small farm business plan example

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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.

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

Details of a Small Farm Business Plan

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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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• Business plans

Farm Business Plan

Used 5,069 times

Farm Business Plan gives an overview of the company, including corporation history, owner backgrounds, creations and more. Use this template to quickly develop your farm company plan.

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Farm Business Plan Template

Prepared by:

​ [Sender.FirstName] [Sender.LastName] ​

​ [Sender.Title] ​

​ [Sender.Phone] ​

​ [Sender.Email] ​

Executive Summary

​ [Sender.Company] is owned and operated by [Sender.FirstName] [Sender.LastName] .

​ [Sender.Company] produces and sells (product types, e.g., produce, pastured animals, herbs, etc.), and we also provide on-farm services including (service types, e.g., apple picking, events, produce stand, etc.).

The target audience for [Sender.Company] 's product will be local consumers and businesses whom we will target directly. To market to this audience, we plan to take advantage of public picking events, farmers' markets, and a roadside farm stand.

Future of the Farm

​ [Sender.Company] plans to turn our XX acres of farmland into a sustainable source of crops, pastured animals, and pollinators. We plan to use regenerative farming practices as much as possible and understand what management techniques work best for our acreage.

Additionally, we will have a large greenhouse and use season extension techniques to get more value out of our farmland.

To build a locally well-known brand and eventually expand our presence across the state.

To sell enough of our product to generate a positive cash flow, support the farm owners and staff, and pay back capital plus 15% interest to our investors.

To preserve and enhance our farmland so that it remains sustainable and we can continue to share the fruits of the land with others.

Follow a thorough 3-year business plan and reassess every year to ensure we remain on track.

Seek funding from our network of contacts and outside funders for start-up costs.

Execute a creative marketing plan that introduces our brand to our target market.

Company Description

Business address and contact.

​ [Sender.StreetAddress] , [Sender.City] , [Sender.State] [Sender.PostalCode] ​

​ [Sender.FirstName] [Sender.LastName] : [Sender.Phone] , [Sender.Email] ​

Principal Members

(Owner.FirstName) (Owner.LastName)

Qualifications/Experience

(number) years of experience as a farm hand at (farm name), plus an additional 5 years of experience as the farm manager

(Education)

(Operator.FirstName) (Operator.LastName)

(Experience)

Legal Structure

​ [Sender.Company] is a sole proprietorship.

Company Details

Our property is zoned for farm use, and we plan to use the land as follows:

X acres for pastured animals

X acres for produce

X acres for agritourism activities and events

Farm Assets

Greenhouse and propagation supplies

Farm stand (planned for 20XX)

Market Research

The demand for locally raised animals and grown produce is climbing at a rate of XX% per year and is expected to reach a total value of $XX billion by 20XX.

Consumer demand for free-range, pasture-raised animals is evidenced by farms like (name competitors) which have grown into valuations of (approximate company values) , respectively.

Regulations

​ [Sender.Company] is a licensed business in the State of [Sender.State] as of the year 20XX. We are in the process of applying for all of the necessary permits for constructing the farm stand, expanding the barn, and hosting on-site visitors to the farm.

Service Line

Product/service.

Services Include:

Pasture-raised animals

Produce cultivation

Public apple picking

Public hay maze

Special event packages

Marketing & Sales

Customer communications.

​ [Sender.Company] will communicate with its customers by:

Interacting with customers in-person via farmers markets, the farm stand, and through the leveraging of networking events.

Building an active social media presence on Instagram and TikTok.

Advertising agritourism activities like apple picking, hay mazes, farm trails, and other events.

Creating SEO-friendly blog posts on the company website to increase online presence.

Establishing listings with the local tourism board and activity guides.

Sales Strategy

​ [Sender.Company] 's product will be sold primarily in the (region) . The farm is located on a road with extensive car traffic, so we plan to build a farm stand on the property to capture attention and drive sales.

We also plan to build a social media presence and leverage local advertising to drive awareness of our brand. We will also attend farmers' markets within the region to meet customers face-to-face and build relationships.

Five-year plan

Year One: 20XX

Create a legal business entity

Apply for necessary licenses and permits.

Finalize farm layout.

Procure additional equipment.

Establish social media profiles.

Build a small farm stand.

Attend farmer's markets.

Year Two: 20XX

(List goals for year two)

Year Three: 20XX

Year Four: 20XX

Year Five: 20XX

​ [Recipient.FirstName] [Recipient.LastName] ​

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Farm Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Farm Business Plan

If you want to start a successful farm or expand your current farming business, you need a business plan.

Fortunately, you’re in the right place. Our team has helped develop over 100,000 business plans over the past 20 years, including thousands of farm business plans.

The following farm business plan template and example gives you the key elements you must include in your plan. In our experience speaking with lenders and investors, the template is organized in the precise format they want.

You can download our Farm Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.  

Example Business Plan For Farm Businesses

I. executive summary, business overview.

[Company Name], located at [insert location here] is a new, 500 acre organic dairy, beef, and wheat farm providing food products to regional distributors. [Company Name] is headed by [Founder’s Name], an experienced farm manager.

[Company Name]will sell high-quality beef cuts, wheat by the bushel, and whole milk. The products will be certified organic as growth hormones, fertilizers and pesticides will not be used in production.

Customer Focus

[Company Name] will primarily serve regional distributors of dairy, beef, and wheat products. Some products may be sold directly to manufacturers in the local area for the production of other products from these ingredients.

These businesses typically gross $5 million to $50 million in annual revenues and source their supplies from farms within a 100 mile radius of their facilities.

Distributors and manufacturers of food products in the region see growth in interest in organic products and are in need of organic ingredients for suppliers. Consumers show increased demand for these organic products at stores.

Management Team

[Company Name]’s most valuable asset is the expertise and experience of its founder, [Founder’s Name]. [First name] has been a farm operations manager for the past 15 years. He has spent much of his career working with Blue Ridge Farms, where he oversaw dairy, meat, and grain production.

[Company name] will also employ an experienced salesmanager to sell to distributors and manufacturers. This will be a skilled salesperson trained in farm sales by [Founder’s Name]. An assistant manager will manage day-to-day operations of the farm.

Success Factors

[Company Name] is uniquely qualified to succeed due to the following reasons:

• [Company Name] will fill a specific market niche in organic foods. In addition, we have surveyed the regional distributors and received extremely positive feedback saying that they explicitly want to buy our products when launched.
• Our location is within 100 miles of numerous potential distributors and contains hundreds of acres of arable land.
• The management team has a track record of success in the farming business.

Financial Highlights

[Company Name] is seeking a total funding of $683,200 of debt capital to open its farm. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures and location build-out, hiring initial employees, marketing expenses and working capital.

Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

II. Company Overview

You can download our Farm Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Who is [Company Name]?

[Company Name], located at [insert location here] is a new 500 acredairy, beef, and wheat farm providing food products to regional distributors. [Company Name] is headed by [Founder’s Name], an experienced farm manager. 300 acres of its land will be devoted to growing wheat and the remainder will be for dairy, beef, and office facilities.

While [Founder’s Name] has been in the farming business for some time, it was in [month, year] that he decided to launch [Company Name]. Specifically, during this time, [Founder] met with a former friend and fellow independent organic farm owner in South Dakota who has had tremendous success. After discussing the business at length, [Founder’s Name] clearly understood that a similar farm would enjoy significant success in his hometown.

