game farm business plan pdf

Game Farming Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » Agriculture Sector » Livestock Farming

Do you want to start a game breeding company and need to write a plan? If YES, here is a sample game farming business plan template & FREE feasibility report.

It can be truly challenging starting any business, but one business that you can start with little challenges and a wide market coverage is game farming business. Game farming is common all across wildlife Conservation and beef-producing countries.

Game farming is a form of husbandry similar to cattle ranching as the animals are managed on natural conditions. It is important to state that starting a game farming business comes with its own fair share of challenges, but that does not rule out the fact that it is indeed a profitable business venture.

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So, if you have decided to start your own game farming business, then you should ensure that you carry out thorough feasibility studies and market survey, secure the needed public health and hygiene certificates and permits. Below is a sample game farming business plan template that can help you write your own with little or no difficulty.

A Sample Game Farming Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

A game farm is a place where game animals are raised to stock wildlife areas for hunting. The term also includes places where such animals are raised to be sold as food or for photography. Game farming are one of the key aspects of the beef industry in the united states. A rancher who works within such a model is often called a “game farming operator” in the United States.

Game are wild animals and birds. Large native game animals living in America include antelope, buffalo, bear, deer, elk, moose, reindeer, and wild boar. Small game includes alligator, rabbit, squirrel, beaver, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, armadillo, and porcupine.

Game is usually classified according to three categories: Small Birds, such as the thrush and quail; game proper, a category that can be subdivided into Winged game, such as the goose, duck, woodcock, grouse or partridge, and pheasant; and ground game, such as the squirrel, hare, and rabbit;

Big Game, predominantly venison, including roebuck, deer, elk, moose, and caribou but also including other large animals such as bear and wild boar.

Game farming business is a subset of the beef cattle farming industry and businesses in this industry includes farms and ranches that primarily engage in raising cattle (including cattle for dairy herd replacements) or feeding cattle to fatten and prepare them for consumption.

The industry also includes cattle feedlot operations, which produce high-quality beef. The Beef Cattle Farming industry is indeed a large industry and pretty much active in countries such as United States of America, Israel, Argentine, Holland, Egypt, China, Germany, Turkey et al.

There is no single game farming company that has dominate market share in the industry hence smaller businesses can successfully make profits.

Statistics has it that in the United States of America alone, there are about 746,333 registered and licensed beef cattle farming businesses responsible for employing about 794,221 people and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $69 billion annually.

The industry is projected to enjoy -4.9 percent annual growth between 2014 and 2019. It is important to state that the beef cattle farming in the US industry has no companies with major market shares. A 1997 census found that this sector of the U.S. beef market produced over $40.5 billion.

As of 2007 there were more than 765,000 cow–calf operators in the country, mostly concentrated in the Western and Southeastern U.S. states.

A recent report published by IBISWorld shows that over the five years to 2019, revenue for the Beef Cattle Production industry is expected to decline at an annualized rate of 4.9 percent to total $69.2 billion, largely due to declining red meat prices.

During the period, fluctuating feed prices have caused extreme volatility in the price of red meat. Prices have declined overall at an annualized rate of 6.2 percent, dragging on industry revenue.

A collapse in red meat prices in 2015 and 2016 greatly diminished returns per head, resulting in lower profitability despite a concurrently falling price of animal feed. The price of red meat is anticipated to rise 1.3 percent in 2019 alone, resulting in an expected 1.7 percent increase in industry revenue in 2019.

One thing is certain about game farming business, if you are able to conduct your market research and feasibility studies, you are more likely not going to struggle to sell your game because there are loads of people out there eat beef, drink milk and industries that make use of byproducts from cattle in manufacturing their products.

There are a few barriers to entry into the beef cattle production industry. Usually, all inputs are readily available. In the nearest future, players in this industry may face the highest costs associated with accessing technology, especially in relation to genetic modification engineering in livestock breeding.

So also, intellectual property rights protecting new inventions and technology may mean that new entrepreneurs coming into the industry will need to pay license fees and this of course will cause increase in the startup fee of a game farming business.

2. Executive Summary

Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC is a registered and licensed game farming company that will be based in the outskirt of Dallas, Texas – United States. We have done our detailed market research and feasibility studies and we were able to secure twenty acres of land to build our private game reserves (cattle ranch) and start our game farming business.

Our game farming business is a going to be standard one hence will be involved in commercial breeding of wild animals and birds such as antelope, buffalo, bear, deer, elk, moose, reindeer, and wild boar.

Small game such as alligator, rabbit, squirrel, beaver, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, armadillo, and porcupine et al. We will also be involved in breeding services, dairy support services, livestock health services, farrier services, and shearing services as well.

In the nearest future, hopefully within the first five years of officially running Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC, we will start our beef jerking and milk processing plant and also start exporting our game to other parts of the world.

This is why aside from the fact that we’ve secured the required farm land for our game farming business, we have also hired some key employees who are currently undergoing training so as to be able to fit into the ideal picture of the 21 st century game farming business workforce that we want to build.

We are in the business because we want to leverage on the vast opportunities available in the industry to contribute our quota in growing the U.S. economy, in national food (meat) production, raw material production, to export agriculture produce from the United States to other countries and over and above to make profit.

Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC is well positioned to become one of the leading game farming businesses in the United States of America, which is why we have been able to source for the best hands and equipment to run the business. We have put processes and strategies in place that will help us employ best practices when it comes to game farming.

Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC is a private registered game farming company that is owned by Isaac Nevada and his immediate family members. The company will be single handedly financed by Isaac Nevada and his immediate family members at least for a period of time.

Before starting Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC, Isaac Nevada has worked with some of the leading livestock farms and wildlife conservatives in the United States of America. He has worked in the industry for over 20 years before resigning to start his own game farming business.

3. Our Products and Services

Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC is a licensed game farming business that is committed to producing games for both the United States’ market and the global market. We are in this business to make profits and we will ensure that we do all that is permitted by the law in to achieve our business aim and objectives.

These are the areas we will concentrate on in our game farming business. If need arises, we will definitely add more related services to our list;

• Commercial breeding and sale of wild animals and birds
• Sale of processed meat of small birds, such as the thrush and quail; game proper, a category that can be subdivided into winged game, such as the goose, duck, woodcock, grouse or partridge, and pheasant; and ground game, such as the squirrel, hare, and rabbit;  big game, predominantly venison, including roebuck, deer, elk, moose, and caribou but also including other large animals such as bear and wild boar
• Breeding services
• Dairy support services
• Livestock health services
• Farrier services
• Shearing services
• Livestock farming related consultancy and advisory services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our Vision is to become one of the leading game farming brands not just in Dallas – Texas, but also in the United States of America.
• Our mission is to sell our game, byproducts and processed meat in commercial quantities both locally, nationally and internationally.
• We want to build a game farming business that can favorably compete with other leading game farms in the United States of America.

