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Agricultural Business Training Program (ABTP)

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:

1. Reaching/keeping markets in innovative ways that distribute risk and net them better returns
2. Supporting loans and/or personal investment over time through careful financial planning and monitoring
3. Providing a living wage and rewarding work for family members and key employees that keeps them on the land
4. 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 300 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" [PDF] - Coming soon for '2009. Click here for application [PDF].

• Course Description; For existing agricultural enterprises seeking an in-depth tune-up - NxLevel’s "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity" [PDF] Click here for application [PDF]

Related links

Bureau of Markets

Farm Viability Enhancement Program