Specifically, the customer demographics and competitive situations in the South Dakota area of his friend and in his hometown were so similar that he knew the business would work. After surveying the local market, [Founder’s name] went ahead and founded [Company Name].

[Company Name]’s History

Upon returning from South Dakota, surveying the local customer base, and finding potential land to start the farm, [Founder’s Name] incorporated [Company Name] as an S-Corporation on [date of incorporation].

The business is currently being run out of [Founder’s Name] home office, but once the land is purchased and [Company Name]’s facilities are finalized, all operations will be run from there.

Since incorporation, the Company has achieved the following milestones:

• Found land and negotiated rate
• Developed the company’s name, logo and website located at [website]
• Determined building, equipment and fixture requirements
• Begun recruiting key employees

[Company Name]’s Products

[Founder’s Name] will be able to provide customers with the following products:

• High-quality organic beef cuts
• Organically-grown wheat by the bushel
• Organic whole milk

III. Industry Analysis

The American commercial farming industry continues to be subsidized by the government to bolster low food prices. This is a volatile and difficult industry in the United States, with small and medium-sized farms increasingly being bought by large farms or struggling to survive on their own.

However, for organic foods, trends are positive. Organic foods sales are projected to increase 18% per year over the next three years and were estimated at $23 billion last year, according to the Organic Trade Association Market Survey. This sector is said to represent 3% of overall food and beverage sales. Global demand for organic foods increases by over $5 billion per year.

The farming industry includes multiple segments including poultry meat, beef, dairy, grain crops, vegetables, fruits, and more. Many businesses focus on only one specific segment, while some produce multiple types of crops in order to hedge against price changes in any one segment.

Recently, Horizon, the largest US organic food brand, dropped the term “organic” from its dairy products choosing instead to use the term “natural”. Critics noted that the term “natural” has no regulatory meaning and shows Horizon’s attempt to lower the cost of production by not meeting the requirements for the organic label. This shows a concern in the market about the meaning behind labels and highlights the importance of regulation to create common definitions.

Organic.org published the following list of reasons to support organic foods and beverages:

• Reduce the toxic load: Keep chemicals out of the air, water, soil and our bodies
• Reduce if not eliminate farm pollution
• Protect future generations
• Build healthy soil
• Taste better and truer flavor
• Assist family farmers of all sizes
• Avoid hasty and poor science in your food
• Eating with a sense of place
• Promote biodiversity
• Celebrate the culture of agriculture

Trends in the industry include the following:

• Meat and fish that are organically produced are becoming more popular
• Organic dairy, bread, and grain are becoming more popular
• Organic-only supermarkets are becoming more popular
• Traditional supermarkets are increasing organic purchases to keep up with these competitors.

IV. Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

[Company Name]will primarily serve regional distributors of dairy, beef, and wheat products. Some products may be sold directly to manufacturers in the local area for the production of other products from these ingredients.

These businesses typically gross from $5 million to $50 million in annual revenues and source their supplies from within a 100 mile radius of their facilities.

Customer Segmentation

The Company will primarily target the following two customer segments:

• Regional Organic Distributors: Organic food distributors source organic meat, dairy, and grains from medium and large farms, and sell them to food manufacturers who process, package and sell the products.
• Organic Dairy Manufacturers: Small manufacturers that process organic dairy products, such as butter, cream, and cheese work directly with local farms to keep costs low whenever possible.

V.Competitive Analysis

Direct & indirect competitors.

The following twoorganic farms operate within a 100 mileradius of [Company Name]. These, and other smaller organic farms like them, are the direct competitors of the business. Indirect competitors include non-organic dairy, beef, and grain farms.

Nature’s Bounty Farm

Nature’s Bounty Farm is a five-year old farm which produces vegetables and grains for organic distributors. They operate a 1000 acre farm, producing a high volume of goods.

However, Nature’s Bounty Farm does not offer organic dairy and meat, which are up-and-coming products.

Thompson Organics

Thompson Organics is a small, 300 acre, ten-year old farm which produces organic grains and bakes organic breads. They sell all of their products at farmer’s markets and directly at retail stores. This distribution strategy requires Thompson to have skilled customer service and sales employees, as well as facilities for baking and packaging.

Because Thompson avoids selling through to distributors, its brand is known directly by consumers who look for organic foods and it can command a premium. However, they, like Nature’s Bounty Farm, do not offer organic dairy and meat. They also have a high cost structure because of their small scale and operations.

Competitive Advantage

[Company Name] enjoys several advantages over its competitors. These advantages include:

• Client-oriented service: [Company Name] will have a full-time sales manager to keep in contact with customers and answer their everyday questions. [Founder’s Name] realizes the importance of accessibility to customers and will instruct the sales manager to proactively solicit feedback from customers.
• Management: [Founder’s Name] has been extremely successful working in the farming business and will be able to use his previous experience to assure clients of the care that [Company Name] will take to create the best organic products. His unique qualifications will serve customers in a much more sophisticated manner than [Company Name’s] competitors.
• Transparency: To continue to assure customers and the government of the organic quality of [Company Name]’s products, operations can be inspected by customers at a moments notice, and a guide to the operations will be created to detail all of the steps in the production process for each crop.
• Product Line: By offering wheat, dairy, and meat, [Company Name] will seek to hedge against price volatility in any one of these commodities.

VI. Marketing Plan

[Company Name] will use several strategies to promote its name and develop its brand. By using an integrated marketing strategy, [Company Name] will win customers and develop consistent revenue streams.

The [Company Name] Brand

The [Company name] brand will focus on the Company’s unique value proposition:

• High-quality, organic milk, beef, and grains
• Service built on long-term relationships
• Transparency of operations to achieve customer assurance of organic quality

Promotions Strategy

Targeted Cold Calls

[Company Name] will initially invest significant time and energy into contacting potential customers via telephone and then by visiting their facilities. In order to improve the effectiveness of this phase of the marketing strategy, a highly-focused call list will be used; targeting distributors and manufacturers with an expressed interest in organic products. As this is a very time-consuming process, it will primarily be used during the startup phase to build an initial customer base.

Industry Events

By attending regional farming conferences, association meetings, and symposia, [Company Name] will network with industry leaders, and seek referrals to potential customers. [Founder’s Name] will often attend with the company sales manager, but both may attend separately in the future as they gain experience in this networking.

[Company Name] will invest resources in two forms of geographically-focused internet promotion—organic search engine optimization and pay-per-click advertising. The Company will develop its website in such a manner as to direct as much traffic from search engines as possible. Additionally, it will use highly-focused, specific keywords to draw traffic to its website, where potential clients will find a content-rich site that presents [Company Name] as the trustworthy, high quality producer of organic foods that it is.

Pricing Strategy

[Company Name]’s pricing will be competitive compared with Nature’s Bounty Farm. Pricing will be about 50% lower than retail prices to allow for wholesalers and retailers to earn their margins.

VII. Operations

[Company Name] will carry out its sales operations through phone calls and visits to customer offices. The sales manager will increasingly direct sales activities, although [Founder’s Name] will be heavily involved at first.

The assistant manager will run the day-to-day operations of the farm, including scheduling and assigning the work of farm hands, sourcing and purchasing supplies and basic equipment, keeping the company’s books, maintaining legal licenses, handling insurance and insuring that the company meets government regulations. He will contact specialists for equipment repairs when needed and veterinarians to care for the cows when they require medical attention.

