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How to Start a Farm: Plan Your Operation

Think about your operation from the ground up and start planning for your business. A good farm business plan is your roadmap to start-up, profitability, and growth, and provides the foundation for your conversation with USDA about how our programs can complement your operation.

Keep reading about planning your business below, get an overview of the beginning farmer's journey , or jump to a different section of the farmer's journey.

Will help you get organized . It will help you to remember all of the details and make sure you are taking all of the necessary steps.
Will act as your guide . It will help you to think carefully about why you want to farm or ranch and what you want to achieve in the future. Over time, you can look back at your business plan and determine whether you are achieving your goals.
Is required to get a loan . In order to get an FSA loan, a guarantee on a loan made by a commercial lender, or a land contract, you need to create a detailed business plan . Lenders look closely at business plans to determine if you can afford to repay the loan.

How USDA Can Help

Whether you need a good get-started guide, have a plan that you would like to verify, or have a plan you’re looking to update for your next growth phase, USDA can help connect you to resources to help your decisions.

Your state's beginning farmer and rancher coordinator can connect you to local resources in your community to help you establish a successful business plan. Reach out to your state's coordinator for one-on-one technical assistance and guidance. They can also connect you with organizations that specifically serve beginning farmers and ranchers.

It is important to know that no single solution fits everyone, and you should research, seek guidance, and make the best decision for your operation according to your own individual priorities.

Build a Farm Business Plan

There are many different styles of business plans. Some are written documents; others may be a set of worksheets that you complete. No matter what format you choose, several key aspects of your operation are important to consider.

Use the guidelines below to draft your business plan. Answering these kinds of questions in detail will help you create and develop your final business plan. Once you have a business plan for your operation, prepare for your visit to a USDA service center. During your visit, we can help you with the necessary steps to register your business and get access to key USDA programs.

Business History

Are you starting a new farm or ranch, or are you already in business? If you are already in business:

What products do you produce?
What is the size of your operation?
What agricultural production and financial management training or experience do you, your family members, or your business partners have?
How long have you been in business?

Mission, Vision, and Goals

This is your business. Defining your mission, vision and goals is crucial to the success of your business. These questions will help provide a basis for developing other aspects of your business plan.

What values are important to you and the operation as a whole?
What short- and long-term goals do you have for your operation?
How do you plan to start, expand, or change your operation?
What plans do you have to make your operation efficient or more profitable ?
What type of farm or ranch model (conventional, sustainable, organic, or alternative agricultural practices) do you plan to use?

Organization and Management

Starting your own business is no small feat. You will need to determine how your business will be structured and organized, and who will manage (or help manage) your business. You will need to be able to convey this to others who are involved as well.

What is the legal structure of your business? Will it be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, or other type of entity?
What help will you need in operating and managing your farm or ranch?
What other resources, such as a mentor or community-based organization , do you plan to use?

Marketing is a valuable tool for businesses. It can help your businesses increase brand awareness, engagement and sales. It is important to narrow down your target audience and think about what you are providing that others cannot.

What are you going to produce ?
Who is your target consumer ?
Is there demand for what you are planning to produce?
What is the cost of production?
How much will you sell it for and when do you expect to see profit ?
How will you get your product to consumers ? What are the transportation costs and requirements?
How will you market your products?
Do you know the relevant federal, state, and local food safety regulations? What licensing do you need for your operation?

Today there are many types of land, tools, and resources to choose from. You will need to think about what you currently have and what you will need to obtain to achieve your goals.

What resources do you have or will you need for your business?
Do you already have access to farmland ? If not, do you plan to lease, rent, or purchase land?
What equipment do you need?
Is the equipment and real estate that you own or rent adequate to conduct your operation? If not, how do you plan to address those needs?
Will you be implementing any conservation practices to sustain your operation?
What types of workers will you need to operate the farm?
What additional resources do you need?

Now that you have an idea of what you are going to provide and what you will need to run your operation you will need to consider the finances of your operation.

How will you finance the business?
What are your current assets (property or investments you own) and liabilities (debts, loans, or payments you owe)?
Will the income you generate be sufficient to pay your operating expenses, living expenses, and loan payments?
What other sources of income are available to supplement your business income?
What business expenses will you incur?
What family living expenses do you pay?
What are some potential risks or challenges you foresee for your operation? How will you manage those risks?
How will you measure the success of your business?

Farm Business Plan Worksheets

The Farm Business Plan Balance Sheet can help gather information for the financial and operational aspects of your plan.

Form FSA-2037 is a template that gathers information on your assets and liabilities like farm equipment, vehicles and existing loans.

FSA-2037 - Farm Business Plan - Balance Sheet
FSA-2037 Instructions

Planning for Conservation and Risk Management

Another key tool is a conservation plan, which determines how you want to improve the health of your land. A conservation plan can help you lay out your plan to address resource needs, costs and schedules.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff are available at your local USDA Service Center to help you develop a conservation plan for your land based on your goals. NRCS staff can also help you explore conservation programs and initiatives, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) .

Conservation in Agriculture

Crop insurance, whole farm revenue protection and other resources can help you prepare for unforeseen challenges like natural disasters.

Disaster Recovery

Special Considerations

Special considerations for businesses.

There are different types of farm businesses each with their own unique considerations. Determine what applies to your operation.

Organic Farming has unique considerations. Learn about organic agriculture , organic certification , and the Organic Certification Cost Share Program to see if an organic business is an option for you. NRCS also has resources for organic producers and offers assistance to develop a conservation plan.
Urban Farming has special opportunities and restrictions. Learn how USDA can help farmers in urban spaces .
Value-Added Products . The Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC) is a national virtual resource center for value-added agricultural groups.
Cooperative. If you are interested in starting a cooperative, USDA’s Rural Development Agency (RD) has helpful resources to help you begin . State-based Cooperative Development Centers , partially funded by RD, provide technical assistance and education on starting a cooperative.

Special Considerations for Individuals

Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers: We offer help for the unique concerns of producers who meet the USDA definition of "historically underserved," which includes farmers who are:

socially disadvantaged
limited resource
military veterans

Women: Learn about specific incentives, priorities, and set asides for women in agriculture within USDA programs.

Heirs' Property Landowners: If you inherited land without a clear title or documented legal ownership, learn how USDA can help Heirs’ Property Landowners gain access to a variety of programs and services

Business Planning

Creating a good business plan takes time and effort. The following are some key resources for planning your business.

Farm Answers from the University of Minnesota features a library of how-to resources and guidance, a directory of beginning farmer training programs, and other sources of information in agriculture. The library includes business planning guides such as a Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses and an Example Business Plan .
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers information about starting, managing, and transitioning a business.

SCORE is a nonprofit organization with a network of volunteers who have experience in running and managing businesses. The Score Mentorship Program partners with USDA to provide:

Free, local support and resources, including business planning help, financial guidance, growth strategies.
Mentorship through one-on-one business coaching -- in-person, online, and by phone.
Training from subject matter experts with agribusiness experience.
Online resources and step-by-step outlines for business strategies.
Learn more about the program through the Score FAQ .

Training Opportunities

Attend field days, workshops, courses, or formal education programs to build necessary skills to ensure you can successfully produce your selected farm products and/or services. Many local and regional agricultural organizations, including USDA and Cooperative Extension, offer training to beginning farmers.

Cooperative Extension offices address common issues faced by agricultural producers, and conduct workshops and educational events for the agricultural community.
extension.org is an online community for the Cooperative Extension program where you can find publications and ask experts for advice.

Now that you have a basic plan for your farm operation, prepare for your visit to a USDA service center.

2. Visit Your USDA Service Center

How to Start a Farm with USDA

Get an overview of the beginning farmer's journey or jump to a specific page below.

Find Your Local Service Center

USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to ﬁnd your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.

Learn more about our Urban Service Centers . Visit the Risk Management Agency website to ﬁnd a regional or compliance office or to ﬁnd an insurance agent near you.

How to Start a Farm: Your Complete Guide to Success

Candice Landau

25 min. read

Updated February 7, 2024

Free Download: Sample Farming Business Plan Templates

Your day begins before the sun has even risen. You don your clothes and rain boots and set out into the crisp morning to feed the chickens and the cattle. It’s a clear morning and you feel good being outside, feeling frost crunch beneath your feet, watching the yard cat stretch and yawn lazily.

Already you’ve got a slew of tasks running through your head. Call the accountant about what to write off this year as a business expense. Check in with the neighbors about using that extra acre of land at the bottom of your property. Make sure to order a few more bags of chicken scratch. Fix the fence. Talk to the farm down the street about how they’re using their hilly, forested land to plan for a future logging operation.

It’s a lot, but it’s exciting that in between all the chores, there are so many opportunities for the future.

In this guide, I’m going to walk you through how to start a farm, as well as give you the resources to help you get started with a farming business today.

To supplement this guide, I interviewed two experienced farm hands: Gregory Heilers , previously an assistant farm manager, and Dr. Cindy Jones , the owner of Colorado Aromatics, a small herb farm in Colorado.

The state of small farm business in the U.S.A.:

In the U.S., small farms are considered the backbone of the agricultural industry, with 97 percent of all U.S. farms being family-owned .

In order to be considered a small farm, the USDA Economic Research Service states that you need to gross less than $350,000 per year.

There are almost two million small farms in the U.S., a data set that includes retirement farms, off-farm occupation farms, and farm-occupation farms. You can learn more about the small farm classification system from the USDA’s website, but so long as you’re within the $0-$350,000 bracket, you can guarantee your operation will be classified as a small farm business.

Why are you starting a small farm business?

Gregory Heilers has helped on two startup farms: his father’s 200-acre grass-fed beef and goat farm, which also includes an orchard, a berry patch, and a vegetable garden, with areas set aside for future logging; and on a seven-acre organically grown market garden in upstate New York.

Gregory believes that if you want to be successful, you should think about why you want to start your own farm before anything else. He says, ask yourself, “Is it for profit? A hobby? An altruistic contribution to society and/or animal welfare? Environmental stewardship?”

This is because your motivation for starting a farming business is the thing that will directly impact your strategy.

For Stacie and Larry Overman, starting Lavender Kisses Farm in Tennessee was a mixture of business opportunity and passion. At first, they only planned to plant lavender up their driveway, but as the couple learned more about lavender’s medicinal uses, they ultimately decided to invest in 64 acres of farmland and start a lavender farm.

The Overmans use their crops to make and sell dozens of lavender products, and aim to use some of their proceeds to support causes and organizations they care about.

The Overmans incorporated information about their farm’s mission, operating model and financial projections into a business plan that they could show to mentors with university agricultural programs, as well as banks, to demonstrate proof of concept.

You will need to be able to answer questions about your motivation for starting a farming business, and questions like them as honestly as possible, so that you know what direction to go in. You may find that what you’re really hoping to start is a hobby farm that you can run as a side-business. If this is the case, beware that the tax implications for hobby farms are quite different that for business farms.

If you want to know whether or not you have what it takes to be a farmer, give this quiz a try . It was created by Taylor Reid, the founder of Beginning Farmers.

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Where to start if you’ve never farmed before:

If you didn’t grow up on a farm and haven’t worked on one, you may be wondering how on earth you’re going to make your dream a reality. This is a very real concern. The reality may prompt you to consider another line of work because farming is hard, and farming as a business is doubly so!

Get some real-world experience

For many modern-day farmers, especially those running large commercial farms in the Midwest, skills have been passed from generation to generation.

This isn’t the same for small startup farms. These farmers have had to acquire their skills in order to learn how to start farming, and they’ve either done so by apprenticing with other farmers, going to farm school, or doing some intense self-directed study (see the resources section at the end of this article).

According to Gregory Heilers, it’s essential to get that hands-on training. “While some claim you can learn how to be a farmer through YouTube videos or books (and those can be excellent tools), it’s very important to get some hands-on training. If you haven’t grown up around farms, you’ll want to buddy up to someone who knows what they are doing.”

Agricultural jobs are among the most dangerous in the world , so it’s no surprise that Gregory makes such a strong recommendation to learn from people who can teach you what you need to know, and share stories from their past, to bring the sometimes surprising dangers of working on a farm to life.

Gregory says, “Farm work can be extremely dangerous, so it would be great to hear some scary stories from an old timer (or, at least, someone who’s been around a bit) to let you learn from others’ mistakes and knock some sense into you before you find yourself in a potentially fatal situation.” If you need a very real scare to bring you to your senses, read this chilling article from Modern Farmer.

