The mission of this program is to increase the number of beginning farmers and ranchers in the U.S. and enhance their enterprise sustainability through an innovative, holistic model for education, training, technical assistance, and outreach; thus, reducing self-employment barriers for veterans and others (particularly those with disabilities) to enter and remain in production agriculture. One of the unique and innovative aspects of the project is that it addresses not only the educational needs of beginning farmers and ranchers, but also offers a professional learning community that provides ongoing beginning farmer business development and ag-specific technical guidance, access to farm management and production expertise, and potential linkage to land opportunities.
“It is better to lose money on paper than it is to lose it from your bank account.”
~Dr. Greg Clary, Ag Economist & instructor for the BGBG Program
Business Plans not only help you move a “good idea” into a strategic, actionable plan but a business plan is also the key guiding document that propels your business forward. A good business plan emphasizes your mission and your goals as well as dives into the specific details regarding business operations, marketing strategies, and key financial data. This plan will be the most important document in securing outside funding (loans and grants) for your agriculture business.
About the Program
BattleGround to Breaking Ground – Condensed Program spans 27 weeks. The Traditional Program was developed for active-duty military, military veterans, their families, and the general public who are new / beginning farmers and ranchers to assist them in starting or enhancing a production agriculture business. This course is designed to help participants learn how to create a business plan that consist of operations, marketing, management, and financial plans. Combining online production agriculture courses with hands-on learning through mentors and adding in wrap around support like financial & wellness coaching make the Agriculture Production and Hands-on Learning portion of the course the fun part of the course for most of us.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- select an agriculture enterprise
- describe business goals and create a plan to meet those goals
- develop a business description, operations plan, marketing plan, and financial plan
- understand risk management strategies
- understand, create, and analyze financial statements including budgets, production records, income statements, cash flow, and balance sheets
- analyze production records to achieve business efficiency and profitability
- understand agriculture business financing options
- develop a complete agriculture business plan
- understand you local technical and financial resources
- develop a technical assistance team
- complete online agriculture production courses
- gain knowledge and skills through 100 hours of a hands-on mentorship with a mentor of your choosing
- understand how to plan agritourism events
Locations
This course is a hybrid course. Basic Training / Boot Camp is in-person. The majority of the course is online. The Hands-on Learning is in-person with a mentor of your choice.
Program Dates
This Traditional Program is offered in the spring with a start date in January. Our next Cohort is scheduled for 27-31 January 2025.
Registration Information
Two options for enrolling in this course!
Option 1: Pay the Tuition
Tuition Cost $1,000
Note: Paying for Tuition waives the requirement to attend Basic Training / Boot Camp in-person.
Basic Training / Boot Camp in-person (Optional) – $125
Option 2: Apply for a Tuition Waiver
Applications Open: September 30, 2024
Applications Close: December 6, 2024
Notifications of Selection / Non-Selection for Complete Application Packets Sent by: December 20, 2024
Application Course Cost: $10
Complete the Application Course.
This Application online course:
- is a competitive application process – 12 applicants will be chosen to receive a tuition waiver;
- is the application to waive the $1,000 tuition (course enrollment fee) for the Battleground to Breaking Ground Traditional Program or Condensed Program;
- is available to active-duty military, military veterans, their families, and the general public who are new / beginning farmers and ranchers; and
- will require:
- completion of 3 quizzes that cover the program introduction, program expectations, and program agreement,
- completion of a BGBG Traditional / Condensed Program Application survey,
- submission of 3 letters of support.
If selected for a Tuition Waiver, Basic Training / Boot Camp in-person is Mandatory – $125
For more information about the program and instructions on how to enroll / apply, contact Heidi Barber at heidi.barber@ag.tamu.edu or (254) 640-2967