on your roof may be able to save (or even make) you money. Solar panels or rainwater harvesting systems are two options to consider.

• Evaluate if solar panels are an option for your roof based on your geography and shop orientation. “The best solar roofs have large areas with south or southwest exposure, little shade, and a roof in good condition,” explains Google’s Project Sunroof FAQ. Free calculators are available online to analyze your roof shape and local weather patterns.
• Connect with solar providers to get quotes and compare.  Recent growth in this industry has prompted many new entries to the marketplace. Take the time to make sure you’re dealing with reputable companies. The recent Inflation Reduction Act and other incentives may make considering solar power more attractive. Sit down with your current utility bills. Do the math to see if one of these systems may have a positive return on investment for your farm.
• Even if a third party is handling the installation of your solar panels, communicate that with your building contractor. The roof may need to be strengthened or different materials selected to accommodate the weight of these setups. State or local permits may be required to install your solar project. As you research, be aware that commercial and industrial solar economics can differ from residential rooftops because a different set of regulations, electricity prices, and installation costs often apply. If you expect to generate more electricity than your shop uses, you’re connected to the local grid, and your state has net metering, you’ll need to set up an account with your utility, notes Google’s Project Sunroof website.

Your farm's connected, smart office

Start here:  Internet connectivity and cell service throughout the shop is no longer a convenience: It’s a business need. If you’re in an area with poor service, resolving this issue will be key in maximizing your ROI from other technology investments.

Upgrade:  Storing your data in the cloud is safe and accessible.

Level up:  Basic smart devices such as Alexa or Google Home speaker system in the shop can control entertainment, lights, and climate.

Multiple offices:  How many private offices make sense for your team? Think ahead about space for the next generation to grow into without kicking someone out. Invest in the necessary boosters to ensure your phone and internet services can keep up with a full office.

Office on the go:  A Bluetooth headset paired with the smartphone in your pocket will help you work efficiently when being tied to a desk isn’t practical.

Manage meetings:  A designated meeting room should be equipped to handle in-person and virtual meetings. A wide range of digital displays, microphones, and web cameras are available.

Workspace investment:  A portable smart TV in the shop can be used to display security camera feeds, calendar/weather/markets dashboard, monitor field progress, or watch step-by-step YouTube repair tutorials.

6 tips for physical security of your farm shop

• Visible location: Purdue Extension Agricultural Engineers suggest situating the shop on a lane that passes directly by the farm home for maximum visibility. If secondary access roads are necessary, or already exist, extra security measures are recommended.
• Parcel receiving area:  Consider a keypad-secured parcel receiving area to receive parts shipments or other supplies around the clock. If that isn't an option for your space, a sturdy, secure mailbox may be a good choice. Dvault has a wide range of sizes and configurations and many home improvement stores have a selection as well.
• Cameras:  This technology isn’t new, but it’s advancing. Research the integrated systems that offer apps and notifications. As you build, consider where, and how many, you’d like to hardwire inside and outside your shop.
• Lighting:  While you’re talking to your electrician, consider your exterior lighting needs for safety and security. Programmable, motion-sensing, and color-changing lights may be appealing solutions.
• Locks:  Keypad or Bluetooth door locks have their advantages. If you go this route, change the PINs regularly.
• Tracking devices:  Tracking devices are very affordable now. Apple Air Tags or Tile Trackers are an easy and discreet way to keep tabs on large or expensive shop tools via Bluetooth technology.

3 tips for digital security in your farm shop

Farms today are more connected than ever. There are likely dozens of connected internet of things (IoT) devices in your shop. Every IoT connection is a potential point of entry for a cybercriminal, notes Carl Udler, senior marketing director of Hughes.

• Regular password changes will continue to grow in importance.
• Consider establishing a virtual private network (VPN) for the farm.  “A VPN encrypts all of your data, effectively hiding any information about you from prying eyes,” explains cybersecurity company Surfshark’s website. Most VPN providers charge a monthly fee.
• Just like a mechanic has traditionally been an important part of your farm’s team, a “managed security service provider” will be a new recruit to consider.

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Feed and Farm Supply Business Plan

Published Jan.04, 2024

Updated Apr.22, 2024

By: Cynthia Turner

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Table of Content

A feed and farm supply business plan describes your business operations. A good business plan, like this farm business plan example , shows your vision, goals, strategies, and financial projections. A well-written business plan helps farmers, ranchers, hobbyists, or pet owners get investors and lenders and stand out from competitors.

This article provides a feed and farm supply business plan sample for you to use as a template. Customize it to fit your needs and situation.

Executive Summary

The executive summary is a brief overview of the business plan, showing key information and main points. It aims to engage the reader and motivate them to read the full business plan.

