Guide To Farm Business Planning Finger Lakes

By Ines Flores


Planning is very important for success of any business. Assessing the feasibility of an agricultural enterprise is the first step to developing a business plan. The plan should not just be drawn, but put into practice for it to be of help to the farmer. Determining what to grow and how to sell it are the first steps in starting a agricultural-based business. The plan should be simple, realistic, complete and specific. The tips below are vital when formulating farm business planning Finger Lakes.

Use the plan, to set goals you want to achieve. These goals should be specific, measurable. Realistic, achievable and time bound. Many financial institutions will want to see a budget before they agree to offer any credit. This is because the lenders use records to assess whether an enterprise is financially sound. The goals may be set to be achieved within a year or a period from two years onwards.

Go for goals that are realistic. Consequently, the dates and objectives should be in tandem with the operation of the farming business. Formulate simplified goals, which are easy to read and understand even by other not so learned people. However, the goals keep on changing as the business grows thus review and analyze the plan regularly.

Get a mission for the farm. The mission statement should incorporate the objectives of the public, customer's, employees, owner's and financial institutions. Let the mission statement give a highlight on the reasons for the existence of the business its use and the direction it will take. Plan for aspects like production, financial, human resource and marketing. Let the plan cover details from planting to harvesting.

Financial statements are important in helping assess the overall success and profitability of your enterprise. The statements are prepared at the end of the financial year. The balance sheet will show how much your agricultural enterprise is worth. The records are used for future reference by lenders when processing of a loan. Use the current rates to assess your assets and liabilities. In addition, factor in depreciation of machinery and tools where applicable.

Prepare an income statement to show whether the farm business is running at a profit or a loss. The statement covers a given accounting period, usually one calendar year. You may use the cash or accrual method to prepare the statement. However, using the accrual method shows the true financial position of a farm.

Implementation of the plan will set your business apart from others. There is marketing of the products, which is vital to the profitability, and viability of the land. During the implementation phase, you will realize that some strategies are not feasible to work out. Such should be revised or discarded.

Farming unlike other businesses has many risks and uncertainties, most of which are natural. This may lead to exit from the enterprise. Thus, it is critical to have an exit strategy. Though a farmer might be reluctant to quit, at times it is the best reason for your farm and your family. Primary causes of exit are death of the farmer, terminal illness, and demise of a partner in the enterprise, financial problems and old age.




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