Webinar Schedule and Participants' Guide
Webinar Dates
In 2025, this course will be offered live for 6-weeks on Mondays from 6:00 – 8:00 PM (Eastern) from February 24 – March 31. While we encourage live attendance, so you have the opportunity to engage with presenters and ask questions, all webinars are recorded and posted in the online classroom to watch anytime. Once enrolled in this course, you will retain access to all materials indefinitely, and can return to participate in the live webinars in future offerings of the course if you wish. Join us!
To access the webinars during our next live session, you will simply need to click on the webinar join link that is posted in the Weekly Resources section of this course. This link only works on the appointed day and time for the webinar, so while you can try clicking it sooner, it won't open the webinar meeting for you.
You may also join our webinars from a mobile device by installing the official Zoom app from your preferred app store. Then, when it's time for a webinar, simply open your Zoom app and enter the 9-digit meeting ID that will be posted along with the webinar link.
Weekly Topics
Week 1: Getting Started on a Farm Business Plan
In week one, we'll start with introductions and an overview of the course. We will review the business plan template, and students will start working on their individual plan.
Week 2: Mission Statements & Goal Setting
In week two, we'll move into the business plan's Mission Statement, Goal Statements, and Vision Statements. We will also discuss cash flow planning for farm business.
Week 3: Business Organization & Tactical Planning
This week we'll cover business organization and common farm business structures. We'll also discuss farm start-up and management.
Week 4: Farm Startup & Enterprise Budgets
This week we'll further discuss budgets, as well as marketing planning and how to find markets.
Week 5: Projecting Income & Expenses
This week we'll be creating balance sheets for business plans, and will discuss business development planning.
Week 6: Working with Lenders
This week we'll answer the question: what are lenders looking for? We'll discuss income statements and other financial measures.
Week 7: Grants, Loans and Other Sources of Financing
This week we'll wrap-up the course with a discussion of "I Wrote a Business Plan. Now What?"
Zoom Participants' Guide
Review the document below for more detailed instructions on how to use the webinar technology.