The executive summary for a farm supply and feed store business plan should have:

• Business name and location
• Mission and vision statements
• Business concept
• Products and services
• Target market
• Competitive advantage
• Implementation strategy
• Financial summary

To write an effective executive summary, follow these tips:

• Write it last, after finishing the other sections
• Use bullet points, headings, and subheadings
• Use clear and simple language, avoiding jargon
• Keep it to one or two pages as in our fruit and vegetable business plan example.

Company Overview

The company overview describes the business, its background and context. It should show the history, origin, and motivation of the business, and the current and future plans.

The company overview for a feed and farm supply business plan should include:

• Business history
• Ownership and legal structure
• Goals and objectives
• Current situation
• Future plans
• SWOT analysis

Some tips for writing the company overview are:

• Provide relevant and factual information, with evidence.
• Use charts, graphs, tables, and images to present data. See our organic farming business plan example.
• Structure the overview clearly and logically.
• Be realistic and honest about your business.

Industry Analysis

The industry analysis describes the feed and farm supply industry, its current state and trends, and how your business fits in. It shows your industry knowledge and understanding, and helps you identify opportunities and threats.

For example, here are some industry facts:

• The US Farm Supply Stores industry market size was $23.9 billion in 2022.
• The global livestock farm equipment market size was USD 21.4 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 28.90 billion by 2032. (Source – IBISWorld )

The industry analysis for a feed and farm supply business plan should have:

• Industry definition
• Industry size and growth
• Industry trends
• Industry structure
• Industry competition
• Industry outlook

Some tips for writing the industry analysis are:

• Use credible sources of information.
• Use quantitative and qualitative data to support the analysis.
• Be critical and objective.
• Use charts, graphs, and tables to present and compare industry data. See our garlic farm business plan example.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis defines and profiles your target market, and shows how you attract and retain your customers. It describes the characteristics, needs, preferences, and buying behavior of customers, and the strategies to reach, attract, and retain them.

The customer analysis for a feed and farm supply business plan should have:

• Market segmentation
• Customer needs
• Customer preferences
• Customer behavior
• Customer motivation
• Market positioning

Some tips for writing the customer analysis are:

• Do primary and secondary research
• Test and validate your assumptions and hypotheses about your customers
• Show how your products and services meet your customers’ needs (see our state farm business plan example)
• Use a customer-centric and empathetic tone

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis identifies and evaluates your direct and indirect competitors. You can understand your competitive advantage and develop your USP accordingly.

The items to be included in the competitive analysis are:

• Competitor identification
• Competitor analysis
• Unique selling proposition

Marketing Plan

The marketing plan shows how to promote and sell products and services. It details how the business will reach, attract, and retain its market and customers. It also outlines how to measure and evaluate marketing success.

The marketing plan for a feed and farm supply business plan should have:

• Marketing objectives
• Marketing strategies
• Marketing tactics
• Marketing budget

Some tips for writing the marketing plan are:

• Use market research and customer feedback for marketing decisions.
• Use SMART to set attainable marketing objectives.
• Use 4Ps to ensure a consistent marketing mix.
• Use marketing metrics to track and improve marketing performance and ROI.

Operations Plan

The operations plan describes how you run and manage your feed and farm supply business. It includes:

• Business location
• Business layout
• Business equipment
• Business processes
• Business suppliers
• Business inventory
• Business delivery

Writing tips for the operations plan:

• Use flowcharts to simplify and illustrate the operation process.
• Provide realistic and accurate estimates of the resources required.
• Demonstrate how you will optimize efficiency and effectiveness.

Management Team

The management team introduces the people responsible for leading your feed and farm supply business. It includes:

• Management team members
• Management team roles
• Management team qualifications
• Organizational structure
• Organizational culture

Writing tips for the management team section:

• Use photos and testimonials to showcase team members and highlight their credentials.
• Highlight the strengths and diversity of the team.
• Maintain a professional and confident tone.

Financial Plan

The financial plan shows the financial statements and projections of your feed and farm supply business. It shows your financial viability and sustainability, and helps get funding from investors or lenders.

The financial plan for a feed and farm supply business plan should have:

• Financial statements
• Financial ratios
• Financial analysis
• Funding requirements
• Funding sources
• Break-even analysis
• Sensitivity analysis
• Risk analysis

Some tips to improve your financial plan are:

• Use spreadsheets, charts, and graphs to present financial data.
• Use realistic and conservative assumptions and estimates, as in our FPO business plan .
• Follow consistent accounting methods and standards.

OGScapital for Your Feed and Farm Supply Business Plan

OGSCapital is a professional business plan writing and consulting service with 17 years of experience. We assist businesses by crafting well-written business plans that attract investors and partners.

Our Business Plan Services

• Customized business plan writing – We tailor business plans to each client’s needs and goals. Our consultants and writers collaborate with clients to understand and present their business.
• Consulting – We also offer consulting services to support clients in all stages and aspects of their business growth.