Our Business Structure

Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC is a game farming company that intends starting small in Dallas – Texas, but hopes to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading game farming businesses in the industry both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the kind of world class business we want to own. This is why we are committed to only hiring the best hands in and around Dallas. At Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, dedicated, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the management of the farm. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

Below is the business structure of Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC;

• Chief Operating Officer

General Farm Manager

Administrator/Accountant

• Cattle Ranch Manager/Supervisor
• Field Employees

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Operating Officer:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for the planning, management and coordinating all farm activities across the various sections on behalf of the organization
• Providing advice on the management of farming activities across all section
• Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
• Using IT systems and software to keep track of people and progress of the growth of games
• Responsible for overseeing the accounting, costing and sale of games (farm produce) after harvest
• Represent the organization’s interest at various stakeholders’ meetings
• Ensures that farming goals desired result are achieved, the most efficient resources (manpower, equipment, tools and feeds et al) are utilized and different interests involved are satisfied.
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carrying out induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Oversee the smooth running of the game farming activities across the various farming sections.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company

Cow and Calf Operations Manager/Supervisor

• Responsible for managing the commercial breeding of cattle (cows, oxen, bulls, bullocks, steers, heifers and calf et al)
• Responsible for managing boarding services, breeding services, dairy support services, livestock health services, farrier services, and shearing services et al.
• Work closely with the General Manager to achieve the organizations’ goals and objectives

Field Workers/Contract Staff

• Responsible for feeding the games as instructed by the supervisor
• Handles farm implements and machines
• Assist in handling the breeding of animals
• Carries out task in line with the stated job description
• Assist in transport working tools and equipment from the farm and back to the designated store room
• Serves as security in the games reserves and ensure that poachers are prevent from entering into the games reserve.
• Handles any other duties as assigned by the farm manager

6. SWOT Analysis

Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC do not intend to launch out with trial and error hence the need to conduct a proper SWOT analysis. We know that if we get it right from the onset, we would have succeeded in creating the foundation that will help us build a standard game farming business that will favorably compete in the industry.

As a game farming business, we look forward to maximizing our strength and opportunities and also to work around our weaknesses and threats. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC;

Our strength as a game farming business is the fact that we have healthy relationships with loads of major players in the industry and wildlife merchants; both suppliers and buyers within and outside of the United States. We have some of the latest operational tools and equipment that will help us breed our wild animals in commercial quantities with less stress.

Aside from our relationship (network) and equipment, we can confidently boast that we have some the most experienced hands in the business in our payroll.

Our weakness could be that we are a new game farming business in the United States and we may not have the required cash to import high yielding games outside of the United States of America for now. We are aware of this and from our projection will overcome this weakness with time and turn it to a major advantage for the business.

• Opportunities:

Red meat prices dictate the return for American cattle ranches and feedlots. Increased prices generate an increase in returns per head for farmers. Consequently, higher returns generally encourage farmers to devote more resources to game farming. The price of red meat is expected to rise in the coming year, presenting the industry with a potential opportunity.

Per capita beef consumption represents the total carcass weight of beef available for consumption per person in the United States. Industry sales are bolstered when more customers consume more beef. Per capita beef consumption is expected to fall in the coming year, posing a potential threat to the industry.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

Despite the fact that commercial game rearing has been in existence since time immemorial, that does not in any way make the industry to be over saturated; commercial gamer farmers are exploring new technology to continue to improve game rearing processes. The fact that there is always a ready market for wild game makes the business ever green.

One of the new trends in beef cattle farming industry is that with the recent advancement in technology game farmers can now improve the various breeds of the animals they are breeding. As a matter of fact, it is now easier for game farming businesses to comfortably import the breed of animals and birds they want to breed from any country of their choice and also advancement in technology has made it easier to cross – breed different game.

8. Our Target Market

The end consumers of  wild game and also those who benefits from the business value chain are all encompassing; it is far – reaching. Almost every household consumes produce from livestock farms be it meat, milk, and the skin (leather) used for bags, belts and shoes production et al.

So also, a large chunk of manufacturing companies depends on game farming businesses for some of their raw materials. In essence a game farming business owner should be able to sell his or her farm produce to as many people as possible.

We will ensure that we position our business to attract consumers of beef not just in the United States of America alone but also other parts of the world which is why we will be exporting some of our games to other countries of the world.

Our Competitive Advantage

Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC is fully aware that there are competitions when it comes to selling games, which is why we decided to carry out thorough research so as to know how to take advantage of the available market in the United States.

We have done our homework and we have been able to highlight some factors that will give us competitive advantage in the marketplace; some of the factors are effective and reliable game farming operations processes that can help us sell our games at competitive prices, good network and excellent relationship management.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be amongst the best in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and objectives as a standard game farming business.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC is in the beef cattle farming industry for the purpose of maximizing profits hence we have decided to explore all the available opportunities within the industry to achieve our corporate goals and objectives.

Below are the sources we intend exploring to generate income for Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC;

• Sale of processed meat (beef) of small birds and wild game

10. Sales Forecast

From the survey conducted, we were able to discover that the sales generated by a commercial livestock farm/game farming business depends on the size of the ranch, and the network of the business.

We have perfected or sales and marketing strategies and we are set to hit the ground running. We are quite optimistic that we will meet or even surpass our set sales target of generating enough income/profits from the year of operation and build the business from survival to sustainability.

We have been able to examine the game farming business and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projections are based on information gathered on the field and some workable assumptions as well with respect to the nature of game farming business that we run.

Below are the projections that we were able to come up with for the first three years of running Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC;

• First Fiscal Year (FY1): $280,000
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $450,000
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $800,000

N.B: This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown that can impact negatively on household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters and unfavorable government policies .

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are quite aware that the reason why some game farming businesses hardly make good profits is their inability to sell off their games to a larger market. In view of that, we decided to partner with some of the leading beef jerky businesses and abattoirs operators and wildlife conservative operators to help us maximize profits.

In summary, Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC will adopt the following strategies in marketing our game;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to beef jerky businesses, abattoirs operators, wildlife conservative operators and key stake holders in the agriculture industry in and around Dallas – Texas.
• Advertise our game farms in agro – allied and food related magazines and websites
• List our game farming business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Attend related agriculture and food expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage in direct marketing
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Any business that wants to grow beyond the corner of the street or the city they are operating from must be ready and willing to utilize every available means to advertise and promote the business. We intend growing our business which is why we have perfected plans to build our brand via every available means.

