- This event has passed.
Online Farm Planning Course
Tuesday January 18, 2022 @ 7:30 pm - Tuesday March 22, 2022 @ 9:00 pm
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, a “live” farmer-to-farmer session, and optional group networking; as well as worksheets, templates, resource links and farm case studies.
Live sessions take place every Tuesday evening at 7:30pm on January 18th, January 25th, February 1st, February 8th, February 15th, February 22nd, March 1st, March 8th, March 15th and March 22nd. *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 – 1.5 hr weekly online sessions, there will be additional time needed to review pre-recorded video content (30-45min per week), and to complete the worksheets that will help you write your farm plan. There will also be optional group networking opportunities to meet other new and beginning farmers, share experiences and troubleshoot.
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 – Financial Strategies
Week 7: Farm Financials – Budgeting
Week 8: Meeting Small Business Requirements
Week 9: Risk Management
Week 10: Accessing Financing
Testimonials from past participants
“The “walkthrough” build-up approach of the course bestows confidence through knowledge. Showing business planning ideas, tried and successfully executed with the farm perspective is encouraging. The course is exactly what it is advertised as, very well done!”
“Gives me the tools to think about farming not only as a lifestyle, but as a business that requires business planning and smarts. You can’t just do what you like and hope the money works out – it takes planning!”
“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 on January 11th***
If you are a farmer living in northern Ontario, you are eligible for a 10% discount on the registration fee for this course. Please fill out this form to confirm your eligibility.
In order to make this course accessible to all participants, EFAO will strive to cover registration fees for anyone who needs financial assistance. EFAO strongly encourages anyone facing financial barriers to participation to request support by completing this form.