Aside from the dangers, there is a lot to learn about how to start a farm and how to start farming, not the least of which is how to balance the books and come out ahead! Of course, as with any profession, be careful who you choose as your mentor as there are both competent and incompetent farmers. Use the list of resources at the end of this article to help you find ways to get experience before you start your own venture.

If you are willing to put in the time, and learn the necessary farming and business skills to become the profitable small business farmer you know you could be, there’s good news. It’s doable!

Learn to farm as you go

Dr. Cindy Jones is a trained biochemist and herbalist. About eight years ago, she and her husband decided to start a small herb farm in their home state of Colorado.

Although Cindy had never farmed before, she had been an active gardener, growing the herbs she needed for her skin care product business , in her own large garden.

Starting a small herb farm seemed like a natural next step, even without any of the farming experience. “We came into farming with no background other than gardening and learned that farming is much different. We have learned a lot just from doing, networking, and talking to other farmers. We do a farmers market each Saturday during the summer so have met other farmers that way,” Cindy says.

There are of course other ways to fast track your learning, and Cindy is no stranger to setting aside reading time in order to better her business. “Recently, there have been a few books published that have been helpful, both ‘ Woman Powered Farm ‘ by Audrey Levatino and ‘ The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer ‘ by Jeff Carpenter and Melanie Carpenter.”

Of course, not everything—including learning how to start a farm—can be learned from a book. Building good relationships and networking also go a long way to helping you pick up relevant skills, especially in the early days.

“Much of what I have learned has been from fellow lavender growers who are quick to share what works and doesn’t work for them. The United States Lavender Growers Association was founded specifically to help growers. I am one of the founding members of this group and we have many opportunities for sharing and learning through USLGA. Each year we extend our growing area slightly and each year we learn more about what we are doing. Someday we’ll get it right!” With a thriving business that relies on the farm’s produce, there’s no doubt Cindy’s already done just that.

Decide whether you’re starting a business or a hobby farm

If DIYing your farm learning experience is something you’re more interested in, hobby farming could be a better fit for you, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Hobby farming gives you the opportunity to experiment on a micro scale first.

For example, before you plant an acre worth of vegetables, plant a much smaller patch, and take the time to address and learn from problems as they arise. After a while, you’ll have developed the skills you need in order to expand. The University of Vermont Extension has a whole lot more to say about hobby farming versus running a farm as a business. If you’re interested in the topic, read their hobby farming business fact sheet .

Step 1: Identify your niche

Even if you know exactly what type of farm you want to start, diving head first into just doing it is never a good idea.

Say you start the passion fruit farm you’ve been dreaming of for years in your home state in Florida. What if, as you’re getting ready to harvest your first batch, you then find out that all the demand for passion fruit is centered in Southern California, and not in Miami like you thought? Even if you do somehow manage to find affordable transport to get your goods to California, what if you then learn that locally-grown passion fruit is all the rage?

Within just one yield, you’re out of business and all because you didn’t know where your target market was located, or what their values were. If you’d taken the time to do your market research, you would have learned there was no demand for passion fruit in Florida. You would then have been able to choose to grow another product that was in demand, or start your farm somewhere else. Either way, you would have saved yourself a lot of trouble.

Don’t skip the market research phase

Learning to do market research is that step you really can’t skip, because while it certainly helps if you know what you want to grow, you’re still going to need to know who is going to buy your products, where you’re going to sell them, and how you’re going to do this, all while taking competitors into consideration.

Even if you know nothing about formal market research practices, you can do your own research by getting out to learn more about your customers, distribution channels, and about how to start a farm.

If you are already interested in a particular product, learn more about your local market. Check out farmers’ markets, meet other local producers, speak to customers as you shop. Better yet, survey farmers’ markets to see if any crops or products are under-represented.

Additionally, consult your local extension. Extension services provide localized resources for most aspects of gardening and small farming. For example, Oregon State University Extension has a “Small Farms” portal where you can find out more about crops, grains, soil, livestock, and much more.

The best part of these portals is their local bent. If you’re based in Oregon and want to know more about growing blackberries, you couldn’t find a better resource. Many University extensions also publish reports specific to different farm products. They may include estimates for production costs and returns, like this Crop Budgets page on the University of Maryland Extension Portal . As part of the research process, it is also highly recommended that you turn to your local state department of agriculture. Not only will they be able to provide you with the latest information on farming in your state, but they will also be able to help you figure out what licenses you need to register for, and give you local information on food safety, pesticides, market access and much more.

If you still have trouble choosing an enterprise, here’s a guide on how to pick a high-value crop , including detailed advice on how to evaluate your resources and personal considerations. If you’re willing to spend a bit of money, the Profitable Plants Digest has some niche-specific guides.

Keep an eye on emerging market trends as well. States that have legalized cannabis and hemp production have shown promise for small farmers in recent years, for example.

If you’d still like to know more about formal market research processes , you can read this complete guide.

Step 2: Find the right farm land

Once you’ve figured out what you’re going to farm, you’re going to need to decide whether to buy land or lease it.

If you buy land, you’ll have complete control over its use, but you will also assume financial risk for the success of your enterprise. This is one of the major reasons leasing land is a popular option for many new farmers. It minimizes financial risk and requires reduced capital at the outset.

If you’re interested in leasing farmland, consider finding people who own land , but who aren’t doing anything with it. Many landowners with arable land aren’t using it for farming but could benefit from it either in the form of tax credits associated with the agricultural use or in order to raise property value. If this model interests you, read “No-Risk Ranching” by Greg Judy.

If you can’t find anyone to lease your land, there are still a few options open to you, including incubator farming , rooftop farming , and SPIN farming .

Buying your own land

Buying a farm, or farmland, isn’t for everyone learning how to start a farm, but if you feel like it’s the best option for you, there are some handy ways to figure out where to start your search. Ann Larkin Hanse, writing for Mother Earth News, suggests you narrow your search area by considering only those areas that have off-farm employment options (or markets for your farm products and necessary farm support services).

“It’s helpful to get an old-fashioned paper road map and draw two circles: one with the off-farm job in the center and a radius as long as the distance you are willing to commute, the other with your customer base in the middle and a radius as long as the distance you’re willing to travel to market,” says Ann. “Where the circles overlap is where you should look for land.”

Things to consider when looking for land

Before you find the right people to help you buy land, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the things you’ll need to consider as you browse. At the very least this will include:

Your proximity to markets: Consider where you’re going to sell your products, or how you’re going to reach sales channels. If they’re hundreds of miles away, you’re going to struggle much more getting to market. Often it’s easiest to start local and go from there. You will likely already have completed your market research by now and should have a pretty good idea of where your market is located. Use the above diagram to help you determine the “right” area to start your land search.

Access to water: It’s important to make sure you have a steady supply of water, so be sure to ask plenty of questions and consider all of your options. How will you provide water for the plants, animals, and processing needs of your business?

If the land you are purchasing has a well, it is always good to obtain information about the well, such as type, depth, output, and age. You may also want a water quality report.

If the property is connected to a municipal water supply, knowing the price of the service can also help you determine the feasibility of a particular enterprise. If you have to pay per gallon or cubic foot, you might reconsider trout farming and try a camel dairy instead.

Soil quality: As with water, high-quality soil is a must for most farmers. Ask the current owner for soil test results. Soil tests are often available through the local extension service and sellers should expect to provide test results.

Soil testing can be an important predictor of production capacity and expenses. Accurate predictions of fertilizer needs for specific crops can be made based on the test results, which breaks down to an actual dollar value when growing. For livestock, different soil can even impact growth and health, sometimes requiring supplementation.

Facilities and Infrastructure: Depending on the type of farm you want, you may also need different outbuildings. A produce stand or farm shop might require an up-front investment. What about your livestock? Does the land include shelters for the animals you plan to raise? What about processing facilities? Different crops and animal products will require different processing and storage facilities.

Make sure to also think about things that aren’t directly related to the property. What sort of transportation and roads are available to and from the area you’re farming? While you’ll want a balance of easy access and proximity to your sales markets, keep in mind that busy roads can have an impact on livestock, soil, and water quality.

Neighbors: These can be a great resource, or a great hindrance, depending. Do they produce farm goods? What are their production practices? Are they compatible with yours? If you plan on starting an organic vegetable farm, but your neighbors spray their Christmas tree plantation with harsh pesticides and herbicides several times a year, it could dramatically impact your success.

Operating a successful farming operation will happen a lot more easily if you have a good relationship with your neighbors. Farm manager Greg Heilers says, “Meet your neighbors. Offer to help your neighbors. Be a good neighbor. Farming used to be so much more about community. It is so much easier to be successful as a farmer if you have even the slightest bit of support from your community.

“For example, if you’re a beef cattle farmer, when a calf or cow or bull breaks loose and enters a neighbor’s field, do you want them to a.) keep your animal and never come asking to see if you had an animal get loose, b.) sell it off immediately and keep the truth from you, c.) come knocking and ask if you have any cattle or d.) recognize your cattle instantly and drive ’em back to your place for you?”

In this same vein, make sure that any property you are looking at has good fences. Installing your own will likely cost a lot, and if you think you can do without good fences, remember that it may well impact the relationship you have with your neighbors. They say “good fences make good neighbors,” so find a place that has them and you won’t risk upsetting the neighbors if your cattle or goats escape onto their luscious looking bean patch.

You may even be able to cultivate a relationship with your neighbors that goes beyond just agreeing to perimeter fencing. In a best-case scenario, you might find that your farms’ outputs (especially those that are not your primary value-added product, such as manure), can be valuable inputs on your neighbor’s farm, or vice-versa.

Step 3: Getting your farm financed

If—like most small farmers—you haven’t inherited a farm, finding the money to learn how to start a farm, and to turn your dream into a reality is going to be a core part of your go-to-market strategy.

Research your funding options

Cornell University’s guide to planning and funding your farm business is a good place to begin. It will walk you through different financing options, including self-financing options . What it won’t do is recommend you take out a credit card loan. In fact, this guide specifically suggests this is the one thing you don’t do, as you’ll be best served to invest any profits straight back into the farm, and if you don’t pay the loan back fast enough, your interest rate will spiral out of control.

Bplans also offers a comprehensive guide to funding a new business to help you think through your options.

That said, make sure to be realistic when you initially apply for funding. If you can avoid buying expensive equipment at the start, do it. Cindy Jones, the owner of Colorado Aromatics, and a small herb farm in Colorado says, “Starting a small farm is a lot of physical work and there is little equipment available to help growers on a small scale so much of the work is by hand […] We finally invested in a small tractor this year to help with tilling, ditching, and post hole digging, so some of our early plantings of perennials such as lavender are not spaced properly for a tractor.”

Once your business takes off, you can buy the things that will make life easier. And even if you don’t have a lot of cash on hand at this later date, a bank will be more likely to give you a loan if they can see you are running a profitable operation.

Write a farm business plan

For anyone seeking a loan, writing a business plan is going to be essential. This isn’t any different for an aspiring farm owner. Even if you’re not seeking a loan, a business plan is a useful tool to help you figure out which of your ideas are feasible, and to remind you of your goals. You can find out more about writing a business plan on our Business Planning Guide page. If validating your business ideas interests you more than funding at this stage, you might prefer to opt for a Lean Plan —or a shorter, more nimble planning process.

Look at sample farm and agriculture business plans

Not quite sure how to format your farming business plan? Take a look through our library of free farm-specific sample business plans , including a fruit farm business plan, a botanical perennials business plan, a feed and farm supply plan, a hydroponics business plan, and more!

Obviously, before you sit down to write your business plan, you’ll need to determine your cost of production . You’ll also need to know how much your rent/lease will cost you.

Step 4: Market and sell your agricultural products

There are many different ways to market your farm products. While farmers’ markets are probably the most obvious example that comes to mind, there are a number of other channels you can use to market and sell your products.

If you have enough traffic nearby, you might find that a produce stand or farm shop right on your own property is a good option.

Another trending model is to sell your products through a CSA (which simply stands for “Community Support Agriculture”), in which patrons purchase a “share” of the season’s yield for a set price in exchange for regular deliveries of the products as they are ready. This model is especially popular because you receive payment at the beginning of the season, which can help reverse the notorious cash-flow issues faced by most farm businesses.

You could even find a local growers’ cooperative that allows you to team up with other producers to sell your products under a united brand.

Finally, even though the age of the supermarket has made retail sales of farm goods more difficult, there are still plenty of small, local health and natural food stores with whom you could partner, with the advantage of their often fiercely loyal customer bases.

Start by putting together a marketing plan. If you’re creating a business plan you’ll work on your marketing plan as part of that process.

Learning resources for farm businesses:

Use the resources below to find out where you can learn more about how to start a farm, farming, and where you can gain some hands-on experience.