Below are the platforms we want to leverage on to boost our cow and calf operations brand and to promote and advertise our business;

• Place adverts on both print (newspapers and related agriculture magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our business
• Install our Billboards in strategic locations all around Dallas – Texas
• Engage in roadshow from time to time in targeted neighborhoods
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• List our commercial game farms in local directories / yellow pages
• Advertise our game farm (commercial cattle ranch) in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles and trucks are well branded with our company logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Generally speaking, a game will cost between $2,000 and $5,000. The actual cost depends on the weight of the game, the gender, and the breed. Yearlings usually sell for between $800 and $1,500. For example, games will also differ in price based on whether or not they are dairy game or strictly beef game.

We are quite aware that one of the easiest means of penetrating the market and acquiring loads of customers for all our game to sell at competitive prices.

One thing is certain, the nature of game farming business we are involved in makes it possible for farmers to place prices for their game based on their discretion without following the benchmark in the industry. The truth is that it is one of the means of avoiding running into loss. The easier you sell off your game when they are mature, the better for your business.

Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment via credit cards/Point of Sale Machines (POS Machines)
• Payment via POS machines
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our clients make payment for our games without any stress on their part.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

Below are some of the basic areas we will spend our startup capital in setting up our game farming business/cattle ranch;

• The total fee for incorporating the business in United States of America – $750.
• The budget for key insurance policies, permits and business license – $2,500
• The amount needed to acquire/lease a farm land (wildlife/games reserves) – $150,000
• The amount required for preparing the farm land (for construction of cages/fencing et al) – $100,000
• The cost for acquiring the required working tools and equipment/machines/fencing et al – $50,000
• The amount required for the purchase of the first set of wild animals and birds – $200,000
• The cost of launching an official website – $600
• The amount required for payment of workers for a period of 3 months – $100,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,000

Going by the report from detailed research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need an average of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) to start a standard game farming business in the United States of America.

Generating Funds/Startup Capital for Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC

No matter how fantastic your business idea might be, if you don’t have the required money to finance the business, the business might not become a reality. Finance is a very important factor when it comes to starting a game farm.

Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC is a family owned business and it will be financed by Isaac Nevada and his immediate family members. These are the areas where we intend sourcing for fund for Jonah Livingston and Family Farms Ltd;

• Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the startup capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $250,000 (Personal savings $150,000 and soft loan from family members $100,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $500,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

Part of the plans we have in place to sustain Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC is to ensure that we continue to make available a wide range of games, improvise on how to do things faster and cheaper. We are not going to relent in providing conducive environment for our workers and also the required trainings that will help them deliver excellent services at all times.

From our findings, another factor that kills new businesses is financial leakages. In order to plug financial leakages, the management of Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC adopted the use of payment machines and accounting software to run the business.

We are quite aware that our customers are key components to the growth and survival of our business hence we are going to continuously engage them to give us ideas on how to serve them better and the services they want to see in our private music teachers. We will not waste time in adopting new technology, best practices and diversifying our services.

Green Acre® Game Farming, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner.

We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check : Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts : Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID : In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of farm land in Dallas – Texas: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Startup Capital Generation: Completed
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Printing of Packaging and Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Building/construction of cages and fence et al: In Progress
• Purchase of the first set of games: Completed
• Purchase of the needed working tools, machines and equipment: Completed
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Farm land Treatment, Health and Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with key players in the industry (agriculture farm produce merchants, beef jerky businesses, abattoir operators, wildlife conservative operators and wild animal transporter/haulage): Completed

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Game reserve business plan (1)

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The Limpopo Project is a business plan for a modern-day game reserve within and adjacent to the Limpopo park region of South Africa. Creating an ownership cooperative of local indigenous residents as partners and providing land management training. a cyclical coexistence of sustainable viability from animal to earth to person.

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• Resources for Entrepreneurs > How to Open a Business > Business Startup Instructions

Opening a Game Farms Business

Business Startup Instructions

This advice is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to open a game farms business. Read these tips before you start!

Wondering how to start a game farms business? We take you step-by-step from start to success.

Game Farm Basics

Total hunting industry expenditures currently exceed $23 billion per year in the U.S. Although this sounds like a large chunk of change (and it is), the hunting industry continues to experience long-term decline, particularly in the number of younger hunters entering the sport.

One of the few industry bright spots is the increasing popularity of all-in-one hunting preserves and retreat package providers. For a fee, these businesses give hunters a convenient and comfortable hunting experience.

The game farm business concept is critical to the future of the hunting industry because game farmers supply the animals that populate the nation's preserves. In some cases, game farm entrepreneurs also engage in the process and sale of game meat or the delivery of bred game stock to individuals and commercial growers.

Core Competencies for Game Farm Entrepreneurs

Successful game farm entrepreneurs excel in the field of animal husbandry. Every lost animal is a lost opportunity, so it's essential to know how to successfully breed and raise each species you sell to your clients.

But in addition to husbandry, you will also need to become an expert in shipping. Cost-effectively transporting live animals across the country is easier said than done. Yet unless you develop consistent routines for shipping adult game birds, chicks, deer, boar and other species, your ability to build a reputation as a leading game animal provider will be severely limited.

Game Farm Risk Management

Game farms are, by nature, agricultural enterprises. Like any agricultural enterprise, disaster is constantly looming in the form of a herd epidemic or unexpected weather event. To protect your business and personal assets (as a sole proprietor), you'll need to implement a risk management strategy.

For game farm startups, lack of cash flow is a critical risk. In a worse case scenario, your business could be left without cash resources while you rebuild your flocks and herds. That makes a healthy cash reserve one of the best inoculations against catastrophic events. Rather than tempting fate, build a healthy cash reserve into your startup funding requirements and initial business plan.

How to Create a Game Farms Company Business Plan

A good business plan is the foundation of your entrepreneurial journey. Despite the diversity that exists in business plan writing, there are several essential elements that good business plans simply must include.

Business plan software eliminates the guesswork, insulating your game farms business from the possibility of critical omissions. The best business plan solutions can be tailored by industry, incorporating highly relevant metrics into your game farms company's business plan.

A quick review of Gaebler's business plan software packages article is great place to begin your search for the solution that's right for your game farms business.

Don't Ignore the Competition

Well in advance of opening a game farms business within your community, it's a smart move to see how you will fit in the competitive landscape. Use the link below to get a list of local competitors near you. Simply enter your city, state and zip code to get a list of game farms businesses in your town.

• Find Competing Game Farms Businesses

How tough is the competition in the market you are considering? If the competition is too tough, you may need to think about starting the business in a different area or even start a completely different business instead.

Studying the Market

After you've evaluated your local competitors, it's essential that you have a conversation with someone who is in the business. If you think owners of nearby game farms businesses will give you advice, think again. What's in it for them?

But, a person who owns a game farms business outside of your community may be more than happy to give you a few tips, once they realize that you are not going to directly compete with them in their community. In fact, they are often very willing to share startup advice with you. If you are persistent, you can find a business mentor who is willing to help you out.

