September 26, 2022 - 1:22pm -- cotten.12@osu.edu

This college is designed to help landowners examine potential ways to increase profits on their small acreage properties. The program is open to all new or aspiring farmers, new rural landowners, small farmers, and farm families looking for new ideas.

During this college, participants will be challenged to develop realistic expectations for their new farm business. They will receive information on getting started, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of their property, and developing a farm business plan. Information on farm finances, insurance, liability, labor, and marketing will be covered during the college.

The college will take place across three class dates from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the following topics:

Oct 24th - Getting Started on Your New Farm Business

  • Develop real-life expectations for your farm.
  • Examining the available resources and opportunities for your property.
  • Developing a farm business plan, including setting your family and farm mission, goals, and objectives.
  • An introduction to marketing and selling agricultural products.

Oct 31st - Money, Money, Money! Managing your Farm Finances

  • Develop a family and farm balance sheet.
  • Using enterprise budgets to project farm income.
  • Recordkeeping for farm businesses and farm taxes.
  • Managing family and farm income and expenses.

Nov 7th - There's More to Farming than Just Growing Stuff! Farm Management for New Farms

  • Setting up your farm business, including choosing a business entity and obtaining employer identification numbers..
  • Farm taxes
  • Obtaining farm financing.
  • Insurance and liability for farms.
  • Licenses and permits needed for a small farm business.
  • Employer responsibilities related to farm labor and labor laws.

Farm Tour (Date & Location TBD)
Each site host will be planning a farm tour so participants can visit a successful local farming operation to learn how they started and what they have learned during the development of their farm business.

Cost: $30 for the first person and $15 for each additional person
Location: 2 options; Greene County or Coshocton County
Two Methods to Register: online with a credit card at go.osu.edu/smallfarmcollegereg or complete the registration form and mail it with a check to the site host for the location you plan to attend.

Registration is limited to 50 participants at each location. The registration deadline is October 17th.