Our Approach

• Customer-centric – We adjust our process to each client’s requirements.
• Standards-meeting – Our business plans meet the standards and expectations of various funding sources.

Our Track Record

With over 5,000 satisfied customers and $2.7 billion in secured funding, we have a proven track record of delivering high-quality business plans.

Download Feed and Farm Supply Business Plan Sample in pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Write a Business Plan for a Feed and Farm Supply Company?

To create a business plan for a feed and farm supply company, you have two options. You can use a free feed and farm supply business plan PDF template or software. Or you can hire our experts at OGSCapital who provide personalized and professional services with their experience and knowledge.

How to Start a Feed and Farm Supply Business?

A well-researched business plan is essential for starting a successful farm and feed supply business. A business plan helps secure funding along with identifying any potential obstacles and hindrances well in advance.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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The 6 rules to opening a successful farm shop

4th January 2022

Almost on a daily basis we speak to farmers who are considering opening a farm shop. There is a growing demand for high quality, locally and ethically produced food. As well as a need for farmers to diversify their business in order to sustain growth.

Farm shops are ideally positioned to cater for this demand but there are a number of factors that farmers should consider before committing to such a venture. Based on our experience in helping our own farming clients with their business plans, here’s what we believe are the crucial factors to running a successful of a farm shop:

1. Skills and aptitude

The skills and the mind-set needed to run a successful retailing business are very different from those required to run a farm business. Whereas a farmer’s main focus will be on production, those running a farm shop need to be customer focused – it’s not a case of “what can I sell?” but “what (and how) does the customer want to buy?”.

2. Location

Successful farm shop businesses will generally be within five miles of a reasonable sized town and within half a mile of a major road. This means that the shop is readily accessible by a reasonably large population as well as having passing traffic which may or may not live locally. If the proposed location is not easy to get to, what is going to make the customer go out of his or her way to come to your shop rather than to your competitors’?

3. Convenience

In addition to location, it is important that customers are able to shop at the time, and in the way that they want. This may mean extended opening hours or going down the route of internet sales and ‘Click & Collect’. If customers want to pick up the ingredients for an evening meal on their way home from work they will go to a supermarket if the farm shop closes at 5.00pm.

Supporting Wadswick Country Store through retail diversifications, a cafe expansion and the creation of a solar park.

4. your market.

Understand who you will be selling to, what their preferences are, when and how they like to shop, and additional facilities that they would value. Putting in a children’s play area may be counterproductive if your main target market is retired couples looking for a quiet day out.

5. Differentiation

In order to compete with other food retailers you will need a point of differentiation. Usually this will mean concentrating on a core product such as meat or vegetables produced on the farm, and focusing on the areas that you do well such as quality, localness, customer service and the story behind the food that you sell (where it has come from and how it has been produced). Other areas of differentiation might be an idyllic farm location, or creating a destination by adding an attraction such as a children’s play area, farm trails or other retail outlets. These are the areas in which you can compete with supermarkets – not on price.

6. Financial performance

The key determinants of profitability will be the number of customers you can get in through the door and the amount that each spends. Be realistic about this. We have data for a range of farm shop sizes and locations on which we can base the various factors contributing to financial performance such expected customer numbers and spend, and profit margins for different product lines.

Farm shops can be profitable businesses if they are well run and in the right location. If you are considering diversifying your farming business or opening a farm shop speak to one of our financial specialists for farms who will be pleased to discuss your plans with you and provide some useful pointers.

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Mixed Greens Salad Gardens

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Mixed Greens Salad Gardens (MGSG) is an exciting new company that meets an unsatiated need for quality salad greens. The close proximity to Eugene ensures a steady flow of customers. MGSG is a start-up grower and distributor of exotic salad greens for restaurants and individual consumers. MGSG is located in Blue River, Oregon and serves the southern Willamette Valley. MGSG’s objectives are to develop a product-based company whose goal is to exceed customer’s expectations, increase production efficiency by 10% a year, and lastly, and develop a sustainable farm business, able to survive off their cash flow.

MGSG will sell a spring mix of salad field greens. These greens will include but are not limited to: red leaf, arugula, radicchio, mustard greens, endive, and chicory. These greens are grown for use in salad mixtures, purchased by the end consumer as well as by restaurants who then serve it to their patrons.

MGSG has decided to target two distinct market segments, individual customers and restaurants. The individual customers will purchase greens from MGSG at the Tuesday and Saturday Farmer’s Market. This segment is growing at 12% and has 12,000 potential customers. The second segment is local restaurants. This market is smaller at only 28 potential customers, but is more consistent in demand throughout the year.