What's the process for finding a game farms business manager in a different locale who can assist you?

Simply, try our helpful link below, type in a random city/state or zipcode, and start calling.

• Search for Game Farms Business Owners

Reasons to Pursue a Game Farms Business Acquisition

More than a few experts advise prospective game farms business startup entrepreneurs to pursue an acquisition strategy. But what's so great about a game farms business acquisition?

The availability of acquisition capital should be a major factor in your decision. Commercial lenders are usually more inclined to fund acquisitions than startups.

Although there are a lot of factors to consider, the decision to buy a business to get acquisition capital almost always pays off.

Consider Buying a Franchise

If you are risk averse, consider the errors that can be avoided by buying a franchise.

Before opening a game farms business, you would be wise to assess whether there are good franchise opportunities available that might make sense for you.

The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.

• Purchasing a Franchise

Related Articles on Starting a Company

These additional resources regarding starting a business may be of interest to you.

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An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know

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Find your state/county's agriculture data and USDA resources on your farmers.gov Local Dashboard !

How to Start a Farm: Plan Your Operation

Think about your operation from the ground up and start planning for your business.  A good farm business plan is your roadmap to start-up, profitability, and growth, and provides the foundation for your conversation with USDA about how our programs can complement your operation. 

Keep reading about planning your business below, get an overview of the beginning farmer's journey , or jump to a different section of the farmer's journey.

On This Page

Why you need a farm business plan.

A comprehensive business plan is an important first step for any size business, no matter how simple or complex. You should create a strong business plan because it:

• Will help you get organized . It will help you to remember all of the details and make sure you are taking all of the necessary steps.
• Will act as your guide . It will help you to think carefully about why you want to farm or ranch and what you want to achieve in the future. Over time, you can look back at your business plan and determine whether you are achieving your goals.
• Is required to get a loan . In order to get an FSA loan, a guarantee on a loan made by a commercial lender, or a land contract, you need to create a detailed business plan . Lenders look closely at business plans to determine if you can afford to repay the loan.

How USDA Can Help

Whether you need a good get-started guide, have a plan that you would like to verify, or have a plan you’re looking to update for your next growth phase, USDA can help connect you to resources to help your decisions.

Your state's beginning farmer and rancher coordinator  can connect you to local resources in your community to help you establish a successful business plan. Reach out to your state's coordinator for one-on-one technical assistance and guidance. They can also connect you with organizations that specifically serve beginning farmers and ranchers.

It is important to know that no single solution fits everyone, and you should research, seek guidance, and make the best decision for your operation according to your own individual priorities.

Build a Farm Business Plan

There are many different styles of business plans. Some are written documents; others may be a set of worksheets that you complete. No matter what format you choose, several key aspects of your operation are important to consider.

Use the guidelines below to draft your business plan. Answering these kinds of questions in detail will help you create and develop your final business plan. Once you have a business plan for your operation, prepare for your visit to a USDA service center. During your visit, we can help you with the necessary steps to register your business and get access to key USDA programs.

Business History

Are you starting a new farm or ranch, or are you already in business? If you are already in business:

• What products do you produce?
• What is the size of your operation?
• What agricultural production and financial management training or experience do you, your family members, or your business partners have?
• How long have you been in business?

Mission, Vision, and Goals

This is your business. Defining your mission, vision and goals is crucial to the success of your business. These questions will help provide a basis for developing other aspects of your business plan.

• What values are important to you and the operation as a whole?
• What short- and long-term goals do you have for your operation?
• How do you plan to start, expand, or change your operation?
• What plans do you have to make your operation efficient or more profitable ?
• What type of farm or ranch model (conventional, sustainable, organic, or alternative agricultural practices) do you plan to use?

Organization and Management

Starting your own business is no small feat. You will need to determine how your business will be structured and organized, and who will manage (or help manage) your business. You will need to be able to convey this to others who are involved as well.

• What is the legal structure of your business? Will it be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, or other type of entity?
• What help will you need in operating and managing your farm or ranch?
• What other resources, such as a mentor or community-based organization , do you plan to use?

Marketing is a valuable tool for businesses. It can help your businesses increase brand awareness, engagement and sales. It is important to narrow down your target audience and think about what you are providing that others cannot.

• What are you going to produce ?
• Who is your target consumer ?
• Is there demand for what you are planning to produce?
• What is the cost of production?
• How much will you sell it for and when do you expect to see profit ?
• How will you get your product to consumers ? What are the transportation costs and requirements?
• How will you market your products?
• Do you know the relevant federal, state, and local food safety regulations? What licensing do you need for your operation?

Today there are many types of land, tools, and resources to choose from. You will need to think about what you currently have and what you will need to obtain to achieve your goals.

• What resources do you have or will you need for your business?
• Do you already have access to farmland ? If not, do you plan to lease, rent, or purchase land?
• What equipment do you need?
• Is the equipment and real estate that you own or rent adequate to conduct your operation? If not, how do you plan to address those needs?
• Will you be implementing any conservation practices to sustain your operation?
• What types of workers will you need to operate the farm?
• What additional resources do you need?

Now that you have an idea of what you are going to provide and what you will need to run your operation you will need to consider the finances of your operation.

• How will you finance the business?
• What are your current assets (property or investments you own) and liabilities (debts, loans, or payments you owe)?
• Will the income you generate be sufficient to pay your operating expenses, living expenses, and loan payments?
• What other sources of income are available to supplement your business income?
• What business expenses will you incur?
• What family living expenses do you pay?
• What are some potential risks or challenges you foresee for your operation? How will you manage those risks?
• How will you measure the success of your business?

Farm Business Plan Worksheets

The Farm Business Plan Balance Sheet can help gather information for the financial and operational aspects of your plan.

Form FSA-2037 is a template that gathers information on your assets and liabilities like farm equipment, vehicles and existing loans.

• FSA-2037 - Farm Business Plan - Balance Sheet
• FSA-2037 Instructions

Planning for Conservation and Risk Management

Another key tool is a conservation plan, which determines how you want to improve the health of your land. A conservation plan can help you lay out your plan to address resource needs, costs and schedules.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff are available at your local USDA Service Center to help you develop a conservation plan for your land based on your goals. NRCS staff can also help you explore conservation programs and initiatives, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) .

Conservation in Agriculture

Crop insurance, whole farm revenue protection and other resources can help you prepare for unforeseen challenges like natural disasters.

Disaster Recovery

Special Considerations

Special considerations for businesses.

There are different types of farm businesses each with their own unique considerations. Determine what applies to your operation.