Field work by the farm hands will be from sunrise to sunset, with indoor work during the hottest parts of the day and after dark. Field work will include preparing fields for planting, the planting process, tending to planted fields, harvesting, and packaging grain into bushels. Work with the cows will include feeding, taking them in and out of the pasture, and running the milking equipment. It will also include slaughtering and dressing the cows for beef when directed.

[Company Name]’s long term goal is to become the highest quality farmer in the [city] area. We seek to do this by ensuring customer satisfaction and developing a loyal and successful clientele.

The following are a series of steps that will lead to this long-term success. [Company Name] expects to achieve the following milestones in the following [xyz] months:

VIII. Management Team

[First name] is intimately familiar with the operations requirements for a farm producing the same products as [Company Name]. He has received organic training certification to become an organic food producer.

[Company name] will also employ an assistant manager to manage operations. This will be an experienced operations manager who will be trained in farm operations by [Founder’s Name]. Furthermore, a sales manager will be hired to focus on marketing, sales, and customer service to distributors as manufacturers for [Company Name] products. These two individualswill either have undergraduate business degrees or years of relevant operations or sales experience.

Hiring Plan

In order to launch the business we will also hire the following additional employee:

• Farm Hand: (1 full-time to start) Additional farm hands will be hired if capacity increases or if another farm is started.

The hiring process will be managed by the assistant manager who will be directly responsible for the farm hand, with oversight and approval by [Founder’s Name]. This individual must be in top physical condition, have experience in physical labor, and have great mechanical facility and care for the quality of his work and products.

The assistant manager and [Founder’s Name] will provide back-up support for the farm hand in the busiest times and when he is out sick or on vacation.

IX. Financial Plan

Revenue & pricing.

[Company Name]’s revenues will come primarily fromsale in three product areas.

The price of beef is only an average per cow, and individual cuts are sold at market rates depending on the quality of the cut of meat.

Prices are expected to fluctuate with market volatility on the rise, although they are expected to rise consistently, on average.

Key Cost Drivers

As with most services, labor expenses are the key cost drivers. The staff of four will earn competitive salaries allowing [Company Name] to hireexperienced workers. Furthermore, the costs of the mortgage and its interest for the land will be significant.

The major cost drivers for the company’s operation will consist of:

• Marketing expenses (associations, events, internet marketing).

Capital Requirements and Use of Funds

• Build-out of farm and equipment purchases: $273,200
• Initial marketing expenditure: $10,000
• Property down payment: $100,000
• Working capital: $300,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Company Name] reaches break-even

Key Assumptions & Forecasts

The following table reflects the key revenue and cost assumptions made in the financial model.

5 Year Annual Balance Sheet

5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement

Comments are closed.

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/

Small Business Trends

How to create a farm business plan.

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

Executive summary, goals and objectives, introduction, mission statement and values of your farming business plan, industry history, company background and history, competitor analysis, target market, products and services, organization, human resources, and management plans, swot analysis, growth strategy, financial plan, marketing strategy, establishing a farming business entity, detailed description of farm operations, risk management strategies, sustainability and environmental impact, community involvement and social responsibility, supply chain and vendor relationships, technology and innovation, training and development plans, expansion and diversification, exit strategy, frequently asked questions.

Do I Need a Business Plan for My Farm?

How do i write a small farm business plan, how do you start a farm business plan, how much do farm owners make a year, how much does it cost to start a small farm, what is the most profitable farming business.

Farm Business Plans

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Cultivate your agricultural ambitions with our comprehensive collection of farm sector business plan examples. Perfect for farmers, agripreneurs, and agronomists, this resource provides information, from small-scale organic operations to expansive agribusiness ventures. Navigate the complexities of the agricultural industry with these detailed plans, designed to help you grow a thriving, resilient, and profitable farming enterprise.

Farm Business Plan Templates

Agricultural Business Plan Template

Aquaponics Business Plan Template

Cattle Farming Business Plan Template

Dairy Farm Business Plan Template

Farm Business Plan Template

Fish Farm Business Plan Template

Goat Farming Business Plan Template

Hemp Farm Business Plan Template

Honey Bee Farm Business Plan Template

Hydroponics Business Plan Template

Livestock Farm Business Plan Template

Microgreens Business Plan Template

Mushroom Farm Business Plan Template

Pig Farm Business Plan Template

Poultry Farm Business Plan Template

Solar Farm Business Plan Template

Tree Farm Business Plan Template

Worm Farm Business Plan Template

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Business Planning

Why create a business plan?

For many beginning farmers, writing a business plan can seem like a chore, a necessary evil, or at worse, an insurmountable challenge that always falls to the bottom of the to-do list. For the lucky few, business planning is interesting, motivating, and fun. Before we get into the nuts and bolts of how to write a business plan, consider why farmers need them—who are the potential audiences and why they are so important? We’ll also break down the components of a business plan into manageable bites, offer the best resources and examples we know of, and show you how writing a business plan is a creative act, akin to designing and building your farm. First things first, why is it so important for farmers to write business plans?

Convincing your Funders: Any person or entity who loans or gives a business money will want to see a business plan. Farms are no exception. These include banks, credit unions, the Farm Service Agency, and private entities. Most lenders require it, and will scrutinize business plans to see that farmers have considered potential risks, assessed their competition, understand their assets, products and human resources inside out, and developed a solid marketing plan.

Creating a Roadmap: Once farmers hit the ground, a solid business plan becomes invaluable. Whether the farm is run by an individual, a family, or a partnership, front loading planning and research will make for a smoother transition into running the business. Remember that business plans are working documents. Nothing written is set in stone. In fact, being nimble and responsive to internal and external changes makes farm businesses more successful.

Start Your Business Plan  - A step by step guide for writing your own business plan.

Refine Your Business Plan  - Guides and resources to make your business plan relevant for financing and other farm programs. 

Resources for Business Planning  - Additional resources to help you build an effective business plan.

Sample Business Plans  - Examples of real farm business plans.

Farm Business Plans

Agriculture farm business plan.

Botanical Bounty is working to become a leading producer of botanical plants for the natural supplement industry as well as plant nurseries.

Agriculture Fruit Farm Business Plan

Farmers Group utilizes innovative agricultural technology to produce organic, tasty, and nutritional vegetables. They work to upgrade current farming setups with more efficient and advanced horticultural practices.

Horse Training Business Plan

Ereidi Farm is an ongoing business providing colt training, broodmare care, racehorse rehabiliation and other services to the Thoroughbred racehorse industry.

Hydroponics Farm Business Plan

FynbosFarm is a new hydroponics facility in South Africa. It will grow tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers in hydroponic tunnels for export, and instant turf in the open for the local market.

Peach and Apricot Farm Business Plan

Wilson Family Peach Farm is a start-up venture in Gainesville, Georgia producing peaches and nectarines to sell to wholesalers, retailers and canneries.

Produce Farm Business Plan

Mixed Greens Salad Gardens specializes in exotic salad field greens for local restaurants.

When you run a farm, you’ve got to know all about growing things, including your business. A business plan will help. This selection of farm-related sample business plans will give you a head start on writing a business plan of your own.

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

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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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Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

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

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.  

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

AgPlan is an easy business plan app that anyone can use.

Son Lux: Change Is Everything from Nathan Johnson on Vimeo .

100,000+ business plans have been created using AgPlan

- AgPlan makes it easy for you -

• Develop your own Business Plan
• Learn what you need to include in your Plan with Tips & Resources
• View Sample Plans for ideas
• Share your Plan — print, download and work with your own Reviewers

AgPlan Features

Business-type templates.

