[1] MOFGA is offering the following workshop with Richard Wiswall, author of “The Organic Farmer’s Business Handbook”:

Farming Smarter, Not Harder: Tune-up Your Business and Increase Your Net Profit

March 8 and 9, 2010

Farm business course at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center in Unity, ME

9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Farming Smarter, Not Harder: Tune-up your business and increase your net profit. Have an allergic reaction to business? Want to work less and make more money? Wonder where all the money comes and goes? Find out your farm’s profit centers — which parts of your farm make the most money and which may actually lose money. Learn efficient planning, office management, and financial tips for success. Set aside a couple of days to finally work on these, and other important farm business concerns. The workshop will address: • Planning for Profit • Setting your sights: Goals • Making a Profit on YOUR farm • Your marketing strategies • Efficient office management • Your farm’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT analysis) • Your farm’s financials • Business Planning • Quick business fixes.

 

You will leave with: 1. Several budgets for your different farm enterprises 2. Market analysis for your farm 3. A Production Plan to meet your potential marketing opportunities 4. An action plan and timetable to augment your strengths and address your weaknesses 5. A meaningful business Mission Statement 6. A roadmap of how to achieve your financial goals, that includes a five year projection, and a Balance Sheet that states your current financial net worth. 7. An elemental Business Plan for your farm 8. Tips to address common business mistakes. A copy of Wiswall’s book, “The Organic Farmer’s Business Handbook,” will be included in the registration and sent ahead of time with pre-class homework.

Workshop led by Richard Wiswall, owner/operator of [2] Cate Farm in East Montpelier, VT, and author of “The Organic Farmer’s Business Handbook — A Complete guide to Managing Finances, Crops, and Staff — and Making a Profit”. Participants will focus on the farm’s profit centers — which parts of the farm make the most money and which may actually lose money, while learning efficient planning, office management, and financial tips for success. Fee: $150 for an individual, $225 for two people from the same farm. [3] Register.