• Organic Farming  has unique considerations. Learn about organic agriculture , organic certification , and the  Organic Certification Cost Share Program  to see if an organic business is an option for you. NRCS also has resources for organic producers and offers assistance to develop a conservation plan.
• Urban Farming  has special opportunities and restrictions. Learn how USDA can help farmers in urban spaces .
• Value-Added Products . The Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC) is a national virtual resource center for value-added agricultural groups.
• Cooperative.  If you are interested in starting a cooperative, USDA’s Rural Development Agency (RD) has helpful resources to help you begin . State-based  Cooperative Development Centers , partially funded by RD, provide technical assistance and education on starting a cooperative.

Special Considerations for Individuals

Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers: We offer help for the unique concerns of producers who meet the USDA definition of "historically underserved,"  which includes farmers who are:

• socially disadvantaged
• limited resource
• military veterans

Women: Learn about specific incentives, priorities, and set asides for  women in agriculture within USDA programs.

Heirs' Property Landowners: If you inherited land without a clear title or documented legal ownership, learn how USDA can help Heirs’ Property Landowners gain access to a variety of programs and services

Business Planning

Creating a good business plan takes time and effort. The following are some key resources for planning your business.

• Farm Answers from the University of Minnesota features a library of how-to resources and guidance, a directory of beginning farmer training programs, and other sources of information in agriculture. The library includes business planning guides such as a Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses and an Example Business Plan .
• The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers information about starting, managing, and transitioning a business.

SCORE is a nonprofit organization with a network of volunteers who have experience in running and managing businesses. The Score Mentorship Program partners with USDA to provide:

• Free, local support and resources, including business planning help, financial guidance, growth strategies.
• Mentorship through one-on-one business coaching -- in-person, online, and by phone.
• Training from subject matter experts with agribusiness experience.
• Online resources and step-by-step outlines for business strategies.
• Learn more about the program through the Score FAQ .

Training Opportunities

Attend field days, workshops, courses, or formal education programs to build necessary skills to ensure you can successfully produce your selected farm products and/or services. Many local and regional agricultural organizations, including USDA and Cooperative Extension, offer training to beginning farmers.

• Cooperative Extension  offices address common issues faced by agricultural producers, and conduct workshops and educational events for the agricultural community.
• extension.org  is an online community for the Cooperative Extension program where you can find publications and ask experts for advice.

Now that you have a basic plan for your farm operation, prepare for your visit to a USDA service center.

2. Visit Your USDA Service Center

How to Start a Farm with USDA

Get an  overview of the beginning farmer's journey  or jump to a specific page below.

Find Your Local Service Center

USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.

Learn more about our Urban Service Centers . Visit the Risk Management Agency website to find a regional or compliance office  or to find an insurance agent near you.

Free Agriculture Sample Business Plan PDF + How to Write

Elon Glucklich

6 min. read

Updated February 7, 2024

Free Download:  Agriculture Business Plan Template

As a farmer, you’re in the business of putting food on the table. Agriculture is one of the world’s oldest professions.

Today it accounts for over 5% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product, and 1 in 10 American workers are in agriculture, food, and related industries.

But starting a new agriculture business requires intensive planning and upfront preparation. If you’re looking for a free, downloadable agriculture sample business plan PDF to help you create a business plan of your own, look no further.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to find a sample business plan that exactly matches your farm. Whether you’re launching a larger agricultural business outside a bustling city or a smaller organic operation, the details will be different, but the foundation of the plan will be the same. 

Are you writing a business plan for your farm because you’re seeking a loan? Is your primary concern outlining a clear path for sales growth? Either way, you’re going to want to edit and customize it so it fits your particular farm. 

No two agriculture farming businesses are alike.

For example, your strategy will be very different if you’re a dairy operation instead of a soybean farm. So take the time to create your own financial forecasts and do enough market research for your specific type of agriculture so you have a solid plan for success. 

• What should you include in an agriculture farm business plan?

Your agriculture business plan doesn’t need to be hundreds of pages—keep it as short and focused as you can. You’ll probably want to include each of these sections: 

1. Executive summary

An overview of your agriculture business, with a brief description of your products or services, your legal structure, and a snapshot of your future plans. While it’s the first part of the plan, it’s often easier to write your executive summary last.

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2. Business summary and funding needs

Details about your farming operation, including how much capital you will need and the types of funding you’re considering. Include your business history, your current state, and your future projections. It should also cover your business location, the equipment and facilities needed, and the kinds of crops or livestock you plan to raise.

3. Products and services

Provide details on the types of crops, farming methods, and any value-added products you plan to offer, such as finished goods or even  agritourism offerings .

4. Marketing plan

Compile your market research findings, including the demand for your products or services, your target customers , and your competitors. It should also outline your marketing strategy—how you plan to attract and retain customers. 

5. Financial plan

Your revenue projections, cost estimates, and break-even analysis. Your financial plan and forecasts should demonstrate that your business has a path to profitability.

• Building on your farm business plan sample

With a free agriculture business plan template as your starting point, you can start chipping away at the unique elements of your business plan.

As the business owner, only you can speak to aspects of your agriculture operation like your mission and core values.

You’re putting in the long hours to start a thriving farm business, so aspects of your mission – like a commitment to sustainable farming practices – will be best explained in your own words. Authenticity will help you connect with a growing market of consumers who value transparency and environmental stewardship in their food sources.

As for more conventional aspects of business planning , you will want to take on things like your marketing and financial plans one at a time. Here are a few specific areas to focus on when writing your business plan.

Invest time in market research

Starting an agriculture operation requires significant startup costs. When you throw in the unique land use considerations involved, it’s crucial to conduct thorough market research before investing hundreds of thousands – or even millions – of dollars into a farm business.

Start by researching the types of farms operating in your locality and wider region, and the specific crops or livestock they specialize in. You will need to understand seasonal trends, including crop yields and livestock productivity.

Note the demographics of the local community to understand their buying habits and preference for local produce. Also, be aware of the competitive landscape and how your farm can differentiate itself from others. All of this information will inform your service, pricing, marketing, and partnership strategy.

From there, you can outline how you plan to reach your target market and promote your farm’s offerings.

Craft your agriculture go-to-market strategy

One of the things that makes an agriculture farm business plan different from some service-based business plans is that you might decide to work only with one or two businesses that purchase your goods.  

You may offer different tiers of products to different types of buyers, such as produce for an organic farmers market, and corn for another farm’s animal feed. If that’s the case, make sure you include ideas like setting aside land for organic growth and maintenance.

Discuss your advertising and promotional strategies, emphasizing channels relevant to your target market. Also, consider how partnerships with local businesses, farmers’ markets, and other industry stakeholders can enhance your visibility.

Include your pricing strategy and any special promotions or loyalty programs. Also, consider public relations and media outreach efforts that can raise awareness about your farm and its sustainable practices.

Prepare for unique farming challenges

Running an agricultural business comes with its own set of challenges, including weather-related disruptions and market volatility. Your business plan should identify these potential risks and present contingency plans to address them.