AgPlan is designed to provide customized assistance to different types of businesses.

• Ag - Commodity
• Ag - Value-Added
• Organic Transition
• Personal Plan
• Small Business

Our feature-rich type editor acts just like your computer's word processor. For each section of your business plan write a concise statement that will let readers quickly understand the key points you want to communicate.

Tips, Resources & Samples

Each section of your AgPlan business plan includes Tips, Resources & Samples to help you create the best business plan possible!

AgPlan allows you to share your business plan and interact with your business advisors, educators, or consultants.

Introduction to AgPlan video

Developing Your Business Plan with AgPlan – video series

A business plan is your opportunity to tell the world about what your business is all about.

• How do I get started writing my plan?
• What type of information do I need to include?
• Do I really need a business plan?

"Developing Your Business Plan" will teach you how to tell your story when creating your plan.

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Financial modeling spreadsheets and templates in Excel & Google Sheets

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Sample Small Farm Business Plan Example: A Comprehensive Guide

Launching a small farm can be as challenging as it is rewarding, requiring not just agricultural know-how but also a solid business strategy. To navigate this complex terrain, a well-crafted business plan is indispensable. It serves as a blueprint, detailing everything from the types of crops and livestock to be raised to the marketing strategies and financial projections that will sustain the business. A comprehensive business plan not only helps in securing financing and attracting investors but also acts as a roadmap for successful farm management, allowing for strategic planning and operational adjustments as the farm grows.

This guide aims to provide a sample business plan for small farms that encapsulates the critical elements of successful agricultural operations. It includes market analysis, which helps in understanding the competitive landscape and identifying the unique selling propositions of the farm products. Financial planning is another cornerstone, featuring budgeting, revenue forecasting, and investment strategies tailored to the farm’s specific needs. By outlining these key components, this business plan example offers a practical framework for aspiring farmers to develop a robust strategy that promotes growth and ensures sustainability in the ever-evolving agricultural sector.

Developing a Small Farm Business Plan Example: Key Components to Include

Creating a solid plan is crucial when launching a small farm business. Understanding the key components of a business plan can help you navigate the complexities of agricultural entrepreneurship.

Understanding Your Vision and Goals

The first step involves articulating your vision. What type of farm do you envision—organic vegetables, livestock, or perhaps a niche market like specialty herbs? Clearly defined goals will help guide your decisions. For instance, if you aim to generate a specific income within five years, outline actionable steps to achieve that. It’s essential to keep your goals realistic yet ambitious.

Market Research

Market research is your foundation. Knowing who your customers are and what they need will shape your business. Analyze local competition and evaluate the demand for your products. Are there farmers’ markets, grocery stores, or restaurants that might be potential clients? Understanding trends in agricultural markets will help you craft a strategy that maximizes your value proposition.

• Target Market : Identify the demographics and preferences of your customers.
• Competitive Analysis : List competitors and their strengths and weaknesses.
• Market Trends : Track emerging patterns that could affect your farm’s product offerings.

Business Structure and Management

Decide on your farm’s legal structure. Will you operate as a sole proprietor, a partnership, or an LLC? Each structure has different legal and tax implications. For management, outline the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved. This is especially important if you’re collaborating with partners or family members.

• Sole Proprietorship
• Partnership
• LLC (Limited Liability Company)

Management Team

List key personnel:

• Owner/Manager: Your primary role
• Employees: Seasonal workers and their responsibilities
• Consultants: Any external advisors you will engage

Production Plan

Your production plan details how you will grow or raise your products. It should include information on:

• Location : Describe your farm’s location and advantages.
• Crops or Livestock : Include varieties or breeds you plan to feature.
• Production Methods : Outline your techniques, whether conventional, organic, or sustainable.

Additionally, you may want to include a planting calendar or livestock production schedule. This will serve as a practical tool for tracking planting and harvesting timelines.

Marketing Strategy

Your marketing strategy defines how you will reach your customers. Consider multiple channels such as:

• Social Media : Utilize platforms like Instagram or Facebook for visual storytelling.
• Farmers’ Markets : Engage with the local community, offering samples and interacting directly with consumers.
• Online Sales : Create an e-commerce platform if direct shipping of produce is feasible.

Develop a pricing strategy that covers your costs while remaining competitive. Consider the following:

Financial Projections

Establish financial projections to assess the viability of your farm business. You’ll need:

• Startup Costs : Include land purchase, equipment, seeds, and livestock.
• Operating Expenses : Calculate regular expenses such as labor, utilities, and supplies.
• Revenue Projections : Estimate income based on sales forecasts.

Construct a cash flow statement to track when income and expenses will occur. This will be a crucial tool for ensuring liquidity during the farm’s start-up phase.

Risk Analysis

Identify potential risks associated with your farm business. For example:

• Climate Conditions : Understand climate impacts on your crops or livestock.
• Market Fluctuations : Be prepared for unpredictable market demands.
• Pests and Diseases : Have a plan for pest management and disease control.

Providing contingency plans for these risks will enhance the resilience of your business.

Final Touches

While this example covers crucial components of creating a small farm business plan, personalization is key. Tailor your plan to reflect your unique vision, resources, and market conditions. By doing thorough research and creating a comprehensive business plan, you can set your small farm on a path toward sustainable success.

Analyzing Market Trends for Small Farm Viability

Understanding market trends is crucial for the viability of small farms. Farmers must stay informed about shifting consumer preferences, pricing changes, and emerging agricultural technologies to ensure they remain competitive. By analyzing these trends, farmers can make informed decisions that elevate their business models.

Consumer Preferences

Modern consumers prioritize sustainability, quality, and transparency in food production. Recent studies show that:

• Over 70% of consumers prefer locally sourced products.
• Organic food sales have increased by 12% year-over-year.
• Nearly 50% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable farming practices.

This shift in consumer behavior emphasizes the importance of direct marketing strategies. Establishing a strong online presence through websites and social media can showcase a farm’s values and attract conscientious consumers.

Pricing Strategies

The price elasticity of demand plays a significant role in determining the right pricing model. Farmers must evaluate both fixed and variable costs when setting prices. Maintaining a balance between affordability for consumers and profitability for the farm is key. Here’s a simple breakdown of factors that influence pricing:

Farmers should regularly review their pricing strategies in light of market fluctuations. Utilizing software tools to track costs and sales data can aid in this process.

Emerging Agricultural Technologies

Integrating technology into farming practices not only boosts efficiency but also aligns with market trends. Innovations such as precision agriculture, drone technology, and mobile applications have transformed traditional farming operations. For example:

• Precision Agriculture: Enables farmers to make data-driven decisions on irrigation and pest control, leading to cost savings.
• Drones: Help monitor crops and assess soil conditions, giving farmers a comprehensive view of their land.
• Market Apps: Facilitate direct sales and provide insights into consumer buying habits.

By investing in these technologies, small farms can improve yield, reduce waste, and meet consumer demands for fresh, quality products.

Collaborative Marketing Initiatives

Participating in or forming cooperatives can expand a small farm’s market reach. Collaborative marketing allows multiple farms to pool resources and share marketing costs. This collective approach can lead to:

• Improved brand recognition.
• Shared distribution channels, making it easier to reach a broader audience.
• Access to agritourism opportunities, drawing visitors interested in hands-on farm experiences.

Collaborative promotions, such as community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, can enhance consumer loyalty and ensure consistent cash flow for farms throughout the season.

