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.

Farm Business Basics Class

As part of our Farm Business Management program, you are able to participate in Renewing the Countryside's Farm Business Basics Class. The Farm Business Basics Class is a weekly online course on Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m. from January - March. The class will help you prepare and refine your farm's business plan.  It is designed for local food farmers, and will feature weekly guest speakers in the local food and farming world.  
January 4 - March 29 (No Class on MLK Day, Jan. 18)

Presentation Day: Sunday, April 4, 2027 from 1-5 p.m. at Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River, MN

Please fill out this form if you are interested in signing up for the class. The cost of this course is $500 and then you will be enrolled in our FBM program for 2027.  If you are already signed up as a Farm Business Management clients with us, the cost of this course is included. We have scholarships available for urban farmers in MN. Interpreters can be provided for students that need it. Our class size is limited to 40 slots and we will finalize enrollment by November 2026. Sign up soon!

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: