Determining Your Vision and Goals
An important - yet often overlooked - step for all aspiring and beginning farmers is to determine how the farming operation they wish to start or join fits into their life vision and goals. Farming is an intense business and often requires a time commitment beyond what is typical of other vocations. While some beginning farmers are familiar with this lifestyle, others are not. Once the hustle of daily farming activities begins, there is little time to evaluate whether the obligations of farming match individual and family goals. If they do not, it may be difficult to pivot without financial and personal setbacks.
The following resources can help guide aspiring farmers through important considerations, such as whether the farm will be the sole or primary source of income, and if not, determining if the time available to devote to the farming operation is sufficient. They will also assist in determining if farming aligns with lifestyle and financial goals. These are critical concepts, imperative to developing the purpose and scope of the farm.
Resources
- Leading Farm Transitions: Tips for Young Farmers and Ranchers In this video, speakers discuss considerations for carrying on an existing farming operation.
- Getting Started in Farming: Part-time or Small Farms This Iowa State University Extension article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of starting a small or part-time farm in addition to other considerations. It also includes links to other helpful resources.
- Plan Your Farm by Cornell Small Farms Program This self-paced course walks participants through key considerations for individuals who are interested in starting a farm. The course is accessible for no cost, or participants are invited to donate a self-determined amount. Specific modules that cover vison and goals are -
- Module: Love of Farming and Lessons from Experience
- Module: Let your values guide you.
- How to Begin Your Small Farm Dream This guide was developed for people who want to start a small farm.
- A Beginning Farmer Workbook: How to Plan, Support, and Grow Your Farm or Ranch This Purdue Extension workbook was mainly designed for someone who is already farming, however, it is also a good resource for aspiring farmers. It includes sections on defining a vision and mission statement for the farm and includes worksheets.
Creating Your Farm Business Plan
- After considering personal and farm vision and goals, and determining that farming does indeed further those goals, it’s time to start planning out the farming operation itself. Do not get discouraged if this feels overwhelming. A plan is just that - a plan, not an absolute. It should change over time.
- Creating a business plan is important for multiple reasons. First, it requires individuals to think about the details required to start a farming operation. Second, lenders will likely require a business plan to demonstrate a well-thought-out plan to be profitable and service debt payments. Third, it will provide useful information for consultants or other professionals that individuals may work with as they start or join operations, allowing for more efficient meeting time, and for paid consultants, less money spent.
- There are many resources available to help develop a business plan, including those included in the list below. The format of the plan is not important, the content is.
Resources
- Create Your Own Business Plan This Iowa State University Extension document provides and outline and template for creating your own business plan.
- AgPlan is an app developed by the University of Minnesota to assist with developing a business plan for agricultural businesses. It is free of charge for anyone to use individually or in educational programs. AgPlan is designed to help business owners work with an educator or advisor while developing a business plan. It allows users to add reviewers (such as family members, educators, or other farm stakeholders) to your business plan and AgPlan will facilitate interaction with them.
- Write your Business Plan The U.S. Small Business Administration provides guidance on how to write a business plan quickly and efficiently with a business plan template.
- Plan Your New Farm Operation Guidance developed by USDA on how to draft a business plan, including important questions to answer during process. This resource will be especially helpful if you are planning to apply for a loan from USDA.
- Building a Sustainable Business A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses This guide was developed by the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA).
- Starting a Farm: Business Planning PennState Extension offers this online course, for a fee, to help develop a business plan.
Considering a Mentor
Many new farmers are looking for mentorships and practical learning experiences. The following list includes mentorship opportunities for new farmers in Iowa. If you know of a mentorship program that is not listed, please reach out to us at bfc@iastate.edu and let us know.
Practical Farmers of Iowa Labor4Learning Program
The Labor4Learning program is designed to pair beginning farmers seeking employment and additional training in farm management and production skills with experienced farmers seeking extra help on their farm. Beginning farmers get paid while learning farm business development from an experienced farmer. Open Labor4Learning positions are posted on Practical Farmers of Iowa's website in the early part of the new year for the upcoming growing season.
Practical Farmers of Iowa Savings Incentive Program
The Savings Incentive Program (SIP) is a two-year program for beginning farmers and provides learning and networking opportunities, guidance from farmer mentors, goal setting and business plan creation support, matching (up to $2,400) funds saved by participants during the program to support the purchase of farm assets.
The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers - Building Your Livestock Legacy Program
The Building Your Livestock Legacy Program is here to help connects aspiring farmers with financial resources or matches them with seasoned farmers looking to pass on their farm to non-heirs. It provides a self-guided online mentorship program using Google Classroom. Participants will work through a series of video lessons featuring experts on a variety of topics, from financing and marketing to the loan application process. The program is available to anyone who would benefit from the lessons presented, whether you are a new and beginning farmer or an established farmer looking for financial assistance.
Veterans in Agriculture Apprenticeship Program
Veterans in Agriculture (VIA) assists military Veterans to develop, grow, and succeed as Iowa’s next generation of farmers and agribusiness leaders. VIA sponsors agricultural apprenticeship programs, which have been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. Visit VIA's website to learn more about registering as an employer or an apprentice.
Marbleseed Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship Program
This program is for organic farmers or those transitioning to organic farming. Applicants must have been operating their farm business for at least one year prior to application date. Experienced farmer mentors are matched with a mentee considering proximity to each other’s farms. Mentors provide guidance on a range of topics, including farm business growth, organic certification, adding farm enterprises, production skills and balancing farm and family. Applications are open for the 2026 Mentorship Program until Dec. 1, 2025.