Competitive Edge

MGSG has two competitive edges that will help them maintain strong growth rates, increasing their market penetration. The first edge is quality. MGSG prides themselves on the high quality of exotic salad greens. Greens that do not meet MGSG high standards of quality are rejected as imperfects and go to a not-for-profit food bank. MGSG’s second competitive edge is their flexibility. The entire farm has been set up to allow them to change crops or scale existing crops to meet demand. This is highly unusual as most farms are unable to change crops mid year.

MGSG is led by Heidi Ponic. Heidi initially got her start in growing while working at a greenhouse. After college, Heidi went to work for a large grass seed company. This experience is what solidified Heidi’s desire to continue working in an agricultural capacity. Soon after her experience at the Willamette Seed Company she decided to enroll in Oregon State University’s Master of Horticulture Program. Heidi’s Masters provided her with requisite detail and skills to develop her own farm business.

1.1 Objectives

The objectives for the first three years of operation include:

• To create a product-based company whose goal is to exceed customers’ expectations.
• To increase the efficiency of our production by 10% a year.
• To develop a sustainable farm, surviving off its own cash flow.

1.2 Mission

Mixed Greens Salad Gardens’ mission is to provide the highest-quality salad greens. We exist to attract and maintain customers. When we adhere to this maxim, everything else will fall in to place. Our services will exceed the expectations of our customers.

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Mixed Greens Salad Gardens, soon to be located in Blue River, OR, is a grower and seller of exotic salad field greens. MGSG grows a wide variety of field greens including red leaf, arugula, radicchio, mustard greens, endive, and chicory. MGSG sells the greens both at farmer markets as well as direct to restaurants.

The business will be based out of Heidi Ponic’s home. The office will be within her home and the greenhouse will be on her adjoining 20 acres of land.

2.1 Company Ownership

Mixed Greens Salad Gardens will be a sole proprietorship with Heidi Ponic as the founder and owner. Heidi will be funding the business with a $50,000 investment of her own. An additional $10,000 will be invested by family member O.G. Tylthe with exit/repayment initially scheduled for year five.

2.2 Start-up Summary

Mixed Greens Salad Gardens’ start-up costs will include all the equipment needed for the home-based office, the construction of the greenhouse and all the necessary equipment, and other essentials for growing.

The home office equipment will be the largest chunk of the start-up expenses. This equipment includes a computer system, fax machine, office supplies, cellular phone, and pager. The computer should have at least a 500 megahertz Celeron/Pentium processor, 64 megabytes of RAM (preferably 128), 6 gigabyte hard drive, and a rewritable CD-ROM for backing up the system. The home office will also require a few pieces of furniture such as a desk, chair, and book shelf to transform a standard room into an office. Lastly, an additional land phone line will be required.

The greenhouse will need the following equipment: a 25′ x 100′ greenhouse structure made out of poly carbonate, a ventilation system, a heater, a mister system, supplemental lighting, fertilizer injector, pruners, pots, trays, soil, seeds, and assorted chemicals.

Please note that of the $25,300 of long-term assets, $20,000 will be depreciated straight line for 27.5 years (real estate) and the remaining $5,300 will be depreciated on a seven year straight-line schedule.

MGSG will sell a spring mix of salad field greens. These greens will include but are not limited to: red leaf, arugula, radicchio, mustard greens, endive, and chicory. These greens are grown for use in salad mixtures, purchased by the end consumer as well as by restaurants who then serve it to their patrons. While the greens are washed at the farm, they are not certified washed and the patrons are told to wash them an additional time.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

MGSG will be focusing on two distinct users of greens, individual consumers, and restaurants. The consumer market is seasonal so we will have production shifts during the consumer off season and all of the production will go toward wholesale restaurant distribution. During the spring and the summer MGSG will be serving both the consumer markets through farmer market stands and the restaurants through direct distribution.

4.1 Market Segmentation

Mixed Greens Salad Gardens has two distinct customers:

• Individual Consumers . This group of people buy exotic salad greens because they have a more sophisticated pallette. Average Americans have been raised on iceberg lettuce and this is their green of choice (unfortunately). When people from this class get a little “crazy” they might even try romaine lettuce. These people are typically unsophisticated or unadventurous in terms of culinary habits. These are NOT the people MGSG serves. MGSG is going after people that appreciate healthier, tastier alternatives to the standby of iceberg lettuce. This group of consumers is more likely to make their own meals instead of going out, appreciates fine dining, and generally is from a higher socio/economic class. Mixed Greens Salad Gardens’ field greens are more expensive than choices like iceberg or romaine, therefore one can conclude that the consumer typically makes more money if they are willing to pay significantly more for their salad greens, and second, people with more sophisticated palates typically are more educated.

