Small Farm Business programs 2021-22

Business Roots: A flight of workshops for the business side of farming for small and new farmers. 

Do you wish you could earn a living or increase your income from your farm or farm products?

Join us for for Business Roots: A flight of workshops for the business side of farming for small and new farmers. Program runs December 2021 – February 2022. Apply any time between now and December 1st.

Curious? Bring your questions to one of our free info sessions:

How to apply for the program:

Please follow these three steps:

  1. Sign up to become a North Coast SBDC client if you haven’t ever had SBDC consulting before. Note that you’re a Farm Business Program applicant and ignore the request to schedule an intake interview.
  2. Complete the Farm Business Program application to give us an idea of your goals, needs, and readiness. We will contact you to arrange a 30-60 minute Farm Business Program assessment conversation.
  3. Apply for the Humboldt County income-based micro-enterprise scholarship. Complete this voluntary, confidential income self-certification form and send it to admin@northcoastsbdc.org. We will let you know ASAP if you qualify. (Watch this video tutorial for guidance with the form. It must be completely filled out and signed. If you’re not yet in business enter 0s for # of owners & employees. This is good for you because it gives you free access to all learning programs for the next three years, and good for the Center because it helps us pay for this important, intensive program.)

Is this program for you?

  • Are you within your first 5 years in business as a farmer and want to improve or grow your business? Yes! Join us!
  • Are you not yet launched but have a clear idea of the farm business you want to start within the next 12 months? Yes! Join us!
  • The series is rooted in the economic and growing climates of Humboldt, Del Norte & Adjacent Tribal Lands. If you are interested in this series but farm out of this region please contact program lead Ivy North at the North Coast Growers Association to see if this series may still work for you: ivy@northcoastgrowersassociation.org

What is this program about?

Learn sound fundamental business skills for your farm including

  • best practices for reaching your North Coast customers,
  • planning your season,
  • setting smart prices,
  • getting familiar with permits and regulations,
  • considering various sales outlets and business models,
  • getting ag financing for land or equipment,
  • exploring climate resilience tools for your farm,
  • food-safe and efficient farm harvesting, washing and storage systems and more.

  • Network with your cohort of fellow farm entrepreneurs like yourself that are facing the same challenges as you move through this flight of courses.
  • Access an exclusive group of instructors and successful local farm owners who are experienced in working with farm businesses and want to share their experiences with you.
  • In this flight of courses you will build your own business plan, marketing strategy, bookkeeping systems and more with a one-on-one business advisor sessions.

Help Build a Cohort You Want to Be Part Of!

Download and share this flyer with other farmers! Send them to northcoastsbdc.org/farm to apply:

Farm Business Series: April – October 2021

  • State of the Industry Small Farmer Panel: Monday, April 19 watch recording
  • Integrated Pest Management, Better Costs, Better Customers: Monday, May 3 watch recording
  • Cutting Edge Small Farm Tech : Monday, June 7 watch recording
  • Regenerative Farming: increase productivity and climate resilience: Monday, August 2 watch recording
  • Financial Resources for Farmers & Access to Land: Monday, October 4 watch recording
  • Other Potential Future Topics include Farm Business Succession Planning, Organic Certification walkthrough, Getting Your Pricing & Costing Just Right, Financing to Scale Your Farm Business.

Learn more about the 2018 New & Small Farmer Program

For past information about the 2018 “The Business Side of Farming” cohort learning program, see our archived materials. 

Download the 2018 program flyer