Business of Farming

a group of farmers of different ages sitting at a table listening to a class

How Can the Business of Farming Course Help You?

Robert Chang, is our New Farmer Business Navigator, a new position within UConn Extension to support socially disadvantaged farmers and coordinate the Land Ownership Readiness Course and the Business of Farming Course. In this position, Robert helps farmers to navigate available resources and connect to additional assistance as needed.

Our Hybrid Course: 
This is hybrid course with 2 online sessions and 3 in person classes is designed for farmers who have 0 – 3 years of experience operating a farm business, but it is open to beginning farmers who may have been operating for more than 3 years. Participants will learn how to create and develop a business plan using the AgPlan web application. The course will also provide information on marketing, branding, financial management, filing taxes, legal business formation, crop and liability insurance, local town and state regulations plus helpful resources from the state, USDA and local farm organizations.

About the Class

At the end of the course, farmers will be able to:
• Create, develop and maintain a business plan using AgPlan
• Develop a marketing plan for selling their crop
• Learn about effective branding for their farm business
• Create and use the Balance Sheets, Income Statements and Cash Flow financial statements to make financial decisions for the farm
• Learn how to file a Schedule F for reporting federal income taxes, and how to file state sales taxes
• Learn about the different business legal entity types and which might be appropriate for their farm
• Learn about available crop and liability insurance programs and what to consider when selecting policies and managing risks on farm
• Learn about local town and state regulations that impact farming, and how to use in property tax abatement programs
• Meet state and federal service providers who will explain about state and federal funding programs to help farmers
• Meet representatives of local farm organizations for networking with other beginning farmers

    Course Instructors

    Tyler Archer, Shipman & Goodwin LLP
    Rachel Berg, Four Root Farm
    Richard Brock, Family Business Insurance
    Andrew Desiderio, Farm Credit East
    Diane Dorfer, UConn Extension
    Ella Kennen, New CT Farmer Alliance
    Christopher Laughton, Farm Credit East
    Jiff Martin, UConn Extension Solid Ground
    Rebecca Toms, UConn Extension Solid Ground

       

      Course Modules

      Session 1: January 22, 10:00am – 1:30pm

      • Legal Issues for Farms
      • Legal Entity Formation
      • Local Regulations
      • Introduction to AgPlan: Business Plan 1 – Business Description

      Session 2: January 29, 12:00pm – 1:30pm,

      • Introduction to AgPlan
      • Business Description
      • Operations and Marketing Plan

      Session 3: February 5, 10:00am – 1:30pm,

      • Financial Statements
      • Taxes
      • Liability Insurance

      Session 4: February 12, 12:00pm – 1:30pm

      • AgPlan – Management & Organization
      • Financial Plan
      • Executive Summary

      Session 5: February 19, 10:00pm – 1:30pm

      • Marketing
      • Branding
      • Unique Opportunities

      Register Here

      Starting Feb. 22