Articles

Building a brand

In this video, Andy Larson, farm financial consultant with the Food Finance Institute and also the Wisconsin Small Business Development Centers, talks about financing options for a rural food or farm business. We’re going to spend most of our time talking about traditional banks and traditional lending, but also bring up a number of options that are more non-traditional, if you don’t want to use a bank or you can’t.

▶ Listen: The Cutting Edge Podcast Ep. 46: Agrivoltaics Part II, UW Kegonsa Solar Project

The Kegonsa Research Campus solar project is a collaboration between UW-Madison and Alliant Energy to develop a small-scale solar and agrivoltaics project for research and education purposes on the university-owned Kegonsa Research Campus in Stoughton, WI.

Cash Farmland Lease – Narrated in Hmong

In this instructional video, Gaonou Thao, an Extension Specialist specializing in Hmong Farmer Outreach, delivers comprehensive guidance on completing a land lease application. This video is specifically tailored to cater to the needs of farmers who may not be proficient in English.

▶ Watch: Negotiating Agriculture Leases

What makes for a fair, robust and resilient ag or farm lease agreement? This video is part of a series that will include an example dialog between land/farm owner and renter as they negotiate the specific details of a lease agreement, highlighting important resources, tools and considerations to inform a resilient and robust agreement that serves both parties as well as discussing specific leasing topics

▶ Listen: The Cutting Edge Podcast Ep. 47: Agrivoltaics Part III, Agronomic Research

Dive into the agronomic research studying different types of cropping and grazing systems that may be compatible with solar arrays, and get the latest information on grazing cattle underneath solar panels.

Navigating Federal Milk Marketing Orders: Administrative Actions, U.S. Code, and Ex Parte Communication

Federal Milk Marketing Orders play a vital role in shaping the dairy industry, and the mechanisms through which these orders are amended and refined are governed by a complex framework of administrative actions. This article delves into the intricacies of Administrative Action Governing Federal Order Hearings, a process rooted in 5 U.S.C. 556 and 5 U.S.C. 557, and Ex Parte Communication.

It’s okay to talk about farm suicide risk

Farming is an occupation that stirs passions in the hearts of those connected to agriculture. It is also important to admit that the risk of suicide among farmers is real. In fact, the rate is over three times higher among all who live in rural areas as compared to those who live in urban places.

Resources to help landowners explore solar leases on agricultural land

Development of solar arrays across Wisconsin for electric generation is expanding as interest grows in solar as a renewable energy resource. Solar developers prefer level sites free of trees, buildings, and other obstructions to the sun, and land located near roads and needed power transmission facilities, including three-phase transmission hubs and power substations.

▶ Watch: Financial Statement and Analysis Spreadsheet Walkthrough

This video series will introduce you to the Financial Statement and Analysis Spreadsheet. In these videos, Kevin Bernhardt, Extension Farm Management Specialist with UW-Madison Division of Extension and Professor at UW-Platteville, provides information on completing the spreadsheet. The Extension Farm Financial Statement and Analysis Tools consists of Excel worksheets that: The Spreadsheet Tools are more […]

The emergence and use of ‘HMoob’ and its demonstration of self-representation

In a world where language and identity intertwine, the choice of terminology holds significant weight. The HMoob people, a community with a rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity, are at the heart of an evolving conversation around self-identification. While the terms “Hmong” and “Hmoob” are familiar, a newer label, “HMoob,” has surfaced, sparking discussions about […]

Financing options for a rural food or farm business

n this video, Andy Larson, farm financial consultant with the Food Finance Institute and also the Wisconsin Small Business Development Centers, talks about financing options for a rural food or farm business. We’re going to spend most of our time talking about traditional banks and traditional lending, but also bring up a number of options that are more non-traditional, if you don’t want to use a bank or you can’t.

Income tax considerations

Getting Started in Your Food or Farm Business video series highlights the key components of food and farm entrepreneurship and introduces you to the tools, skills, and resources you need to successfully start your own food or farm business.
In this video,Katie Wantoch, Extension Farm Management Outreach Specialist, talks about considerations when filing an income tax return for the food or farm business.

Enterprise Budgeting: Review of a single enterprise in a farm business

Wisconsin farms will often have many different enterprises that contribute to their whole farm business. For example, a dairy farm may have enterprises for milk sales, calf or finished cattle sales, grain sales, and hay sales. It is important for farmers to understand the income and expenses associated with each enterprise, how equipment or other […]

Benchmarking: Three part process for financial analysis

Farmers can use multiple tools and methods for analyzing their farm financial statements. Some are very involved and take lots of time, while others don’t take much time at all. Benchmarking is making comparisons to assist the farmer with making the best financial management decisions for their farm business that will improve financial position and […]

Pro Forma: Future Farm Financial Statements

Farm financial statements, such as the balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows, and statement of owner equity provide a historical review of the farm business’s financial position and performance. This financial analysis provides a basis from which to plan for the future of the farm business and draft pro forma financial statements. What […]

Back to school for farm families

Stress is everywhere, and there are many facets of our daily life where we encounter challenging times. For parents, it can be increasingly difficult to help our children navigate through these challenging and changing times when our own buckets feel dry many days.