ATTRA : Attra has a great database of internships and apprenticeships for aspiring farmers. Usually, room and board are offered in addition to a small stipend. The best part of the site is the ability to search by state. That said, there are so many internships and apprenticeship programs around the U.S.A., that if you’re looking for something more niche, you can check out this list of websites that offer a variety of working opportunities.

Helpx.net : On this site, you can find a variety of small farms, rural B&Bs, and so on, where you can work in exchange for room and board (no cash stipend) and learn the ropes of your intended trade through informal and formal internships/apprenticeships. This is a global site.

WWOOF : WWOOF is a pay-per-country list directory of organic farms around the world. Again, room and board are included, but usually no cash stipend. Work through WWOOF is usually considered an informal or semi-formal internship.

The Cornell Small Farms Program : If you’re looking for enterprise-specific books, fact sheets, and articles on farming, this is a great place to start, especially if your starting point is bulking up on as much knowledge as possible.

The 20 Best College Farms : If you’re interested in finding a college where you can get hands-on experience and a modern farming education, Best College Reviews has a list of places you might want to start looking. These top 20 colleges were selected based on a number of criteria, including farm size, integration with the main campus, sustainability, courses taught at the farm, students using the farm, and integration with the community.

Other resources

Publishing houses: While Amazon does stock a handful of good books on starting a farm business, you’ll find that your particular niche might not be included. If this is the case, there are other options, including going straight to publishing house websites. The Northeast Beginning Farmers Project recommends browsing Acres U.S.A. , Chelsea Green Publishing , and Storey Publishing .

Farming magazines: There are also a number of farming magazines you can subscribe to. This is a good way to stay on top of the latest farming buzz, as well as to find out more about farming techniques and hacks, equipment, and best practices. Some popular magazines include Growing for Market , Acres U.S.A (they put on a great conference each year as well), Graze , the Stockman Grass Farmer , and the Packer . This is by no means a comprehensive list, so make sure to do your own research as well, perhaps in relation to your particular niche.

Online communities: There are also a number of great online communities that can help you get started, or where you can simply ask questions and get answers, directly from people in-the-know, or who like you are dabbling. Permies is now the largest permaculture site on the internet, and a great resource for all manner of interests, from homesteading through raising animals.

Although based in the U.K., the Farming Forum has a lot of really great conversations around topics like weather, livestock and foraging, machinery and much more. The slightly messier U.S. equivalent of this site is Agriculture.com’s community forum .

Farm Chat is another good forum for anyone interested in commercial farming.

Free Farm and Food Production Sample Business Plans : The 14 sample business plans in this section should give you an excellent sense of how to write your own small farm business plan.

Next steps for starting a small farm business

In the wise words of Gregory Heilers, “There is always something else to do. You’ll run yourself ragged trying to get it all done. Prioritize, organize, and build efficient systems.”

A great place to start is writing a business plan. To simplify the process and ensure you include everything needed to start a farm, check out our free business plan example and template .

Clarify your ideas and understand how to start your business with LivePlan

Candice Landau is a marketing consultant with a background in web design and copywriting. She specializes in content strategy, copywriting, website design, and digital marketing for a wide-range of clients including digital marketing agencies and nonprofits.

Start your business plan with the #1 plan writing software. Create your plan with Liveplan today.

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Details of a Small Farm Business Plan

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Writing a farm business plan can be a tool for you to plan your farming business. It can also be a requirement of securing grants and loans for your farm business. The process of writing a farm business plan may seem overwhelming and intimidating at first, but if you break it down into its component steps, it becomes much more manageable.

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan is a roadmap for your small farm . It is both process and product. During the writing of a farm business plan, you'll develop an overall vision and mission for your business. You will think about your short- and long-term goals. You'll define the steps needed to achieve those goals. You'll set the direction for your business to develop over the next five years.

If you're already an established business, your new business plan will show where you're going next. A good business plan should be:

Mission Statement

Your farm’s mission statement is your overarching purpose for your business:

Why does your farm exist?
What purpose does your farm serve?
Where is your farm headed?

This is beyond “make money.” This mission statement is based on your values and your core identity as a small farm.

The goals in your business plan are the specific, measurable “things” you will achieve with your small farm. Short-term goals are defined as those that you will complete within one year. Long-term goals are those that take longer than one year to complete.

SMART Goals are:

Rewarding, and have a

Background Information

In this section of your business plan, take inventory of what you have right now:

Where are you located?
How many acres of land are you farming?
When did you begin farming?
How are you currently operating?
What general practices do you use for such things as conservation, tillage, environmental impact, and marketing?

Farm Strategy

This is where your business plan gets to looking forward. You are going to formulate your farm strategy from now into the next five years or so.

Gather information and research markets. Make sure that your farm plan fits into the general market in terms of supply and demand. Investigate and analyze industry trends, identify competitors, and define buyers.
SWOT Analysis. This is an analytical tool that can be used in making decisions. SWOT stands for: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. As a business, analyze your internal strengths and weaknesses. Then look externally at what opportunities and threats exist - competitors, new markets, government regulations, economic conditions, and so forth.
Create alternative strategies. Looking at the information you've gleaned and the analysis you just did, think through options for your farm strategy. Don't rely on price alone; economies of scale are challenging on the small farm level.
Don't jump to one conclusion immediately. Really spend some time fleshing out the specifics of some of the strategies and looking at their advantages and disadvantages. Try to find options that combine your internal strengths with opportunities in the external environment.
Look at all your strategies, then reread your mission statement. The ideal farm plan will fit your mission best.
Write an implementation plan. This is where you write a plan that will make your new strategy happen.

Marketing Strategy and Plan

In the next part of your farm business plan, you develop and outline a marketing strategy for your products and services. This can build on the research you did in the previous step. For each product, include the price, placement, and promotion ideas. Consider how you will convey real and perceived value to your customers.

Management Summary

This part of your business plan details your farm business’ structure. Everyone who is involved in the management of the business should be listed here. External resources are listed here as well.

Financial Analysis

In this section, you will need to detail the financial aspect of your farming operation. List your current finances in detail, including all income and operating expenses. Referring to your new strategy, you will forecast what is needed for future growth and to meet the goals you have outlined in terms of capital. Include what your future operating expenses will be.

Pulling It All Together

Writing a farm business plan is a big project. Don’t let that put you off. Your plan can be as simple as it needs to be for right now. Begin with your mission statement and goals. Do your homework by analyzing markets and researching competitors and trends. Have fun brainstorming alternative strategies and let them marinate a while. Take it one step at a time.

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Farm Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Business Plan Outline

Farm Business Plan Home
1. Executive Summary
2. Company Overview
3. Industry Analysis
4. Customer Analysis
5. Competitive Analysis
6. Marketing Plan
7. Operations Plan
8. Management Team
9. Financial Plan

Farm Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your farm business plan.

We have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their farms.

Below are links to each section of a small farm business plan template. It can be used to create a vegetable farm business plan, fruit farm business plan, agriculture farm business plans or many other types of rural businesses.

Sample Business Plan For Farms & Agricultural Businesses

Executive Summary – The Executive Summary is the most important part of your business plan. It is a brief description of your farm, its products and services, potential market opportunity, and competitive advantage.
Company Overview – Also called the Company Analysis, here, you will provide a detailed description of your agriculture business history, its products and other services, and business structure.
Industry Analysis – In the Industry Analysis, you will provide an in-depth analysis of the industry in which your farm operates including industry trends, market size and growth, and government regulations.
Customer Analysis – In the Customer Analysis, you will identify your target market and provide insights into their purchasing habits. You will also create customer segments and discuss your marketing strategy for reaching them.
Competitive Analysis – In the Competitive Analysis, you will identify your direct competition and provide insights into their strengths and weaknesses. You will also discuss your competitive advantage and how you plan to stay ahead of the competition.
Marketing Plan – The Marketing Plan includes a discussion of your marketing strategy and tactics along with your pricing strategy. You will also provide a budget for your marketing activities including attending farmers’ markets or advertising a farm stand.
Operations Plan – In the Operations Plan, you will discuss your farm’s day-to-day operations. You will also provide your business goals that you plan to achieve and a budget for your operating expenses.
Management Team – In this section, you will provide a brief overview of the farm owners and farm management team, their experience in the agricultural industry, and the organizational chart.
Financial Plan – In this section, you will provide three-year financial statements for your farm. This will include your income statements, projected balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Farm Business Plan FAQs

What is a farm business plan.

A farm business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your farm business. Among other things, a good agriculture farm business plan outlines your business concept, identifies your target audience , presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your farm business plan using our Farm Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Types of Farms?

There are many types of farms. Some have commercial farms that produce crops and agricultural products for sale. Others have cooperative farms owned by people who pool their resources together and share profits among themselves. There are also vegetable farms, dairy, micro, organic, poultry, subsistence, or urban farms.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenues and Expenses for a Farm?

The primary source of revenue for a farm is the sale of its farmed goods such as rice, corn, milk, beef, chicken, depending on the kind of farm a business is.

Some key expenses for a farm are labor expenses, production costs like irrigation, fertilizer, water, and machinery maintenance.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Agriculture Business?

Farm business plans often receive funding from bank loans. Financing is also typically available from grants offered by local and state governments. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are other funding options. This is true for starting any agricultural business.

What are the Steps To Start a Farm Business?

Starting a farming business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

Develop An Agricultural Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed agriculture business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. It should also include your business goals and mission statement. You can quickly complete your farm business plan using our Farm Business Plan Template here .
Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your farm business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your farm business is in compliance with local laws.
Register Your Agriculture Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your farm business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.
Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your farm business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.
Choose a Business Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.
Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.
Acquire Necessary Farm Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your agricultural business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.
Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your farm business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Learn more about how to start a successful farm business and agribusiness planning:

How to Start a Farm Business

Where Can I Get a Farm Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free farm business plan template PDF here . This is a good farm business plan template you can use in PDF format.

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How to Write a Farming Business Plan: Template and Guide

americanfarmfi

May 22, 2023

Starting and running a successful farming business requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. One essential tool that every farmer should have is a well-crafted farming business plan. A comprehensive business plan serves as a roadmap for your agricultural venture, guiding you through the various stages of development and ensuring that you stay focused on your goals. We will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write an effective farming business plan and start you off with a template.

Overview of a Farming Business Plan

Before diving into the specifics, let’s take a moment to understand what a farming & agriculture business plan entails. Essentially, a farm business plan is a written document that outlines your farming objectives, strategies, and financial forecasts. It serves as a blueprint for your farm’s operations, helping you make informed decisions and communicate your vision to potential investors, lenders, or partners.

The Purpose of a Farming Business Plan

The farming business plan is going to define and communicate your farm’s mission and goals. It helps provide a clear direction for your operations, resources, and ensures that everyone involved in the business is on the same page. Additionally, a well-crafted business plan is often required when seeking financing or partnerships. Lenders and investors use it to evaluate the viability and profitability of your farming venture.

Key Elements of a Farming Business Plan

Let’s explore the elements that make up the Farming Business Plan.

Executive Summary

The executive summary is a brief overview of your entire plan. It should summarize your farm’s mission, goals, target market, and competitive advantage. While it appears at the beginning of your plan, it is often written last to ensure that it accurately reflects the content of the document.

Market Analysis

A thorough market analysis is crucial for understanding your target market, identifying potential customers, and evaluating your competition. This section should provide detailed information about market trends, customer demographics, and demand for your products or services. Conducting market research and gathering data from reliable sources will strengthen the credibility of your analysis.

Products and Services

In this section, describe the specific products or services your new farm will offer. Provide details about their features, benefits, and how they meet the needs of your target market. Discuss any unique selling points or competitive advantages that set your offerings apart from others in the industry.

Marketing and Sales

Outline the strategies for promoting and selling farm products. Explain how you plan to promote your farm and reach your target market. Include information about your pricing strategy, distribution channels, and any partnerships or collaborations that may enhance your marketing efforts. Developing a comprehensive marketing plan will help you attract customers and generate sales.

Describe the operational processes and workflows involved in running the farm, including land preparation, planting, harvesting, livestock care, and post-harvest handling. Highlight the management structure, key personnel, and their roles and responsibilities.

Financial Plan

The financial plans are a critical component of your farming business plan as it demonstrates the financial viability and sustainability of your farm. It should include projected income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets for the next three to five years. Additionally, outline your funding requirements and any existing or potential sources of financing.

American Farm Financing offers many financing options to fit your needs: operating loans, cash rent loans, farm mortgages, refinances, and equipment loans. See all AFF loan options .

