BF 102: Exploring Markets and Profits

Testing the Feasibility of Your Farming Ideas

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Testing the Feasibility of Your Farming Ideas

Have an idea for a farm enterprise but not sure if it’s feasible? This course will help you explore the potential markets and profitability of your ideas, picking up where BF 101: Starting at Square One left off. (You do NOT have to take BF 101 before taking BF 102).

Target Audience

Beginner – Aspiring farmers who are actively planning farm start-up. Beginning farmers in their first few years who are looking for some help exploring marketing, development of budgets, and tools to help achieve profitability. This is an intro-level course that is designed to be taken after BF 101. You do not have to take BF 101 before taking BF 102, however, you will likely get more out of BF 102 if you go into it with some existing knowledge of the concepts and terminology commonly used in business planning.

Course Objectives

This course will help you:

  • Begin developing a business plan
  • Explore parts of a marketing plan
  • Explore market channels and concepts for selling your product
  • Begin to develop enterprise budgets and understand the potential for profitability with selected agricultural products

Webinars

The bulk of the course happens on your own time, with discussions, readings, and assignments in Teachable, our virtual classroom. To add to the experience, webinars will be woven into the online interface of the course to allow you to meet on a weekly basis for 6 weeks each year to learn from presenters and ask questions in real time. If you miss one, they are always recorded and posted for later viewing.

Webinars

In 2025, this course will be offered live for 6-weeks on Thursdays from 6:00 – 7:30 PM (Eastern) from January 16 – February 20. 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!


Your Instructor


Katelyn Walley
Katelyn Walley

Katelyn Walley is the Farm Business Management Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program. She works on programming related to financial management, business summaries, production economics, business planning, and market analysis while also working to identify the needs of the region and address issues impacting SWNY agriculture. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science and Agribusiness Management from Cornell University and her Master’s Degree in Adult Learning from SUNY Empire State College and has worked for CCE since 2014. Katelyn also owns and operates Stoll Family Farm along with her chaotic four kiddos in Cattaraugus, NY where they raise diversified livestock and field crops, and make homemade baked goods and farm crafts. In her free time, Katelyn also writes on topics related to motherhood on the farm and mental health and leads a large 4-H Club (Gather & Grow).


Student Testimonials

“Marketing might be the hardest and most important skill in beginning a farm, and so learning about some of the different ways to go about this was invaluable to me as I start my own farm.”
“I liked the ability to participate live or go back and watch at a later time, and still have access to contacting the instructors with any questions.”
“The course helped me realize the extent of knowledge I need before I begin.”

Course Curriculum


  General Course Resources
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  Week 1: Planning
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  Week 2: Marketing
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  Week 3: Sales
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  Week 4: Financial Statements
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  Week 5: Budgets
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  Week 6: Wrapping Up
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Courses Included with Purchase



Plan Your Farm
Free Tutorials to Get Started Planning a Small Farm Business
Erica Frenay
FREE

Original Price: $0


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course officially starts on the date given above, when the instructors get involved and begin hosting live weekly webinars. If you are registering after the webinars have concluded for the year, you will have immediate access to all the course materials, and will be able to participate in the next year's webinars if you choose to.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 7 days and we will give you a full refund.

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