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Thumbs up for 2019 Farm Business Plans from instructor Katie Brandt
The Farm Business Plan Accelerator is a 100% online opportunity to meet weekly with other beginning and aspiring farmers to write a farm business plan that fits YOUR farmsite, markets, skills and goals.

The FBP Accelerator focuses on interaction and collaborative learning, with group brainstorming, polls, small group discussions, think/pair/share,  directed research, participant presentations and creation of collaborative items to share out. You'll tackle your Farm Business Plan as a series of smaller practical tasks, like Values & Goals, Soil Map & Management Plan, Site Plan, Marketing Plan and Financial Plan. Video lectures, as well as optional readings and videos will also be provided.

Be a part of the course

Apply HERE or email msufarm@msu.edu for more information.
  • Cohort 1 - Mondays from 9:30am to 11am by webinar, now through November 16. (CLASS IS FULL)
  • Cohort 2 - Tuesdays/Thursdays noon to 1:30pm, June 16 to October 15 (Accepting applications!)
Cost is $900 and 1/3 of that amount can be applied in full to fees for the 2021 Organic Farmer Training Program if you are offered a space in the program. Scholarships of $100 to $500 are available.
Plan to watch a video lecture before class.

Class Topics

Plan to apply info about the following themes to your farm. Class time will be to brainstorm how to apply that info to your farm:
  • Topics for all farms, such as farmland access, soils, infrastructure & site planning, production planning, food safety, weeds, pests, disease, tractors & equipment, etc.
  • Farm business planning activities such as values, marketing, capital access, budgets, records, pricing, financials, business/non-profit structures, taxes, labor, risk, etc.
  • Decision-making strategies, such as goal-setting, Holistic Resource Management, investment analysis, enterprise selection, enterprise budgeting, etc.
Attached is the schedule for the Farm Business Plan Accelerator.

Learning Community

Who takes the Farm Business Plan Accelerator?

Aspiring & Beginning Farmers!
Farmworkers
Landowners who want to start farming
Schoolyard Gardeners
Homesteaders
Farmers transitioning to organic
Backyard gardeners looking to scale up
Farmers who need a business plan
YOU !!