When Farming Reality Doesn't Match the Business Plan

Project Overview

LNC12-342
Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2012: $165,293.60
Projected End Date: 12/31/2015
Region: North Central
State: Minnesota
Project Coordinator:
Kent Solberg
Email
Sustainable Farming Association

Annual Reports

Information Products

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: farmer to farmer, focus group, mentoring, networking, workshop, technical assistance
  • Farm Business Management: whole farm planning, feasibility study, risk management
  • Production Systems: organic agriculture
  • Sustainable Communities: analysis of personal/family life, social capital, sustainability measures

    Proposal abstract:

    Most beginning farmer training programs focus on preparing students from an economic and technical perspective, yet tend to avoid discussing negative outcomes or providing the reality check nearly every farmer faces in years 3-5 of the operation. Due to unforeseen circumstances, most new farming operations are required to make changes to their original business plans or exit farming altogether. Adjust 2015 is designed to: a) increase the knowledge and awareness beginning farmers have of potential difficulties they may face, b) build into the beginning farmer educational system an emphasis on realistic, nimble and flexible business plans, c) develop the skills of beginning farmers to recognize dangers looming on the horizon early enough to make adjustments before those dangers threaten the business or the farm family, and d) help aspiring farmers develop a proper exit strategy as a part of their original business plan. Adjust 2015 will summarize the stories of farms and farmers who have had less than desired success, or have had to make changes to their operations and plans in order to survive. This summary will be the basis for our New Farm Reality CheckTM educational materials which we will make available to beginning farmer training courses throughout the NCR, as well as our own workshops in Minnesota and other NCR states. We will evaluate Adjust 2015 both in the process of collecting information, and in the effectiveness of the presentation of our findings.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    Adjust 2015 is designed to: a) increase the knowledge and awareness beginning farmers have of potential difficulties they may face, b) build into the beginning farmer educational system an emphasis on realistic, nimble and flexible business plans, c) develop the skills of beginning farmers to recognize dangers looming on the horizon early enough to make adjustments before those dangers threaten the business or the farm family, and d) help aspiring farmers develop a proper exit strategy as a part of their original business plan.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.