Private / NonprofitRolling / continuousTechnical assistanceCA only
Kitchen Table Advisors / partner cohort hosts
Cohorts announced seasonally — join the interest list
Ten-week business course covering entity structure, labor law, land tenure, bookkeeping, taxes, credit, insurance, and regulatory compliance — built for working farmers who want a realistic 2–3 year plan for shoring up the business side.
- Commercial farm or ranch business, typically early-stage
- Able to commit to weekly sessions for ten weeks
Free or sliding-scale for participating farmers
Business planning & trainingIndividual producerBeginning / underserved
Private / NonprofitRolling / continuousTechnical assistance
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (Tufts University)
Annual cohorts, usually winter — watch the site
Eight-week course that walks you from farm idea to a written business plan: mission and goals, enterprise budgets, marketing plan, recordkeeping, and financing options. Offered online so growers anywhere can join.
- Aspiring or beginning farmers (generally under 10 years farming)
- Existing farmers planning an expansion or new enterprise
Low-cost tuition; scholarships commonly available
Business planning & trainingIndividual producerBeginning / underservedNon-profit
Private / NonprofitRolling / continuousTechnical assistanceCA only
Local Food Economy Lab
Rolling intake — cohorts filled as capacity allows
Tailored business planning and coaching for food system businesses. Participants get deep one-on-one support matched to their top priority — business plan development, marketing, legal help, or professional development — from values-aligned partners.
- Farm, fishing, or food business in the program's service region
- Clear priority need the coaching can address
No cost to selected participants
Business planning & trainingIndividual producerBeginning / underservedNon-profit