Getting Down to Business: Developing a Business Plan

Moving from ignorance
to innovation!

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” 

~Sara Blakely 

Founder of Spanx

World's Youngest Female Billionaire

There's a difference between innovation and ignorance.  Innovation refuses to be bound by convention while ignorance refuses to be educated by it.  I've been ignorant, sort of.

For years, I've been trying to get serious about converting my garden into a farming operation but, the truth is, I've not been serious enough.  I've been dabbling at it--taking Rodale's Organic Transition Course, auditing Will Hooker's Introduction to Permaculture course, but I've not done the hard work of transitioning from hobbyist to business person.

Businesses need good roots to grow!

Well, I've taken the first steps in changing that:  after all these years, I've begun a business plan for the farm.  You'd think, with a business degree, I'd be able to write a business plan in my sleep, but I've been stymied by this task.  I've started again and again, and given up each time until I discovered a handy course from the National Center for Appropriate Technology which was created through a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture:  Getting Started in Farming:  An Introduction to Farm Business Planning.  Its eight lessons (and six case studies) are leading me through the entire process:

• Goal Setting
• Assessing Skills and Resources
• Land Access
• Marketing
• Startup & Recordkeeping
• Risk Management
• Financing Your Farm
• Business Plan

Strong roots
weather harsh conditions!

Each lesson has attached excellent supplemental readings, as well as a writing assignment which accomplishes that section of the business plan.  Some sections (recordkeeping, for example) I had already begun, although in too simple a form.  Land access was interesting, but we moved to the farm six years ago.  The skills assessment was eye-opening, though.  It forced me to take a hard look at myself, and my resources.  I still have a long way to go, but can, at least, get started.

The risk management section nearly derailed me, though, because, just as I was reading it, the Colorado cantaloupe farmers were sentenced in connection with a deadly listeria outbreak.  The possibility of sickening someone stopped me cold.  Could I--should I--face that risk?  I've thought about that for several weeks now, and I am going forward with my plan.  Sustainable, locally-produced fruits and vegetables can contribute to the physical and economic health of my community.  Contributing to my community, and putting land back into cultivation, is important to me.

Infrastructure
requires
careful planning!

At this point, I'm self-financing--I have a job in the city.  My goal for this year, which is actually my third year trying to "farm," is to clear enough to pay the property taxes.  I know that's a modest goal, but it's the logical next step and I need a little success this year!

Today is the day I will be slogging through my Farm Food Safety Plan 1.0.  While that might seem more daunting a task than writing a business plan (and it is!), the On-Farm Food Safety Project has a wonderful tool which will help me build it, section-by-section.  I think copious amounts of chocolate may be required.

Then, after putting all the documentation together, I'll review it as a whole and, before the heat sets in, do as much soil- and infrastructure-building as I can.  I think more chocolate may be required.  And compost.  And a post-hole digger.  And . . .

How are you working toward living your Savory life?

Nancy