MDAR’s Tilling the Soil of Opportunity Course (10 weeks)

There are a few openings in the MA Department of Agricultural Resources’ TILLING THE SOIL OF OPPORTUNITY BUSINESS PLANNING course for farmers, scheduled this Fall at Fidelity Bank in Leominster on the following dates from 5:30pm to 8:30pm: Tues 10/17, Wed 10/25, Wed 11/01, Wed 11/08, Wed 11/15, Tues 11/21; Wed 11/29, Wed 12/06, Wed 12/13, and Wed 12/20.

This course is for owners/managers of established income-generating farms, to help develop a business plan and improve decision making on the farm. The experienced course instructor guides participants through the creation of a full business plan during 10 group sessions. The instructor visits each participant’s farm during the course and provides individualized assistance and confidential one-on-one financial planning. The course draws on peer experience, instructor knowledge and guest speakers on topics such as taxes, legal issues and marketing. Cost is $200 per enterprise.

For more information or to access an application for the course, go to the MDAR’s Agricultural Business Training Program site www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/agr/land-use/agricultural-business-training-program-abtp.html or contact Melissa Adams at 413-548-1904 or Melissa.L.Adams@state.ma.us. Applications will be accepted on a first come first serve basis until the course is filled.