This Guide is updated periodically to provide answers to questions about taxes, business planning, labor law, zoning, regulations, marketing and many other topics that farmers need to know.
1. Making Farming Possible (Getting Started)
2. Farming in Rural Areas
- Agritourism
- Climate & Soil Considerations
- Infrastructure Considerations
- Farm Vehicles
- Zoning Regulations & Farming
- Agricultural District Law Provisions
- Legal Aspects of Rural Living
- Ag Value Assessment for Farmland
- Property Tax Exclusions for Farm Buildings
- Environmental Regulations
- Opportunities for On-Farm Energy
- Forest Land Resources
- Ornamentals and Non-Food Ag Products
- Distillation
- Food Safety Practices
- Organic Certification
- Engaging with Policy in the Food System
3. Making Farming Profitable and Other Business Considerations
- Business Plans
- Business Structures
- Financing a Farm Operation
- Farm Risk Management
- Farm Insurance
- Making Money
- Record Keeping
- Income Taxes
- Sales Tax Exemptions/ Refunds
- Labor Laws
- Payroll and Worker Documentation
- Farmer Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Succession/Transition Planning
- Managing Farm Business Growth and Changes
- Grant Opportunities for Farmers
- Opportunities for Veterans in Farming
4. Marketing and Selling Farm Products
- Introduction to Marketing
- Assessing Your Market Potential
- Pricing Farm Products
- Finding Price Information
- Marketing Options
- Becoming a Small-Scale Food Processor
- Collecting Sales Tax on Farm Product Sales