Setting Financial Goals

Forecasting expenses is critical when starting a farming operation. List out the main buckets of expenses (inputs, machinery, labor, land, interest, and consulting services). Where possible, get pricing quotes to formalize your expenses as much as possible for what you would like to grow.

After you’ve forecasted expenses, you can set a goal for how much profit, or margin, you intend to make. Use futures sales prices to project what you can sell your crop for. The difference between your sales price and your expenses will become your profit. Ensure that this income matches your expectations and can cover any personal expenses you hope the money will be used for.

While a one-year operating plan is critical to get started, remember that farming is a long-term pursuit. Depending on how many upfront expenses you need to make, it may take multiple farming seasons to turn a significant profit.

Conducting Market Research

Before you can develop a solid business plan for a farm, it is essential to conduct detailed market research. Conduct an analysis of the target market, including its size, growth potential, and trends. Identify the target customers, their needs, preferences, and buying behavior. This assessment will allow you to be an expert on the market and differentiate you from the rest of the competition.

Writing a Farming Business Plan

Now that we have covered the key elements of a farming business plan, let’s dive into the process of writing one.

Creating a Timeline for Implementation

This timeline can be as specific to your needs as possible. You want to make sure that every necessary box is checked before launching your farming operation. This is a suggested timeline for implementing your plan, but coordinate as you see fit and adapt to things that may pop up:

Preparation: 1-6 Months

Complete all sections of the farming business plan, including market analysis, financial projections, and operational strategies.
Seek funding options, such as loans, grants, or investors, and secure the necessary financing for your farming venture.
Identify suitable land for your farm and negotiate the purchase or lease agreement.
Conduct necessary soil testing and prepare the land for farming activities.
Source and purchase farming equipment, machinery, and inputs (seeds, fertilizers, livestock, etc.) required for your chosen agricultural activities.
Hire key personnel, such as farm managers, laborers, and administrative staff, as per your business plan’s organizational structure.
Establish relationships with suppliers and vendors to ensure a steady supply of inputs.

Operations: 6-12 Months

Initiate planting or livestock management based on the farming plan.
Implement appropriate cultivation techniques, crop rotation, or livestock management practices.
Monitor and adjust farming operations to optimize production.
Develop marketing strategies to promote farm products to target customers.
Implement sales channels, such as direct sales, farmers’ markets, online platforms, or partnerships with retailers or small restaurants.

Below is a helpful template from fsa.usda.gov to get you started. Download your farming business plan template here.

Ready to find financing that works for you? Begin your application below.

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Horizon Farm Credit

How to write a farm business plan.

Getting a loan for your agricultural business — no matter the size or scope — means asking the lender to have faith in your ability to manage a full-fledged operation and your finances in a healthy way. The best way to prove that is by coming prepared with a farm business plan proposal.

No pressure, right? While it may seem daunting and scary, we’ve broken down the steps to writing the perfect business plan below. Read on to learn more and check out the end of this guide for additional resources to help you craft a top-notch business plan.

Creating a Farm Business Plan

You can set yourself up for success — both in business and with your lender — by having a detailed business plan for your farming operation. It doesn't need to be pretty, but you do have to prove that you're willing to put the time and effort into creating a well thought out course of action for your operation.

Are you already operating but don't have a plan? That's okay! It's never too late to put extra thought into how your operation will continue to fulfill your livelihood.

What to Include in your Agricultural Business Plan

Whether you're a new farmer looking for a loan , or a seasoned grower that needs funding for a new agribusiness , there are a few things that you want to make sure you include in your agricultural business plan.

Title/ Cover Page

Keep it simple on the cover page. The most important information here is accurate contact information so your lender can get in touch with you easily. Include your mailing address, phone, email, and fax if you have it.

Business Overview

Although it will be the first page of your farm plan, this will be the last section that you write, since it acts as a summary of all your key points in your plan. Remember that this is the first section that your lender will read , so they’ll expect to see all of the highlights that make approving this loan a good financial decision for both you and the lending organization. Include points about expansion plans, market opportunities, financial trends and projections in a short and easy to read summary. Treat this section as if you're telling a stranger about your operation and you want to give them an overview of what you do and what sets you apart from other businesses in your industry.

What are your key business objectives? In this part of your farming business plan, you'll want to describe your products and services your business will offer.

Start by describing how your business will operate and include what makes your business unique. Provide details regarding the size of the operation, location, and note any expansion plans.

Who is your target audience? Who will benefit from your products or services produced from your farm business?

Think about the desire and drive behind why you want to pursue this business venture. It is common to connect your business why with your mission statement.

If applying for a loan:

If you’re starting a new operation, clearly state how much money you are applying for, how you plan to use it and how it will make your business more profitable, thereby ensuring repayment.

Creating your own farm business plan will take time and effort. As you complete sections, send them to partners or colleagues to review as you go along. If you have any questions on farm business plan examples or more specifically what lenders are looking for, give us a call.

Business Management and Organization

Business history:.

How long have you been in operation? Are you starting from scratch or did the business have previous owners?

Strengths and Weaknesses:

Describe the strengths and weaknesses of your business.

Implementation Timeline:

What is your plan of action? What specific tasks need to be completed in order to reach your business goals?

Goals are often broken into two categories — short term and long term. Short term goals are focused on actions likely to be achieved in 1-3 years, and long term goals are likely accomplished in 3-10 years, or beyond.

Risk Management:

What risk management practices do you have in place? Think about your business contingency plan, insurance coverage , regulatory requirements, and your market and production diversification.

For some people, this can be the most fun or the most challenging part of creating your small farm business plan. Before thinking about your marketing tactics, think about the data you need to make informed business decisions .

Market Share:

Researching your target market is key to understanding what opportunities are available in the marketplace. Is there current market share to gain? How will you remain competitive as a farm business? Who are your biggest competitors in the marketplace? Do you anticipate any obstacles?

How will your farm business generate farm income? Think about how your product will be sold and priced? What is your projected or estimated income? How are you going to gain commitments and contracts to sell your products?

What marketing strategy will your business use to reach your business goals? As a small business, will you utilize tools like social media, email marketing, and/or ecommerce to maximize your marketing efforts to connect with your target audience? Check out our blog on how to create a marketing plan for your farm and download a free template!

Arguably, the most important part of your agricultural business plan is how you will finance your operation. In this section, make sure to take time to complete your balance sheet. The balance sheet will identify your cash-basis income trend, breakeven analysis, and sensitivity analysis. This statement is a summary of what you own vs. what you owe.

The income and expenses statement shows your business’ profit and loss over a period of time, determined by taking all the revenue and subtracting all expenses. This will show the profitability of your operation.

Business Advisors

Business advisors are a group of professionals who serve as subject matter experts to enhance productivity, business, and on-farm profitability, while offering technical insight for your farm operations. Surrounding yourself with people who know how to support your farming venture will help to support and find your long-term business success. You will want to organize your team that might consist of an attorney, accountant, lender, insurance provider, and consultants in the last section of the business plan. Did you know Farm Credit offers services for Accounting, Records, Payroll and Taxes, Appraisal, Business Consulting, Farm Succession Planning, and more? Give us a call at 888.339.3334 or view our full list of services here .

Congratulations! You’ve made it through each section of how to write your business plan! If you’re interested in more coaching on your business plan, check out the resources below or give us a call to connect with a local lender — we're happy to help.

Additional Resources to Help You Write Your Farm Business Plan

Request your Business Plan Template and replay of our How to Write a Business Plan webinar here.

Click here to request a mentor with SCORE Small Business Resources.

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Farm & Animals

How To Write A Farm Business Plan?

June 21, 2021

If you’ve never written a business plan before, it can seem quite daunting and could leave you feeling more than a little overwhelmed. In this article, we will look at how to break it down step by step into simple, manageable chunks. Then you’ll soon see how to write a farm business plan without stress.

What You'll Learn Today

What is a Business Plan?

Why do i need a business plan, how do i write a small farm business plan, 1. executive summary, 2. business description, 3. market analysis, 4. competitors, 5. products and services breakdown, 6. marketing & sales, 7. organizational structure, 9. financial goals and expectations.

A business plan is a document that provides a road map to clearly define your proposed farming business in detail. It helps you to decide how you will do specific things such as locate, fund, sustain and grow your venture.

You will also be able to state your ambitions, and how you envisage achieving them, and when. You’ll need to look at viability, the size of the market, any competitors you’ll have, and the predicted future growth of the industry you’re interested in.

The choices are vast. It could be raising chickens, growing specialized crops, or micro-farming.

A good business plan should be:

Easy to follow
Comprehensive

A well-written business plan not only increases your chances of getting additional funding, such as loans or grants but also gives you a way to ensure all your goals are being met as you go along.

Having a detailed document to follow as a guide helps you stay on course and provides a greater chance of success.

By charting an ideal course of action, you may discover things you hadn’t initially thought of. These might be additional ways of making your enterprise profitable or finding potential pitfalls before you’ve invested a single dime.

If, for example, your farm is reliant on producing a specific crop that depends on a long growing season, you need to figure out what happens if it fails. Certain things, such as the weather, are completely out of our control.

It could be that you can’t rely on just growing one thing and need to grow additional crops that don’t depend on the same conditions or diversify in some other way. Many small farmers increase their revenue by adding other strings to their bow and diversifying .

Another consideration is, just because the market you’re interested in is strong right now, it doesn’t mean it will continue to be so. A business plan lets you decide what you would do if there was a dramatic drop in demand/income.

As well as planning for the worst, you’ll also be able to decide what you’d do if things go better than expected. Should your chosen farming idea flourish and you can’t keep up with demand, what happens then? A plan would help you know how best to expand under these circumstances.

Without a solid plan for your farm, you won’t be able to secure any help in the form of grants or loans, and you never know when a cash injection might be needed down the line.

To write a successful business plan, you’ll first need to do a lot of research. This involves investigating how all aspects of your project will work by looking at how it is achieved by others.

If you want to apply for grants or loans, find out precisely what information they will need before you start. That way, you won’t need to do a load of extra work later on.

Talk to professionals; this could be farming associations, other farmers in your area of interest, banks, government offices, potential customers, machine manufacturers, breed societies, anyone who can give you concrete facts about what you want to do.

In this short video, the basics of how to write a farm business plan are explained.

When you start writing your plan, be sure you have all your ducks in a row and know very clearly in your mind how you envisage things working. Break it down into its component steps to make it easier to write.

What Are The Steps In Planning Farm Business

You’ve done all your research, and you’re ready to start writing, but what do you need to include and in what order?

In truth, there are a multitude of ways to write a farm business plan, and none is more correct or better than another. The key is to ensure you have as much detailed information as possible to follow in the future or use to gain funding.

An executive summary is usually written last but appears first in your finished document.

It summarizes the expectations you have about what you are aiming to accomplish.

It should be a compelling read that reveals your mission statement and gives a brief description of the farming you will be doing and what products you will be producing.

You can also include why you want to start your farm, what your inspiration is and what background experience or training you have.

Here you give a detailed description of your farming goals, who you will be serving, and why you stand out from your competitors. Include any notable strengths, differences, unique solutions, competitive advantages – anything that will give you an edge.

In this section, you need to show how the specific type of farming you will be doing works. Substantiate the strengths you talked about in the farm description by detailing statistics, market trends , and any other proof that your idea is viable.

Discuss how similar businesses are doing and how they succeed. Identify your market, who will buy what you’re selling, and why they want to get it from you.

Figures count, so be sure to include as much detail about what profits can be reasonably expected as possible.

All businesses have competitors, and farming is no different. If there are already much larger farmers offering the same things in your area, it will be hard to compete. It’s better to look for a niche market that is needed but not catered for.

In your business plan, you should state who your competitors are and list their strengths and weaknesses. You must demonstrate exactly how you are going to be successful when competing against them.

In the business description, you gave an overview of what products and services you would be offering. Now it’s time to expand on that and provide more details about what you’ll be selling. Don’t forget to include how much, who to and why what you have to offer is needed.

You also want to show which suppliers you’ll be using (feed, seed, equipment, etc.), what you will be buying, and the costs involved.

What you’re selling was outlined in 5 above, but here you need to explain how you’ll find customers for your produce. Will you, for example, have a stall at various farmers’ markets? Or perhaps sell a specialty plant for making a valuable essential oil to a specific manufacturer?

List all the methods you’re intending to use to promote and sell the produce and ensure you create a realistic budget to go with it.

Will you be doing your own marketing and sales, or will you get someone to do it for you? Do you need to build and manage a website, social media accounts, or direct marketing materials?

