Small Farm Business
A listing of resources for small farm management and marketing.
Training Opportunity
Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Is Starting an Agricultural Business Right for You?
This course and accompanying workbook is a guide for those considering small-scale commercial farming. Learn what it takes to start and manage a farm business, and decide whether that is something you truly want to pursue.
Planning Course
Tilling the Soil of Opportunity
An in-depth business planning course for Massachusetts agricultural enterprises
Local Farm Sales Create Jobs
Business Planning
- Agricultural Business Training ProgramResponds to planning needs of Massachusetts farmers, through training and technical assistance tailored to individual enterprises.
- Agricultural Marketing Resource CenterElectronic, national resource for producers interested in value-added agriculture. Browse commodities and products, investigate market and industry trends, study business creation and operation, read research results and locate value-added resources.
- Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)Collects, organizes and shares information on alternative agriculture and provides reference services from the National Agricultural Library.
- ATTRAProvides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the U.S.
- Beginning Farmers Agricultural AllianceCoalition of farmers and farm organizations that provide education, training, and technical assistance to beginning farmers in Massachusetts.
- CISAWorkshops & technical assistance from Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture
- Farm Credit EastFinancial solutions for those who cultivate, breed, process or bring agricultural products to market.
- Franklin County CDCProvides an opportunity for business owners to
build their capacity to make sound decisions that will
launch or grow their businesses. Also home to The Western Mass Food Processing Center. - Hilltown CDCOffers individual business counseling as well as business planning workshops.
- Marketing School for GrowersCompilation of top-notch farm marketing tip sheets, worksheets, and planning resources, organized into 20 lessons.
- Mass WoodsContinuously updated resource for forest landowners, featuring information on forestry programs, planning the future of your land, selling timber and more.
- Massachusetts Small Business Development Center NetworkProvides high-quality, in-depth business advising, training and capital access which contributes to the entrepreneurial growth of small businesses throughout Massachusetts. Services are delivered through a network of skilled professional staff supported by a federal, state, and higher education consortium as well as several partnerships.
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information ServiceAnswers questions about specific farming practices and innovative marketing approaches, including organic production.
- New England Food EntrepreneursProvides information on starting a food business; business and marketing; production development; federal and state regulations; and training and education. Part of New England Extension Food Safety Consortium, a network of specialists, educators and food science faculty representing land-grant universities in New England.
- NY Beginning FarmersGuidance for writing a business plan and much more on this site.
- Red TomatoConnects farmers and consumers through marketing, trade, and education, and through a passionate belief that a family-farm, locally-based, ecological, fair trade food system is the way to a better tomato.
- SPIN FarmingNon-technical, easy-to-learn and inexpensive-to-implement vegetable farming system that makes it possible to earn significant income from land bases under an acre in size. Its precise revenue targeting formulas and organic-based techniques make it possible to gross $50,000+ from a half- acre. And you don't need to own land.
- Start2FarmNational, “one-stop,” on-line source of all beginning farmer and rancher education and training materials and information that can be accessed online. Supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant #2009-49400-05879.
- The Women Business Owners Alliance of Pioneer ValleyVolunteer-run, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting current and aspiring women business professionals. Their mission is to build confidence and success and empower women entrepreneurs to be all they can be. Offers monthly business and professional development meetings, networking and leadership opportunities as well as a forum for honing business marketing messages.
- UMass Donahue InstituteProvides government, business, and non-profit organizations with effective solutions in the areas of research, organizational development, training, and technical assistance.
- USDA Business and Cooperative ProgramsEnhances the quality of life for rural Americans by providing leadership in building competitive businesses including sustainable cooperatives that can prosper in the global marketplace.
- Valley CDCProvides a range of free services to meet the needs of low and moderate income individuals. These services, available to both start-up and existing businesses, include business plan development, cash flow analysis, and marketing, as well as access to community loan funds.
- Whole Farm ServicesEcological solutions for regenerative agriculture including design/construction, whole farm planning, cold storage, and agroforestry systems.
Business Library Resources
Mike Davis, UMass Business Library, maintains this Business Guide. Access to market research reports, data compilations, news articles; government resources.
Training Opportunity
New England Food Entrepreneurs
Training on business, food safety and technical aspects of food processing throughout the year and in various locations across the country.
Training Opportunity
Groundswell's New Farmer Training Program
Hands-on training program for serious aspiring farmers and market gardeners. Provides 100 hours of classroom training, hands-on workshops, farm visits, and supervised work experience on sustainable farms.
- Last Updated: Apr 3, 2024 11:01 AM
- URL: https://guides.library.umass.edu/smallfarmbusiness
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