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 & Marketing Resources

Pickled okra

Beyond Fresh: A Food Processing Guide for Texas Farmers

School cafeteria fruit bar.USDA

New Markets for Your Crops

A man purchases fresh produce at the Helena, Montana farmers market.NCAT

Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities

Pick-your-own store front.

Tips for Selling with Agritourism and “Pick-Your-Own”

Tips for Selling to Grocery Stores

Grocery stores are becoming increasingly interested in selling products grown by local farmers. This tipsheet highlights the advantages, considerations, useful tips, and key questions you should ask yourself when considering grocery stores as a market for your farm products.
assortment of fresh vegetables

Tutorial: Scaling Up for Regional Markets

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Montana Farmers Market Mentors: Starting an Online Market

In this video, we learn about how the O’Hara Commons &…
personas reunidas con un asesor

Empezando su Empresa Agrícola: Los Primeros Pasos

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 KeresUSDA

Tips about: Farm Business Structures

Tips about: Farmer Income Tax

man reviewing documents

Consejos Sobre: Impuestos de Ingresos para Agricultores

handmade sign at a farmers market with pile of root crops

Tips for Selling at Farmers Markets

USDA

The Demise and Hope of Whole-Farm Revenue Protection

Sometimes a great notion is not enough. Working 18 years trying to improve the sustainability of agriculture through the promotion of a novel federal crop insurance policy called Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) remains a great notion, but one I fear that has been doomed to failure.
Jeff Schahczenski
Oats, barley, and some products made from them

Adding Value to Farm Products: An Overview