Farm Business Management for Local Food Farmers
The Farm Business Management for Local Food Farmers program is a new offering specifically designed for local food farmers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Local food farmers work one-on-one with a specialist to improve their farm’s financial management skills with the goal of increasing each farmer’s financial knowledge and success.
The Farm Business Management (FBM) program is designed BY experienced local food farmers FOR local food farmers: the FBM specialists know farming as a business and a lifestyle.
Most farmers don’t enjoy bookkeeping. But good financial records are a key part of being a successful farm business. Being a part of Renewing the Countryside's FBM program will help you improve your financial skills, make better management decisions, access loans for equipment and land, and receive professional analysis on your farm’s financial records.
If you are interested in participating in the Farm Business Management Program, please fill out the intake form here.
What You Receive as a Farm Business Management Participant:
- Monthly recordkeeping
- Setting up accounting system & chart of accounts (if needed)
- End of year financial analysis: balance sheet, cash flow, FINAN (financial analysis)
- Lending help
- Connect to Renewing The Countryside resources and broader support network
- Professionalize your operation/business planning
- Specialists with real production experience
What is Farm Business Management for Local Food Farmers?
- Work one-on-one with a specialist on your farm financial goals
- On-site and virtual instruction
- Monthly visits focused on record keeping, financial analysis, and production
- Lending navigation
- Connect to resources and support
- Specialists have extensive farm experience and knowledge
Who We Work With:
- Produce & Livestock farmers
- Orchards & Vineyards
- Flower farmers
- Value-added food producers
- Fiber producers
- Agritourism enterprises
* Don’t fit into the above categories or have questions if the program is a good fit for your farm business? Reach out to us to have a conversation!*
Free/Low Cost Services & Scholarships Available!
Renewing the Countryside actively fundraises to make this program affordable for farmers, another way that our program is unique and tailored to small-scale farmers. We are an approved Farm Business Management program for farmers participating in the Minnesota Rural Finance Authority loans and tax credit program. We will work with you to obtain scholarships so that your out-of-pocket fee is no more than $0-$300 annually.
Meet Renewing the Countryside's Farm Business Management Specialists:
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Erik Heimark [email protected] Erik has been a Farm Business Management Specialist since 2022, and has over 10 years managing his own farm, Maple Ridge Produce. His background is in education, having taught as a High School Agriculture Teacher and college Farm Business Management Instructor. |
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Laura Cullip [email protected] Laura is a long time organic vegetable farmer and farm educator with a strong farm business background, certified as a Farm Business Specialist in 2025. Laura co-owned Loon Organics Farm in Hutchinson, MN for 20 years, is a Land Access Navigator, and works as a MDA Farm Advocate with emerging farmers. Laura speaks conversational Spanish. |
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Nura Ahmed [email protected] Nura Ahmed is a third-generation farmer, nurse, and community leader dedicated to food justice, land access, and immigrant empowerment. Since 2014, she has supported home gardeners and immigrant farmers in building sustainable farm businesses while serving as Frogtown Food Distribution Coordinator, Land Access Navigator, and Assistant Director at Kilimo African Immigrant Farmer Health Assistance. Fluent in English and Arabic, with a nursing degree from Upper Nile University, she bridges health, food, and cultural equity. Her leadership and commitment to resilience were especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she continued cultivating Frogtown Farm to feed her community. |
