EFAO and Everdale have partnered once again to offer this intensive farm planning course for new and beginning farmers.

Thinking about starting a farm business? Already running one but struggling with business planning? If you’re ready to start planning your farm business, this course is for you!

Course Overview

This ten week, comprehensive course will walk you through the steps to write a detailed farm plan for your farm business. Each week will consist of a pre-recorded webinar and a “live” farmer-to-farmer session; as well as worksheets, templates, resource links and farm case studies.

Live sessions take place every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm on January 16th, January 23rd, January 30th, February 6th, February 13th, February 20th, February 27th, March 5th, (no live session the week of March Break),  March 19th and March 26th.

*All sessions will be recorded and shared with participants.

Is this course right for me?

This Online Farm Planning Course is geared towards farmers who are serious about starting a farm business in the near future, or who are already farming but have not yet completed a farm business plan. Please note that getting the most out of this course requires an investment of time and thought.

Aside from the 1 – 1.5hr weekly online sessions, there will be additional time needed to review pre-recorded video content (approximately 30 – 60min per week), and to complete the worksheets that will help you write your farm plan.

Course Outline

Week 1: Farm Visioning

Week 2: Production Planning

Week 3: Marketing – Sales & Distribution

Week 4: Marketing – Promotional Strategies

Week 5: Recordkeeping

Week 6: Farm Financials – Introduction to Farm Financials

Week 7: Farm Financials – Budgeting

Week 8: Meeting Small Business Requirements

Week 9: Risk Management

Week 10: Accessing Financing

Testimonials from past participants

“This course has helped me get organized, consider issues that hadn’t even occurred to me, and have a much more realistic outlook.”

“We have a better understanding of the questions we have to ask and answer to ensure we farm successfully as a business. The practical advice and ideas we got are helping us develop our own plans that are right for us. The breadth and scope of the presenters also helped us develop a broader perspective on the variety of solutions and models out there.”

“Connecting me with a like minded community has been very inspiring – I don’t have a farming background and have had one season working on a medium scale organic vegetable farm. It’s so cool to learn from different farmers and explore all the other methods, practices and possibilities. The business information [was] very helpful, to put dreams into perspective and see what it actually takes to develop a business.”

“The biggest [tangible takeaway] was seeing so many other farmers that started in a similar position and are happy with the choice they made and have a viable farm.  That’s a major confidence boost and inspiration and I think that added so much to the course.”

***Course pricing increases by $25 on January 12th***

In order to make our events accessible to all farmers and future farmers in Ontario, EFAO strives to reduce financial barriers for registration by offering a pay-what-you-can model. To access pay-what-you-can pricing, please complete this form!