Impact of Climate Change

Climate change is undeniably impacting agricultural practices and should not be overlooked when analyzing market trends. Farmers need to adapt to new weather patterns, pest populations, and soil conditions. For instance, many regions see shifts in growing seasons, making it crucial for farmers to:

• Research and select climate-resilient crop varieties.
• Implement sustainable farming techniques to improve soil health.
• Utilize water conservation strategies to mitigate drought impact.

By addressing these issues, farmers can better position themselves in an evolving market landscape.

Farmers who proactively analyze market trends are better equipped to navigate the complexities of the agricultural industry. Whether by leveraging technology, adjusting pricing strategies, or enhancing marketing efforts, staying informed ensures that small farms remain viable and successful in an increasingly competitive field.

Financial Planning and Budgeting Strategies for Small Farms

For small farms, financial planning and budgeting can make the difference between success and failure. With limited resources and varying income throughout the year, creating a solid financial foundation is essential for sustainable growth. Here are some effective strategies to manage finances and keep your farm thriving.

Understanding Your Costs

Before diving into budgeting, it’s crucial to understand both fixed and variable costs associated with running a small farm. Fixed costs include expenses that do not change regardless of the volume of production, such as property taxes, mortgage payments, utilities, and insurance. Variable costs fluctuate based on production levels and can include feed, seed, labor, and fuel.

Creating a Detailed Budget

Once you’ve identified your costs, it’s time to develop a detailed budget. This budget should encompass all expected income and expenses over a specific period, typically a year. Here’s a simplified example of how to structure your budget:

This table outlines a basic budget structure demonstrating how income stacks against planned expenses. Monitor this regularly and adjust figures based on real-time data to reflect actual financial performance.

Monitoring Cash Flow

Effective cash flow management is crucial to maintaining financial stability. A cash flow statement tracks the movement of cash in and out of your farm, helping identify trends or seasonal fluctuations. You can develop a cash flow projection by estimating expected income and expenses each month. Pay particular attention to the following:

• Seasonal variations in income, especially if you rely on crops with specific harvest periods.
• Your ability to meet monthly obligations, even during low-income months.
• Unexpected expenses and their potential impact on cash flow.

Utilizing Financial Tools

Leverage technology for financial tracking and budgeting. Tools such as accounting software specifically designed for agriculture can simplify record-keeping, making it easier to access financial data, analyze performance, and produce reports. Some popular programs include:

• QuickBooks: Offers customizable features for various types of farming operations.
• FarmLogs: An intuitive app focusing on field management and financial insights.
• Ag Leader: Integrates crop inputs and outputs with financial management.

Planning for Contingencies

Every farm should prepare for unexpected challenges, including natural disasters, market fluctuations, or health crises. Establish a contingency fund as part of your budget to mitigate risk. Aim to save at least three to six months’ worth of operating expenses to ensure you can weather tough times without taking on debt.

Regularly Review and Adjust

Regularly reviewing and adjusting your financial plan is paramount. Set specific intervals throughout the year to analyze financial performance against your budget. This process ensures that you stay on track with goals and allows for dynamic adjustments based on actual performance and unforeseen circumstances.

These strategies into your financial planning can help small farms become more resilient and profitable. With diligent monitoring, proper budgeting, and adaptive management, you can pave the way for sustainable success in the agricultural sector.

Sustainable Practices in Small Farming: A Business Perspective

Sustainable practices in small farming are increasingly recognized for their potential to create robust business models that benefit both producers and the environment. By adopting environmentally friendly methods, small farms can thrive economically while promoting sustainability.

Understanding Sustainable Practices

Sustainable practices involve methods that focus on maintaining productivity while minimizing environmental impact. For small farmers, this means addressing soil health, water efficiency, crop diversity, and ecosystem health. Among the main sustainable practices are organic farming, permaculture, agroforestry, and integrated pest management. Each method contributes not only to environmental well-being but also enhances the long-term viability of farming operations.

Benefits of Sustainable Practices for Small Farm Businesses

Market Differentiation Farmers who adopt sustainable methods can tap into a growing market of eco-conscious consumers. By marketing their products as organic or sustainably grown, these businesses can often command higher prices.

Cost Savings Implementing sustainable practices, such as permaculture techniques or water conservation methods, can lower operational costs. By utilizing resources more efficiently, farmers can save on inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.

Improved Soil Health Practices such as cover cropping and crop rotation contribute to improved soil health and fertility. Healthy soils lead to increased crop yields and resilience against pests and diseases.

Enhanced Resilience Sustainable farms tend to be more resilient to climate change and unpredictable weather patterns. By diversifying crops and employing methods like agroforestry, farmers can mitigate risks associated with extreme weather.

Long-term Viability Sustainable practices promote the long-term viability of farming operations. By focusing on regenerative agriculture, farmers create systems that can produce yields for generations to come.

Examples of Sustainable Practices

Implementing Sustainable Practices

For small farmers, transitioning to sustainable practices requires a thoughtful approach. Start with an assessment of current methods and resources. By understanding what is already working, farmers can identify areas for improvement.

Education and Training Attend workshops, webinars, and courses that focus on sustainable farming techniques. Many agricultural extension programs offer valuable resources to farmers looking to learn about sustainable practices.

Incremental Change Rather than overhauling an entire operation overnight, implement sustainable practices gradually. Start with one or two methods and expand based on results and comfort level.

Networking with Other Farmers Join local farming cooperatives or sustainability groups. Sharing experiences and strategies with peers can provide inspiration and practical solutions.

Monitoring and Evaluation Regularly assess the effectiveness of implemented practices. Keeping track of yield, soil health, and cost savings will help farmers make informed decisions about adjustments and expansions.

Maximizing Resources Leverage local resources, including community gardens and farmers’ markets, to sell sustainably grown produce. Building relationships within the community enhances support for sustainable practices.

The Economic Impact

Investing in sustainable practices also has a broader economic impact. As small farms adopt these methods, they contribute to food security and decrease reliance on large-scale, industrial agriculture, which is often unsustainable. The shift towards sustainable agricultural practices encourages the creation of local jobs, supports rural economies, and fosters community development.

As part of this movement, small farm businesses that successfully integrate sustainable practices not only protect the environment but also carve a prosperous niche for themselves in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape. By prioritizing sustainability, small farmers foster a model that promotes health—both for the land and the communities they serve.

Marketing Your Small Farm: Effective Strategies for Success

Marketing your small farm effectively is crucial for turning your passion into a sustainable business. There are various strategies you can implement to increase visibility, build a loyal customer base, and ultimately drive sales. Here’s a look at some successful tactics you can adopt.

Identify Your Target Market

Understanding who your customers are is the first step in successful farm marketing. Are they health-conscious consumers, local chefs, or families looking for fresh produce? Create detailed customer personas that reflect the demographics, preferences, and buying behavior of your target audience. This knowledge will guide your marketing efforts and help you tailor your messages.

Build a Strong Online Presence

In today’s digital age, having an online presence is essential. Here are specific strategies to consider:

• Create a Website: A professional website acts as a virtual storefront. Include information about your farm, products, and sustainability practices. An integrated blog can also enhance SEO by providing valuable content for your audience.
• Utilize Social Media: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are great for showcasing your farm’s personality. Share photos of your products, highlight farm events, and engage with your community.
• Implement SEO Best Practices: Optimize your website and content with relevant keywords to improve your visibility online. For example, use terms like “locally grown produce” or “organic small farm products.”

