Farming is a business as well as a way of life. “Whole Farm Management” is a comprehensive guide developed by the Small Farms Program at Oregon State University to help aspiring and beginner farmers make smart, strategic business decisions to ensure lasting success. In clear, accessible language, readers are led through every essential step, from developing a strategic plan to acquiring equipment, establishing infrastructure, finding markets, budgeting, managing day-to-day operations, and selecting a business structure for long-term viability. The emphasis throughout is on using sustainable agricultural systems and managing the whole farm, whether raising grass-based livestock, perennial food crops, or annual crops such as flowers. Case studies of successful farms, along with guidance and solutions to common problems from long-time farmers, round out this essential handbook.
This essential guide leads aspiring and beginning farmers through the business aspects of starting, growing, and maintaining a successful farming enterprise, from goal setting and thinking like an entrepreneur to selecting equipment, evaluating markets, managing financials, farming with natural systems, and dealing with the day-to-day challenges of operation.
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Growing a Farm
The Big Picture
What Is This Book About?
The Chapters
The Farmers
Dream It: Strategic Planning
Whole Farm Planning
Human Resources
Creating an Identity for Your Farm
Natural Resources
Building the Whole Farm Plan
Dream It: Putting It All Together
Profiles: Goodfoot Farm, Slow Hand Farm
Do It: Farm Infrastructure, Labor, and Energy
Equipment and Infrastructure
Season-Extension Equipment for Vegetables and Berries
Irrigation Equipment and Infrastructure
Farm Labor
Farm Energy
Do It: Putting It All Together
Profiles: Good Work Farm, Kiyokawa Family Orchards
Sell It: Markets and Marketing
What Is a Market?
Marketing Strategy
Direct Market Techniques for Small Farms
Market Planning
Sell It: Keys to Success
Profiles: Urban Buds: City Grown Flowers, Vanguard Ranch
Manage It: Business Management for the Farm
Goal Setting and Budgeting
Record Keeping
Financial Statements
Analysis
Manage It: Putting It All Together
Profile: Blue Fox Farm
Grow It: Managing the Whole Farm Ecosystem
Planning and Intervention
The Farm Ecosystem
Managing the Farm Ecosystem
Key Practices in Sustainable Agriculture
Grow It: Putting It All Together
Profiles: Sweet Home Farms, Rainshadow Organics
Keep It: Entrepreneurship, Family Business Dynamics, and Managing Risk
Entrepreneurship
Business Structures
Family Business Dynamics
Licenses and Regulations
Risk Management
Reality Check: Running a Small Farm Business
The Authors
Appendixes
Source Citations
Resources
Metric Conversion Chart
Index Build a Complete Plan for Your Small Farm
Based on the acclaimed curriculum from the Center for Small Farms & Community Food Systems, this guidebook provides a complete program for starting, growing, and maintaining a farm business.
