What is inside this farm and agriculture business plan
The download is a complete sample plan for Willow Creek Family Farm, a fictional farm and agriculture business, written so you can see what a finished plan looks like and then swap in your own details. It includes all twelve sections lenders and investors expect:
- Executive summary
- Company description
- Products and services
- Market analysis
- Competition
- Marketing and sales
- Operations, licenses and permits
- Management and staffing
- Key performance indicators
- Risks and mitigation
- Financial plan with startup costs and 3-year projection
- Funding request and appendix checklist
Who your farm and agriculture business will serve
Typical customers
- Grain elevators and cooperatives
- Farmers market and CSA members
- Restaurants and grocers buying local
- Wholesale produce buyers
Products and services to describe
- Row crops such as corn, soybeans or wheat
- Vegetables and fruit for direct sale
- Livestock, poultry or eggs
- CSA subscription boxes
- Agritourism such as u-pick or farm events
Common revenue streams
- Commodity crop and livestock sales
- Direct-to-consumer sales
- Government program payments and custom work
Farm and Agriculture startup costs
These rough ranges are a starting point for your own budget. Real costs depend heavily on your city, the size of the operation and whether you buy new or used. Get quotes and replace them in your plan.
| Startup cost | Typical low | Typical high |
|---|---|---|
| Land lease or down payment | $20,000 | $300,000 |
| Equipment (used) | $30,000 | $250,000 |
| Seed, feed, fertilizer and inputs | $10,000 | $80,000 |
| Buildings, fencing and irrigation | $10,000 | $100,000 |
| Insurance including crop insurance | $2,000 | $15,000 |
| Operating line reserve | $15,000 | $75,000 |
| Estimated total | $87,000 | $820,000 |
Build your own budget with the free startup costs calculator.
Sample 3-year projection
The template includes an illustrative projection for a farm and agriculture business with first-year revenue of $280,000 and a 35% gross margin. Use it to see the shape of the numbers, then build your own with the 3-year financial projections spreadsheet.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $280,000 | $350,000 | $402,000 |
| Gross profit | $98,000 | $122,500 | $140,700 |
| Operating expenses | $93,100 | $102,410 | $110,603 |
| Net income before tax | $4,900 | $20,090 | $30,097 |
Key numbers to track
- Yield per acre or per head
- Production efficiency compared with county averages.
- Cost of production per unit
- Break-even price per bushel, pound or head.
- Working capital to gross revenue
- A common lender test of farm liquidity.
- Debt to asset ratio
- How leveraged the operation is.
Licenses and permits to research
- Farm EIN and state tax registration
- Pesticide applicator certification where needed
- Water rights or well permits
- Meat, dairy or egg processing licenses for direct sales
Requirements differ by state, county and city. Check with your local business licensing office, health department or Small Business Development Center before you open.
Marketing ideas for a farm and agriculture business
- CSA sign-ups before the season
- Farmers market presence
- Direct relationships with restaurants
- Farm tours and social media storytelling
Risks lenders will ask about
- Weather, drought and disease
- Commodity price swings
- Rising input costs
- Succession and labor availability
Tips for writing your farm and agriculture business plan
- Write a mission and vision the whole family agrees on.
- Build an enterprise budget for each crop or livestock line.
- Include a succession section, even if it is short.
Prefer a guided version?
Answer questions one section at a time and download your finished plan as a Word file.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a farm business plan different?
Farm plans usually include enterprise budgets for each product, a SWOT analysis of the whole operation, and family goals and succession planning, along with the standard financial statements.
Can a business plan help me get a farm loan?
Yes. Farm lenders and USDA farm loan programs typically ask for a plan with production history, budgets, a balance sheet and cash flow projections.
Is this farm and agriculture business plan template really free?
Yes. Download the Word or PDF file and use it for your own business at no cost, with no sign-up required. Replace the example text and numbers with your own.
Related business plan samples
Landscaping and Lawn Care Business Plan
Landscaping companies win on route density and recurring contracts.
Home ServicesCleaning and Janitorial Business Plan
Cleaning businesses are inexpensive to start and can grow quickly with recurring clients.
Home ServicesConstruction and General Contractor Business Plan
Contractor plans are judged on bonding capacity, project management and cash flow.
Real EstateReal Estate Agency Business Plan
Real estate brokerages earn commission on closed deals, so the plan centers on agent count, transactions per...
Real EstateRental Property Business Plan
A rental property plan is part investment analysis and part operating plan.
Real EstateAirbnb and Short-Term Rental Business Plan
Short-term rentals behave more like small hotels than traditional rentals.