Next Generation Farminar: Fall 2009
| Date |
Farminar Topic (Archive link) |
| 3-Nov |
Whole Farm Planning |
| 10-Nov | Legal Issues in Succession |
| 17-Nov | Estate Planning |
| 24-Nov | Which Enterprise? Market ID |
| 1-Dec | Fitting in the New Enterprises |
| 8-Dec | Enterprise Budgets |
| 15-Dec | Product, Placement, Pricing, Promotion, People |
| 22-Dec | Financing Your Enterprise |
3-Nov Whole Farm Planning
Tips on how to manage the whole farm with the Critical Path Method. Led by Dave Baker from the Beginning Farmer Center. (Archive)
10-Nov Legal Issues in Succession
Planning the succession of a farm business and starting a farm business have a great deal in common. In both instances legal issues such as the selection of business entity, buy sell agreements, options, leases and other types of contract can and will have either a positive or negative impact on success. A basic knowledge of the legal "tools" can help those involved in either a succession or in starting a new business can help them to avoid costly mistakes. Led by John Baker from the Beginning Farmer Center. (Archive)
17-Nov Estate Planning
Led by John Baker from the Beginning Farmer Center. (Archive)
24-Nov Which Enterprise? Market ID
One starting point with selecting an enterprise is to look to the marketplace to identify unmet opportunities. This session will start with an overview of a business plan outline, with particular emphasis on the marketing plan section. Concepts to be explored include the difference between product features and product benefits, target trade area, segmenting customers, and calculating market potential. Market research concepts and findings will also be explored. Led by Gary Huber of Practical Farmers of Iowa. (Archive)
1-Dec Fitting in the New Enterprises: Grain, Beef, and Watermelons
Wade Dooley, a young farmer from central Iowa, discusses his family farm story and the challenges and opportunities of "adding an enterprise" to an exisiting operation. Features 39 full-color photos of his farm life. Dave Baker from the Beginning Farmer Center also available with pointers and suggestions for ensuring a smooth enterprise addition. (Archive)
8-Dec Enterprise Budgets - Pricing for Profit
Pricing products that do not have an established market can be difficult. For example, let's assume you are producing tomatoes and notice the local grocery store is selling California tomatoes for $1.50 per lb. In addition, you have asked potential buyers and they say they are willing to pay 10-20% above grocery store prices. From this information you sell your tomatoes for $1.80 per pound. Were you profitable? The key to long-term success is the ability to sell products at a profit. To do this you need to know your costs. We will discuss what enterprise budgets are and how to use them in pricing, production changes, and product mix decisions and ultimately how to make your business more profitable. Led by Craig Chase from Iowa State University Extension. (Archive)
Budgeting exercise w.o. answers Budgeting exercise
15-Dec Product, Placement, Pricing, Promotion, People
Rick and Stacy Hartmann own and operate a small direct-market horticultural farm. Rick will take a version of the much used marketing formula, 'the five p's' - product, placement, promotion, product and people - and apply it to their operation. Come join his discussion on how they successfully market their farm, particularly their largest enterprise, a 100 member CSA. Also, with Gary Huber from Practical Farmers of Iowa. (Archive)
22-Dec Financing Your Enterprise
How do you put together a financing plan for your new business? This webinar will describe some scenarios to consider and describe a basic strategy for assembling monetary assets for your new or expanding farm business. Utilizing resources available that might include loans or grants from government or private sources. Beginning Farming tax credits are another program for encouraging landowners to rent or lease land to beginning farmers. (Archive)
Don't forget the Winter Farminar Series for 2010
Farminars made possible with financial support from The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Ceres Foundation, & Wallace Genetic Foundation.