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• Restaurants . Not all restaurants use exotic field greens mixes, generally it is a restaurant of fine dining that serves the finer greens. To be even more specific, it is typically an adventurous American or nouveau cuisine restaurant as opposed to a nicer French or German restaurant that appreciates the exotic field greens mix. For what ever reason (probably attributable to demand of their customers), the French and German restaurants, even the finer ones tend to serve “peasant greens.” The restaurants are a year round customer which is helpful to balance the seasonal demand of individual consumers (group 1 above). Another advantage of having the restaurants as a customer is that even though they get a better price, MGSG has a long term contract with them which helps out in terms of stability.

4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

Mixed Greens Salad Gardens’ target market segment strategy is fairly easy. Our two different customer groups purchase from two distinct locations so it is quite easy to target them individually.

Individuals . These customers will be buying MGSG products from the different farmer markets located in Eugene, OR. The main one is “The Farmers Market” held downtown twice a week in the spring, summer, and the early autumn. This market gets quite a bit of traffic because there is a nice selection of different farmers and products and it is in a central location in the heart of Eugene. Additionally, there are several other smaller farmer markets that exist in outlining communities. By setting up a booth in these markets, there is already a steady flow of interested customers. There obviously is a fee to set up a stand, but what you get for the fee is all of your marketing taken care of and a line of customers. In addition to individuals frequenting the farmer markets, some restaurants will go there as well. This occurs when a restaurant needs certain ingredients but did not have the time to order it in advance.

Restaurants . MGSG will target these customers by introducing MGSG and their products to the restaurants through meetings with the buyers at each restaurant. There are about 25-30 different restaurants in Eugene that use field greens in their salad and MGSG intends to approach these to form long-term relationships.

4.3 Industry Analysis

There are three different types of competitors that MGSG faces:

• Supermarkets . These stores sell a salad greens mix to consumers. The advantage of the supermarket is convenience. There are many supermarkets around the city and they are open many hours during the day. Their disadvantage is price and quality. The quality and variety lower than the standards set by the offerings of MGSG and other similar local farmers. The cost is higher, usually 15% more.
• Similar local farmers . These are very similar operations to MGSG, sometimes larger and sometimes smaller. There appears to be room in the market for multiple farmers as most of the farmers sell out their products each day at the farmer markets.
• Large distributors . An example of this would be Food Service of America (FSA) which buys a wide variety of products and quality of produce from farmers and distributes them to restaurants. The produce is not usually local, and is a few more days older from the field compared with the local farmers. The price is comparable and the quality can be comparable, but not necessarily. The disadvantage of a food distributor is the lack of flexibility relative to a local grower when serving local customers.

Buying patterns are based on the customer’s desires. What is meant by this is that lower-end restaurants (or at least restaurants that are less concerned about quality) will not bother to get greens from local farmers, there is no need for them to. This pattern is similar for the individuals. There are some individuals that are content with the offerings from supermarkets. There are others that appreciate the difference in quality and are willing to schedule a trip to the farmers market to meet their weekly needs.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

MGSG will be aggressively courting the farmer markets to ensure the ability to have a booth at the markets. Additionally, MGSG will be aggressive in going after the local restaurants that have a consistent need for the greens. Through an assurance of top-shelf service and superior customer service and reliability, MGSG will continue to grow its number of clients.

5.1 Competitive Edge

Mixed Greens Salad Gardens’ competitive edge has two main aspects: quality and flexibility.

• Quality . While the quality of the other local farmers is quite good, Heidi’s extensive educational background and practical experience  provides her with tools to create a superior product. Heidi is a perfectionist and her striving for perfection will lead MGSG to developing a product that will be a notch better than the competition.
• Flexibility . With MGSG being both small and local in nature, it will be able to be flexible in meeting customer’s demands. For instance, if a local restaurant has customers that prefer more arugula in their salad mix, MGSG can rapidly shift production to meet the needs of that customer. Most of the farmers, and all of the distributors, typically have their production schedules set up for maximum yield and are unable to modify crop production very much. Heidi is less concerned about maximizing yield, she is more concerned with pleasing the customer. She believes, rightfully so, that talking care of the customer is the most important thing.

A combination of quality and flexibility will create a sustainable competitive advantage that will allow MGSG to succeed.

5.2 Sales Strategy

MGSG’s sales strategy will be based on visibility, consistency, and strategic relationships.

• Visibility . MGSG will need to generate visibility that sets them apart from the other local farmers that sell at the market. This in part will be done through the use of a colorful, distinct booth set-up that stands out among the other farmers. This visibility will create recognition for MGSG. This is important because the produce of the different farmers appears to be the same. The differences are discovered upon tasting the produce in your home. If MGSG stands out in terms of the booth appearance, the repeat customer will more easily make the connection between the unusual booth and MGSG’s product.
• Consistency . In addition to product consistency, MGSG will have consistency in regards to their presence at the farmer markets. It is much easier to build awareness and loyalty if people can reliably expect to see MGSG every week in the same place.
• Strategic relationships . This will be the key for restaurant sales. As stated before, restaurant sales are a consistent income that help reduce the seasonality of MGSG’s sales. Forming mutually beneficial, strategic partnership will be of upmost importance for building a good revenue base.

