Starting & Running Your Own Small Farm Business: Small-Farm Success Stories * Financial Assistance Sources * Marketing & Selling Ideas * Business Plan Forms & Documents

by Sarah Beth Aubrey

Overview

Running your own small farm is demanding enough, but making it profitable presents a host of further challenges. In this business-savvy guide to farming on a small scale, Sarah Aubrey covers everything from financial plans and advertising budgets to web design and food service wholesalers. Learn how to isolate your target audience and craft artisanal products that will delight and amaze customers. With a solid business strategy in place, you can confidently turn your passion into a productive and profitable venture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781580176972
Publisher:	Storey Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	01/16/2008
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	673,262
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Sarah Beth Aubrey is the author of Starting and Running Your Own Small Farm Business. She holds a B.S. in Agricultural Communications from the University of Illinois and is the owner of Prosperity Consulting, LLC, a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

1 Build a Plan
Components of a Business Plan
Altering Your Business Plan
Profile: Sweeter Song Farm CSA

2 Test the Waters
Choosing Your Research Methodology
Questionnaire Development
Administering the Questionnaire
Profile: Leelanau Natural Beef

3 Get the Money
Financing Options
Simple Financial Statements
Profile: Evans Orchard and Cider Mill, LLC

4 Choose Your Business Type
Professional Financial and Legal Advisors
Business Entity Types
Profile: Chaney's Dairy Barn

5 Follow the Rules
Make the Rules Work for You
Common Practices and Where to Find Information
Food Safety
Profile: WaxinkMoon Artisan Goat Cheese

6 Protect Your Assets
Selecting Liability Insurance
Insurance Recommendations and Limits
Other Ways You're Covered
Profile: Tulmeadow Farm Store, Inc.

7 Price Your Products
Setting Your Prices
Wholesale versus Retail
Comparative Prices
Pricing for Breakeven
Money Collection Options
Profile: Lee Farms, LLC

8 Select Your Selling Venues
Types of Selling Venues
Profile: Homestead Growers, Inc.

9 Spread the Word
Creating a Marketing Plan
Effective Branding
Other Brand-Building Ideas
Profile: Huber's Orchard and Winery

10 Reflect and Revise
Years Two through Five
Profile: Chileno Valley Ranch

Epilogue

Appendixes
A: Business Plan
B: Sample Market Research Questionnaire
C: Simple Advertising and Marketing Budget for New Business
D: Press Release/Customer Correspondence
E: Sample Venture Capital Agreement
F: Profit and Loss Statement
G: Cash Flow Comparison
H: Resources

Index

Editorial Reviews

Great tips for newbies who need to determine the feasibility of following their dreams, and still helpful to those who have been at it awhile.”

ForeWord

“Aubrey leads the agri-preneur from business plan to market research, from USDA guidelines to product pricing and into the strange world of marketing….This book will help farm operators find a plans that works for them.”

Berkshire Eagle

“Here is everything you need to know about launching a small agricultural enterprise, from initial start-up to consumer marketing.”

American Small Farm

From the Publisher