Course Materials‘Tilling the Soil of Opportunity...’ NxLeveL™ Guide for Agricultural Entrepreneurs—This text provides a comprehensive overview of how to start or expand an agriculture-based operation producing non-commodity products. It is combination text and workbook designed to be placed in a 3-ring binder. |
The "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity" Guide for Agricultural Entrepreneurs course a 36-hour in-classroom course. During the course, participants explore the different distribution channels needed to get their products to market, such as farmers markets, CSA's, delivery routes, Internet sales, mail orders, grocery store chains, etc. Participants can also explore niche markets such as organic, sustainable and value-added products. Instructors assist participants in analyzing their costs of production and learning how to cash flow the operation. Sessions can be taught one night per week, or if needed, combined for longer Saturday sessions. Session format included instructor led discussions and lecture, guest speakers, networking opportunities and instructor consultations. Most sessions last 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
Course Outline
Session 1 - Take Stock of Your Resources—Explore your "entrepreneurial fit" -- do you have the resources, skills and knowledge necessary to start your business? What are your current available resources -- farm, family, personal assets? How do these resources relate to your new business endeavor? What are the mission, goals and objectives of your business start or expansion? Are you wanting to become organically certified? Do you want to direct market your product to customers? Are you seeking diversification of your farm production? What is your business concept? Actually developing your concept and putting it down on paper is the first step in writing your plan---what do you want to do?
Session 2 - Basic Equipment Required: Planning and Research—During Session 2, gain a greater understanding of the business planning process and why its important to the success of your business. Begin to explore your industry and learn how your business fits within the industry. Also begin to define the products or services in your business.
Session 3 - The Legal Terrain—What should be the legal structure of your business? Explore the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of business legal structures. Agriculture is a highly regulated industry with many regulatory players. What are the key regulatory and taxation issues that pertain to your business? Where do you go for inspections, licensing, etc.? How do you correctly handle contracts to ensure risk minimization?
Session 4 - Manage from the Ground Up—Address key questions that provide a solid foundation for your business. Who are your "management team" members, do you look inside the business or outside for expertise? What are your current and future employment needs? What types of employees do you need to help run your business? What are your farm, business and personal risks? How can these risks be minimized?
Session 5 - Plant It, Grow It, MARKET IT!—Marketing is more than just selling your product when the price is right. Its about giving the customer what they want, when they want it and at a price they are willing to pay. Its about pleasing the customer! During this session learn the key concepts, terms and how-to's in marketing. Also begin to analyze your competition.
Session 6 - Reap the Benefits - Marketing Strategies—How do you develop a marketing strategy? What is the difference between marketing and advertising? Become more familiar with the image of your product, the distribution of your product, its pricing structure and how you get the customer to buy your product -- The Four P's of Marketing. What are the different ways available to get your product to market?
Session 7 - Get Your Budgets In Line—What makes a good budgeting system? The involvement of the owner and key employees is essential. As a management tool, how do your budgets work with your farm tax reporting? Managing your cashflow is one of the most important tools you will need to perform in your business -- it is an indicator of the health of your business.
Session 8 - Analyze THESE: Cash Flow and Financial Statements—Financial statements are a means of standardizing business information. Learn how accounting and financial matters relate to your overall daily business operations. Your financial information helps you evaluate the performance of your business (both internally and with other similar businesses) and identify planning opportunities and needs. Financial statements are your communication tools when working with lenders and other business interests.
Session 9 - Cultivate Your Money Resources—After analyzing the cashflow, is there an expected shortfall? What are the various options for financing a business? Do you need working capital or equipment monies? Do you need to purchase a new building or land to start or expand your business? How you finance your business is a major decision in the long-term success of your business.
Session 10 - Harvest Your Future—Is the business feasible? If so, what do you do now? This last chapter helps you address some of these issues, steering you down the right path of success.