5.2.1 Sales Forecast

5.3 Milestones

MGSG will have several milestones early on:

• The end of the consumer season and the ramping up of the restaurant supply cycle.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

Heidi Ponic, founder and owner, first became interested in growing vegetables at the age of five. Heidi pursued her love for plants by obtaining a biology degree at the University of Washington. Throughout her last three years at Washington, she worked in a greenhouse that grew many different types of annuals. Upon graduation, Heidi went to work for a large grass seed manufacturer. Although the growing of grass seed proved to be far less interesting then most other plants, she was determined to get management experience, a skill set that she lacked. After two years at Willamette Seed Company, she enrolled in Oregon State University’s Masters of Horticulture program.

Having gone through the three years of the Masters program, she realized two things, 1) she needed to create a job/company for herself, 2) she should follow her passion and grow vegetables. These realizations were the final catalyst to pursue her lifelong dream of running her own greenhouse operation.

Heidi’s educational training and her passion creates the ideal combination for an owner of a start-up company.

6.1 Personnel Plan

The staff will consist of Heidi working full time. While the bulk of the time Heidi will spend managing the operation, she will always spend a few hours a week tending to the plants. In addition to all of the general management required for the production of the greens, Heidi will be setting up strategic relationships with local restaurants. Mixed Greens Salad Gardens will have hired two full-time gardeners beginning in the middle of the first month, and will hire a part-time helper by month four. The gardeners will be primarily responsible for the raising of the field greens, while the part-time help will be used to help staff the farmers market booth for the consumer selling of the greens.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The following sections will outline the important financial information.

7.1 Important Assumptions

The following table highlights some of the important financial assumptions.

7.2 Break-even Analysis

The Break-even Analysis below indicates the monthly sales needed to break even.

7.3 Projected Profit and Loss

The following table will indicate projected profit and loss. Our losses at start-up are evident, as is the turn of the corner in July when we become profitable.

7.4 Projected Cash Flow

The following chart and table will indicate projected cash flow.

7.5 Projected Balance Sheet

The following table will indicate the projected balance sheet.

7.6 Business Ratios

Business ratios for the years of this plan are shown below. Industry profile ratios based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 0161, Lettuce Farms, as part of Vegetables and Melons, Not Elsewhere Classified, are shown for comparison.

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What do you need to know about starting a business?

• Start up business ideas
• Set up a business
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• Business law
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• Start up stories
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Protect your wellbeing from the pressures of starting and running a business and develop key business skills.

• Dealing with stress
• Manage your time
• Self-confidence
• Write a business plan
• Business strategy
• Start up costs
• Start up funding
• Setting prices
• How to work out tax and NI
• Accounting and bookkeeping
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• Looking after your customers
• Promote your business
• Your marketing strategy
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• Research your market
• Creating and optimising a website
• Commercial premises
• Premises security
• People management
• Recruitment, contracts, discipline and grievance
• Employment rights
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• Buying IT for your new business
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• Personal development

How to start up a farm shop

Farm shops serve their local communities and have also gained popularity with tourists wanting to buy locally produced food items. This guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own farm shop.

Research your target market

Decide what to sell, promote your shop.

• Price your products

Help for farm shop businesses

• Buy and existing business

Estimating demand

Establish as best you can whether there is enough local demand for your proposed farm shop. Firstly, see if there are there any existing farm shops nearby and check out the competition. Count these and any other outlets nearby selling similar products that have a similar 'feel' - for example farmers markets and delicatessens. Take into account businesses that are not obviously direct competitors, such as supermarket outlets, local greengrocers, market stalls and convenience stores that also sell fresh produce. Depending on the type of produce you sell, these types of outlet could have almost no impact on the success of your farm shop or they could turn out to be significant competitors.

Consider how many customers your shop needs to attract to achieve the required turnover. Are there enough households locally or will you have to attract customers from further afield? If you are in a tourist area, will you be able to tap into the tourist market during the holiday season?

As well as selling your goods directly to individual customers, you might be able to supply other local businesses. This can act as an excellent subsidiary to the farm's profits. Try contacting local restaurants or hotels - they may be interested in having a regular supply of fresh vegetables, organic produce or local specialities. (For many catering businesses, using locally sourced fresh produce is a strong selling point.)

Some farm shops specialise in a particular type of product (for example, cured meats or special cheeses) and target a nationwide customer base through online sales and mail order. Estimating sales in this case is very difficult - careful marketing will be required and sales may take some time to build up, so it is probably best not to rely on these sales when making your initial estimates.

