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  • Beginning Farmer

Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises

Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises

Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

Nearly a third of Florida’s farmers have been farming for less than 10 years, and are therefore considered beginning farmers and ranchers (USDA, 2012). Running a successful farm operation takes long and short term planning, creativity and a supportive community. National and State statistics show our farming population is approaching retirement so Florida needs beginning farmers! 

The Florida Cooperative Extension Service is in every Florida County and has staff with a breadth of experience. We provide training for farmers, but also for market managers, crop advisors, and food entrepreneurs. Our extension team is ready to help you with:

  • On-site and face to face meetings
  • Hands-on classes including livestock, crop production, farm food safety and networking opportunities. Check out our Calendar.
  • Crop specific recommendations. Find these on our Production and BMP pages.

Soak in even more information on our Planning and Management pages including Enterprise Budgets and Farm Financing. Check out the resources below to get you pointed in the right direction as you begin. 

  • What Business is Right for You
    • Keys to Successfully Choosing Enterprises That Suit Your Small Farm – UF/IFAS
    • Webinar: Keys to Successfully Choosing Enterprises That Suit Your Small Farm – UF/IFAS
    • Frequently Asked Questions for Small Business Start-Ups – UF/IFAS
    • Financial Management: Important Generalizations – UF/IFAS
    • Checklist for Starting a Business – Internal Revenue Service
    • Planning and Management
  • How to Get Started – Step by Step
    • Farm Business Start-Up Checklist – UF/IFAS
    • Starting and Running a Successful Business Chapter – Florida Direct Marketing Handbook – UF/IFAS
    • Search for Farm Internships - ATTRA
    • Urban Agriculture Toolkit – USDA
  • Accessing Land
    • Linking Farmers with Land: Programs - Center for Rural Affairs
    • Finding Land to Farm: Six Ways to Secure Farmland - Farmland Information Center
    • Access to Land and Capital – USDA
    • Toolbox for Farm Seekers – Land for Good
    • Farmland Assessment Checklist – Penn State Extension
    • Conservation Easements and Planning Land Succession Publications – UF/IFAS

     

  • Connecting with Buyers
    • Florida Direct Marketing Handbook – UF/IFAS
    • Local Food Directory – USDA
    • Community Farmers’ Market, CSA and other Locators – FDACS
    • Local Harvest
  • Connecting with Processors
    • Cottage Foods – FDACS
    • Meat Products (including processing) Publications – UF/IFAS
    • How Do I Legally Sell Meat from My Own Livestock and Poultry in Florida? – UF/IFAS
    • Listed Slaughter and Rendering Establishments - USDA/APHIS
    • Custom and Retail Exempt Meat Processing – UF/IFAS
    • See our Processing page
    • See our Networking page for industry associations
  • Whole Farm Planning
    • Building a Sustainable Business – A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses – SARE-USDA
    • Estate and Succession Planning Publications – UF/IFAS
    • Urban Farm Business Plan Handbook – Partnership for Sustainable Communities
    • Beginning Farmer Publications – ATTRA/NCAT 
    • Business Planning and Development – NC State Extension
  • What IFAS can do for You
    • Locate UF/IFAS Extension in Your County 
    • Diagnostic Service Labs – UF/IFAS
    • Calendar of Events – UF/IFAS
    • Farm Networking Meetings – UF/IFAS
    • EDIS UF/IFAS Publication Database
  • Additional Resources
    • USDA New Farmers Website
    • Farm Answers.org – USDA
    • Southern SARE
    • ATTRA- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
    • eXtension.org 
    • Wwoof International – Volunteer on a farm
  • Video Playlist
    • Beginning Farmer Playlist - UF/IFAS Extension Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Program
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Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises
P.O. Box 110810 Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-1761

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