Include a plan to mitigate weather-related risks, such as crop diversification, employing weather-resistant farming practices, investing in appropriate infrastructure like greenhouses or drainage systems, or taking out insurance to cover weather-related losses.

Detail the operational aspects of your business , including land ownership, employee status, farm maintenance, and safety requirements. Also, illustrate your strategies for managing crop production, livestock care, land stewardship, and regulatory compliance.

Plan for the future

Contingency planning is important in all businesses.

But the unique challenges in agriculture of changing market dynamics, regulatory changes, and climate impacts make it especially necessary to plan for the future. Detail how you’ll measure success, and how you will be prepared to adapt your offerings if you need to change the focus of the business due to factors outside your control.

Also, be ready to discuss opportunities for scaling your business over time, such as introducing new crops, expanding farm operations, or opening additional locations.

• Get started with your farm business plan sample

There are obviously plenty of reasons farm owners can benefit from writing a business plan — for example, you’ll need one if you’re seeking a loan or investment. Even if you’re not seeking funding, the process of thinking through every aspect of your business will help you make sure you’re not overlooking anything critical as you grow.

Download this  agriculture farm sample business plan PDF  for free right now, or visit  Bplans’ gallery of more than 550 sample business plans  if you’re looking for more options.

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

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• Business plans

Farm Business Plan

Used 5,069 times

Farm Business Plan gives an overview of the company, including corporation history, owner backgrounds, creations and more. Use this template to quickly develop your farm company plan.

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Farm Business Plan Template

Prepared by:

​ [Sender.FirstName] [Sender.LastName] ​

​ [Sender.Title] ​

​ [Sender.Phone] ​

​ [Sender.Email] ​

Executive Summary

​ [Sender.Company] is owned and operated by [Sender.FirstName] [Sender.LastName] .

​ [Sender.Company] produces and sells (product types, e.g., produce, pastured animals, herbs, etc.), and we also provide on-farm services including (service types, e.g., apple picking, events, produce stand, etc.).

The target audience for [Sender.Company] 's product will be local consumers and businesses whom we will target directly. To market to this audience, we plan to take advantage of public picking events, farmers' markets, and a roadside farm stand.

Future of the Farm

​ [Sender.Company] plans to turn our XX acres of farmland into a sustainable source of crops, pastured animals, and pollinators. We plan to use regenerative farming practices as much as possible and understand what management techniques work best for our acreage.

Additionally, we will have a large greenhouse and use season extension techniques to get more value out of our farmland.

To build a locally well-known brand and eventually expand our presence across the state.

To sell enough of our product to generate a positive cash flow, support the farm owners and staff, and pay back capital plus 15% interest to our investors.

To preserve and enhance our farmland so that it remains sustainable and we can continue to share the fruits of the land with others.

Follow a thorough 3-year business plan and reassess every year to ensure we remain on track.

Seek funding from our network of contacts and outside funders for start-up costs.

Execute a creative marketing plan that introduces our brand to our target market.

Company Description

Business address and contact.

​ [Sender.StreetAddress] , [Sender.City] , [Sender.State] [Sender.PostalCode] ​

​ [Sender.FirstName] [Sender.LastName] : [Sender.Phone] , [Sender.Email] ​

Principal Members

(Owner.FirstName) (Owner.LastName)

Qualifications/Experience

(number) years of experience as a farm hand at (farm name), plus an additional 5 years of experience as the farm manager

(Education)

(Operator.FirstName) (Operator.LastName)

(Experience)

Legal Structure

​ [Sender.Company] is a sole proprietorship.

Company Details

Our property is zoned for farm use, and we plan to use the land as follows:

X acres for pastured animals

X acres for produce

X acres for agritourism activities and events

Farm Assets

Greenhouse and propagation supplies

Farm stand (planned for 20XX)

Market Research

The demand for locally raised animals and grown produce is climbing at a rate of XX% per year and is expected to reach a total value of $XX billion by 20XX.

Consumer demand for free-range, pasture-raised animals is evidenced by farms like (name competitors) which have grown into valuations of (approximate company values) , respectively.

Regulations

​ [Sender.Company] is a licensed business in the State of [Sender.State] as of the year 20XX. We are in the process of applying for all of the necessary permits for constructing the farm stand, expanding the barn, and hosting on-site visitors to the farm.

Service Line

Product/service.

Services Include:

Pasture-raised animals

Produce cultivation

Public apple picking

Public hay maze

Special event packages

Marketing & Sales

Customer communications.

​ [Sender.Company] will communicate with its customers by:

Interacting with customers in-person via farmers markets, the farm stand, and through the leveraging of networking events.

Building an active social media presence on Instagram and TikTok.

Advertising agritourism activities like apple picking, hay mazes, farm trails, and other events.

Creating SEO-friendly blog posts on the company website to increase online presence.

Establishing listings with the local tourism board and activity guides.

Sales Strategy

​ [Sender.Company] 's product will be sold primarily in the (region) . The farm is located on a road with extensive car traffic, so we plan to build a farm stand on the property to capture attention and drive sales.

We also plan to build a social media presence and leverage local advertising to drive awareness of our brand. We will also attend farmers' markets within the region to meet customers face-to-face and build relationships.

Five-year plan

Year One: 20XX

Create a legal business entity

Apply for necessary licenses and permits.

Finalize farm layout.

Procure additional equipment.

Establish social media profiles.

Build a small farm stand.

Attend farmer's markets.

Year Two: 20XX

(List goals for year two)

Year Three: 20XX

Year Four: 20XX

Year Five: 20XX

​ [Recipient.FirstName] [Recipient.LastName] ​

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12: Business Plans

What is a business plan.

A business plan is a document that helps you to organize and succinctly summarize the vision you have for your business. The plan contains the operational and financial objectives of a business, the detailed plans and budgets showing how the objectives are to be realized.

