Central Illinois Farm Beginnings

Business Planning Seminars

Central Illinois Farm Beginnings was born out of the recognition that many new farmers who have the passion to farm sustainably do not have the tools they need to build an economically sustainable business. For this reason, CIFB begins its program with a seminar series intended to give students these tools. The main product of these seminars is a complete business plan that each student creates for his/her prospective farm business. All seminar content and homework assignments contribute to the development of this important final product.

Every seminar in the nine-seminar series focuses on a specific aspect of business planning and includes an in-depth discussion with an expert presenter or panel. Every class includes at least one farmer-presenter, creating a unique farmer-led learning opportunity. We also aim to include the insight and advice of professionals in fields as diverse as law, banking, and farmers market management.

All seminars will take place in the U-I Extension office on the Richland Community College Campus at 3351 North President Howard Brown Boulevard; Decatur, IL. A full lunch is provided at every Saturday seminar.

Seminar 1: Clarifying Values and Setting Goals
Saturday, October 10, 2009, 10 am - 4 pm

Seminar 2: Building Your Business Plan: The Basics
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 10 am - 4 pm

Seminar 3: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: The SWOT Analysis
Saturday, November 7, 2009, 10 am - 4 pm

Seminar 4: Financial Planning 101: The Fundamentals and Financial Planning 201: Planning for Profit
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 10 am – 4 pm

Seminar 5: Business Plan Work Day
Saturday, January 9, 2010, 10 am – 4 pm

Seminar 6: Marketing 101: The Fundamentals of Marketing and Marketing 201: Realities from the Field
Saturday, January 16, 2010, 10 am – 4 pm

Seminar 7: Connecting with Financial Resources and Students’ Farm Business Plan Presentations
Saturday, February 6, 2010, 10 am - 4 pm

Seminar 8: Connecting with Conservation Resources and Students’ Farm Business Plan Presentations II
Saturday, March 6, 2010, 10 am - 4 pm

Seminar 9: Mentor/Mentee Meeting
Saturday, March 20, 2010, 10 am - 4 pm

Central Illinois Farm Beginnings is coordinated and co-facilitated by The Land Connection and the University of Illinois Extension and is a member of the National Farm Beginnings Collaborative.