With opportunities in value-added, direct marketing, and new crops and technologies, there has never been a better time to start or expand an agriculture business in Montana. You have the skills to produce high-value products and Planning For On-Farm Success teaches you how to manage the profitable business that turns your passion into your career.
In Planning For On-Farm Success, you will learn how to:
- Create a Business Plan
- Evaluate New Market Opportunities
- Promote Your Brand
- Create Financial Documents
- Manage Your Cash Flow
- Access the Right Financing
- Prepare to Meet With a Lender
- Manage Risks in Your Operation
Each workshop includes:
- Expert Topic Instruction
- Q&A With Experienced Producers
- Networking with Fellow Farmers & Ranchers
- Supported Work on Your Farm or Ranch Plan
- Planning For On-Farm Success workbook
To obtain Farm Service Agency borrower financial management training credit, you must attend the workshops on Managing Your Financials and Financial Decision-Making. For more info on FSA credit, email mary@missoualacfac.org.
Check out the links below to learn more about the curriculum.
2020 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE AND PRESENTERS
Workshops will be offered on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Scroll to the bottom of this page for 2020 class locations and how to register!
Workshops will be held in multiple communities simultaneously. All locations will receive the same high-quality content delivered via Adobe Connect broadcast and each class will feature in-person insight from local farmers, ranchers and service providers. Check back soon to find out if Planning For On-Farm Success is being held in your community!
Farm Strategic Planning – January 15th
Topics: Walks through the process of identifying goals and values for your operation, drafting a mission statement and using your values and goals to make decisions.
Presenter: Extension agents or community hosts from each location will present this introductory session, focusing on issues of importance in your local community.
Researching Your Market – January 22nd
Topics: Identify your target customer, conduct a market research trial, compare and evaluate market channels, and identify and evaluate your competition.
Presenter: Dave Renn, Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program Director at the Community Food and Agriculture Coalition has worked in a variety of production systems and markets, selling through market stands, CSA, wholesale, and market-testing niche food products.
Farm Marketing & Promotion – January 29th
Topics: Think about what makes your product unique, develop marketing messages that set you apart from your competition and develop a marketing plan.
Presenter: Tammy Howard, NCAT Program Specialist, explores approaches to building your brand and effectively communicating to customers about your farm in a crowded food marketplace.
Managing Your Finances – February 5th
Topics: Develop an effective record-keeping system and learn how to estimate income and expenses. Learn how to prepare and use balance sheets, income and expense statements, and cash flows. This workshop is eligible for FSA financial management borrower training credit and will include information on income statements, balance sheets, cash flow budgets, and how to maintain and utilize these systems.
Presenter: Allison Dembek, Tucker Family Farm Operations Manager and Head Cheesemaker, worked in strategic corporate finance for eight years where she assessed the performance of companies based on the health of their financials, then worked with the business units to make changes to reach their financial targets. One of her favorite things in life is designing realistic and simplistic budgets to drive informed decision making. Since 2015, she has been adapting those same skills to be useful for a start-up farmstead sheep creamery, Tucker Family Farm, where she is the Operations Manager and Head Cheesemaker.
Financial Decision-Making – February 12th
Topics: Learn to evaluate the overall financial health of your farm or ranch and learn when and how to use partial-budgeting, break-even, and ROI to enhance decision-making. This workshop is eligible for FSA financial management borrower training credit and will include information on using your financials to make financial and production decisions as well as how to describe your business goals, changes required to attain those goals, and how those changes will occur using present and projected budgets.
Presenter: Allison Dembek, Tucker Family Farm Operations Manager and Head Cheesemaker, worked in strategic corporate finance for eight years where she assessed the performance of companies based on the health of their financials, then worked with the business units to make changes to reach their financial targets. One of her favorite things in life is designing realistic and simplistic budgets to drive informed decision making. Since 2015, she has been adapting those same skills to be useful for a start-up farmstead sheep creamery, Tucker Family Farm, where she is the Operations Manager and Head Cheesemaker.
Financing Your Farm – February 19th
Topics: Learn about the different types of financing that are available and the best time to access them over the establishment and growth of your business. Understand credit scores, how to improve them, and how to prepare for a meeting with a lender.
Presenter: Debi Duke, bio coming soon!
Managing Farm Risks – February 26th
Topics: Identify the risks and liabilities in your operation and make a plan to mitigate them and be prepared if something goes wrong.
Presenter: Eric Belasco is a Professor of Agricultural Economics and Economics at Montana State University. His research interests include Agricultural Marketing and Risk Management. He will talk about business risk that impacts farmers and ranchers and share his research on the value of USDA-RMA Whole Farm Revenue Protection for small farms.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Still, have questions about how the PFOS Workshop Series works, or just want to learn more? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions Page. Or send questions about topics and presenters to mary@missoulacfac.org.
WORKSHOP FEES AND REGISTRATION
Contact the workshop coordinator with questions about each series, pricing, or to register by phone, find registration links for your local series below.
Missoula County – Missoula
For more information contact Patrick Mangan. Workshops will be held at the Missoula County Extension Building at 2825 Santa Fe Court, Missoula.
Patrick Mangan – 406-375-6611
pmangan@rc.mt.gov
Lake County – Ronan
For more information contact Taylor Lyon at Lake County Community Development Center. Workshops will be held at the Lake County Community Development Center at 407 Main Street SW. Ronan, 59864.
Taylor Lyon – 406.676.5912
taylor.lyon@lakecountycdc.org
Hill County – Havre
For more information contact Micheal Peter at Bear Paw Food Development Corporation.
Micheal Peter – 406.265.9226 ext.32
mpeter@bearpaw.org
Big Horn County – Hardin
For more information contact Molly Masters at Big Horn County Extension. Workshops will be held at the Big Horn County Extension Office at 317 N Custer Ave, Hardin, MT.
Molly Masters – 406.665.9770
molly.master@montana.edu
Deer Lodge County – Anaconda
For more information contact Kimberly Richardson at Deer Lodge County Extension. Classes will be held at the Hearst Free Library at 401 Main St., Anaconda, MT.
Kimberly Richardson – 406.563.4035
kimberly.richardson@montana.edu
Rosebud County – Forsyth
For more information contact Melissa Ashley at Rosebud-Treasure Counties Extension. Classes will be held at the Rosebud County Fairgrounds.
Melissa Ashley – 406.346.7320
melissa.ashley@montana.edu