It’s one thing to produce a product to sell, but it’s another thing to actually get anyone to buy it. For this, good marketing is key.

In this element, you describe how your farm will be run. Will it be just you doing everything, or will you have family or employees to help?

If you do take people on, will they be part-time or full-time? Employed or casual? Seasonal or long-term?

What skills will the people you take on have? What will their responsibilities be? What will the chain of command look like? All of these things will need to be talked about in detail.

Will your farm be run as a sole trader proprietorship, a partnership, or something else? How will this work and why are you choosing that particular setup.

It’s very usual for some level of additional funding to be needed. Agricultural machinery, land, buildings, animals, seed, and so on can all be costly.

In this part of your business plan, you need to focus on how much it will take to set up your farm and where your starting capital is coming from. Will you invest your own money or require it from an outside source?

It’s a good idea to include some kind of timeline that shows when additional funding may become necessary to grow the business, or buy new equipment, and so on.

In the final section, refer back to your market research and calculate what your financial goals and expectations should be.

Create a projection of what you anticipate your revenue will look like in the first 12 months of trading. Then do the same for the following five years.

It’s very tempting to be over-ambitious and write down overinflated (optimistic) figures, instead of more realistic ones – be honest, flights of fancy are not helpful.

If you know you’re going to need a loan of some kind, then sound, sensible, well demonstrated financial information is going to be required. You also need to document what will happen if things don’t go according to plan. What contingency do you have set aside in case of an emergency?

Although writing a business plan for your farm is a big project, don’t be put off. It will prove to be a really valuable document in the long run.

Keep everything simple, and don’t be in too much of a rush to get it done. Use lists, graphs, charts, photos, or anything else that helps make your vision clear. Do your research thoroughly.

It’s easy to get carried away with the idea of something and to jump in without finding out if it’s really viable. Doing a business plan will help you see not only any potential pitfalls but hopefully also some new opportunities too.

Every business is different, and your business plan will be utterly unique to you.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about how to write a farm business plan and wish you every success in your venture.

To read more of our “starting a farm” articles, why not take a closer look at our site .

1 thought on “How To Write A Farm Business Plan?”

It’s good to have a plan, but I think not so many people really make a detailed plan with everything mentioned above.

11 Steps to a Whole-Farm Plan

A broad-based operating plan helps your family stay on course.

It's no insurance against setbacks, but having a whole-farm plan in place can help your family stay on course when difficulties unfold.

"It's often tough to communicate as a family because you tend to focus so much on the day-to-day business operations of producing a commodity," says David Marrison, Ohio State University agriculture-natural resources Extension educator.

"Having a whole-farm business plan in place helps you stay true to your vision and the mission of the operation," he says. "It helps you stay on course and not get lost in the weeds of not having a plan, especially when you're facing big stressors like crop failures or tractor engines going down."

A whole-farm plan encompasses the breadth and width of your farm family's business. "You might say it gives a perspective of the operation from a distance of 30,000 feet, as opposed to a view from 10 feet away," says Marrison.

A whole-farm plan addresses a broad spectrum of components, such as family values and goals, a business analysis and business goals, a business plan, retirement plan, transition plan, estate plan, and investment plan.

"The parts of the whole-farm plan are like spokes in a wheel. All need to work together in harmony for the long-term success of the operation, and all play a role in keeping it operating into the future," he says.

The writing of a broad-based plan begins, of course, with the holding of family business meetings. Before the actual writing of the plan begins, the topics of the meetings might facilitate a process of taking stock of the family, individual assets and goals, and resources and goals of the business.

Marrison suggests taking the following 11 steps to write a whole-farm plan.

1. Take stock of the family.

Look at the history of your family and its farm, and identify family values and family goals.

"It is valuable for the business to begin the planning process by reflecting on family and farm history," he says. "Valuable lessons can be learned by all the generations involved by examining past successes and disappointments. The underlying values and goals of the family unit should also be determined. While these values and goals often remain unspoken, they have a large impact on how family members treat each other and employees, and how they make business decisions."

2. Assess individuals' goals, strengths, and also weaknesses.

"Each member of the farm business should conduct a self-assessment of his or her communication, financial, production, marketing, and management skills," says Marrison. "This is particularly important when bringing generations back to the farm."

This process helps your family determine the areas of responsibility to be allocated to each person. A lack of skill or experience in certain areas could suggest outsourcing some jobs. Or, it could suggest a need for additional education or training.

"You should always be looking at ways to help family members and employees improve their skills and strengths," says Marrison.

3. Analyze the business and set business goals.

A business analysis takes stock of available land, labor, capital, management resources, profitability, business structure, operating procedures, and employee management.

"After taking a snapshot of where the farm business is currently, the family business team should develop key goals for the future," says Marrison. "It is important that each individual share his or her individual goals and skill-set assessments with the other members of the business during this process. Members can then work together to determine the responsibilities of each team member and to develop goals."

4. Write a mission statement.

"A mission statement is a short statement describing the fundamental reason for the business to exist," he says. "It identifies the underlying values that are going to push your family and the business forward."

5. Write a business plan.

The previous steps comprise an internal analysis that can be used to develop plans encompassing the diverse areas of your farm's operation.

"A business plan helps your family develop a plan of action for production and operation practices," says Marrison. "It also helps develop plans for the financial, marketing, personnel, and risk-management sectors of the business."

This analysis could also examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in each of these areas.

6. Plan for retirement.

This plan identifies retirees' needs and the role the farm plays in meeting these. "Retirement plans should be established early for all members of the business," says Marrison. "The profitability of your farm should be such that a family member can retire and not adversely affect the financial position of the business."

7. Plan a transition strategy.

This describes how your farm will be transferred to the next generation. It encompasses both the transfer of assets and the transfer of managerial control. It describes how the retiring generation will transfer their knowledge to the younger generation, and how and when managerial responsibilities will be transferred.

8. Make an estate plan.

"Farm estate planning determines how your farm's assets will be distributed upon the death of the principal operators," he says.

9. Outline an investment plan.

Investments vary widely by family and farm, typically comprising land, machinery, and livestock. Others have off-farm investments also. Determine how these investments affect future needs.

10. Set goals in all areas.

"Setting goals establishes a plan of action for each area of business activity," says Marrison. "Set measurable goals that are short, mid, and long term. At monthly family meetings, you can look back at the goals you set in each major area of planning. Reviewing goals keeps them in focus, even though you might not be able to act on them until a future date."

11. Plan for the unexpected.

In each planning area, work into the plan a what-if scenario. "Look at what unexpected things could happen," he says. "Having conversations about those what-if circumstances no one wants to think about could help you stay on target and not get stressed when bad things happen."

In sum, says Marrison, "By implementing a whole-farm approach to business planning, your farm family can be ready to face the future with confidence."

David Marrison | 440/576-9008 [email protected]

12: Business Plans

What is a business plan.

A business plan is a document that helps you to organize and succinctly summarize the vision you have for your business. The plan contains the operational and financial objectives of a business, the detailed plans and budgets showing how the objectives are to be realized.

A good business plan will contain the following:

Your business vision, mission statement, key values, and goals
Description of the product(s) you intend to produce
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats the business may experience are described
Production plans
Marketing plans
Estimated start-up costs
Information on your legal structure and management team
Current financial statements or projected financial statements.
Resume or brief explanation of your background and relevant experience
Less than 10 total pages so that people actually read it

Helpful Publications for Writing a Business Plan

General Business Resource Publications:

Starting an Ag-Business? A Pre-Planning Guide http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2004/Cornell_AEM_eb0408.pdf
Business Transfer Guide: Junior Generation http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2016/Cornell-Dyson-eb1605.pdf
Producing a Business Plan for Value-Added Agriculture http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2007/Cornell_AEM_eb0708.pdf
Business Planning for the Agriculture Sector: A Guide to Business Plan Development for Start-up to Mid-size Operations http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2010/Cornell_ pdf
Building a Sustainable Business (Sustainable Agricultural Research Education (SARE)Publications) sare.org/publications/business.htm 280 pages of education and practical exercises to guide you through the financial, management, and interpersonal skills needed to start a successful farm business. Order hard copy for $17 or download PDF online for free.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Publications for Specific Commodities:

Landscape Business Planning Guide http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2003/Cornell_AEM_eb0313.pdf
Writing a Business Plan: A Guide for Small Premium Wineries http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2002/Cornell_AEM_eb0206.pdf
Writing a Business Plan: An Example for a Small Premium Winery https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/122203/2/Cornell_AEM_eb0207.pdf

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Did you find what you are looking for.

Agriculture or farming is the only industry consistently performing well, regardless of economic climate changes.

Whether you plan to start farming, cannabis cultivation, a cattle farm, or nursery business, you’ll do great as long as you do things right and have a solid business plan.

This library of farm business plan examples here can inspire and guide you as you begin to plan your business. So, don’t worry; we got you covered on that part.

Let’s learn more about these agriculture business plan samples, starting with their benefits.

Benefits of using an industry-specific business plan example

Believe it or not, using an industry-specific business plan example is the best and probably the quickest way of writing a business plan.

Doubt it? Hold, this may change your perception; an extended list of the benefits of using an industry-specific business plan template.

Inspiration : Reading a business-specific template can be incredibly helpful in getting content inspiration. Furthermore, it helps you gain insights into how to present your business idea, products, vision, and mission.
Risk-free method : You are taking a reference from a real-life, let’s say, plant nursery business plan—so you know this plan has worked in the past or uses a method subscribed by experts.
Deep market understanding : Analyzing and reading such examples can provide clarity and develop a deeper market understanding of complex industry trends and issues you may not know but relate directly to the realities of your business landscape.
Increased credibility : A business plan developed using an example follows a standard business plan format, wisely presents your business, and provides invaluable insights into your business. There’s no question it establishes you as a credible business owner, demonstrating your deep business and market understanding.
Realistic financial projections : Financial forecasting being a critical aspect of your plan, this real-life example can help you better understand how they project their financials—ultimately helping you set realistic projections for your business.

These were the benefits; let’s briefly discuss choosing an agriculture or food production plan example that best suits your business niche.

Choosing an Agriculture or Farming Business Plan

This category has business plan templates for various farming or agricultural businesses. With many similar business types and templates, you may not find the most suitable one through manual scrolling.

Here are the steps to consider while choosing the most suitable business plan template.

Identify your business type

Are you planning to start cannabis cultivation? Or thinking of doing organic farming? Thinking of taking care of horses through horse boarding?

Asking yourself these questions will help you identify your business type, which will help in choosing a niche-specific business plan template.

Once you identify your business type, you can choose between templates for different business segments.

Search for the template

We have an in-built search feature, so you can easily search for a business-specific template using your business type as a key term. Once you have the search results, choose the most suitable one. Simple as that.

Review the example

Look closely at the content of the sample business plan you are considering. Analyze its sections and components to identify relevant as well as unnecessary areas.

Since all the Upmetrics templates are tailored to specific business needs, there won’t be many fundamental customizations. However, a hybrid business model targeting multiple customer segments may require adjustments.

For instance, if you plan to start a cannabis cultivation business and also produce and sell CBD, you may need to adjust some of your business plan sections accordingly.

No big deal—you can view and copy sections from other business plan examples or write using AI while customizing a template.

That’s how you find and select the most suitable business plan for your farming business. Still haven’t found the perfect business plan example? Here’s the next step for you.

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Popular Templates

Cattle Farm Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Cattle Farm Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their cattle farms. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a cattle farm business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Cattle Farm Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your cattle farm as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Cattle Farm

If you’re looking to start a cattle farm or grow your existing cattle farm company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your cattle farm to improve your chances of success. Your cattle farm business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Cattle Farms

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a cattle farm are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for cattle farms.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a cattle farm.

If you want to start a cattle farm or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The example guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your cattle farming business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of cattle farm you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a cattle farm that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of cattle farms?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

Give a brief overview of the cattle farm industry.
Discuss the type of cattle farm you are operating.
Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of cattle farm you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of cattle farms:

Cow-calf: This type of cattle farming involves using mature cattle to breed calves that are then sold to producers.
Backgrounding: This type of cattle farming involves growing feeder cattle that can be sold to producers once they reach a certain weight or age.
Finishing: This type of cattle farming involves harvesting cattle to weight in a feedlot, readying them for sale to market.
Specific Breed: This type of cattle farming specializes in breeding specific types of cattle such as Angus or Hereford.