Shop location

Farm shops typically benefit less than other shops from passing trade. As your shop is likely to be at the farm, you probably will not have much choice in terms of location. Nevertheless, the position of the shop on the farm premises is important and you may have a certain amount of flexibility in this.

The shop should be easy to see and find. Providing easy and well-marked access will help to encourage any passers-by to stop. Signs should be clear and attractive and parking facilities outside the shop or close by will be helpful.

Competition from other outlets may be less of a factor the further away you are from large towns and cities, but of course the local customer base will be smaller too. This may not be too much of a problem, however, as people are prepared to travel considerable distances to a farm shop if they think the products and customer service are good. Offering local specialities, organic produce, or your own unique products may encourage more customers to make a special trip to your shop.

Research has shown that farm shop customers tend to be from the higher income groups. They are often looking for a helpful and efficient service, good quality food and produce with low 'food miles' which businesses like the multiple supermarkets can't always provide. If your farm shop is in an affluent area, you may find it easy to attract this kind of customer. In less well-off parts of the country, you might have to concentrate on building up sales over a wider area.

Understand your competitors

Make sure that enough customers will choose your shop rather than other food outlets. Your shop is likely to appeal to customers that want to buy particular items to supplement their weekly supermarket shopping, like locally grown vegetables or organic meat. You may also find that it's popular with holidaymakers looking for a 'taste' of the area. So, rather than more mainstream food outlets like supermarkets and grocers, you're likely to be competing with other farm shops in your area and shops similar to yours in nature, like delicatessens.

Visit as many of these competitors as possible. Have a good look around to see what range of goods they are selling and what kind of image they project. Make a note of:

• the range of goods they offer
• the prices they charge
• whether they sell organic produce
• what their opening hours are
• the type of customer they attract
• whether the premises and fittings are modern and smart
• what level of service they offer

You may find it useful to print out a competitor research form (see below) to record the results of your research.

By carrying out a survey of your main competitors you may be able to identify a gap in the market that your shop can fill - for example, you might find that none of your local competitors stock organic produce. Perhaps you can sell different products not available elsewhere - your own recipe sausages for example, or ready-to-barbeque spare ribs marinated in a special sauce. Specialising like this can distinguish your shop from its competitors and should help to attract customers, especially if you can find a best-seller that your customers then recommend to their friends.

If you cannot identify a clear gap in the market, or an opportunity to specialise, try to attract customers by emphasising the quality of your food. In recent years people have become more concerned about food safety and quality. Talking to the person who has produced the food or who has played a key role in sourcing it from local suppliers will be very appealing to many people. Providing a welcoming atmosphere and a high level of service is also likely to help you to attract and retain customers.

Find out what people want

Consider carrying out some surveys of the people in your local area, to find out:

• what sort of goods they would like you to stock - fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meat and meat products, organic produce, frozen goods, flowers, and so on
• whether they would be prepared to travel to your shop
• if they would be interested in regular home deliveries of fresh produce
• whether there are any local greengrocers, hotels or restaurants looking for a source of locally produced food
• what they think of your proposals in general
• what, if anything, they don't like about the existing food outlets in your area

Who are your likely customers?

While your core customer base is likely to be made up of mainly private individuals who live locally, you might also have customers who are:

• taking a day trip or longer holiday in your area. Farm shops are often popular shopping destinations for tourists
• passing through your area, particularly if your shop is situated close to a busy road
• local businesses like restaurants and hotels who buy from you on trade terms

If you sell any niche products and become known as a source of a local speciality, or build up your own range of goods processed on the farm, you could attract customers from further afield. You may consider selling this type of product online or through classified advertisements in a magazine such as  Farmers Weekly .

Check out local developments

Check whether there are any plans to build new road systems which mean that local traffic will bypass your farm shop. Also check whether there are any plans to start a farmers' market in your area. Such a market might appear to be a competitor, but you could find that taking a stall leads to extra sales and is a good opportunity to publicise your shop.

Research current trends, plus legal and tax issues

• Shopping in farm shops
• Legal issues for farm shops
• VAT rules concerning farm shops

If your farm shop is a diversification project from your existing farm, the range of goods you sell may be entirely dictated by what the farm produces. Alternatively, you may decide to buy in a certain amount from local farms or other suppliers to supplement what you produce yourself.

