| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Libbie |
Posted - Feb 26 2006 : 10:19:13 AM
Does your farm and/or business have a "real" business plan? I am in the process of setting up my farm as a business, with the vision of having a working, profitable small farm, growing, raising food and flowers and providing a good, simple and real "farm" experience for those I'll serve. Do any of you entrepreneurs have formal business plans for what you do and how you are going to do it? If so, did you have help writing them? How did you get started? I am excited and motivated, and I feel a little directionless right now as far as exactly what comes next.
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 10:05:09 AM
I just thought I'd send out some farmgirl good wishes and great luck and fortitude to all of us working on making our businesses successful. My business is my farm, or at least it WILL BE my farm, and I am so grateful for the information and support of all of you - I wanted to let you know that I think about our collective entrepreneurship a lot, and...well...here's to our success!
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Mar 30 2007 : 10:34:59 PM
I went to our local Small Farm Expo, sponsored by our local State University Extension office & took sm. business classes there. It was so cool to find out that our local community college has a department for helping people write there own business plan and also helps with other business help, all for FREE!!!
I'm going to make an appointment and take our current business information to them.
It's very exciting because the women in charge also has her own business and is excited about helping everyone, though she does get paid to do so. Maybe there are other local resources in your areas.
Wishing you all productive businesses and abundances.
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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| westernhorse51 |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 05:07:16 AM
I don't need a loan, thank goodness for my small business but I am going to a workshop june 6 for women & buss. They help w/ ALL the paperwork, filing & that stuff which I know very little of. I have my name & logo but now have to make it all legal. I want to get a web-site but am wondering if I should just go on itsy at first, trying to figure that out. There are so many fiber buss. but were all differnt & I hope theres room for more (ME)
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 03:15:21 AM
LOL Libbie...my mother always said one could never think too much ...and then I was born! So I do so understand what you mean!
I missed this when it started and in answer to your question, yes I have a real bussiness plan, no one helped me however one of my college courses was Entrepreneurship and New Bussiness Ventures and for that I had to write one as well so that of course helped teach me things I needed to know. I do so wish you all the best, and just remember a bussiness plan, if it is good, is flexible and grows with your bussiness and adapts to the needs and goals you seek and desire.
Hugz!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| Libbie |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 12:44:05 AM
*bump* ...how's it going, you entrepreneurial farmgirls?!?!
I've really slowed down on the business plan front. I keep changing my mind about how and what I'd like this farm to be. And then I get all analytical and start thinking that maybe my indecision is because I'm scared to pick something, go at it, and fail...TOO MUCH THINKING!!!
Anyway, I'm working myself out of psyching myself out!
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| kitchensqueen |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 2:32:03 PM
Sarah-- a few options for small-capital that I've come across-- some community organizations and community banks will make business loans in small amounts. There are also small business credit cards, but I would only recommend using one if you could get an incredibly low interest rate (under 10%) and would be diligent about paying on it. Some organizations/goverments also offer grants, but of course the criteria is a bit stricter.
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
Opening in March 2007:
http://shadetreestudios.etsy.com |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 10:40:28 AM
The website to certify as a minority is: www.wbenc.org
Also other info. is at: www.onlinewbc.gov
I'm on the same journey as you gals.
We have a Small Farm Expo at our county fair ground next month. I believe it is sponsored by County Extension. Maybe you will be having one close to you soon.
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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| PocketFarmgirl |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 06:43:44 AM
Kristine, I'd love to hear more about LLCs, C and S corps. I'm trying to muddle that whole thing out.
What do you have to do to get certified as a minority business?
I did a running tab of setup expenses last night, and to pay all the business fees (business license, insurance, booth fees, registering a web domain, getting a NOFA membership) and do a pretty basic start-up this year, I need about a grand. Not much, but a lot. I keep thinking it's probably too little for a small business loan (and I'm kind of scared to take one anyway)...so I don't know what to do. We can pull parts of that out, but not in an organized, linear fashion, and I'm afraid that will make this year crazy and disorganized. I wish I knew where to just get that basic, small amount of start-up funding. |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Feb 19 2007 : 4:00:34 PM
Gals,
I've been gone all weekend at a conference for grants, low intrest loans & subsitiy's. I sure learned alot & am now working getting certified as a minority, "women". To better qualify for funding.
We only have a herb busines & only a acre, but are considering a sm. demo farm. This would cater to those with disabilities & elderely. We may also employ a couple of disabled boys to help. We're taking this week to "brew" on what we want to do first. Our youngest kids have disablities.
At the conf. they talked alot about LLC, or C or S Corps & a little about non profit.
Robin-What was the process to get the grant with Soil & Water Con.?