In addition to explaining the type of cattle farm you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

When and why did you start the business?
What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, the amount of meat sold, reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
Your legal business structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the cattle farm industry. While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the cattle farm industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your cattle farming business plan:

How big is the cattle farm industry (in dollars)?
Is the market declining or increasing?
Who are the key competitors in the market?
Who are the key suppliers in the market?
What trends are affecting the industry?
What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your cattle farm? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your cattle farm business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of cattle farm you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other cattle farms.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of meat farms such as poultry, fish, or pork farms, and meat alternative suppliers. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

What types of customers do they serve?
What type of cattle farming business are they?
What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
What are they good at?
What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

Will you make it easier for your customers to acquire your product?
Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
Will you provide better customer service?
Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a cattle farm business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of cattle farm company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide live cattle, meat, or dairy products?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your cattle farm company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your cattle farm located near a city, in a rural area, or adjacent to other farms? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your cattle farm marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

Advertise in industry publications and networking events
Reach out to local meat buyers
Distribute flyers
Engage in email marketing
Advertise on social media platforms
Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your cattle farm, including answering calls, feeding and caring for cattle, scheduling employees, billing customers and collecting payments, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to acquire your Xth customer, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your cattle farm business to a new market.

Management Team

To demonstrate your cattle farm’s potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing cattle farms. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a cattle farm or running a small cattle breeding operation.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will your farm have 100 cattle on average and will 20% of your cattle be ready for sale every year? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your cattle farm business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a cattle farm:

Cost of farming equipment and supplies
Payroll or salaries paid to staff
Business insurance
Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your farm lease or information about the type of cattle on your farm.

Writing a business plan for your cattle farm is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will have an expert cattle farming business plan, cow calf business plan or a beef cattle business plan. You will understand the cattle farm industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful cattle farm.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Cattle Farm business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success. Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan professional services can help you create a winning business.

Cattle Farm Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my cattle farm business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your cattle farm business plan.

How Do You Start a Cattle Farm Business?

Starting a cattle farm business is easy with these 14 steps:.

Choose the Name for Your Cattle Farm Business
Create Your Cattle Farm Business Plan
Choose the Legal Structure for Your Cattle Farm Business
Secure Startup Funding for Your Cattle Farm Business (If Needed)
Secure a Location for Your Business
Register Your Cattle Farm Business with the IRS
Open a Business Bank Account
Get a Business Credit Card
Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
Get Business Insurance for Your Cattle Farm Business
Buy or Lease the Right Cattle Farm Business Equipment
Develop Your Cattle Farm Business Marketing Materials
Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Cattle Farm Business
Open for Business

Learn more about how to start your own cattle farm company .

Business Plan Tools for Producers

A business plan is like a road map. It helps you define your ag operation’s core objectives and build a detailed plan for how to achieve them.

Free business plan bundle for farmers

We want to help make writing your business plan easier. The FCC business plan bundle was designed specifically for farm operations and anyone involved in Canadian agriculture.

The bundle includes:

Business plan guide with instructions and resources

Blank business plan template

Sample business plan

Why you need a business plan

There's a lot involved in writing a business plan, but it’s a worthwhile investment. It can help secure financing from a lender, attract investment or act as an internal guide, keeping your management team focused on the same goals.

Related business plan tools

Analyzing cash flow drivers

Assessing your liquidity

Assessing your management ability

Building and sensitizing financial projections

Creating an organizational chart/job description

Financial Asset Analysis

Foundational financial ratios

Net worth template

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Small Business Trends

50 small agricultural business ideas.

Beyond the high-tech sector, various industries, such as agriculture, continue to hold significance in the U.S. economy. This sector not only sustains local businesses but also produces essential goods for international trade. While not all businesses may be engaged in global trade, there are numerous compelling opportunities to explore in the realm of small-scale agriculture., here are 50 small agricultural businesses you might consider.

Our Methodology to Choose the Best Agricultural Business Ideas

For entrepreneurs looking to venture into the agricultural sector, choosing the right business idea is key to success. This industry offers a range of opportunities but also comes with its unique set of challenges. We’ve developed a set of criteria to help assess various agricultural business ideas. Each factor is rated on an importance scale where 10 signifies the highest level of importance. This approach ensures that crucial aspects are given priority in our evaluation. Here’s our methodology:

Our Importance Scale: 10/10
Assessing the current and future demand for agricultural products or services is vital. This includes understanding consumer trends and preferences.
Our Importance Scale: 9/10
Evaluating the amount and type of land required, as well as other resources like water and equipment, is crucial for the feasibility of the business.
Our Importance Scale: 8/10
Considering sustainable practices and the environmental footprint of the agricultural business is increasingly important for long-term viability.
Analyzing the potential for profit, including costs, pricing strategies, and revenue streams, is essential for economic sustainability.
Our Importance Scale: 7/10
The potential to scale the business and expand into new markets or products should be considered.
Our Importance Scale: 6/10
Understanding and adhering to agricultural laws, regulations, and certifications is crucial to avoid legal issues.
Assessing the need for skilled labor and the availability of such workforce is important for operational planning.
Our Importance Scale: 5/10
The ability to integrate modern agricultural technologies can increase efficiency and productivity.
Considering factors like crop failure, market fluctuations, and environmental risks is essential for developing a resilient business plan.
Our Importance Scale: 4/10
Evaluating the business’s impact on the local community and its potential to contribute socially can enhance reputation and support.

This structured approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of agricultural business ideas, ensuring that entrepreneurs make informed decisions that align with market needs, personal goals, and sustainability practices.

Agricultural Business Ideas

Urban agriculture.

You don’t need a huge space to get into the agriculture business. If you have a city or suburban home, you can still plant some crops in small or vertical containers to get the most out of your space. There are plenty of profitable crops you can grow in these environments.

Farmer’s Market Vending

Whether you live in the city or country, you can take the food that you grow or produce and sell it at local farmers’ markets to earn an income and provide value to your community.

Herb Growing

Herbs like basil, parsley and mint can make for great agriculture products. So you can grow it at your home or farm with little space required and sell it at a profit.

Vegetable Farming

You can also plant a variety of different vegetables and harvest them to sell or make into different products with high market demand.

Livestock Feed Manufacturing

Even if you don’t have enough space to actually farm livestock, you can still contribute to the industry by manufacturing feed for livestock.

Fruit Growing

Or you could grow and harvest various types of fruit to sell or make into other fruit based products.

Field Crop Farming

Soybeans, cloves and other types of crops require a fair amount of field space to grow. But if you have the land, you can harvest specific crops to sell to food producers.

Nursery Operation

You can also start your own nursery where you grow and sell different types of plants to consumers or businesses.

Dairy Farming

If you have the space and the ability to care for cows or other dairy animals, you could start your own dairy farms where you produce milk, cheese and similar products.

Poultry Farming

Or you could focus on caring for chickens and other poultry animals to supply food production companies.

Fish Farming

Fish farming is also a growing sector of the agriculture – or in this case, aquaculture – industry. The process requires raising fish in large tanks or enclosures. There’s tons of market demand and room for profits.

Rabbit Raising

You can also raise rabbits for a variety of different purposes within small pens or similar enclosures.

Snail Farming

If you’re looking for a very small type of animal to raise, you might consider snails. It might sound strange, but you can raise snails for use in escargot. And snail slime can also be used by companies for a variety of different purposes. There’s high profit margins and little space requirements.

Mushroom Farming

You could also start a farm where you focus specifically on growing various types of mushrooms. These grow quickly and can be sold at high profits.

Beekeeping is an activity that can lead to a variety of different product-based business ventures. For example, there’s high market demand for artisanal honey and beeswax.

Honey Production

In fact, many companies focus specifically on harvesting honey from beehives and sell it to consumers or processors.

Beeswax Processing

You can also collect and process beeswax and sell it to companies or individuals that use it to make candles and similar products.

Soy Production

Soy is another popular substance that can be used in a variety of different products. So if you can harvest and process it, you can sell it to companies for various uses.

Food Delivery

If you grow or process food items, you can also build a business around delivering fresh food items to local consumers who want to buy local products.

Bulk Foodstuff Wholesaling

You could also harvest food that can be sold in bulk, like rice or corn product, that you can sell wholesale to food production companies.

Weed Killer Production

Or you could start a B2B business that produces weed killer specifically for farmers or other agricultural businesses.

Fruit Canning

If you grow or process fruit, you can can it to sell to consumers or food companies.

Jam Production

Or you could process various fruits even further to make into canned jam or jelly products. This doesn’t require much space and can even scale over time.

Juice Production

Juice is another popular fruit based product that you could potentially make and sell at farmers’ markets or other venues.

Meat Packing

You can also start a business that processes meat products to sell to consumers or grocery markets.

Hatchery Operation

Or you could focus on collecting and selling chicken eggs. It’s possible to start small and then scale your business over time.

Florist Business

You could even start a florist business where you grow your own flowers to use in different products and arrangements.

Spice Production

There are also plenty of different plants you can grow that will allow you to create various spices that you can process and sell.

Nut Processing

Or you could grow peanuts or similar products that you can package and sell.

Organic Gardening

You could also specialize in organic gardening practices so you can market your products to health and eco-conscious consumers. Sustainability is huge with consumers, and organic foods are in line with current trends.

Sustainable Farm Consulting

Or you could even offer your expertise to other farmers or agriculture businesses that want to utilize sustainable methods as a consultant.

Agricultural Equipment Rental

If you have the capital to purchase farming or agriculture equipment, you could start a business where you rent or lease that equipment out to farmers. This can be an incredibly profitable and scalable business.

Worm Farming

Compost can be a useful tool for food growers. So you can make compost to sell to farmers and gardeners by starting your own worm farm.

Goat Rentals

People who have a lot of land and don’t want to spend the time to mow it could potentially use the help of goats. So you could start your own business where you care for goats and then rent them out for that purpose.

Christmas Tree Farming

You could also grow pine trees on your property and then sell them to nearby customers around the holidays to use as Christmas trees.

Firewood Production

Or if you have other types of trees on your land, you could use sell the firewood to those who need it. Creating a long term sustainable business would depend on expanding the amount of land on which you can harvest trees and also systematic replenishment through continuous replanting.

Tree Seed Supply

You could also harvest seeds from different trees and sell them to people who want to plant new ones.

Oil Production

There are also various types of plants that you can use to produce oil for cooking or other purposes. So you can process that oil process to sell.

Potted Plant Sales

Or you could grow different types of plants and then sell them in pots to gardeners or consumers looking for houseplants.

Butterfly Farming

Gardeners can often use butterflies to aid in their growing processes and aesthetics. So you could start your own butterfly colony and target gardening customers.

Wool Production

Or you could focus on raising animals like sheep and alpaca for wool production.

Pet Food Production

You could also use a variety of different crops and food products to create pet food that you can sell to consumers. There’s always huge market demand for this type of product.

Planting Service

If you don’t have your own farm but still want to build a business centered around planting crops, you could start your own planting service and work with other farmers or growers in your area.

Farm Sitting

Or you could build a business by providing farm sitting services where you take care of people’s farm or land while they travel.

Corn Maze Operation

If you have corn plots on your property, you can create a corn maze that you can charge people to visit throughout part of the year.

Petting Zoo Operation

You could also raise certain animals and then welcome visitors to your farm as part of a petting zoo attraction.

Educational Farming

Or you could have a farm where you welcome student groups or those interested in learning more about farming.

Trail Ride Service

If you have a tractor or other vehicle that you can drive around to different parts of your farm or property, you can offer trail rides as another paid attraction.

Agrotourism

You could also offer a whole tourist experience at your farm where people can come visit and maybe even stay as part of a bed and breakfast type of experience.

Fee Hunting

And if you have land that is large enough and has certain types of animals on it, you could even let people pay to visit for hunting purposes.

Nurturing Agricultural Entrepreneurship: Beyond the Fields

While agriculture has a strong foundation in traditional farming practices, innovative business ideas can further enhance its impact and sustainability. Here’s a unique avenue within the agricultural sector that goes beyond traditional farming:

Agrotourism Ventures

Agrotourism offers a fascinating way to connect consumers with the origins of their food and immerse them in the agricultural experience. By opening your farm to visitors, you can create memorable and educational interactions that benefit both your business and the community.

Farm Tours: Provide guided tours that showcase various farming activities and offer insights into modern agricultural practices.
Farm-to-Table Experiences: Host farm-to-table dinners, allowing visitors to savor the freshness of your produce in a unique culinary setting.
Educational Workshops: Offer workshops on sustainable farming techniques, animal husbandry, or even crafting products from farm resources.
Accommodation Services: Create a farm stay experience by offering lodging for visitors interested in an authentic rural getaway.
Seasonal Events: Organize seasonal festivals, pumpkin patches, or apple picking events that attract families and individuals seeking outdoor adventures.