A good business plan will contain the following:

• Your business vision, mission statement, key values, and goals
• Description of the product(s) you intend to produce
• Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats the business may experience are described
• Production plans
• Marketing plans
• Estimated start-up costs
• Information on your legal structure and management team
• Current financial statements or projected financial statements.
• Resume or brief explanation of your background and relevant experience
• Less than 10 total pages so that people actually read it

Helpful Publications for Writing a Business Plan

General Business Resource Publications:

• Starting an Ag-Business? A Pre-Planning Guide http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2004/Cornell_AEM_eb0408.pdf
• Business Transfer Guide: Junior Generation http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2016/Cornell-Dyson-eb1605.pdf
• Producing a Business Plan for Value-Added Agriculture http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2007/Cornell_AEM_eb0708.pdf
• Business Planning for the Agriculture Sector: A Guide to Business Plan Development for Start-up to Mid-size Operations http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2010/Cornell_ pdf
• Building a Sustainable Business (Sustainable Agricultural Research Education (SARE)Publications) sare.org/publications/business.htm 280 pages of education and practical exercises to guide you through the financial, management, and interpersonal skills needed to start a successful farm business. Order hard copy for $17 or download PDF online for free.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Publications for Specific Commodities:

• Landscape Business Planning Guide http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2003/Cornell_AEM_eb0313.pdf
• Writing a Business Plan: A Guide for Small Premium Wineries http://publications.dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/extensionpdf/2002/Cornell_AEM_eb0206.pdf
• Writing a Business Plan: An Example for a Small Premium Winery https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/122203/2/Cornell_AEM_eb0207.pdf

Getting Help Writing a Business Plan

Farm Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Business Plan Outline

• Farm Business Plan Home
• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Company Overview
• 3. Industry Analysis
• 4. Customer Analysis
• 5. Competitive Analysis
• 6. Marketing Plan
• 7. Operations Plan
• 8. Management Team
• 9. Financial Plan

Farm Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your farm business plan.

We have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their farms.

Below are links to each section of a small farm business plan template. It can be used to create a vegetable farm business plan, fruit farm business plan, agriculture farm business plans or many other types of rural businesses.

Sample Business Plan For Farms & Agricultural Businesses

• Executive Summary – The Executive Summary is the most important part of your business plan. It is a brief description of your farm, its products and services, potential market opportunity, and competitive advantage.
• Company Overview – Also called the Company Analysis, here, you will provide a detailed description of your agriculture business history, its products and other services, and business structure.
• Industry Analysis – In the Industry Analysis, you will provide an in-depth analysis of the industry in which your farm operates including industry trends, market size and growth, and government regulations.
• Customer Analysis – In the Customer Analysis, you will identify your target market and provide insights into their purchasing habits. You will also create customer segments and discuss your marketing strategy for reaching them.
• Competitive Analysis – In the Competitive Analysis, you will identify your direct competition and provide insights into their strengths and weaknesses. You will also discuss your competitive advantage and how you plan to stay ahead of the competition.
• Marketing Plan – The Marketing Plan includes a discussion of your marketing strategy and tactics along with your pricing strategy. You will also provide a budget for your marketing activities including attending farmers’ markets or advertising a farm stand.
• Operations Plan – In the Operations Plan, you will discuss your farm’s day-to-day operations. You will also provide your business goals that you plan to achieve and a budget for your operating expenses.
• Management Team – In this section, you will provide a brief overview of the farm owners and farm management team, their experience in the agricultural industry, and the organizational chart.
• Financial Plan – In this section, you will provide three-year financial statements for your farm. This will include your income statements, projected balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Farm Business Plan FAQs

What is a farm business plan.

A farm business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your farm business. Among other things, a good agriculture farm business plan outlines your business concept, identifies your target audience , presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can  easily complete your farm business plan using our Farm Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Types of Farms?

There are many types of farms. Some have commercial farms that produce crops and agricultural products for sale. Others have cooperative farms owned by people who pool their resources together and share profits among themselves. There are also vegetable farms, dairy, micro, organic, poultry, subsistence, or urban farms.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenues and Expenses for a Farm?

The primary source of revenue for a farm is the sale of its farmed goods such as rice, corn, milk, beef, chicken, depending on the kind of farm a business is.

Some key expenses for a farm are labor expenses, production costs like irrigation, fertilizer, water, and machinery maintenance.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Agriculture Business?

Farm business plans often receive funding from bank loans. Financing is also typically available from grants offered by local and state governments. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are other funding options. This is true for starting any agricultural business.

What are the Steps To Start a Farm Business?

Starting a farming business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

• Develop An Agricultural Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed agriculture business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  It should also include your business goals and mission statement. You can quickly complete your farm business plan using our Farm Business Plan Template here .
• Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your farm business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your farm business is in compliance with local laws.
• Register Your Agriculture Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your farm business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 
• Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your farm business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 
• Choose a Business Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 
• Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 
• Acquire Necessary Farm Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your agricultural business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 
• Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your farm business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful farm business and agribusiness planning:

• How to Start a Farm Business

Where Can I Get a Farm Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free farm business plan template PDF here . This is a good farm business plan template you can use in PDF format.

Farm Business Plan

Most entrepreneurs are terrified of planning. But this can be a different scenario for you.  A farming business can be more successful if you will develop a farm  business plan . Not only will you set the steps that you need to follow to achieve your goals, but you can also become more prepared with the risks. More so, your  strategic plans  will help you develop a mission statement that will guide you through. So, are you ready for this? Below,we provide you a farm business plan examples that you can look into as a guide.

20+ Farm Business Plan Examples

1. farm business plan template.

• Google Docs

Size: A4 & US

2. Animal Farm Business Plan Template

3. Agriculture Business Plan Template

4. Dairy Farm Business Plan Template

Size: A4, US

5. Vegetable Farming Business Plan Example

6. Farm Business Plan Template Example

• Apple Pages

Size: 21 KB

7. Farm Business Plan Template

Size: US, A4

8. Partnership Business Plan for Farm Management Example

Size: 619 KB

9. Farm Business Planning Model Example

10. Community Farm Business Plan Example

11. Small Farm Business Planning Example

Size: 782 KB

12. Agricultural Business Plan Guidelines Example

13. Organic Farm Business Plan Example

Size: 369 KB

14. Farm business Succession Plan Example

Size: 3007 KB

15. Dairy Farm Business Plan Example

16. Farm Partnership Business Plan Example

17. Farm Business Planning Example

Size: 736 KB

18. Simple Farm Business Plan Example

19. Agri-Business Plan for a Farm Example

Size: 270 KB

20. Agricultural Farm Business Plan Example

Size: 515 KB

21. Farm Business Plan Example

Size: 153 KB

What Is a Farm Business Plan?

A farm business plan is an excellent organizational and business material that you can use for a variety of purposes. All you must do is to be familiar with  business plan guidelines  and the basics of farm business management so you can already identify the specific business plan document that you need.

Importance of a Farm Business Plan

Have you ever been to a hotel where you can see each process’s organization from the welcoming of guests up to their check-out procedures? One of the planning documents that provide a contribution to that organization is a  hotel operational business plan . This can be compared to the usage of a farm business plan if you want to ensure that the operations of your farm business are laid out properly. According to a gathered  analysis  published by Noble Research Institute,  the advantages of a farm business plan  includes an easy application to loans. It can also promote solidarity within the farm business’s stakeholders. This is relatively substantial, especially for every small business in the agricultural industry.

How To Create a Farm Business Plan

Creating your farm business plan can be easier if you will refer to helpful agriculture business plan examples. But aside from the items mentioned above, there are still some items that can make it more efficient for you to develop an outstanding, complete, and organized farm business  plan . Some of these tips and guidelines are all listed below.

