Farm financial consulting with Ryan Pesch

Author: Katie Drewitz

Calling all produce farmers, large and small, to take advantage of expert financial consulting for your farm. University of Minnesota Extension is working with the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association  (MFMA), Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA), and Renewing the Country Side to test a business model of farmer’s markets serving as food hubs in their communities. The goal is to figure out if this model is truly benefiting the farmer.

The team needs 18 farmers to commit to this opportunity by October 31, 2019. By committing to the project the farms are signing up to meet one-on-one with Ryan Pesch, University of Minnesota Extension Education in Community Economic Development. Ryan will use FINPACK software to input and analyze your records. All personal information will be strictly confidential between the farm and Ryan. Financial data from each farm will be compiled and averaged with similar information from other farms. All names and other identifying details will be removed. Once all data is collected and analyzed the financial impact will be identified.

The project has funds to pay 18 farms each a $150 stipend to meet with Ryan and share their 2017 and 2018 financial records and keep track of 2019 records. Participating farmers will also receive sound financial advice for their farm. The project team is looking for 18 farms. Each farm must fit into one of three categories.

1. Farmers who sell direct to customers at the farmers’ market and also sell through the aggregation project.

2. Farmers who sell direct to customers at the farmers’ market only – no wholesale sales.

3. Farmers who sell direct to customers at the farmers’ market and also have their own wholesale account(s) separate from the aggregation project.

If you have questions about how the farm financial consultation will happen or to sign up you can contact Ryan Pesch directly at 218-770-4398 or pesch@umn.edu. For additional questions or information you can also contact local Extension Educator, Katie Drewitz, Horticulture, Small Farms and Local foods at wins0115@umn.edu or 320-255-6169 extension 1.