Agrotourism ventures not only diversify your revenue streams but also foster a deeper appreciation for agriculture among the public while promoting rural economies.

By tapping into the potential of agrotourism, you can bridge the gap between urban and rural worlds, promote sustainable practices, and cultivate a thriving business with a meaningful impact.

Agriculture’s Timeless Resilience

In an era defined by technological marvels and urbanization, agriculture stands as a steadfast pillar of the American economy. It may not always capture the limelight, but agriculture is deeply woven into the fabric of our nation. It is not merely an industry; it’s a way of life that sustains communities, fosters connections between urban and rural worlds, and guarantees the security of our food supply.

The enduring relevance of agriculture is a testament to its adaptability. While modern life may seem far removed from the image of a traditional farmer, today’s agricultural landscape thrives on innovation and diversification. The 50 small agricultural business ideas we’ve explored here are emblematic of this evolution, showing that agriculture’s reach extends far beyond the countryside.

Cultivating Innovation Across Boundaries

One of the defining characteristics of modern agriculture is its remarkable adaptability and openness to innovation. Urban agriculture is a prime example, proving that farming can flourish even in the heart of the city or within the confines of a suburban backyard. It is a testament to human ingenuity, illustrating our capacity to find solutions and adapt to constraints, no matter how limited the space.

The concept of farmer’s market vending takes us back to the roots of agriculture, where producers and consumers engage directly. It rekindles the age-old tradition of bringing farm-fresh products to local communities, serving as a testament to the enduring entrepreneurial spirit within agriculture.

The simplicity of herb growing and vegetable farming highlights the fact that you don’t need vast tracts of land to embark on an agricultural journey. A small garden or a few containers can yield a bountiful harvest, and these homegrown products can be transformed into a variety of value-added goods. This dynamic not only provides sustenance but also generates income.

Indirect Contributions to Agriculture

While some agricultural entrepreneurs cultivate the land directly, others play vital roles that support the industry indirectly. Consider the manufacture of livestock feed, a pivotal component of the broader livestock sector. Even without the space or means to raise animals, contributing through high-quality feed production ensures the health and productivity of livestock farms.

Nursery operations, often overshadowed, are the silent contributors to the verdant landscapes that surround us. By cultivating and selling various plants, from ornamental shrubs to fruit trees, they enrich our surroundings and provide essential resources for gardeners and landscapers.

Similarly, dairy farming, poultry farming, and fish farming represent facets of animal agriculture that demand considerable resources and expertise. These enterprises ensure a steady supply of dairy products, eggs, and seafood, catering to the nutritional needs of a growing population.

Exploring Specialized Agricultural Niches

Venturing into specialized niches within agriculture opens doors to innovative opportunities. Take snail farming, for instance—a seemingly unconventional yet fascinating endeavor that serves a niche market interested in escargot and snail slime. Similarly, mushroom farming represents a unique and lucrative sector, offering gourmet and medicinal mushrooms to discerning consumers.

In the realm of apiculture, or beekeeping, a world of possibilities unfolds beyond honey production. Beeswax processing, for example, boasts a wide range of applications, from cosmetics to candle making. By engaging in beekeeping, individuals contribute not only to their livelihoods but also to the preservation of essential bee populations crucial for pollination and agriculture.

Harvesting Earth’s Bounty: Crop-Centric Ventures

Crops have always formed the foundation of agriculture, and today, they continue to shape the industry. Field crop farming, focusing on crops like soybeans and cloves, requires substantial acreage but provides raw materials essential to food production. Soy production, on the other hand, showcases the versatility of this legume, with applications ranging from tofu to biofuels.

Enterprises such as fruit canning, jam production, and juice manufacturing capture the essence of fruits at their peak, allowing consumers to savor the flavors of summer throughout the year. These endeavors not only preserve nature’s bounty but also offer value-added products that grace our tables and pantry shelves.

Local Impact, Global Reach: The Essence of Agriculture

While some of the business ideas we’ve explored primarily target local markets, others possess the potential to reach far beyond. Food delivery services that source products from local growers contribute to the “farm-to-table” movement, promoting sustainability and supporting small-scale agriculture. Similarly, bulk foodstuff wholesaling plays a pivotal role in supplying staple crops to food production companies globally, demonstrating that agriculture transcends geographical boundaries.

Pig Farm Photo via Shutterstock

Some great ideas there thanks. I must admit Goat Rentals is not one I would have thought of but very interesting all the same. There is too much land left idle so the more people do something productive with land the better.

We have huge land bank in Maharashtra tropical climate, and fertile soil, we require a financial partner to start Agriculture as well as agro forests, where we can receive in regular Income as well as long term income,

near by place Cashew, Mango fruits are growing, sugar cane, animal breeding, fruit processing,dairy production can we started,

we are looking genuine investors on partner ship basis, as well as technology basis for a Long term business deal

I’m interested

Thanks from a rural reader. Also Goat Cheese Farms are big near us. You can make and sell the cheese plus have a “farm Tour” and charge a small fee. Families love to picnic when they visit.

Edited by Editor

Good list. I agree with Marsha’s comment…farmstead and/or artisan cheese is a good business, especially when you include the agritourism element.

Very useful content, we just have to add innovation

My family and I are looking to do a niche farm in South Georgia. We do not have any land, but have extensive experience in hospitality ( culinary, marketing, events.) Looking for anyone that could assist in getting us started, rather it’s a niche crop or land we can help build up and turn into a destination place surrounded by agrotourism.

I I am interested in organic vegetable farming and juicing aimed at improving life of people I need support for machine that will do the juicing packaging

I am interested in layer farming I need financial partner 15 acre my own land anyone who are interested contact me I am from haryana my contact no. 981301****

I am interested I based in S.A. johannesburg

Very useful ideas

I’m very overwhelmed and fascinated on the wide range of activities and businesses that encompasses Agribusiness. Right now, I have taken a kin interest about this type of business. I will write my business plan, and a vision pertaining this business. And this year, am starting this business. I’m from Zambia, Africa. Thanks!

I’m from Zambia too and I’m in agriculture… I think we should meet and have a business conversation

Thanks for these ideas. I have seen other new stuff. I am a Liberian and my family owns a whole lot of land. i have started a small yard aloe vera gardening process. Just last week, a friend of mine who owns a Liberian beauty product company called J Palm and I tested our first product by producing an organic aloe vera soap. We also have a potential to produce organic coconut oil for export and other usages.

Now, I want to expand with the land I have. I am inviting small investments between 1500-5000 USD. Contact me and we can talk more. Check out JPalm Liberia or Mahmud Johnson on google and see the amazing works this young Liberian man is doing here. We could partner with him through my aloe initiative. My WhatsApp: +231886405203

Are you in united state or in Liberia ?

Nice idea. I really appreciate it. I am interested with your business idea..

Your explanation pertaining to agriculture is just good and on point and has broaden my understanding scope of agricultural science. yeah agriculture is one of the subject that have kept on emerging or branchings from our forefathers into so many aspect we couldn’t have imagined. thank you for your enlightenment.

for present situation agriculture can be a good business for youths to become self reliant and contribute to the economy of the country.

Really Impressed with all the ideas and i am already practicing few of this like :Bulk food wholesaling,Fish Farming,Weed Killer /Oil Production/Agricultural Equipment Rental, Trail ride service and now am planning to start with Educational farming and farm sitting.

it has been observed as best business for youth at current situation

Kindly send through these ideas on mail below

Please send these ideas to my email below, I grew up from a very poor family and agriculture was in my blood , l used to plant veges and now that has come back strong to me during lock down , so my uncle is giving me a land and l want to do something

Very useful ideas thank you

Great article !!!!

It’s good to know from this article that we can start growing simple herbs like basil, parsley, and mint even in our own home. Growing my own plants had always been my passion and someday, I want to have my own farm that I can harvest regularly. Still, it might be better to organize everything first including insurance before getting into proper business.

Do you have Interesting innovation on Agribusiness and needs sponsorship kindly write to we are working with various investors who are ready to invest in agriculture blockchain technology.

I am very much interested in farming. Am doing my PhD working on lettuce crop.

I want to start vertical farming leafy vegetables in India. I would need some suggestions.

Also I have another idea of mushroom cultivation.

Please provide valuable suggestions.

Thanks in advance

I am really happy to delve to your article on agribusiness idea, I want to say a big thank you for the insight that I derived from reading the idea shared on this page

Thank you for innovative ideas… I would like to start with small business in agriculture but starting capital is a big threat..

This is very expository and the content of this piece is has enlightened me on agricultural small scale businesses. Thank you.

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[Pdf Sample] Business Plan For Farming In South Africa Docx

In today’s fast-paced world, the farming industry continues to play a vital role in providing food security and economic stability. South Africa, with its rich agricultural resources, offers numerous opportunities for aspiring farmers and entrepreneurs to establish successful farming businesses.

[Pdf Sample] Farming Business Plan Proposal In South Africa Docx

To write a business plan , here is a breakdown of how it should be structured and what should be in each category. After this instruction, I will provide you with a sample of one I wrote for my farm , let us go:

Executive Summary

Introduction to farming in south africa.

In this section, we will discuss the agricultural landscape of South Africa , exploring the diverse range of farming opportunities available. We will delve into the climatic conditions, soil types, and regional considerations that influence farming practices in the country . Additionally, we will highlight the government’s support and incentives for the agricultural sector, providing valuable insights for aspiring farmers.

Identifying Target Market and Products

Market analysis and competitor research.

Conducting a comprehensive market analysis is essential for assessing the viability of your farming business . This section will delve into market research techniques, including primary and secondary data collection methods. We will also explore competitor analysis, identifying key competitors in the market and determining strategies to gain a competitive edge.

Farming Methods and Techniques

Equipment and infrastructure.

Investing in the right equipment and infrastructure is essential for efficient farming operations. In this section, we will guide you through the process of selecting appropriate machinery, tools, and infrastructure based on the specific needs of your farming venture. We will also discuss maintenance and operational considerations to maximize the lifespan and performance of your assets.

Human Resources and Management

Financial projections and funding.

Developing accurate financial projections is crucial for securing funding and managing the financial aspects of your farming business . This section will guide you through the process of creating a financial plan , including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow projections. We will also discuss funding options and strategies for approaching investors or financial institutions.

Marketing and Sales Strategies

Risk assessment and mitigation.

Running a farming business involves inherent risks, including weather fluctuations, pest infestations, and market volatility. This section will guide you through the process of conducting a risk assessment and developing mitigation strategies. We will discuss insurance options, contingency plans, and diversification techniques to safeguard your farming business against potential risks.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

Sustainability and environmental impact.

Sustainable farming practices are gaining significant importance in today’s agricultural landscape. This section will explore various sustainability initiatives and environmentally friendly farming practices that you can adopt. We will discuss water conservation , soil health management, and biodiversity preservation techniques to minimize your farm’s environmental impact.

Implementation Plan and Timeline

Monitoring and evaluation.

Monitoring and evaluating the performance of your farming business is essential for making informed decisions and identifying areas for improvement. This section will delve into key performance indicators (KPIs), data tracking tools, and periodic evaluation methods. We will guide you in setting up a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to measure the success of your farming operations.

How long does it take to create a farming business plan?

Are there any specific government incentives for farming businesses in south africa.

Yes, the South African government offers various incentives and support programs for the agricultural sector. These include funding opportunities, training initiatives, and tax incentives. It is advisable to consult with local agricultural authorities or business development organizations for detailed information.

What are some key risks involved in farming businesses?

Can i start a farming business with limited capital.

Starting a farming business with limited capital is possible, but careful financial planning and resource management are essential. Consider alternative funding sources, such as government grants or loans, and explore cost-effective farming techniques to optimize your initial investment.

How can I market my farming products effectively?

Share this:, author: adewebs, you may also like:, [pdf sample] business plan for pig farming docx, starting a poultry farm with limited resources in ghana: a comprehensive guide for new farmers, how to register agribusiness company in kenya (see full guide), starting a poultry farm with limited resources in nigeria: guide for new farmers, one reply to “[pdf sample] business plan for farming in south africa docx”, leave a reply cancel reply.

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Elon Musk plans to ban engagement farming on X. What does this mean for the platform?

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Elon Musk is planning to change the platform formerly known as Twitter once again — but this time, many hope, for the better.

On April 18, Musk, who purchased the company, now called X, in 2022, announced that any accounts found to be participating in engagement farming — a tactic used by social media accounts to get engagement, either by provoking outrage, conversation or employing a popular meme format — will be suspended and traced to source .” Musk’s post reached over 100 million users and was met with many positive reactions.

