1. Putting It All Together Where do I go from here? The next steps in evaluating an alternative agricultural enterprise Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching

2. Financial considerations Dig deeper Develop a farm business plan

3. Developing a business plan Nx Levels Ag Entrepreneurship Tilling the Soil of Opportunity BC Ministry of Agriculture – Planning for Profit enterprise series Planning your Business – UI Agriculture Alternative Series (CIS 978)

4. Starting your farm business Start small – try new things a little at a time. Figure out your production and marketing on a small volume – then think about expanding.

5. Keep good records You can only assess and improve how well your crops, animals and finances are doing if you know how they have been doing over time. Read Developing and Improving your Farm Records U of Maryland, 1991

6. Production Records Expenses for inputs, building repairs, etc. Timing of planting, fertilizing, harvesting Hours of labor involved in production Volume or amounts of seed, fertilizer, etc. Also record and assess the hidden costs or savings of doing one practice instead of another.

7. Marketing Records Record costs and receipts allocated to each of your different marketing strategies. Allocate your time and labor according to different marketing venues Only way to evaluate effectiveness of your marketing strategy.

8. Research Always attempt to answer your questions by field trials or marketing tests. Try your tests on a small scale. UI publication Conduct Your Own Garden Research SARE brochure How to Conduct Research on your Farm or Ranch

9. Monitor your progress Financial records will help you assess how you are doing

10. Monitor your progress Assessing environmental aspects of your resources is based on soil tests and observations, presence of erosion, compaction, water quality, crop quality, animal health and more

11. Monitor your progress Holistic Management is an approach to ranching and farming that has a built in monitoring approach. Read more about Holistic Management at http://www.holisticmanagement.org/

12. Continue to LEARN Go to conferences Join a farmer association or network Visit other farms

13. MS clipart photo

14. Credits Presentation developed by Cultivating Success TM : Sustainable Small Farms Education.