The initiative enhanced whole farm planning (WFP) programming for beginning farmers in Virginia
by integrating risk management education and outreach. This enhanced the
Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program (VBFRCP), a coalition-based/statewide
Extension program that provides WFP training, resources, and mentoring for
beginning farmers. This project provided much needed risk management education
for a diversity of beginning farmers with who are in search of basic business
training support and resources in Virginia. Educational tools were developed through three workshops, online webinars, and annual VBFRCP in-service
training. Webinars, case stories, and
YouTube videos were offered and posted online. We provided culturally
appropriate examples and instruction on financial and legal risk management. As
a result, 200 beginning farmers are more successfully managing and mitigating risk
associated with starting and diversifying a food related business, and future VBFRCP service providers will be trained via an online business management
course offered as components of our Food
as a Business toolkit. Finally, a business planning guidebook is publicly available to all value-added producers and food businesses looking for assistance from small business development centers across the state.