Farm Business Management Search Terms

The following is a list of farm business management terms used to index Resources and Learning searches.

Agricultural Finance: The range of loan options available for investment in a farm operation.

Agritourism: Any agriculturally based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch.

Apprentice/Intern Training: Managing and creating valuable learning experiences for interns and apprentices.

Business Planning: The process of developing a formal plan that details the goals of a farm operation and how they will be achieved.

Community Supported Agriculture: A community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Also called a CSA.

Cooperatives: An organization formed for the purpose of producing and marketing goods or products owned collectively by members who share in the benefits.

E-Commerce: The sale of agricultural products via the internet.

Farm Succession: The process where ownership and management of a farm's assets are transferred to a succeeding operator, such as a family member.

Farmers’ Markets/Farm Stands: Includes sales directly to consumers through farmers' markets and stands.

Farm-to-School/Institution: The sale of agricultural products to schools, hospitals and other institutions.

Feasibility Study: An analysis of a new business venture that seeks to determine its likelihood for success.

Financial Management: Includes risk management, budgeting, finance and other topics.

Grantmaking: For materials about SARE grants and other funding sources.

Labor/Employment: Human resources topics related to farm labor.

Land Access: The opportunity to purchase or lease land to start or expand a farming operation.

Market Study: An analysis of the available marketing opportunities for agricultural products.

Marketing Management: Includes direct marketing, institutional channels and other topics.

New Enterprise Development: Any farm-based venture that adds a new income stream.

Risk Management: The process an organization undertakes to minimize financial, health or other risks by identifying potential hazards or adverse effects and by planning for and handling incidents which do occur in such a manner that their effect and cost are minimized.

Sales to Retail/Restaurants: Includes wholesale distribution from a farm to restaurants and grocery stores.

Value Added: The enhancement given a product or service represented by the final value of the product minus the value of all intermediate inputs.

Whole Farm Planning: An approach to planning that takes into consideration all of the economic, environmental and quality of life goals of a farm operation.