So You Want to Farm in Maine?

The 2012 course will be starting March 20th at the Penobscot and Aroostook County Extension Offices.

A Short Course for Individuals Who Want a Profitable Farm Operation.

The purpose of this course is to equip participants with the business knowledge and skills to start, adapt and maintain a profitable land-based business.  It is designed for current farmers and those who want to have a farm.

This multi-session course will be offered on five Tuesday evenings in March and April starting March 20th, 2012 at the Penobscot County Extension Office in Bangor, and Aroostook County Extension Office in Presque Isle from 6:30pm-9:00pm. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited to 40 participants.  The cost is $50.00, which includes the text for the course, Starting and Running a Small Farm Business by Sarah Aubrey and various handouts. More than one member of a farm business may attend for the $50.00 fee, provided you only require one set of materials.

To register, please call Theresa Tilton at (207) 942-7396 or email Theresa.Tilton@maine.edu at the Bangor Extension office. Instructors for the course include Extension Educators Donna Coffin,  and Andrew Plant with guest instructors.

A survey will be sent once you have registered.  Please return it prior to the first meeting.

Objectives:

• ­Participants will feel comfortable starting a farm-based business
• ­Participants will understand the need for and have a framework for a business plan
• ­Participants will select and use recordkeeping system
• ­Participants will understand how to use Cooperative Extension and other agencies as a resource for their farm-based business
• ­Participants will understand the importance of and basics of marketing their products, including customer surveys.

Tentative Schedule

Session 1

• Assessing your resources.
• Developing a business plan.

Session 2

• Selecting & evaluating farm enterprises.
• Keeping production and financial records.
• Understanding taxes.

Session 3

• Types of marketing.
• Doing applied market research for your products and services.

Session 4 

• Production information
• Resources / agencies available to assist farmers
• Regulations that impact agriculture.
• What about farm equipment?

Session 5

• Panel discussion including finding financing, and insurance as well as other topics of interest.

Sponsored by:

University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Penobscot, Piscataquis, & Aroostook Counties 

Maine Crop Insurance Education Program in cooperation with the Risk Management Agency