*Resources with an astrik indicate reccomendations by farmers in our region
Technical Assistance & Courses
*Ascent Business Network
Contact Ascent and they can provide unique consultations with you on what types of resources are available and which ones best fit your needs. Ascent will then specifically match you with a Business Developer within our network who specializes in a range of skills.
Carolina Farm Credit
North Carolina farmers and rural residents can qualify for loans for farms, homes, agribusinesses and more from Carolina Farm Credit. Their employees have agricultural know-how and their lending services are specific to farmers.
*Small Business Centers
The Small Business Center Network, comprised of 58 Small Business Centers throughout North Carolina Community Colleges, supports the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses by being a community-based provider of training, counseling, and resource information. Confidential counseling services and access to resource libraries are free of charge.
NC-Farm School: Blue Ridge Farm School
The Blue Ridge Farm School is a 7 month educational program that trains beginning and transitioning farmers with a strong commitment to operate successful small-scale sustainable farms. The school offers seven business planning seminars, which will provide farmers the tools to create a viable business plan. ***This is a rotating program that is not necessarily available each year, please check the website for the most updated information.***
*Business of Farming Conference
ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference is a day of learning and networking for farmers and those seriously considering farming as a profession. Each year our conference offers business and marketing themed workshops, networking opportunities, and resources to help farmers grow their businesses. The conference also features meetings with wholesale buyers, professional consulting opportunities, business and agricultural exhibits, and a locally sourced breakfast and lunch.
Contact Ascent and they can provide unique consultations with you on what types of resources are available and which ones best fit your needs. Ascent will then specifically match you with a Business Developer within our network who specializes in a range of skills.
Carolina Farm Credit
North Carolina farmers and rural residents can qualify for loans for farms, homes, agribusinesses and more from Carolina Farm Credit. Their employees have agricultural know-how and their lending services are specific to farmers.
*Small Business Centers
The Small Business Center Network, comprised of 58 Small Business Centers throughout North Carolina Community Colleges, supports the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses by being a community-based provider of training, counseling, and resource information. Confidential counseling services and access to resource libraries are free of charge.
NC-Farm School: Blue Ridge Farm School
The Blue Ridge Farm School is a 7 month educational program that trains beginning and transitioning farmers with a strong commitment to operate successful small-scale sustainable farms. The school offers seven business planning seminars, which will provide farmers the tools to create a viable business plan. ***This is a rotating program that is not necessarily available each year, please check the website for the most updated information.***
*Business of Farming Conference
ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference is a day of learning and networking for farmers and those seriously considering farming as a profession. Each year our conference offers business and marketing themed workshops, networking opportunities, and resources to help farmers grow their businesses. The conference also features meetings with wholesale buyers, professional consulting opportunities, business and agricultural exhibits, and a locally sourced breakfast and lunch.
Business Plan Tools
Getting Started in Farming:
An Introduction to Farm Business Planning
Free eight-lesson course to help guide you through the process of imagining and planning a successful farming enterprise.
UMN - AgPlan
AgPlan helps rural business owners develop a business plan for free with instruction on what should be included in your plan and sample business plans for inspiration. You can also share your plan for review and critique.
*RAFI-USA - The Farmer's Guide to Development of New Farm Enterprises
Online publication with content that includes Earning More for Farm Crops, Identifying New Farm Opportunities, On-farm Processing, Selling Your Products and more.
NC-CES - Whole Farm Planning: Plan & Manage the WHOLE Farm
List of online publications to help consider current assets and match them with new, diversified, sometimes unheard-of enterprises that fit your operation. Includes help exploring new or additional income-producing activities and making practical financial plans.
OSU Successful Farm Planning Module
Growing Farms: Successful Whole Farm Management provides farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to develop and manage a successful farm business. This course is intended for people who are considering starting a farm business, those within their first five years of farming and others who may be considering major changes to their farm business.
An Introduction to Farm Business Planning
Free eight-lesson course to help guide you through the process of imagining and planning a successful farming enterprise.
UMN - AgPlan
AgPlan helps rural business owners develop a business plan for free with instruction on what should be included in your plan and sample business plans for inspiration. You can also share your plan for review and critique.
*RAFI-USA - The Farmer's Guide to Development of New Farm Enterprises
Online publication with content that includes Earning More for Farm Crops, Identifying New Farm Opportunities, On-farm Processing, Selling Your Products and more.
NC-CES - Whole Farm Planning: Plan & Manage the WHOLE Farm
List of online publications to help consider current assets and match them with new, diversified, sometimes unheard-of enterprises that fit your operation. Includes help exploring new or additional income-producing activities and making practical financial plans.
OSU Successful Farm Planning Module
Growing Farms: Successful Whole Farm Management provides farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to develop and manage a successful farm business. This course is intended for people who are considering starting a farm business, those within their first five years of farming and others who may be considering major changes to their farm business.
Record Keeping
*Veggie Compass: A Whole Farm Profit Management Tool
Ellen Polishuk, of Potomac Vegetable Farms in Virginia, hosts this series and helps farmers understand some of the hidden factors influencing their profitability. Farmers are given a compass to guide them to a more profitable farming operation.
Production Records Template
A simple excel spreadheet that helps farmers track their production totals for individual markets and by crop. Provided by Beth LaShell at the Old Fort Market Garden Incubator in Fort Lewis, CO.
Ellen Polishuk, of Potomac Vegetable Farms in Virginia, hosts this series and helps farmers understand some of the hidden factors influencing their profitability. Farmers are given a compass to guide them to a more profitable farming operation.
Production Records Template
A simple excel spreadheet that helps farmers track their production totals for individual markets and by crop. Provided by Beth LaShell at the Old Fort Market Garden Incubator in Fort Lewis, CO.
| cefs_csacalculator.xls |
Other Resources
NCSU & CFSA - NC Organic Vegetable Production Cost Study, 2003
As consumer demand expands, new marketing opportunities will exist for new and established organic growers as well as supply chain handlers such as organic wholesalers and distributors. This resource includes estimates and descriptions of cost for production for organic vegetables.
As consumer demand expands, new marketing opportunities will exist for new and established organic growers as well as supply chain handlers such as organic wholesalers and distributors. This resource includes estimates and descriptions of cost for production for organic vegetables.