Leverage Local Partnerships

Collaborating with other local businesses can amplify your marketing efforts. Consider these strategies:

• Farmers Markets: Participate in local farmers markets to reach customers directly. This provides an opportunity for face-to-face interaction and can enhance community ties.
• Partnerships with Local Restaurants: Build relationships with nearby restaurants to supply fresh ingredients. Not only does this create a steady income stream, but it also brings your products to customers who may not visit your farm directly.
• Community Events: Sponsor or participate in local events to increase visibility and demonstrate your commitment to the community. Host farm tours to educate customers about your processes and products.

Utilize Email Marketing

Email marketing is a cost-effective way to reach your customer base. Start by creating a newsletter sign-up on your website and engage customers with regular updates:

• Product Announcements: Share new product launches or seasonal offerings with your subscribers.
• Farm Events: Keep your audience informed about upcoming events such as harvest festivals, workshops, or open farm days.
• Recipes and Tips: Provide valuable content like recipes using your products, which can encourage sales and foster a deeper connection with your audience.

Offer Farm-to-Table Experiences

Creating unique experiences can set your small farm apart from competitors. Consider hosting:

• Workshops: Teach skills like canning, cooking classes, or gardening workshops.
• Farm Tours: Allow visitors to experience your farm first-hand. Use guided tours to explain your methods and philosophy, enhancing their connection with your products.
• Dinners on the Farm: Collaborate with local chefs to offer special dining experiences right on your land. This will highlight your ingredients and attract food enthusiasts.

Track Your Progress

Measure the effectiveness of your marketing strategies. Use tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic, social media insights to gauge post engagement, and customer surveys to gather feedback. By analyzing this data, you can identify which strategies work best, allowing you to refine your approach.

Marketing your small farm requires creativity, commitment, and a willingness to adapt over time. By understanding your audience, leveraging local partnerships, and utilizing both digital and traditional marketing efforts, you can pave the way for your farm’s success. Continuously engage your community and be transparent about your practices; authenticity will resonate with customers and foster loyalty.

Leveraging Technology in Small Farm Management

In today’s agricultural landscape, technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of small farm management. By adopting modern technological innovations, small farmers can not only streamline their operations but also improve productivity, reduce costs, and meet the evolving demands of consumers. This article explores various technological advancements that small farms can leverage to optimize their management practices and drive success.

Precision Agriculture

One of the most significant advancements in farming technology is precision agriculture. This approach utilizes data-driven insights to improve crop yields and resource management. Tools such as GPS-based soil analysis and remote sensing allow farmers to monitor their fields more accurately. By analyzing data on soil health, moisture levels, and crop performance, farmers can make informed decisions about planting, irrigation, and fertilization.

Benefits of Precision Agriculture

• Resource Efficiency: Precision agriculture enables farmers to apply inputs like water and fertilizers more efficiently, leading to reduced waste and cost savings.
• Yield Improvement: By acting on real-time data, farmers can increase crop yields and enhance the quality of their produce.
• Environmental Sustainability: Minimizing the use of chemicals and optimizing water usage supports eco-friendly farming practices.

Farm Management Software

Farm management software (FMS) provides an integrated solution for managing farm activities. With features like crop planning, financial tracking, and labor management, FMS helps farmers streamline their operations. These tools can generate reports that provide valuable insights into productivity, costs, and profitability.

Key Features of Farm Management Software

Smart Irrigation Systems

Water management is critical in farming, and smart irrigation systems represent a significant advancement in this area. These systems use sensors and weather data to determine the optimal watering schedules. By only irrigating when necessary, farmers can conserve water and improve crop health.

Advantages of Smart Irrigation

• Water Conservation: Reduces water waste and optimizes water use for better crop growth.
• Cost Savings: Lowers utility bills through efficient water management.
• Increased Crop Resilience: Helps plants thrive by providing the right amount of water at the right time.

Drones in Agriculture

Drones have become increasingly popular in agriculture, offering numerous applications that enhance farm management. Farmers can use drones for crop monitoring, soil analysis, and even pesticide application. The aerial perspective provided by drones allows for better assessment and management of land and crops.

Applications of Drones in Farming

• Field Monitoring: Drones can cover large areas quickly, providing valuable insights into plant health and identifying issues such as pest infestations or nutrient deficiencies.
• Precision Spraying: Drones equipped with spraying technology can apply pesticides and fertilizers more accurately, reducing chemical use and minimizing environmental impact.
• Data Collection: Drones collect high-resolution imagery and data, which can be analyzed to inform agronomic decisions.

Integrating technology into small farm management isn’t just about keeping pace with the industry; it’s about staying competitive and sustainable. By adopting tools such as precision agriculture, farm management software, smart irrigation systems, and drone technology, small farmers can significantly enhance their operational efficiency and productivity. As technology continues to evolve, the potential for small farms to thrive in a challenging market increases, paving the way for a more productive and sustainable future in agriculture.

Case Studies: Successful Small Farm Business Plans from Around the Country

In the diverse landscape of agriculture, small farms are thriving, thanks to innovative business plans that focus on sustainable practices and niche markets. Here’s a look at several successful small farm business plans that have made a mark across the country, showcasing different approaches and strategies that can inspire aspiring farmers.

Case Study: Green Meadow Farms

Located in Vermont, Green Meadow Farms specializes in organic berries. They adopted a business model focusing on community-supported agriculture (CSA). Customers buy subscriptions for seasonal berries, ensuring steady cash flow throughout the year. The farm uses sustainable practices to minimize its environmental impact.

Key Strategies:

• Establishing a CSA model to create a dedicated customer base.
• Utilizing organic farming techniques to enhance product quality.
• Engaging in local farmers’ markets to expand outreach.

Case Study: Sunny Acres Goat Farm

This small goat dairy in Texas has carved a niche by producing gourmet goat cheese. With a simple business plan focused on local sales, Sunny Acres also hosts educational workshops on goat farming and cheese-making. This initiative diversifies income while fostering community connections.

Financial Overview:

Case Study: Hilltop Veggies

Based in California, Hilltop Veggies operates under a mobile farmstand model. Instead of a fixed location, they sell their organic produce at various popular local events. This flexibility allows them to tap into multiple consumer segments while minimizing overhead costs tied to a physical store.

Marketing Tactics:

• Leveraging social media to announce their location and engage customers.
• Partnering with local events for greater visibility.
• Offering loyalty programs to encourage repeat business.

Case Study: Green Pastures Flowers

This flower farm in Oregon showcases the importance of niche marketing. By growing native wildflowers and local blooms, they attract eco-conscious consumers. Their business plan focuses on online sales, allowing them to reach customers across the country.

Marketing Approach:

• Building a user-friendly e-commerce website.
• Engaging in content marketing through blogs on sustainable floral practices.
• Participating in eco-friendly events to resonate with target demographics.

Case Study: Happy Valley Heritage Breeds

Located in upstate New York, this farm specializes in raising heirloom livestock. Aiming to preserve endangered breeds, they market directly to consumers interested in sustainable, ethical farming. They also sell breeding stock to other small farmers, creating a robust community.

Community Engagement:

• Hosting farm tours to educate the public about heritage breeds.
• Forming partnerships with local restaurants that prioritize farm-to-table sourcing.
• Utilizing newsletters to share stories and updates with supporters.

Through these case studies, it is clear that the foundation of a successful small farm business plan is built on understanding the target market, embracing unique selling propositions, and actively engaging with the community. Each farm outlined here exemplifies the diverse strategies and practices that can lead to sustainable and profitable agricultural ventures.

