Business Planning Opportunities

The Economic Viability Program is happy to announce our new Business Planning Program partnership with the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE). Funding through our program will be providing all WAC participants access to one-on-one technical assistance to develop a new business plan or update and existing one, work on a new business strategic direction, and/or developing a farm transition plan. Whatever your needs, we are here to help!

Elements of the one-on-one support include and are not limited to:
• executive summary
• mission/vision statements
• business description
• SWOT analysis
• market analysis
• marketing plan
• operations plan
• management summary
• financial plan & analysis

Your participation in our programs also includes access to The Farm and Food Business Incubator Winter Business Planning Workshop Series happening at the end of this month at the eCenter, 5 1/2 Main St, Delhi, NY.

January 27 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
The first in a series of three business planning workshops, this session will focus in on the purpose and elements of your business plan and how best to approach building a three-year plan for your agricultural business. We will address the importance of the plan and work together through an outline to create the content. By breaking the plan down into its simplest form, we will make the process less daunting. A good business plan should not be complicated. We’ll focus on what’s important and give you the tools to continue developing your plan following the workshop.

February 3 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
The second in a series of three business-planning workshops, this session will help you create your agricultural business’ marketing plan. We will examine your products, how you sell them and whom you sell them to and think through the best ways to connect with these customers. This session will include an overview of brand and messaging creation, packaging, online and social marketing, as well as relationship and collaborative marketing. Participants will leave with a better understanding of how to reach your customers and the tools to help build your approach.

February 10 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
The final in a series of three business-planning workshops, this session
will simplify your financial planning and give you the tools to create one-to-three year projections based on the goals you established in the previous two workshops. We will look at your potential income based on your products and marketing plan and break down the expenses that your business will incur to operate. If you are planning to apply for funding, we will look at the financial implications of your proposed project to your financials. Participants will leave with financial worksheets that can be packaged to comprise your business’ financial plan.

All are welcome to attend, and registration is required.

Contact [email protected] or call (607) 433-2545 for more information.