You might sell only fresh goods, or a mixture of frozen, fresh and cooked products. It may be that you decide to sell only organic produce. The range of food you stock might include some or all of the following:

• fresh vegetables
• dairy products (cheese, cream, ice cream, yoghurt)
• meat products (eg sausages, cured hams)
• apples, plums, pears
• soft fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries)
• fruit juice
• home-made pies and pasties
• home-made cakes and scones
• home-made jams, preserves, pickles and fudge

Although most of your income is likely to come from the sale of food, you might also consider selling a number of other items. For example:

• bedding plants
• cut flowers
• beeswax candles and polish
• craft items (eg pottery, wicker baskets, chairs)
• cider or wine
• local specialities
• wild bird food

Creating the right image

It is important that your shop projects the right image. Many customers expect that shopping in a farm shop will be an enjoyable experience and distinctly different from shopping in the High Street or in a supermarket. Farm shop customers typically appreciate the personal contact with people who have been directly involved in the production and/or sourcing of the food, so it is vital that you and your staff are able to answer queries about the goods sold.

First impressions are important, so the design of the shop will ideally refer to its close agricultural links. The shop building and its setting can do much to create the right image. For example, converted farm buildings which are carefully updated can retain much of their rural character. The inside should be clean and bright, and natural materials such as wood and stone can work well. Any signs used should be easy to read and kept clean.

The layout of the shop and the way the food is presented is also very important. Farmhouse furniture and wicker baskets could be used for displaying goods. Try to keep a spacious feeling inside the shop to encourage people to browse at their own pace. It can be worth engaging the services of a retail specialist to help design your shop layout.

If you're a member of the Farm Retail Association your details will be listed on their online map , which enables people to search for farm shops and farmers’ markets by location.

Advertising your shop

Whatever the characteristics of your shop, you must make sure that your potential customers know about you and the range of goods you offer.

Word of mouth recommendation is very effective but can be a slow process. You may need to promote your shop by advertising to your potential customers. Press releases to local papers, adverts on local radio, in newspapers and magazines and leaflet drops can all build up awareness of your shop. They do, however, cost money, so you will have to judge whether the potential benefits are worth it. However, these methods can be expensive and instead, you could try social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Another method would be the use of signs and posters are cheap and can be effective. Taking a stall at a local farmers' market can be a good way of starting to build up a customer base - make sure you provide promotional leaflets on the stall with details of the shop.

Many farm shops have a web page to advertise their businesses and even to sell their products online and this can be particularly effective if you are planning to stock unusual or unique product ranges.

Additional attractions

It may help to have additional attractions to encourage people to make a journey to your farm. Perhaps you could set aside an adjoining area as a tearoom, which people could use after shopping. Many farms which have a shop also offer pick-your-own fruit and vegetables when they are in season - this can be a great draw. Other attractions you could consider providing include farm tours, nature trails or perhaps even a 'maize maze' - these have been used to great effect at some farms and generally create a lot of interest.

Price your products

People are likely to visit your shop for reasons of quality and for the experience of shopping in an environment that differs significantly to many other retail outlets, rather than purely price. Farm shops are specialist retailers selling fresh, locally sourced, high-quality goods - your customers will know this and will be prepared to pay accordingly.

Nevertheless, it is important that your goods represent value for money and for that reason many farm shops pitch their prices for unprocessed goods like fruit and vegetables at around supermarket levels. Organic produce generally commands a higher price and if you are selling local specialities or home-made products you are also likely to be able to charge more than competitors charge for similar, mass-produced items.

Getting the price right is very important. You must make sure that the difference between the cost price and the selling price is enough to cover all of your operating costs, including your own drawings.

Giving special offers and discounts

You might decide to run occasional special offers. For example, you might offer half-price trial boxes if you run a vegetable box scheme, or give discounts to bulk purchasers such as restaurants. Special offers on pick-your-own fruit can help to bring in extra custom. Many shops also give discounts to staff, regular customers, family and friends. Check out the local opposition for ideas and keep a close eye on any special offers you do make, to be sure that they are working for you. After all, these kinds of promotions might encourage extra sales, but they will also affect the amount of profit you make on each sale.

Although there are no training courses available specifically for those working in farm shops, the Farm Retail Association (formerly FARMA) trade body organises training events and provides management support and technical briefings.

Depending on the exact nature of the products you're planning to sell, there may be relevant qualifications available for certain areas of the business, for example training for butchers if you have a raw meat counter or fishmongers if you sell wet fish.

There are also hundreds of general business management and retail training courses available. For example, there are various general vocational qualifications that are relevant to people working in the retailing sector that cover topics such as health and safety, security, stock handling and customer service.

Learndirect is a free service which can advise on training and personnel development. It can provide details of qualifications and skills relevant to your type of business, give you an outline of appropriate training courses and advise where to go for such training in your area. Visit the website or telephone 0800 101 901.

Local colleges will be able to tell you about the training courses that are available in your area.

Buy an existing business

You might decide to buy an existing farm shop rather than start your own venture from scratch. Buying a going concern can mean that the products, customers, regular sales, staff, premises and equipment are already in place.

But  buying a business  can be a hazardous, expensive process unless you have the right skills and experience on your team, including legal and financial know-how. Establish the genuine trading and financial position, so that the price you pay for the business is not too high.

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