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Beginning Farm & Enterprise Development

Beginning Farm & Enterprise Development

Explore and assess new business ideas or revenue streams with tools and resources provided by Extension

Beginning Farmer Resources

|

Online Learning Opportunities

|

Resource Library

|

Connect With Us

Beginning Farmer Resources

Online Learning Opportunities

Resource Library

|

Connect With Us

Extension connects Wisconsin farmers with practical resources, trusted information, and opportunities to learn from others as they explore new business ideas or ways to bring in additional income. These tools can help you decide whether a new enterprise is a good fit and understand what it takes to make it successful—from value-added production to marketing and business planning.

Many farmers look to diversify as a way to smooth out ups and downs in yearly income. Adding new revenue streams can improve cash flow and help cover expenses like inputs, loan payments, and family living costs. At the same time, trying something new often means investing in equipment, learning different production or marketing skills, or spending time and money building expertise.

Beginning Farmer Resources

Wisconsin Beginning Farmer Resource Guide

Beginning Farmer Resource Guide

Designed as a road map, this guide walks beginning farmers through a variety of resources available to support them through their journey of starting an agriculture operation, farm, or food business. Print copies are available at your local USDA service center.

Download the Guide »

Looking to rent or lease farmland in Wisconsin?

Each year, the National Agricultural Statistics Service and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection publish a County Cash Rent Report of cash rental averages for non-irrigated cropland and pastureland in Wisconsin. 

Farmland rental information »

Getting Started with Your Food or Farm Business

Are you just getting started with your business plan? The Getting Started with your Food or Farm Business webinar series offers essential strategies for developing a sound business plan.

Watch video series »

Learning Opportunities

Navigating Your Ag Business: From Stress to Success is an online course designed to support farm businesses to make decisions, take action to move their farms forward, and reduce the farm members’ stress

Learn More

Farm Pulse: Financial Management and Analysis is a self-paced online course for conventional and organic farmers interested in learning how to use farm financials to explore their farm business decisions.

Learn More

Resource Library

Agricultural Automation & Technology

Before You Buy: A Farm Tech Investment Planning Guide

Before You Buy: A Farm Tech Investment Planning Guide

Balancing Technology and People: The Evolving Role of Farm Workers in Automation 

Balancing Technology and People: The Evolving Role of Farm Workers in Automation 

Harnessing the Power of Ag Tech: What Farms Need to Know

Harnessing the Power of Ag Tech: What Farms Need to Know

Business Planning and Strategy

Setting Business Strategy Using a SWOT Analysis

Setting Business Strategy Using a SWOT Analysis

Finding the formula for success

Finding the formula for success

Make Your Strategic Goals A Reality

Make Your Strategic Goals A Reality

Solidifying your business idea

Solidifying your business idea

Is this business idea feasible? Budgeting Quick Tips

Is this business idea feasible? Budgeting Quick Tips

Strategic thinking

Strategic thinking

Set your farm strategy with daily habits and time for strategic thinking

Set your farm strategy with daily habits and time for strategic thinking

Identifying strategies to maximize potential and minimize risk

Identifying strategies to maximize potential and minimize risk

What Motivates You to Succeed – Defining Your Values

What Motivates You to Succeed – Defining Your Values

What is strategic thinking and how can you use the strategic planning process to craft your farm’s future?

What is strategic thinking and how can you use the strategic planning process to craft your farm’s future?

Creating Your $50/cwt Mona Lisa ~ Diversifying your farm business enterprise

Creating Your $50/cwt Mona Lisa ~ Diversifying your farm business enterprise

Using the Business Model Canvas to Refine Your Farm Business Idea

Using the Business Model Canvas to Refine Your Farm Business Idea

Developing your farm business idea

Developing your farm business idea

Develop a Vision for Yourself and Your Farm

Develop a Vision for Yourself and Your Farm

Assess your Farm Business using a SWOT Analysis

Assess your Farm Business using a SWOT Analysis

Education, Training, and Support

Wisconsin Beginning Farmers Resource Guide

Wisconsin Beginning Farmers Resource Guide

Mentorship for underserved entrepreneurs

Mentorship for underserved entrepreneurs

Resources for Value-added Ag & Farm Enterprise Diversification

Resources for Value-added Ag & Farm Enterprise Diversification

Beginning Farmer Training & Education Programs

Beginning Farmer Training & Education Programs

Training and Education Opportunities for Beginning Farmers

Training and Education Opportunities for Beginning Farmers

Financial Management and Funding

Recordkeeping Instructions and Templates for Small-Scale Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Recordkeeping Instructions and Templates for Small-Scale Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Financing options for a rural food or farm business

Financing options for a rural food or farm business

Income tax considerations

Income tax considerations

Financial statements for your food or farm business

Financial statements for your food or farm business

Recordkeeping for your food or farm business

Recordkeeping for your food or farm business

Working With Your Lender

Working With Your Lender

Land, Labor, and Operations

Organic Transition: Purpose, Process, and Resources

Organic Transition: Purpose, Process, and Resources

Finding the right people

Finding the right people

Accessing land for your farm business

Accessing land for your farm business

AgriVision Episode 22 – Buying a chopper

AgriVision Episode 22 – Buying a chopper

Legal, Risk, and Business Structure

Partnerships for Your Food or Farm Business

Partnerships for Your Food or Farm Business

Permits, licenses, and labels

Permits, licenses, and labels

Business structures

Business structures

Creating A Value-Added Business Model That Works

Creating A Value-Added Business Model That Works

AgriVision Episode 28 – Do we need LLC for ag bagger?

AgriVision Episode 28 – Do we need LLC for ag bagger?

Creating a farm’s operating agreement: time well spent

Creating a farm’s operating agreement: time well spent

Marketing and Sales

Building a brand

Building a brand

Price discovery and what to charge

Price discovery and what to charge

Knowing your market

Knowing your market

Choosing a market channel

Choosing a market channel

Connect With Us

Work with Extension’s business development network

Connect with Steph to develop a plan and find farm business development support tailored to your operation.

Steph Plaster

stephanie.plaster@wisc.edu
Statewide Farm Business Development Outreach Specialist

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Division of Extension

Connecting people with the University of Wisconsin

  • Agriculture
  • Community Development
  • Health & Well-Being
  • Families & Finances
  • Natural Resources
  • Positive Youth Development

Agriculture at Extension

  • Agriculture Water Quality
  • Crops and Soils
  • Dairy
  • Horticulture
  • Livestock
  • Discovery Farms
  • Master Gardener

Other UW-Madison Resources

  • Department of Animal and Dairy Science
  • Department of Ag and Applied Econ
  • Renk Business Institute

Questions?

Contact us at farms@extension.wisc.edu

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