Thanks
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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| Libbie |
Posted - Feb 16 2007 : 10:44:33 PM
That is so cool - I'm going to have to search around to see if there' sone out there like it for Utah - or if I have to customize this one. Thanks, Sarah!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| PocketFarmgirl |
Posted - Feb 16 2007 : 11:05:10 AM
How cool is this?
http://tinyurl.com/32cyrr
If you google "New York Business license farmers market" it'll be something like the third link down. There's a downloadable version of it that's much tidier to look at. |
| PocketFarmgirl |
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 06:37:35 AM
I think anything that didn't come straight out of the dirt/off the animal is value-added. So blackberries are not, blackberry preserves are. Here in NY, we have a lot of production requirements if it's food, but I don't know about things like yarn, soaps, etc..
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It's basically a subscription farm. People pay a subscription fee and either pick up or have a box of produce delivered to them weekly during the growing season. Some farms include discounted rates if you volunteer to do some of the grunt work on the farm, that kind of thing.
The SARE thing is Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, I think? Look here: http://www.sare.org |
| ponyexpress |
Posted - Jan 31 2007 : 6:43:43 PM
I thought I would ask here first before I "googled." I'm not familiar with some of the terms used: CSA, SARE, and value-added products.
I have a dream building in my mind....I have friends who raise the naturally-colored sheep and operate a spinning mill, and another friend who has a business processing the fleece into fiber ready for spinning. My dream would be to obtain the raw products from them, add my special touches through dyeing and skeining, creating product kits, and some finished products. I already participate in some local shows, so the groundword is laid there. Is this what is considered a value-added product?
I'm heading south for the winter. Some parts of my body already have a head start! |
| kitchensqueen |
Posted - Jan 31 2007 : 3:26:43 PM
The websites everyone has posted are really helpful-- I finally decided (after too many years of college) that I'd like to farm for a living (small scale organic veggies and flowers), so I'm getting the wheels turning by trying to get into an apprenticeship for the next three years. Then after that, I hope to have my own place, and it makes my city-boy husband even more excited to be a part of it when I start talking business plans and profitability. Keep the info coming!
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com |
| PocketFarmgirl |
Posted - Jan 31 2007 : 09:38:27 AM
Hey, I didn't see this until today!
Well, you can see from other threads that I found it. Three acres, but I know people farming on less. I'm going to do diversified veggies, maybe eggs, and flowers. I know, not that unusual, is it? Our gimmick is being the organic, vegetarian family making veggies fun! I'm going to grow a lot of unusually colored or named vegetables, like chocolate peppers, green and red zebra tomatoes, dragon carrots, that kind of thing. That's in addition to some of the "standards" people like to see. I'm choosing my chicken flock based on diversity of egg coloration. I'm also trying to figure out how to buy things wholesale to sell at my booth, like kid cookbooks and gardening books, and string bags for produce. The kids will usually be with me when I'm there selling, and they will get to keep the money for things they choose to grow. I'm also planning to have a website/blog that I keep regularly updated with photos, recipes, and info. on what's ready for market that people might be hoping for. Eventually, I may start a CSA. Right now, since I'm not in the new digs yet and not ready to seed start, we're finalizing supply lists and hitting the marketing angle, hard. I need to pull the business plan back out, but at the moment I'm just doing the best I can, and my focus, first and foremost, is on family food production, so I also have an orchard to put in this year. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Dec 14 2006 : 09:47:56 AM
Late answer - but better late than never, right!
Sarah, my extension office had TONS of printed material that was helpful, but the agent just wasn't all that interested in talking about getting a small business or farm up and running - seemed more interested in the research aspect of farming - not necessarily the business or hands-on ends of things. When I go in again, I'm going to be sure to ask him if he knows other people who I might ask my questions to, as well. I don't want to offend him, but I DO want to speak with some other folks, too.
I have limited resources, too - also because I'm not willing to "bet the farm," so to speak. It's a challenge to do, but I just know we can do it!
What type of farming are you looking into? Crops, animals?
I just read "Making Your Small Farm Profitable" too! It was really good, I thought, as well. I've been slow on the business plan work lately, but I'm getting back into it because it's so easy for me to just be moving around on the farm instead of moving forward - and a plan is where that can all change!
How are you all coming on yours?
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| PocketFarmgirl |
Posted - Oct 03 2006 : 5:44:34 PM
Well, I'm pretty new around here, but I'm in the same boat, and I've been lurking on this thread for a week. We just moved to NY from Ohio, so I'm getting used to a slightly colder growing zone. We're renting a little teeny house in town, and looking for a place to buy. I'm trying to formulate my business plan as I search for my farm, so I can make sure I'm smart about what we buy, but I'm a little daunted b/c we've got limited resources. I'm not willing to tie my business interests to our mortgage, so what we can buy on my husband's salary is what we can buy, you know? Anyway, NY offers a beginning farmer loan program which I'm looking into.