With the right business plan, small farms can not only survive but thrive in today’s competitive market. Aspiring farmers should look to these examples for inspiration and adapt their strategies to fit their local contexts and personal passions.

The development of a small farm business plan is not just a mere formality; it’s a crucial roadmap that paves the way for sustainable growth and operational success in the agricultural sector. The key components you include in your plan—such as your mission statement, goals, operational strategy, and market analysis—set the tone for your farming venture. Crafting each element with intention helps paint a clear picture of what your farm aims to achieve while allowing you to remain adaptable to the ever-changing agricultural landscape.

In today’s competitive farming environment, analyzing market trends is essential for ensuring the long-term viability of your small farm. Understanding consumer preferences, local food movements, and shifts in economic conditions can inform your decisions about what to grow, how to price your products, and where to sell them. This forward-thinking approach not only positions you strategically in the marketplace but also helps avert potential pitfalls caused by unanticipated economic shifts.

As with any business, solid financial planning and budgeting strategies are pivotal to the success of a small farm. Identifying key revenue streams, crafting a detailed budget, and establishing a robust financial tracking system are essential steps. Consider utilizing tools like cash flow projections and break-even analysis to ensure that your farm is financially sustainable. Allocating resources efficiently allows you to manage inputs effectively and reinvest profits for future growth, giving you a solid foundation from which to grow your enterprise.

Sustainable practices are increasingly gaining importance in agriculture, not just for environmental reasons but also from a business perspective. Integrating eco-friendly methods—such as crop rotation, organic fertilizers, and water conservation—can reduce costs and enhance the quality of your produce. Furthermore, consumers are becoming more conscious about where their food comes from; therefore, adopting sustainable farming practices can serve as a unique selling point and effectively differentiate your farm in the market.

Marketing is another cornerstone of a successful small farm business plan. Discovering effective strategies to promote your farm, whether through social media, farmers’ markets, or local partnerships, can significantly influence your visibility and sales. Engaging with your community and forging connections can increase your customer base and foster loyalty, turning first-time buyers into regular patrons. Experimenting with diverse marketing techniques, from fresh branding to storytelling about your farm, can greatly enhance your outreach.

Leveraging technology can take your small farm business to the next level. From precision agriculture technologies to software designed for farm management, the tools available today can help you optimize operations, increase efficiency, and improve profitability. data analytics into your farming strategy enables you to make informed decisions that align with your overall business goals. Addressing the challenges of today’s farming landscape requires adopting these innovative technologies to remain competitive.

Drawing inspiration from successful case studies across the country can provide practical insights into crafting your small farm business plan. Each story demonstrates the importance of passion, resilience, and the willingness to pivot in response to challenges. Whether it’s a family-run organic farm or a tech-oriented agri-business, these examples highlight diverse strategies that can lead to success. Learning from the experiences of others can boost your confidence and provide actionable steps to follow as you embark on your farming journey.

Creating a comprehensive small farm business plan is not a one-time exercise; it’s an evolving process. As you move through different stages of your farming venture, revisiting and refining your plan based on market analysis, financial milestones, and consumer demands will be vital. Adaptability will serve as one of your strongest assets. A well-structured business plan serves not only as a guide but also as a living document that aligns your visions and business objectives with operational realities.

By focusing on these essential elements—key components of the business plan, market trends, financial strategies, sustainable practices, effective marketing, technology use, and real-world case studies—you position your small farm not just for survival but for lasting growth and community impact. Ultimately, your commitment to a thoughtful and thorough approach will enable you to build a small farm that thrives, not just for today, but for future generations.

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• Sample Business Plans
• Retail, Consumers & E-commerce

Farming Business Plan

Agriculture is the one industry that consistently does well, irrespective matter the economic conditions of the world. So, for a stable income and career farming business is a great option.

Are you looking to start writing a business plan for your farming business? Creating a business plan is essential to starting, growing, and securing funding for your business. We have prepared a farming business plan template for you to help in start writing yours.

Free Business Plan Template

Download our Free Farming 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 Farming Business Plan?

Writing a 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 of the business plan intended to provide an overview of the whole business plan. Generally, it is written after the entire business plan is ready. Here are some components to add to your summary:

• Start with a brief introduction: Start your executive summary by introducing your idea behind starting a farming business and explaining what it does. Give a brief overview of the idea that how will your farming business will be different.
• Market opportunity: Describe the target market in brief, and explain the demographics, geographic location, and psychographic attributes of your customer. Explain how your agriculture business meets its needs. Clearly describe the market that your business will serve.
• Mention your services: Describe in detail the products and crops your agriculture farm produces. Also, incorporate all the details about the tools and equipment you will use keeping quality in mind.
• Management team: Name all the key members of your management team with their duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.
• Financial highlights: Provide a summary of your financial projections for the company’s initial years of operation. Include any capital or investment requirements, startup costs, projected revenues, and profits.
• Call to action: After giving a brief about your business plan, end your summary with a call to action, for example; inviting potential investors or readers to the next meeting if they are interested in your business.

Ensure you keep your executive summary concise and clear, use simple language, and avoid jargon.

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2. Business Overview

Depending on what details of your business are important, you’ll need different elements in your business overview. Still, there are some foundational elements like business name, legal structure, location, history, and mission statement that every business overview should include:

• The name of your farming business and the type of business you are running or will run: organic farming, agricultural farming, dairy farming, commercial farming, or something else.
• Company structure of your farming business whether it is a proprietorship, LLC, partnership firm, or some other.
• Location of your farm and the reason why you selected that place.
• Mission statement: Add a mission statement that sums up your farming business’s objectives and core principles. This statement needs to be memorable, clear, and brief.
• Business history: Include an outline of the farming business history and how it came to be in its current position. If you can, add some personality and intriguing details, especially if you got any achievements or recognitions till now for your incredible services.
• Future goals: It’s crucial to convey your aspirations and your vision. Include the vision of where you see your agriculture in the near future.

This section should provide an in-depth understanding of your farming business. Also, the business overview section should be engaging and precise.

3. Market Analysis

Market analysis provides a clear understanding of the market in which your farming business will run along with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. Your market analysis should contain the following essential components:

• Target market: Identify your target market and define your ideal customer. Know more about your customers and which products they prefer: meat, crops, vegetables, or some other products.
• Market size and growth potential: Provide an overview of the agriculture industry. It will include market size, trends, growth potential, and regulatory considerations.
• Competitive analysis: Identify and analyze all other agricultural farms nearby, including direct and indirect competitors. Evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and explain how your farm can offer qualitative products.
• Market trends: Analyze current and emerging trends in your industry, such as changes in technology, fertilizers, or customer preference. Explain how your farming business will cope with all the trends.
• Regulatory environment: Describe any regulations or licensing requirements that affect the agricultural farm, such as safety codes, or hiring any agricultural engineer or food safety employee.

Some additional tips for writing the market analysis section of your business plan:

• Use a variety of sources to gather data, including industry reports, market research studies, and surveys.
• Be specific and provide detailed information wherever possible.
• Include charts and graphs to help illustrate your key points.
• Keep your target audience in mind while writing the business plan

4. Products And Services

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

• List the products you will produce or sell, such as crops, fruits, flowers, livestock, or value-added products like cheese or jams.
• Describe each product: Explain the features of your products, such as their quality, variety, and uniqueness. Also, discuss how your products will be packaged and marketed.
• Emphasize safety and quality: In all descriptions of services and products, emphasize the importance of safety and quality. Explain how your farming business will ensure that all services and products are delivered with the highest standards of safety and efficacy.

