A short course for farmers thinking about starting a new farm enterprise

This FREE webinar was be held in the spring of 2013. The archived sessions are available.

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 people who want to start a profitable farm or expand their farm hobby to a profitable business.

This multi-session course was offered in March and April 2013 in webinar format. The webinars are free to those who register. If you were unable to attend the live session of the webinar, the archived sessions are available. It is recommended that you have a high-speed, reliable Internet connection.

Course texts can be purchased through the UMaine Extension publications online store:

• Starting & Running Your Own Small Farm Business by Sarah Beth Aubrey
• Farming Alternatives from NRAES

Register online to see the archived sessions.

Instructors for the course include Extension Educators Donna Coffin, Caragh Fitzgerald, Rick Kersbergen, Kathy Hopkins, Andrew Plant, and Dr. Jim McConnon, with guest instructors.

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 a record keeping 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.

Topics:

Session 1: Assessing Your Resources

Session 2: Financial: Enterprise Budgets

Session 3: Developing a Business Plan, Recordkeeping & Taxes

Session 4: Researching Your Markets

Session 5: Production Information: Resources, Agencies & Regulations

Session 6: Financing & Insurance

Session 7: Business and Estate Planning Attorney

Session 8: Equipment

Sponsored by University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, Kennebec, Aroostook, and Somerset Counties.

For more information or to request a disability accommodation, call 564.3301 or in Maine 1.800.287.1491.