Business and Marketing

Farms and ranches are businesses. In order to operate a sustainable farming and ranching operation, you will have to understand the many components of running a business.

This includes planning, financial management, recordkeeping, marketing, legal considerations, and more.

Here you will find practical resources that provide guidance on business and marketing. From whole-farm planning, financial management, accessing new markets, and other farm-business topics  

Marty Holman works the computer in his outdoor office on Holman’s Harvest Farms in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida, February 25, 2021. Holman raises chickens, cattle, vegetable, and tropical fruit on his 15 acres. USDA/FPAC photo by Preston Keres

Featured Topics

ATTRA’s Business and Marketing Resources

Photo showing barn damage from Hurricane Helene

Farmers in Hurricane Helene’s Path Face Hard Winter – But We Can Help

By Eddy Labus, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist I am…
Photo of a sign stating "the land is poetry" next to tall wildflowers

Power, Profit, and Diversified Farming

By Lee Rinehart, NCAT Agriculture Specialist I dreamed last…

Episode 362. Strategies for Selling to Schools

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture…
field of vegetables in a forest clearingNCAT

Episode 361. Understanding the Hawai’i Regional Food Business Center and Food Hub Hui with Dr. Saleh Azizi

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Agriculture Specialist…

Episode 358. Abundant Montana “Meet Up” Meets with Success

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Local Foods Specialist…

Episode 356. Soil-to-Skin: Tameka Peoples of Seed2Shirt Shares Her Journey

This episode of Voices from the Field continues our Soil-to-Skin…

Ag Efficiency: Focus on the 20%

By Hakeem Holmes, NCAT Agriculture Specialist What is the…

Episode 355. Soil-to-Skin: Rebecca Burgess of Fibershed on Building Community

This episode of Voices from the Field begins our Soil-to-Skin…
green beans, lettuce, and yellow tomatoes on displayUSDA

Farm Store Offers 24-Hour Self Service

Codman Community Farms in Lincoln, Massachusetts, has developed…
man reviewing documents

Working on the Business: Tax Day Musings

By Linda Coffey, NCAT Livestock Specialist Here in Arkansas,…
cucumbersNCAT

Episode 349. Farm to School with Ridge to Reef Farm on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture…

Episode 348. Poke Salad, Mullein, and Other Crop Alternatives in Southern Arkansas

In this episode of Voices from the Field, Kandi Williams of the…

Market-Diversification Strategies with Ridge to Reef Farm on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

In this video, Nate Olive, the owner of Ridge to Reef Farm on…
Sky with storm clouds behind road signs with arrows, standing above tall grass.USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

Episode 346. Managing Risk in the Ark-La-Tex Region

In this episode of Voices from the Field, Kandi Williams of the…
tractor in field

Identifying Waste: Becoming a Lean Farming Machine

By Hakeem Holmes, NCAT Agriculture Specialist Lean is a business…