Agricultural Business Training Program (ABTP)
| NOTE: All Ag Business Training Program courses for Winter 2010 are currently started or in wait list. If you are interested in these courses for next year, please give us your contact information now (including address and phone number as well as email), and tell us which course interests you most. We will then give you priority and notify you as soon as the next round of courses is scheduled. Please send to; Rick Chandler at rick.chandler@state.ma.us |
The nature of agriculture in Massachusetts is rapidly changing from larger farms raising a single wholesale crop to smaller farms raising multiple retail crops. Today's agricultural climate favors farm owners and managers who develop flexible business plans that address:
- Reaching/keeping markets in innovative ways that distribute risk and net them better returns
- Supporting loans and/or personal investment over time through careful financial planning and monitoring
- Providing a living wage and rewarding work for family members and key employees that keeps them on the land
- Working effectively as partners with the towns in which they are located
MDAR's Agricultural Business Training Program (ABTP) responds to these and other planning needs of farmers, through training and technical assistance . So far more than 350 farms have completed an MDAR sponsored business planning program tailored to their own particular versions of Massachusetts agriculture.
- Course Description: For beginning and pre-venture farmers -"Exploring Your Small Farm Dream" Participation in the course has reached its capacity for 2010. No further applications are being accepted.
- Course Description: For existing agricultural enterprises seeking an in-depth tune-up - NxLevel’s "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity".
Participation in the course has reached its capacity for 2010. No further applications are being accepted.
|