I was curious about what you found at your local extension office, Libbie. I know you didn't get many of your questions answered, but can you give me an idea of what the agent seemed able/willing to tell you? Was there paper information in the office you found useful? I've been reading our extension office's "farm flash" online, but they don't seem to list classes there or on their website, and I've been hoping to take some classes this winter. I too have thought of meeting with a lawyer, and found what you said about forming an LLC very interesting, but the lending program prohibits LLCs from applying. I think my husband and I could secure the loan, THEN I could form an LLC and it would be OK, but I'm not sure.
I was going to start selling at our Farmer's Market in Ohio next season, so it's frustrating to be starting from scratch. On the other hand, we'd still have been renting a home there, so it's exciting to be looking for a home to own! I've been going through all the links people have posted and working on a business plan. I also read Making Your Small Farm Profitable cover to cover over the last few days...it was absorbing!
I hope this thread keeps growing. It's fascinating!
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| Libbie |
Posted - Sep 30 2006 : 11:00:31 PM
Brenda - thanks for the link - I'll check it out!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Sep 28 2006 : 3:50:09 PM
Well I just came across http://agripreneur.osu.edu/ haven't totally explored it yet but it looks interesting!
When I was at the OSU Farm Science Review last week I attending a session on branding your farm products and it seemed they are pretty supportive of the small agricultural entrepreneur.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Libbie |
Posted - Sep 24 2006 : 10:04:26 AM
I kind of fell off of the "business plan wagon" while I was expecting - and now that my dearest little one is almost two months old (hard to believe it's been that long!), I think I'm ready to jump back in. How is everyone's progress out there - any new great resources we should be checking out?
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Apr 15 2006 : 1:53:23 PM
I visited Meadow Rise Farm this morning (our local CSA) and it was WONDERFUL!!! Joan is doing a great job with a small greenhouse and a few acres and a herd of chickens! Much smaller than I thought it would be but just goes to show you that you can farm very intensively and make a go of it. We talked briefly about business plans and she pulled out the SARE book - She read through it but didn't necessarily fill out all the forms and charts to get started. She started by selling perennials - and took it from there. I decided to go ahead and buy into the CSA, if I get too much produce some weeks (with my own garden) I can always freeze, can or give the extra to my kids. I don't raise broccoli, cabbage or brussels sprouts and she does (and my husband loves all of them.) I left with a bag of lettuce and a dozen free-range eggs. I figure if I can stay out of the grocery store I am a lot less likely to impulse-buy and overspend my grocery budget, so it will reduce my overall grocery spending.
The SARE book looks interesting - she said it can be downloaded on the web site - the one you guys posted before - or you can buy a bound, printed copy very economically online.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 15 2006 : 08:15:21 AM
I'm going to request that "Farm Business Plan" package from our extension agent, too - maybe we have that here in Utah. I have another appointment with the atty. on the 18th - hopefully this time I have the information that he needs to help me decide what to do next.
You all have such great ideas - thank you for the information and the motivation! As someone mentioned in another thread about it being scary to follow your dreams, I'm really nervous that things won't work out, and that I'm just spinning my wheels, but I am just keeping the vision of being on the farm, caring for my little guys and having a good life in the forefront...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Lovin Life |
Posted - Apr 08 2006 : 6:04:14 PM
Hi Tina,
Congratulations on your puppies! Sorry about the two who didn't make it, though. That, I'm sure is heartbreaking. Your business sounds like it's really on its way now. Maybe you can give me some pointers on how to set up a web site. I've been thinking that I should have one for extra sales. Let me know when yours is done. I can't wait to see it! And pictures of your dogs too
I'd rather live my life with a "full plate" than an empty one. Life is not a rehearsal... eat up! |
| Lovin Life |
Posted - Apr 08 2006 : 6:02:35 PM
Hi Tina,
Congratulations on your puppies! Sorry about the two who didn't make it, though. That, I'm sure is heartbreaking. Your business sounds like it's really on its way now. Maybe you can give me some pointers on how to set up a web site. I've been thinking that I should have one for extra sales. Let me know when yours is done. I can't wait to see it! And pictures of your dogs too
I'd rather live my life with a "full plate" than an empty one. Life is not a rehearsal... eat up! |
| doglady |
Posted - Apr 05 2006 : 7:19:38 PM
Hi Lisa:
Glad to hear from you and about your business. I am getting very close to finishing my website and to make it active. It has been a lot of work. I design and create dog apparel and raise Miniature Schnauzers. Today, our spring litter arrived so I was pretty busy. I ended up with five babies. My girl had seven but I lost two :( The rest appear to be doing fine. Registered dogs are not easy to raise sometimes, and I have been breeding Schnauzers for 25 years.
I like the term "analysis paralysis". I think that's what I did for several months and didn't even realize that I was doing that. Anyway, sometimes it's hard staying focused. I'll try to post pictures of the babies when they are a little older.
Good Luck!
The dogs own the house but the people pay the mortgage! |
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