Many people have been waiting for this style of posting to be dealt with, which, according to Jamie Cohen, a media studies professor at Queens College in New York, is ruining social media platforms.

“Finally, thank God! This is much needed. I'm so tired of seeing clickbait pages and those who put out fake news solely for engagement farming just for clicks, likes, and comments, and solely for profit, nothing else,” wrote @rawsalerts in a post .

“THIS is what we’ve all been waiting for. Thank you,” posted @nicksortor on X .

What is engagement farming?

Social media engagement can include liking, sharing, reposting and commenting on posts. "Engagement farming" can be done by asking a question about a divisive topic or playing into or copying a meme that has gone viral in the past.

Although engagement farming can be done at a large scale, most of the time it's done with individual accounts. In some cases, accounts may join influencer pods — groups of creators that work together to raise each other’s engagement numbers — that can do it at a larger scale.

For example, a current trend on X is “the look between ‘Q’ and ‘E’ on your keyboard.” The point of this trend is to have the keys between the two chosen letters spell out a phrase and make a joke.

look between Y and I on your keyboard, that’s all I want. — 🦇 (@cryarhahai) April 22, 2024

“Look between Y and I on your keyboard, that’s all I want,” @cryahahai wrote in an X post, with the punchline of the joke meaning that all the user wants is “U.”

Users see that this trend is going viral and choose to participate in it. Some people decide to use the format, not for humor, but simply because they know those types of posts are currently getting a lot of attention. Thus, many timelines are now flooded with a single format of post.

There are also several replicas of a tweet praising Apple for allowing users to copy and paste a security code as soon as it comes through a text. This type of post has gone viral before, and several users have tried to recreate the success.

This is the best thing Apple has ever done pic.twitter.com/NuozqqyA2g — Qadi (@BigQadi) December 6, 2022

“It's lowest common denominator stuff, but we're compelled to react,” Cohen told Yahoo News. “It's a time waster at best and something you interact with at worst — which of course just makes it work more.”

The more engagement these kinds of posts attract, the more traction they will have with a platform’s algorithm, which will surface them in users’ feeds instead of the accounts they actually follow, thus fueling a cycle of clickbait.

How X has seemingly encouraged engagement farming

No social media platform is exempt from engagement farming-style posts , but under Musk’s leadership, many X users have observed that such content seems to have become ubiquitous on the platform. Some suggest that X’s Creator Ads Revenue Sharing program , which seems to incentivize the practice, is to blame.

Launched last year, the program required creators to have at least 500 followers, be a verified or X Blue subscriber and have at least 15 million impressions in the three months prior to joining . Creators don’t get paid directly for views, but rather for the amount of people that see ads under viral posts. After a few weeks, Musk lowered the threshold for impressions from 15 million to 5 million, making the program more accessible to creators.

“There’s been engagement farming since the early days of clickbait headlines and listicles in the early 2010s when the recommendation algorithms were just getting started,” Cohen said. “But with X’s incentives, the recommendation system works to optimize engagement bait so the farmers have increased their tactics exponentially.”

X didn’t respond to Yahoo News’ request for comment on the suggestion that its revenue sharing program encourages engagement farming.

An uphill battle

X has not provided additional details on how, exactly, it plans to crack down on engagement farming, but Cohen predicts that doing so will be an uphill battle as long as the platform allows users to get paid to post. While there have been changes to the program since its initial launch, there hasn’t been public talk of ending payments for creators.

“As long as Elon incentivizes engagement, a new engagement tactic will appear very quickly,” he said. “There's enough users out there to try every tactic, so it's only a matter of time before another garbage trend appears.”

Elon Musk accused of profiting from tragedy as study finds X rewards hate targeting Israel-Gaza war

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Tesla will unveil a robotaxi on August 8, according to Musk

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King Charles announces return to public royal duties following his cancer treatment. Here's what to know about his health journey.

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Tesla Autopilot recall probed by safety regulator following new crashes

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xAI, Elon Musk’s OpenAI rival, is closing on $6B in funding and X, his social network, is already one of its shareholders

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Report: Amazon and NBA reach agreement on broadcast deal

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Should colleges crack down on pro-Palestinian protests?

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Photo-sharing community EyeEm will license users' photos to train AI if they don't delete them

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Many dating app users are tired of the "swiping, matching, ghosting" cycle and are looking to "meet cute" in person.

Pickleballers, rejoice: Prince's new Target collab has everything you need to stand out on the court

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How Rubrik’s IPO paid off big for Greylock VC Asheem Chandna

When Asheem Chandna drove up to Rubrik's office in Palo Alto on a Friday night in early 2015, he was looking forward to learning what the young company that had yet to build its product would show him. The Greylock partner wasn't disappointed. The company's CEO, Bipul Sinha, drew Rubrik's plan to revamp the data management and recovery market on a whiteboard.

The 30 best Walmart deals to shop this week — save up to 80% on Mother's Day gifts, gardening supplies and more

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How often do money market accounts pay interest?

Typically, money market account interest is compounded daily and added to your account monthly. Learn more about how to maximize your money market account earnings.

8 ways to keep your brain healthy, from doing crossword puzzles to limiting alcohol

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The FTC accuses Amazon of using Signal’s auto-deleting messages to erase evidence

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'Nothing short of exceptional': Apple's 'killer' AirPods Pro are down to $200

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Chevrolet Equinox Plus is a PHEV for China, maybe America

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House Agriculture Committee Prepares to Mark Up Farm Bill Reauthorization Text

Majority staff from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture laid out their plan this week to reauthorize the Farm Bill, a 12-title, multibillion-dollar package of programs to support farmers, provide nutrition assistance to millions of Americans in need, promote on-farm conservation practices and address other farming challenges.
Majority staff indicated that the Agriculture Committee intends to mark up the bill either the week of May 13, 2024, or May 20, 2024, with the text being shared publicly five days in advance.
This Holland & Knight alert reviews the bill's highlights and the timeline.

Majority staff from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture laid out their plan this week to reauthorize the Farm Bill, a 12-title, multibillion-dollar package of programs to support farmers, provide nutrition assistance to millions of Americans in need, promote on-farm conservation practices and address other farming challenges. Majority staff indicated that the Agriculture Committee intends to mark up the bill either the week of May 13, 2024, or May 20, 2024, with the text being shared publicly five days in advance. If the Agriculture Committee favorably reports the bill to the House Floor, it will meet the chair's self-imposed deadline to get the legislation out of committee by Memorial Day, May 27, 2024.

Farm Bill Highlights

House Republican Committee staff highlighted the following regarding the substance of the Farm Bill text.

Title I – Commodities

Staff noted a nearly 80 percent decline in farm income since 2002.
Reference prices for commodity crops will increase from 2014 levels, with base acres also added.
Some of the cost of reference price increases will be offset by restrictions on how Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds may be used. Note that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, along with his predecessor, Sonny Purdue (who served in the Trump Administration), have used CCC funds to advance pet policy priorities, including climate smart agriculture (under the Biden Administration) and relief from foreign retaliation against tariffs (under the Trump Administration).

Title II – Conservation

The Farm Bill text sweeps all remaining Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) conservation funds ($14.4 billion) into the conservation title of the Farm Bill. This will result in a permanent 25 percent increase in title funding.
This title will remain consistent with Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson's (R-Pa.) preference that promotion of climate-related agriculture practices should be left up to state or local control and decision-making versus a top-down federal approach.

Title III – Trade

Funding for the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program will be increased. Funding for these two programs has essentially remained flat at $236 million since the mid-2000s.
These two programs were the most member-requested items in the Agriculture Committee's online portal request.

Title IV – Nutrition

Agriculture Committee staff indicated that they have managed to find cost savings in the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), though they did not elaborate on how those savings would be used.
Majority staff contend that, even with a reduction to TFP funding, the program will serve more participants and more households, increase average monthly benefits per participant and per household, and be "pro-health" to focus on better ways to deliver nutrition.

Agriculture Committee staff also noted that new resources will be made available under other titles to address priorities of specialty crop growers and provide increased funding for research and research facilities.

What's Next

Over the next several weeks, the Agriculture Committee will release a series of summary documents that provide details on the contours of each title. Agriculture Committee staff stressed that time is of the essence in order to avoid the Farm Bill budget being tied to new baseline figures, which the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is scheduled to release in June 2024. As long as the markup has begun, the most recent CBO baseline figures, which were issued in February 2024, can likely be used.

Although Farm Bill funds don't flow directly to specific companies, food and agriculture clients should maintain awareness of the Farm Bill reauthorization process because it enacts federal spending priorities for USDA over the next five years – potentially longer if extended due to legislative inaction.

This Farm Bill reauthorization process has been particularly challenging due to several factors:

Democrats have long signaled their opposition to moving IRA funds into the Farm Bill, as well as to any cuts to nutrition assistance programs, which grew in size during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Republicans have prioritized updates to the farm safety net – increasing reference prices for commodities and improving access to crop insurance – both of which carry big price tags.
These positions must be reconciled with tight budget constraints. Republicans are committed to a reauthorized Farm Bill that does not increase spending over the CBO projections for programming under the current Farm Bill.
The public comments exchanged between committee leadership, particularly in the House, have not signaled a willingness to compromise, which is essential for a successful conclusion to the reauthorization process.

Now that the reauthorization process has dragged into an election year, the legislative window for enacting a new Farm Bill is very short. The prevailing wisdom is that a House markup this May, followed by bill passage on the House floor, will either prompt the Senate to move on the legislation or set the stage for the House and Senate to conference the bill during the lame-duck session of Congress and enact by year's end. Either scenario would still require extension of the current Farm Bill, which was already extended from September 2023 to September 2024. If this Congress does not succeed, responsibility for reauthorizing the Farm Bill will fall to 119th Congress in 2025.

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Unknown developer seeks 'business tech campus' on 900 acres of St. Joe Farm, rezoning

GRANGER — A developer, unnamed so far, is asking St. Joseph County to rezone 914 acres of farmland of the former, historic St. Joe Farm — east of Capital Avenue and Cleveland Road — where it would build a “business-tech campus.”

The county’s Area Plan Commission will consider the rezoning for the second time at its meeting at 3:30 p.m. April 16 both virtually and on the fourth floor of the County-City Building in downtown South Bend. The proposed rezoning would change it from an agricultural district and planned unit development district to an industrial district.

The commission’s recommendation would then go to the county council.

A staff report from the county describes the developer’s plans: Up to 300 people would work in three buildings ranging from 262,044 to 602,005 square feet. An area to the south would be reserved for future development. A 200-foot buffer of green space would be allowed along the nearby Juday Creek, which is a cold-water trout stream that conservationists aim to protect as it leads to the St. Joseph River.

County staff report that it would require the city of Mishawaka to extend water and sewer service to the site. While staff say that is currently being planned, The Tribune is also reporting that nearby, in a separate proposed development northwest of Capital and Cleveland, Mishawaka would also have to extend water and sewer service for a proposed auto mall that Gurley Leep Automotive Group hopes to build. In that case, Mishawaka officials say there are still several steps yet to be resolved. Among other things, the developer would have to pay to extend the utilities 1,000 feet to reach the site.

As WNDU has reported , St. Joe Farm dates back to 1867 when the land was purchased by the University of Notre Dame’s founder, the Rev. Edward Sorin. Holy Cross brothers farmed it for more than a century to feed students, faculty and staff on campus.

Notre Dame sold the property in 2008. Indiana Michigan Power runs its solar farm at the eastern end of the property, and there is also an old barn on site that’s rented for special events, according to WNDU.

The rezoning measure had originally come in March to the commission, who tabled it to add some assurances, particularly after some neighbors had raised concerns. In response, the property owners would agree to a set of commitments that are similar to those that have been set for the Economic Enterprise Center’s overlay district near New Carlisle. Among others, these would include assurances that there wouldn’t be disruptive businesses like slaughterhouses and metal shredding plants.

Steve Francis, who lives nearby, feels the commitments may not go far enough to ease neighbors’ concerns. Because it isn’t clear who the owner is or what sort of business would end up there, Francis said, neighbors are concerned about traffic and any possible impact to water, given nearby Juday Creek, along with the floodplain south of Cleveland.

New Carlisle comprehensive plan

Also at the April 16 meeting, the Area Plan Commission will vote on the comprehensive plan for New Carlisle to guide future growth and development in the town through 2040, especially in light of major industrial growth just to its east.

South Bend Tribune reporter Joseph Dits can be reached at 574-235-6158 or [email protected] .

COMMENTS

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How to Start a Farm: Plan Your Operation

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