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Business Planning

AgPlan from University of Minnesota: Free, online business planning tools by production type

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Ag Alternatives (Penn State Extension) provides resources required and financial templates to help you evaluate adding other products, crops, or income streams to your operation.

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Business Planning for Veterans in Ag workshop notes, Dec. 3, 2022; James Cornwell MBA.

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Business structure: the model you choose can help protect your personal assets. Free legal assistance with setting up your business is available from Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic at Penn State Law. 

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Farm Credit Business Plan TemplateBuilding a Balance Sheet Guide, Basics of Recordkeeping

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Farm Transition/Succession resources

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Penn State Extension's Ag Alternative  fact sheets  provide information to help you evaluate all aspects of a given enterprise before you commit your time and money

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Setting Prices:  USDA Ag Marketing Service publishes prices by state of farmers market fruits and vegetables. Penn State Extension article on what to consider when pricing your goods. 

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Risk Management is a component of your business plan, and is often tied to insurance. Avoid/Reduce or Mitigate/Transfer/Accept More...

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Simple SBA business plan sample

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Small Business Development Centers can review and help you refine your plan prior to approaching financers. 

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SBA Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) can provide access to LivePlan, a collaborative business planning platform.

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USDA Risk Management Checklist

PA's Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program  funds professional services for planning for the future of a farm. 

The maximum grant amount is $7,500 and is limited to 75% of project costs.


Guidelines & Uses

Grants may be used for creating or obtaining:

Business plans  to:

  • enhance the long-term economic viability of a farm.

  • diversify an existing agricultural operation to new or different forms of agricultural production.

  •  for a farm expansion or to seek financing for farm growth.

Succession planning:

  • plans for the transition of ownership and operation of a farm to new owners and operators.

  • plans for transfer of ownership and operation of a farm within the farmer's family.

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“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” ― Dwight D. Eisenhower

A farm building with white clapboard siding and a dark roof
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