Farm Strategic Planning – January 15th

Topics: Walks through the process of identifying goals and values for your operation, drafting a mission statement and using your values and goals to make decisions.

Presenter: Extension agents or community hosts from each location will present this introductory session, focusing on issues of importance in your local community.

Researching Your Market – January 22nd

Topics: Identify your target customer, conduct a market research trial, compare and evaluate market channels, and identify and evaluate your competition.

Presenter: Dave Renn, Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program Director at the Community Food and Agriculture Coalition has worked in a variety of production systems and markets, selling through market stands, CSA, wholesale, and market-testing niche food products.

Farm Marketing & Promotion – January 29th

Topics: Think about what makes your product unique, develop marketing messages that set you apart from your competition and develop a marketing plan.

Presenter: TBD

Managing Your Finances – February 5th

Topics: Develop an effective record-keeping system and learn how to estimate income and expenses. Learn how to prepare and use balance sheets, income and expense statements, and cash flows. This workshop is eligible for FSA financial management borrower training credit and will include information on income statements, balance sheets, cash flow budgets, and how to maintain and utilize these systems.

Presenter: Allison Dembek, Tucker Family Farm Operations Manager and Head Cheesemaker, worked in strategic corporate finance for eight years where she assessed the performance of companies based on the health of their financials, then worked with the business units to make changes to reach their financial targets. One of her favorite things in life is designing realistic and simplistic budgets to drive informed decision making. Since 2015, she has been adapting those same skills to be useful for a start-up farmstead sheep creamery, Tucker Family Farm, where she is the Operations Manager and Head Cheesemaker.