Analysis of niche market farm businesses & development of Bottomland Farm business plan
(Book - Regular Print)

Thesis,MSFS,Green Mountain College,2016

Includes bibliographical references.

As the local food movement continues to grow, new farmers are faced with a variety of choices that could "make or break" their farm business. Small businesses in particular are at great risk of failing within the first 4 years, often due to their lack of planning (Penn State Extension 2009). The first half of this report will analyze the business choices of five small-scale farms in order to determine which choices add or detract from their overall business success. In addition, opportunities and threats will be examined in order to better understand how these businesses can take advantage of external environments. In the second half of this report, the analysis will be applied to create a business plan for Bottomland Farm, a new farm in the Finger Lakes Region of New York that will focus on growing high-value niche products like pastured-rabbit and shiitake mushrooms.