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

AGRITOURISM

A customer picks blackberries at a u-pick farm.

CROP INSURANCE

Close up of a Montana farm field

DISASTER

Black Angus in a flooded Montana field

FARM LAW

farmer standing in field, from back

FARMERS MARKETS

people walking on a street between farmers market stands

FINANCING

farmers looking at a document

GRANT PROGRAMS

Dew drops sit on leaves

RISK MANAGEMENT

An aerial view of farmland

VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURE

ATTRA’s Business and Marketing Resources

Roots to Revenue: Making Agritourism Work for Your Farm

Overhead view of strawberry rows covered in white row cover.

Agility in Farm Management

By Hakeem Holmes, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Let's…
people walking on a street between farmers market standsncat

Episode 377: Sustaining Farmers Market Success in Montana and Beyond

In this episode of Voices from the Field NCAT specialists and…
Men at Helena, Montana, farmers market

Episode 374: Developing Farmers Market Cooperatives with Blake Lineweaver

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

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,…