Creating a functional business plan will help keep track of logistical and financial details, such as cash flow. This plan will serve as a road map and vision for your business, working out these details ahead of time is both necessary and beneficial for ensuring the success of your farming operation. Oftentimes, new farms fail due to insufficient access to cash flow in the early stages of the project. This sheet provides helpful resources and publications to guide the construction of your plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A business plan is a document that summarizes the operational and financial objectives of a business and contains the detailed plans and budgets showing how the objectives are to be realized. Developing a business plan is essential to begin to analyze if your idea for a farm is realistic, achievable and in what time frame. Additionally, a business plan is often required to receive bank loans to start your business, convince private investors to invest in your farm, or receive tax-exempt status from the IRS. Whether you plan to set up a not-for-profit or for-profit urban farm, a business plan is essential in planning the organization and laying out a strategic approach to getting started. A good business plan should also contain the mission, demonstrated impact, and growth of your farm, which is vital to show to funders. A solid business plan contains the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information about financial management of farm businesses, see <\/strong>Financing an Urban Farm Factsheet<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The NY FarmLink\u2019s publication, Starting an Agricultural Business?<\/em><\/a>, is a pre-planning guide to help beginning farmers focus their thoughts before writing a business plan and is available online or by calling (800) 547-3276. The Organic Farmer\u2019s Business Handbook: A Complete Guide to Managing Finances, Crops, and Staff\u2014and Making a Profit.<\/em> By Richard Wiswall. Published in 2013 by Chelsea Green Publishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cornell Cooperative Extension<\/strong> offices often staff a farm management or small business development educator who can help you develop a business plan.\u00a0 The type of programming in each county is unique, however, and you should contact your local office, which can be found online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NY FarmNet<\/strong><\/a> has business plan writing publications in addition to several farm counselors throughout the state who offer free and confidential help on any topic of concern, including finances, farm changes, farm transfer, natural disaster, personal stress, family communication, and marital conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The New York State Small Business Development Center<\/strong><\/a> is a network of 23 regional centers delivering business counseling and training free of charge to New Yorkers who want to start a business or improve the performance of an existing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Business Express – New York State<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>website will help you find the New York State business permits you may need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Empire State Development\u2019s Entrepreneurial Assistance Program<\/strong><\/a> is part of New York State\u2019s economic development agency and has 9 centers across the state to provide specialized help to women, minority group members and persons with disabilities who are starting or operating an early stage business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Federal Small Business Association<\/strong> <\/a>is a federal agency with offices throughout the state providing counseling services and loan guarantees.\u00a0 They have a special emphasis area to work with women, minorities, veterans, and businesses involved in international trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SCORE<\/strong><\/a> is a non-profit organization offering free advice and training using experienced volunteers. Check their website for chapters in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming<\/strong><\/a>, based in Ithaca, NY, offers an eight-session Farm Business Planning Course, in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County and Alternatives Federal Credit Union\u2019s Business CENTS (Community Enterprise Network and Training Services).\u00a0 This course covers assessing resources, enterprise planning basics, financial planning and marketing.\u00a0 For more information contact info@groundswellcenter.org or (607) 319-5095 for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cornell Small Farms<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>offers 5-7 week long interactive, online business planning courses for farmers on topics such as marketing, financial planning and general business planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Greenhorn\u2019s Guide<\/strong><\/a> is a unique resource for young, beginning farmers \u2013 not specific to urban farming. The goal of the publication is to help young people make the transition into a career of farming. It is a compilation of references about farming, including where to find an apprenticeship to how to preserve food and repair a tractor. An important aspect of the guide is that it seeks to forge a connection between young farmers and older farmers who are more experienced and can act as mentors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For urban-specific business planning information, \u201cThe Urban Farm Business Plan Handbook\u201d from the Partnership for Sustainable Communities provides a framework for developing an urban farm on cleaned brownfields or vacant sites, and includes guidance on marketing, operating, and financial strategies.\u00a0 This handbook and affiliated worksheets are available for free download<\/a>.Helpful Publications for Writing a Business Plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Sustainable Agriculture Research Education (SARE) publication, Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses<\/em><\/a>, includes sample worksheets and exercises to help beginning farmers develop a business plan and is available for free download or for purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGetting Help Writing a Business Plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Business Planning Resources for Urban Farmers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Various urban farming educational programs such as Just Food\u2019s Farm School NYC (see our General Resources Factsheet<\/a>) also provide information on urban farm business planning.\u00a0 Contact individual organizations for details.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFunding <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n