We are agricultural business development specialists, and we want to see new and emerging farmers gain access to farmland and markets that will allow them to focus their time on their craft. To do so, we work with farmers, non-profits, co-operatives, and all levels of government to build the business case for improving access to underproductive farmland and to create new markets for the collective sales and marketing of farm products. These projects all serve to support the next generation of farmers.
Food Sector Business Planning
Upland has worked on a number of projects that examine the financial viability of establishing local markets for local foods. This includes assessing the feasibility for establishing food hubs for small-scale processors; aggregating local produce sales for the K-12 school food programs; and opportunities for integrating local foods into hospitals and other public health institutions. We relish crunching the numbers, assessing risk, and examining realistic opportunities for bringing locally-produced food and food products into new markets.
Farm-Level Business Planning
Upland has completed dozens of farm-level business plans across B.C. for those interested in starting a farm or growing their current operation. Upland has experience in developing business plans for a diversity of farm operations, including mixed-vegetable, berry, livestock, goat dairy, hops, seafood, flowers, mushrooms, and specialty crops (e.g. wasabi) as well as value-added products.
Ione Smith, Director of Upland, is a Qualified Business Consultant as conferred by the BC Ministry of Agriculture. If you choose to work with Ione you may be eligible for funding through the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program.
Upland will work directly with you to ensure your farm business goals are met while providing a road-map on how to get you there.
Examples of business planning activities that Upland can provide are, but not limited to:
- Determining your business strategy including goals, vision and mission statements,
- Identifying consumer market trends, industry competition, and market gaps,
- Outlining the farm production plan for each farm activity and including best environmental practices of production,
- Performing a risk assessment using a strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats assessment (SWOT) and identifying a mitigation strategy for any identified risks,
- Providing financial analysis that includes assessing capital investment needs, operational expenditures, costs of production, cash flow analysis, and breakeven analysis, and,
- Forming an implementation strategy, including seeking funding opportunities, for how to set the business plan into motion.
Upland will provide you with a final report and an excel workbook which can be modified as your business changes and grows.
Contact Upland today for a quote for services.
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