Agricultural Business Planning Courses
Winter 2015
MDAR offers three courses for participants who are 1) thinking about farming, 2) getting going, with access to land, or 3) already operating an agricultural enterprise undergoing growth or change. Our courses are not offered online - participants find most benefit as part of a guided peer group sharing ideas over several weeks. Attendance is required at all sessions. Fees are kept low through MDAR financial support, and a partner may attend at no additional cost.
Exploring The Small Farm Dream - For those who are thinking about getting into farming or are expanding a hobby to an income-generating scale. This course offers guidance and feedback to help make informed decisions about whether or not to take the plunge - and how to proceed in the first stages. Five sessions over 6 weeks on weekday evenings. Cost per enterprise - $100. Amherst on Thursday evenings March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2 - and Marlborough on Tuesday evenings March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Planning For Startup – For those a step beyond Explorer who have a strong sense of what they intend to do and where. This course is a gut check before making significant investments of time and money. It requires completion of Explorer, or equivalent programs and experience. Participants have already made the decision to farm on a revenue-generating scale, and have secured the land and initial finances to do so. Six sessions over 8 weeks on Saturday mornings. Cost per enterprise - $150. Amherst Only Saturday Mornings February 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4 (This is the last time MDAR will offer the Planner Course)
Tilling the Soil of Opportunity – For those already operating a commercial agricultural enterprise and in need of a comprehensive business plan. This in-depth course offers a chance to assess, regroup, plan ahead, finance expansion, or clarify transfer/succession. The course draws on peer experience, Instructor knowledge and guest speakers. Meets USDA/FSA certifification for “Borrower Training”. Graduates may qualify for individual post-course technical assistance. Ten sessions over 11 weeks. Cost per enterprise - $200. Amherst or Marlborough (depending on location of registrants) on Wednesday evenings January 7, 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11
Registration is rolling (no payment until enrollment is complete) - those who have completed an application receive priority on location.
Email information/application requests to or call 413-548-1905
“Tilling the Soil of Opportunity”
NxLeveL Course for Agricultural Entrepreneurs
Winter 2015
Wednesdays 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. January 7, 2015 to March 11, 2015
1. JAN 07, 2015 The Importance of Taking Stock of Your Resources!
2. JAN 14, 2015 What is the Basic Equipment needed for Planning & Research?
3. JAN 21, 2015 Using Attorney & Accountant to Maneuver the Legal Terrain!
Attorney Guest Speaker - TBD
4. JAN 28, 2015 Managing from the Ground Up / Building & Managing the Team
CPA Guest Speaker - TBD
5. FEB 04, 2015 Plant It! Grow It! MARKET It!
Reference Librarian Guest Speaker - TBD
6. FEB 11, 2015 Reap the Benefits of Product, Pricing & Promotional Strategies!
MDAR Marketing Guest Speaker - TBD
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 9th - INDIVIDUAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
7. FEB 18, 2015 Why should You Budget??
8. FEB 25, 2015 Managing the Cash Flow Cycle & Analyzing Financial Statements!
9. MAR 4, 2015 Cultivating Your Money Resources & Choosing the Right Financing!
WEEK OF March 2nd - INDIVIDUAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
10. MAR 11, 2015 Presentations / Graduation!
Richard M. Chandler
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
101 University Drive, Suite C4
Amherst, MA 01002
Phone: 413-548-1905
Fax 413-548-1901
email: