Developing a Farm Business Plan
Computer Generated Presentation with Script
Rachel Painter
Extension Specialist
United States
Manchester
Team Members:
Painter, R*1, Bell, E*2, Humpal, L*3
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Extension Farm Management Specialist, University of Tennessee, Manchester, Tennessee, 37355
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Extension Farm Management Specialist, University of Tennessee, Clarksville, Tennessee, 37040
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Extension Farm Management Specialist, University of Tennessee, Columbia, Tennessee, 38402
Abstract
The purpose of this educational presentation was to provide agricultural producers with practical guidance on developing a comprehensive farm business plan to improve financial stability and long-term sustainability of Tennessee farms. Developing a Farm Business Plan was created in response to the need expressed by agricultural producers and a request from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to support producers in writing business plans, ultimately helping farmers improve applications for funding opportunities. Rachel Painter, Eryn Bell, and Les Humpal, all Farm Management Extension Specialists with the University of Tennessee MANAGE Program, assisted with developing a presentation and then recorded portions of the PowerPoint presentation using Zoom, and Rachel edited the video segments using Adobe Rush before publishing the video on The Center of Farm Management YouTube channel on May 20, 2024. The video was also posted on the Center for Farm Management website to coincide with the publication series on the same topic, allowing users to engage with both written and video-based content to accommodate various learning preferences and online access at any time. The video has 132 views on YouTube. Rachel has presented the presentation at 14 in-person Master Farm Manager trainings and two conferences, with a total of 604 farmers gaining knowledge on business planning live from May 2024 until March 2025. This impact data does not include the number of farmers at in-person trainings when other farm management specialist including Eryn and Les presented the presentation. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has shared the quality of business plans submitted for funding programs has greatly improved. By providing accessible and practical business planning knowledge, this video serves as a vital tool in strengthening farm operations, improving financial planning, and supporting agricultural success and sustainability across Tennessee.
PowerPoint File