Agricultural Business Training Program (ABTP)
The nature of agriculture in Massachusetts is rapidly changing. Today's agricultural climate favors farm owners and managers who develop innovative approaches and adaptable plans that :
- Emphasize diverse and retail driven markets to distribute risk and net better returns
- Focus on loans and/or personal investment through realistic financial planning and record keeping
- Provide for a living wage and rewarding work for family members and key employees that keeps them involved in the business and improves stability
- Map ways to work as partners within the regulatory requirements of Commonwealth and the municipalities in which the farms are located
MDAR's Agricultural Business Training Program responds to these and other planning needs through training and technical assistance. More than 400 agricultural enterprises have completed an MDAR planning program. We offer three formats for different stages of farm development (before completing an application, please review the individual course descriptions for relevance and pre-requisites):
- Course Description: For pre-venture and just beginning farmers still trying to decide on their basic early ideas – a five session course: - "Exploring Your Small Farm Dream"
- Course Description: For those a step beyond Explorer who have established access to land and a business framework driven by a clear sense of what they want and are capable of doing, but who do not yet have financial records showing farm cash flow and profitable/non-profit intent – a six session course: "Planning for Startup".
- Course Description:: For existing agricultural enterprises with at least two years of income generating operation and farm recordkeeping. TTS participants are seeking an in-depth tune-up and are preparing to make new investment and/or prepare for expanded operation – a 10 session course "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity".
|
