Practical Farmers of Iowa is inviting beginning farmers to a free Beginning Farmer Business Workshop on Monday, Aug. 10, at Cedar Ridge Distillery, 1441 Marak Road in Swisher. The one-day event is designed to help attendees build the business skills and connections needed for long-term success.
Beginning farmers face a range of challenges, from accessing land and capital to developing profitable business plans while managing the daily responsibilities of running a farm, according to Practical Farmers of Iowa.
“There’s no instruction manual for starting a farm,” said Rachel Burke, PFI’s senior beginning farmer engagement coordinator, in a statement. “Whether you’re writing your first business plan or trying to make sense of finances, this event lets farmers ask questions and learn from those who know what those early years are really like.”
The workshop combines practical business support with opportunities to network, exchange ideas and build community among beginning farmers.
“Beginning farmers are entering agriculture in many ways, from launching small, diversified operations to taking over family row crop and livestock farms,” Ms. Burke said. “No matter their path, having the right business tools early on can set them up for long-term success.”
Workshop sessions will cover setting up an LLC, assessing financial risk tolerance, conducting market research, and keeping records for taxes and farm decision-making. Attendees will also receive worksheets to help develop their farm visions and refine business plans, and will hear from PFI staff, partner organizations and experienced farmers throughout the day. The event opens with business planning basics before moving into more advanced topics.
Beginning farmers can register by Aug. 3 at practicalfarmers.org. Questions can be directed to Ms. Burke at (515) 232-5661 or [email protected].
Practical Farmers of Iowa is a nonprofit with more than 9,000 members that works to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities through farmer-led events, on-farm research and educational programming, along with funding and technical assistance for regenerative farming practices. More information is available at practicalfarmers.org.
