Before You Buy: A Farm Tech Investment Planning Guide
Automation is no longer a distant vision. Technology is being used to fill labor gaps, trim costs, increase efficiency, and boost precision. Success, though, still begins with a solid plan.
Beginning Farm & Enterprise Development
Extension offers resources, information and networking opportunities for farmers interested in exploring and assessing new business ideas or revenue streams to their operations. Resources help farmers assess feasibility and critical success factors of new or additional enterprises including value-added production, and marketing and business strategies.
Renewed interest in revenue stream diversification aims to reduce the income variability of the farm business. Diversification typically reduces large year-to-year variations in income and may ensure adequate cash flow for meeting production costs, debt obligations, and family living needs. However, acquiring knowledge about an alternative business, expertise on new production or marketing practices, or information on equipment may be costly. Expanding into new areas or experimenting with new enterprises will increase capital investment requirements.
Are you just getting started with your business plan? Access the video series Getting Started with your Food or Farm Business for essential strategies when developing a business plan. Sign-up for special access and reminders.
The strength of Wisconsin’s agricultural economy is its diversity…something that doesn’t just happen by chance. It is a product of the relentless drive of researchers and farmers to innovate, explore, and experiment. Listen to The Cutting Edge Podcast for a glimpse into the exciting new research and development bringing new crops and diversity to Wisconsin.
Articles
Balancing Technology and People: The Evolving Role of Farm Workers in Automation
The progression toward automation is partly based on a shortage of workers, but it is part of a natural progression. Switching from work that is heavily dependent on people—whether it’s you, family members or hired employees—can be complicated.
Harnessing the Power of Ag Tech: What Farms Need to Know
This is the first article in a series on key considerations for technology and automation investment in agriculture.
Organic Transition: Purpose, Process, and Resources
Interested in transitioning to organic agriculture, or just curious? This article gives an overview of the organic transition process, certification requirements, and available resources to support your journey.
Recordkeeping Instructions and Templates for Small-Scale Fruit and Vegetable Growers
This recordkeeping toolkit, produced by the Farmers’ Legal Action Group, includes easy-to-follow instructions and templates to help small-scale fruit and vegetable growers keep accurate farm records.
Setting Business Strategy Using a SWOT Analysis
Setting Business Strategy Using a SWOT Analysis Introduction Why Do We Care About Strategies? The SWOT Analysis Who Should Be Involved? The 3-Step Process Strategy Analysis Examples Turning Strategies into Goals Putting It All Together SWOT Analysis Worksheet Reflection Question Introduction Strategic thinking is the intuitive, visual, and creative process you use to make decisions […]
Partnerships for Your Food or Farm Business
Key elements of a successful business partnership include open and honest communication, setting clear expectations, and defining quality standards emphasizing the importance of independence, flexibility, and documentation to ensure a successful partnership.
Finding the right people
Effective recruiting plans should be a critical part of your business model as you seek out key talent to help your business grow.
Finding the formula for success
Understanding the formula for success can provide a road map to achieving our purpose which brings us peace of mind and that desired sense of contentedness.
Permits, licenses, and labels
Take the next step by connecting with a licensing and permitting organization such as: Additional Resources
Make Your Strategic Goals A Reality
The season of New Year’s resolutions is upon us. This time of year, we start reflecting on what we have accomplished and what we would like to achieve in the year ahead. Before jumping right into those new resolutions, take some time to remind yourself of your big-picture or long-term vision for yourself and your farm business, set strategic goals to align with your vision, develop an attainable plan of action, and identify who is responsible for each part of the plan.
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.
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.
Business structures
Take the next step by checking out the Farmers’ Guide to Business Structures Guide UW Center for Cooperatives Farm Commons Starting a Business – WI Department of Revenue Wisconsin One Stop Business Registration Portal Starting and Running a Business – Legal Food Hub Start Your Business – Small Business Development Center IRS – Nonprofit Resources […]
Financial statements for your food or farm business
In this video, Katie Wantoch, Extension Farm Management Outreach Specialist, talks about the importance of financial statements and how they impact the future of the business.
Recordkeeping for your food or farm business
In this video, Katie Wantoch, Extension Farm Management Outreach Specialist, talks about the importance of recordkeeping and introduces the farm business financial model.
Wisconsin Beginning Farmers Resource Guide
This guide was developed jointly by UW-Madison Extension, USDA agencies, and DATCP to provide producers just getting started in agriculture with a well-rounded resource. Set up as a road map, it walks beginning farmers through a variety of resources available to support them through their journey of starting an agriculture operation, farm, or food business.