1. Begin with a Realistic Plan

To begin with, always start by visualizing your ideas. After that, you can now proceed with outlining your goals and objectives. Remember to make it as realistic as possible. Come up with measurable and obtainable plans. This should include  proposals ,  marketing , and budget . Truly, there is no easy business. So, plan long-term, and everything else will follow.

2. Provide an Executive Summary

Next, you have to learn how to write an  executive summary  for your business plan. Especially for farm business startups, an executive summary is one of the parts of the farm business plan that will be first seen by your target audience. Make it as appealing and as presentable as possible so you can already get positive responses and impressions. But remember, don’t make it too long and invite confusion from readers. Make it precise as much as possible.

3. Set an Action Plan

What could be the necessary steps to do in achieving your goals? Here, you have to outline your  action plans . It should be relevant to your objectives. Therefore, they must align. You can also set a  schedule  to follow. This helps you cope with your daily tasks while keeping it on time. Another thing to remember is to make it attainable for everyone in the organization.

4. Present the Values and Benefits

make sure that your farm business plan can present your business values. It should be a reflection of your identity, brand,  mission statement , and image as a business. These characteristics can set you apart from your competition. It can promote memory retention, which is an excellent way for you to remain relevant and memorable in the marketplace where the farm business belongs.

5. Proofread the Plan

Don’t propose it right away. But make sure that you check your content from the cover page down to the last pages. Is your budget for the business plan considerable? Can your members achieve success in no time? It is essential to check it first before using it for actual scenarios. This helps you come up with an excellent  report  later on.

FAQ’s

How much is a typical business plan.

The price of a business plan depends on the agency that creates it. But in most cases, it reaches up to $15,000 for a complete plan.

Is a business plan necessary?

A business plan is a necessity if you take a look at the bigger picture when it comes to finances and projects. This helps you accomplish more than what you imagine for your business.

What are the two primary elements of a business plan?

Among the various elements of a business plan, the executive summary and market analysis are standard.

Again, feeling overwhelmed with everything that you need to consider when developing a farm business plan is normal. However, you should make sure that you will not be carried away so you can focus on the items that can help you give the farm business a boost in productivity, efficiency, sales, visibility, and leads. Be mindful of how you will develop farm planning strategies. Also, see how an effective one can improve your farm business’s overall operations . So, get ready with your  document  and follow the list of steps above.

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We have come a long way since the homestead days of our great grandfathers. Back then, families fresh from leaving one European country or another wanted nothing more than the promise of vast American lands since this is after all, the land of the free.

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Mission Statement

1. executive summary, 2. company summary, 3. product and sales, 4. market and competitive analysis, 5. sales forecast and marketing tactics, laws and regulations for your product or service, riverdale-farm-business-plan.

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Cabinet Approves Rs 13,966 Crore For Agriculture Sector Initiatives Including Digital Agri Mission

• New Delhi ,
• Sep 03, 2024,
• Updated Sep 03, 2024, 1:11 PM IST

The Union Cabinet has approved seven pivotal agricultural projects, collectively valued at Rs 13,966 crore, aimed at revolutionizing India's agricultural sector. Announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, these projects focus on advancing agricultural research, promoting digital farming, and enhancing sustainable practices. Key initiatives include the Digital Agri Mission with a budget of Rs 2,817 crore, a Rs 3,979 crore plan for food and nutritional security, and a Rs 2,291 crore Agri Education and Management Plan. Additionally, the Cabinet has approved a Horticulture Plan worth Rs 860 crore, a Rs 1,202 crore initiative to strengthen Krishi Vigyan Kendra, a Rs 1,115 crore plan for Natural Resource Management, and a significant Rs 1,702 crore Livestock Health Management and Production Plan.

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Lesson Plan

Aug. 29, 2024, 2:01 p.m.

7 resources for teaching about Labor Day

Updated on August 29, 2024

Looking for powerful Labor Day lesson plans and resources? Help students understand the history of the labor movement and its current relevance at home and around the world. Checkout NewsHour's website Journalism in Action on how journalists covered the role of civic engagement in U.S. history, including units on Exploitation: Labor and Immigration and the Muckrakers .

1. Lesson plan: Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire and migrant farm workers

Take a look at these primary sources of the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist factory of 1911 and the hardships migrant workers have faced in the U.S. for decades. Be sure to check out the political cartoon activity that follows the lesson above here .

Screenshot of New-York Tribune. March 26, 1911 via Journalism in Action

Screenshot from New-York Tribune. March 26, 1911 via PBS NewsHour Classroom's Journalism in Action

2. Lesson Plan: Dolores Huerta — a lifetime of activism

Learn about Dolores Huerta’s role as a labor leader, organizer and activist beginning with the California grape strike and boycott in 1965.

Press conference with the UFW leadership, Dolores Huerta, Richard César Chávez, and Rick Tejada-Flores, 1972. Photo Credit: Farmworker Movement Documentation Project

3. Lesson plan: How the Amazon Labor Union was formed

Learn more about the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) and the role of the news media in covering unionizing efforts.

“This campaign should be the most talked about campaign in the country. … We’re talking about workers. Workers from the bottom who have nothing.” — Christian Smalls, president, Amazon Labor Union

Screenshot of Christian Smalls, president of the Amazon Labor Union, taken in March 20, 2022 on Krystal, Kyle & Friends. Credit: Krystal, Kyle & Friends

4. Mini-lessons on the muckrakers and the Progressive Era

Using Journalism in Action , NewsHour Classroom's website on the history of journalism in America, take a closer look at the harsh conditions facing workers in the U.S. as reported by the muckrakers (journalists in the Progressive Era who exposed corruption and wrongdoing in business, housing and factories at the turn of the 19th century).

Ida Tarbell and Standard Oil (2 activities)

Upton Sinclair and the meatpacking industry

Jacob Riis and living conditions in NYC's tenement housing

5. Lesson Plan: Role of labor unions today and in the past

United Auto Workers, Aramark workers carry strike signs while picketing outside the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. September 15, 2019. Photo by Rebecca Cook/Reuters

6. Student activity: For Labor Day, explore this labor/management negotiation scenario

Use this lesson to engage students in the basics of labor negotiations through the lens of professional sports and a simulation activity that puts students in the seat of negotiators.

Supporters of the California Grape Boycott demonstrate in Toronto, Ontario, December, 1968. Credit: "United Farm Workers Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

7. Student activity: The global effort in making a t-shirt

NPR’s Planet Money decided to make a t-shirt and follow the process of its creation around the globe. This lesson plan takes your class along for the ride by interspersing activities with NPR’s exciting video tour around the world.

Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning.

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