Overall, the product and services section of a business plan should be detailed, informative, and customer-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. Operations Plan

When writing the operations plan section, it’s important to consider the various aspects of your business operations. Here are the components to include in an operations plan:

• Operational process: Explain the steps taken to produce your crops or raise your livestock. This can involve planting, fertilizing, watering, harvesting, looking after animals, and other activities.
• Technologies: Make a list of the tools and equipment you’ll need to run your farm, including tractors, harvesters, greenhouses, barns, and processing machinery. Describe your plans for purchasing and maintaining your farming business.

By including these key elements in your operations plan section, you can create a comprehensive plan that outlines how you will run your farming business.

6. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of the individuals responsible for running the farming business. This section should provide a detailed description of the experience and qualifications of each manager, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

• Key managers: Describe the key members of your management team, their roles, and their responsibilities. It should include the owners, senior management, and any other farm manager, soil and plant scientist, agricultural salesperson, or someone else.
• Organizational structure: Describe the organizational structure of the management team, including reporting lines and how decisions will be made.
• Compensation plan: Describe your compensation plan for the management team and staff, including salaries, bonuses, and other benefits.
• Board of advisors: If you have a board of advisors for your business, then mention them along with their roles and experience.

Describe your company’s key personnel and highlight why your business has the fittest team.

7. Financial Plan

When writing the financial plan section of a business plan, it’s important to provide a comprehensive overview of your financial projections for the first few years of your business.

• Profit & loss statement: Create a projected profit & loss statement that describes the expected revenue, cost of products sold, and operational costs. Your farm’s anticipated net profit or loss should be computed and included.
• Cash flow statement: Estimate your cash inflows and outflows for the first few years of operation. It should include cash receipts from clients, payments to vendors, loan payments, and any other cash inflows and outflows.
• Balance sheet: Prepare a projected balance sheet, which shows the business’s assets, liabilities, and equity.
• Break-even point: Determine the point at which your farming business will break even, or generate enough revenue to cover its operating costs. This will help you understand how much revenue you need to generate to make a profit.
• Financing needs: Estimate how much financing you will need to start and operate your farming business. It should include both short-term and long-term financing needs, such as loans or investment capital.

Remember to be realistic with your financial projections, and to provide supporting evidence for all of your estimates.

8. Appendix

When writing the appendix section, you should include any additional information that supports the main content of your plan. This may include financial statements, market research data, legal documents, and other relevant information.

• Include a table of contents for the appendix section to make it easy for readers to find specific information.
• Include financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. These should be up-to-date and show your financial projections for at least the first three years of your business.
• Provide market research data, such as statistics on the size of the agriculture industry, consumer demographics, and trends in the industry.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Provide any additional documentation related to your business plans, such as marketing materials, product brochures, and operational procedures.
• Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the information they need.

Remember, the appendix section of your farming business should only include relevant and important information that supports the main content of your plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

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

After this, if you are still confused about how to write an investment-ready agriculture business plan to impress your audience, then download our farming business plan pdf .

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you need a farming business plan.

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

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

How to get funding for your farming business?

There are several ways to get funding for your agriculture business, but one of the most efficient and speedy funding options is self-funding. 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 many people to invest in your farming business, usually online.
• Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought options for startups.
• Venture capital – Venture capitalists will invest in your business in exchange for a percentage of shares, so this funding option is also viable.

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

Where to find business plan writers for your farming business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and idea better than you, so we recommend you write your farming business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your agriculture business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any farming business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software.

About the Author

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

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Farm Business Plan

Most entrepreneurs are terrified of planning. But this can be a different scenario for you.  A farming business can be more successful if you will develop a farm  business plan . Not only will you set the steps that you need to follow to achieve your goals, but you can also become more prepared with the risks. More so, your  strategic plans  will help you develop a mission statement that will guide you through. So, are you ready for this? Below,we provide you a farm business plan examples that you can look into as a guide.

20+ Farm Business Plan Examples

1. farm business plan template.

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What Is a Farm Business Plan?

A farm business plan is an excellent organizational and business material that you can use for a variety of purposes. All you must do is to be familiar with  business plan guidelines  and the basics of farm business management so you can already identify the specific business plan document that you need.

Importance of a Farm Business Plan

Have you ever been to a hotel where you can see each process’s organization from the welcoming of guests up to their check-out procedures? One of the planning documents that provide a contribution to that organization is a  hotel operational business plan . This can be compared to the usage of a farm business plan if you want to ensure that the operations of your farm business are laid out properly. According to a gathered  analysis  published by Noble Research Institute,  the advantages of a farm business plan  includes an easy application to loans. It can also promote solidarity within the farm business’s stakeholders. This is relatively substantial, especially for every small business in the agricultural industry.

How To Create a Farm Business Plan

Creating your farm business plan can be easier if you will refer to helpful agriculture business plan examples. But aside from the items mentioned above, there are still some items that can make it more efficient for you to develop an outstanding, complete, and organized farm business  plan . Some of these tips and guidelines are all listed below.

1. Begin with a Realistic Plan

To begin with, always start by visualizing your ideas. After that, you can now proceed with outlining your goals and objectives. Remember to make it as realistic as possible. Come up with measurable and obtainable plans. This should include  proposals ,  marketing , and budget . Truly, there is no easy business. So, plan long-term, and everything else will follow.

2. Provide an Executive Summary

Next, you have to learn how to write an  executive summary  for your business plan. Especially for farm business startups, an executive summary is one of the parts of the farm business plan that will be first seen by your target audience. Make it as appealing and as presentable as possible so you can already get positive responses and impressions. But remember, don’t make it too long and invite confusion from readers. Make it precise as much as possible.

3. Set an Action Plan

What could be the necessary steps to do in achieving your goals? Here, you have to outline your  action plans . It should be relevant to your objectives. Therefore, they must align. You can also set a  schedule  to follow. This helps you cope with your daily tasks while keeping it on time. Another thing to remember is to make it attainable for everyone in the organization.

4. Present the Values and Benefits

make sure that your farm business plan can present your business values. It should be a reflection of your identity, brand,  mission statement , and image as a business. These characteristics can set you apart from your competition. It can promote memory retention, which is an excellent way for you to remain relevant and memorable in the marketplace where the farm business belongs.

5. Proofread the Plan

Don’t propose it right away. But make sure that you check your content from the cover page down to the last pages. Is your budget for the business plan considerable? Can your members achieve success in no time? It is essential to check it first before using it for actual scenarios. This helps you come up with an excellent  report  later on.

FAQ’s

How much is a typical business plan.

The price of a business plan depends on the agency that creates it. But in most cases, it reaches up to $15,000 for a complete plan.

Is a business plan necessary?

A business plan is a necessity if you take a look at the bigger picture when it comes to finances and projects. This helps you accomplish more than what you imagine for your business.

What are the two primary elements of a business plan?

Among the various elements of a business plan, the executive summary and market analysis are standard.

Again, feeling overwhelmed with everything that you need to consider when developing a farm business plan is normal. However, you should make sure that you will not be carried away so you can focus on the items that can help you give the farm business a boost in productivity, efficiency, sales, visibility, and leads. Be mindful of how you will develop farm planning strategies. Also, see how an effective one can improve your farm business’s overall operations . So, get ready with your  document  and follow the list of steps above.

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