2018 Business Planning for Farmer Entrepreneurs Class Registration

Important Program Information

To submit an application, please complete this registration on-line. Then send via mail the $100 registration fee payable to "Orange County Cooperative Extension" to: PLANT Beginning Farmer Program, c/o Orange County Cooperative Extension, POB 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Applications are due by October 15, 2018.

Interested applicants can call Mike Lanier at 919/245-2063 to discuss their interest in the program.

This class is mostly being taught by SCORE Chapel Hill. SCORE mentors will also provide free mentoring to students who are starting a farm business. To learn more about SCORE Chapel Hill, visit the SCORE Chapel Hill website.

Below is a copy of the tentative schedule for the class. This class will meet on Thursday nights from 6 PM to 9 PM. Food and refreshments will be provided during the 7 o'clock hour of each session.

Class Schedule

Session #1: October 18, 2018

· Business Planning Process
· Business Model Canvas
· Values, Mission & Vision
- Products and Services

Session #2: October 25, 2018

· The Basics of the Local Food Economy
- Customer Analysis and Profiles
- Competitive Analysis
- Developing your farm's brand
- Marketing Messages

Session #3: November 1, 2018

- Marketing Communications Plan
- Sales Plan
- Operations Plan
- Business Structure
- Human Resources Strategy

Session #4: November 8, 2018

· Financial Strategy
· Financial Management
- Risk Management

Session #5: November 15, 2018

- Exit Strategies
- Executive Summary
- Tools for Working on and Analyzing Your Business